I don’t like the sound of that, but the doctor said there’s no reason why she can’t return to work. She’s ready to go back, and I want her to be happy.
We went to City Hall and got married five days after she left the hospital. The only people in attendance besides us wereher parents, Selene, and Cori. Dax showed up, sat in the back, and left before anyone could notice him. Preacher had a family emergency and was unable to attend.
My wife looked beautiful in a white dress that Cori made. Her parents were stoic but present. Eden’s friends showed up in matching dresses and cried. The entire ceremony took less than fifteen minutes, followed by an awkward lunch that Eden had arranged.
She was still recovering from headaches, so we spent our honeymoon at home. I decorated our bedroom with candles and roses of all colors and slowly made love to her on a bed of rose petals.
I spent the next few days pampering and loving my wife. The past six weeks have been wonderful, and I often wonder how I managed to live an entire life without my wife.
“Are you going to be okay?” She hasn’t been alone since she came home.
“Selene will be here in an hour, and Cori will be here a little later.”
I purse my lips at that. They should be here now. On the few occasions when I had to leave for work, I’ve counted on one or both of them to be here with Eden. “I’m fine. I don’t need a sitter.”
I pull her into my arms and rest my chin on top of her head.
“I worry,” I say. “If anything happens to you, I would—”
“I’m okay,” she whispers. She looks up and smiles at me. “Go so you can come back.”
My phone buzzes, alerting me that my front door has opened. I glance at the screen and see Cori rushing into my house with bags of groceries. Sighing, I shut off the screen.
Dax still hasn’t shown up for our meeting, which is unlike him. Seconds later, he walks in, and the three of us discuss a new customer, and Preacher gives the results of the background check.
Once we’re done, Dax rushes out without a word. That’s unlike him as well. He’d usually order food for everyone, but not today, which is fine because that means I can go home.
“How’s married life?” Preacher asks.
“Fine.” It’s more than fine. It’s perfection, but I keep that to myself because a man like me doesn’t deserve perfection.
“Lying sack of shit. I know your ass can’t wait to get out of here.”
I smirk at him, but I neither deny nor confirm.
Just as I’m about to stand, I hear a loud pounding on the back door. Dax is gone, and no one else bothers us here. I turn on the screen and sigh when I see who it is.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I mutter. “What the fuck does she want?”
“Don’t talk about your mother-in-law like that,” Preacher warns.
I eye him and make a face.
“What? I don’t judge her.” He raises both hands. “I’m the product of an affair. Can you imagine being married to Sheriff Rose?” He shivers.
I’ve only seen Eden’s mother twice since our wedding. She barely held her hostility at bay on our wedding day. When she wasn’t being hostile, she was weeping as if she were burying her daughter instead of watching her get married. We also had a strained dinner at their house one Sunday and breakfast at SevenHeaven another time. The only people who had a good time were Sylvie’s kids.
Eden talks to her parents daily, and they visit her at the house when I’m not there. That’s good enough for me.
When I make no move to open the door, Preacher does it for me. Serena Rose walks into the room, looking disheveled. Her hair is unkempt, and her eyes are puffy from her tears.
I don’t say a word.
“I need your help,” she says quickly.
Arching an eyebrow, I twist my neck. “I’m not leaving my wife.”
“I would never ask that. My daughter loves you.” She sticks her nose in the air. “And you love her. That’s obvious.”
