Out of respect for Maverick, we didn’t talk much about what my mom called the Davies Devotion. We’d grown up hearing their love story over and over, like a family legend in the making—Dad had known from the first time he saw Mom that she was the one. As clear as an arrow through the heart, a neon sign declaring that true love not only existed but had been found.
It had been the same for Mark, and now it was the same for me.
“Then you’ll do whatever you need to do to work through this, son,” Dad said softly.
“We’re here for you, man. Whatever we can do to help, you just let us know,” Mark added.
Words clogged in my throat, so I just nodded. This was what I wished Eden had—or what I wished she could see that she already had in her cousin, in me. Unconditional love and support, unwavering loyalty.
Coming from the childhood she’d endured, it might be difficult for her to adapt to those things, but I was determined to help her learn.
For both our sakes.
Aswiththebombthreat, news of the destruction actually brought in more customers than usual the following day. I almost kept the store closed, but I figured it would be easier to maintain an eye on Eden’s state of mind if I was nearby. It was also one of Carter’s days with me, so I wanted to make sure he knew there was nothing to fear and that everything would be okay.
Unfortunately, the influx of shoppers at both stores meant my contact with Eden was limited to a few quick texts throughout the day. She insisted she was fine, but it was difficult to read her tone via text. Rafael came by to see if I needed any assistance, so I left him in charge of the store and finally got the chance to slip away to check on Eden in person.
Garden of Delights was positively hopping, even on a weekday. A small group of older women eyed me with interest whenI entered the store—gossip moved through Spruce Hill’s population at the speed of light, so I wasn’t surprised our relationship was public knowledge.
“Ladies,” I said with a smile.
“Sorry to hear about your window, Milo. The police will catch the little buggers behind it, I’m sure,” one of them replied.
Eden watched both the exchange and my approach with an expression that bordered on trepidation. It reminded me of that day she first walked into Dueling Dragons, like she was bracing herself for impact.
I hated it as much now as I did then, but I had to tread carefully.
For once, I didn’t join her behind the counter or greet her with a kiss, just leaned against the other side and swept my gaze over the tiny scabs that weren’t hidden by her high-necked blouse. Her left hand was still bandaged with gauze, her beautiful eyes haunted. I wanted to wash it all away, like I could restore her to her usual self with the wave of a magic wand.
“How are you today?” I asked softly.
“Shaken. You?”
“Worried about you, but otherwise fine. The insurance guy is coming this afternoon. Everything is cleaned up. I’m thinking of letting Carter paint the wood over the window. He’s a pretty good artist. Maybe when the new glass goes in, I’ll hang the wood somewhere to showcase his talent.”
Eden blinked at me. “Oh. I mean, that’s a good idea.”
I stepped aside when one of the women came to make her purchase, then waited until they’d left the shop to prop my elbows on the counter and say, “Eden,” in the low, bossy tone that always got through to her.
“Yes?”
“Tell me the truth. How are you doing?”
She sucked in a breath. “Not great.”
“I could help you if you’d let me in,” I said gently. Even if itmightwork, I wasn’t going to order her to open up to me.
Saved by the bell—a customer entered the store. Eden shifted so the woman could see her and offered a friendly greeting before glancing back at my face.
“I just need some time, Milo.”
The whispered words were like a blade in my chest, but I tapped my fingers on the countertop for a second before leaning forward. “I don’t know what’s going on, Eden, but we’ll get through this.”
When she only nodded, that blade sank a little deeper. I held her gaze for a beat, hoping to convey all the emotions bubbling inside me, then returned to Dueling Dragons in defeat.
No, not defeat. More like a temporary détente for strategizing.
Something had shaken Eden last night even more than the brick through the window, more than the news about her parents leaving the country or the surprise existence of her niece. I didn’t know what exactly it was, but my initial concern thatshe blamed me for her injury seemed unlikely now. There was something deeper at play, and I didn’t like it.
