CHAPTER2
Eden hefted her last suitcase into the back of her BMW X3 and closed the door. Besides two suitcases and a carry-on, she'd also packed a duffel bag with cosmetics and toiletries. She'd probably over packed big time, but she had no idea how long she'd be gone or where she was even going really, other than to visit Kennedy for a while.
She looked back at her apartment. As much as she loved it, it hadn't felt the same since Kennedy moved to Providence last year. It was quiet and boring without her best friend. If she was being honest with herself, she had to admit that she was more than a little jealous of her friend. Not only had Kennedy found love but she’d also gained a family and part ownership in her own business. The two things her friend had always wanted.
A sense of melancholy filled Eden as she pulled her eyes away from her apartment. It's not like she never planned to return, but she wanted to be anywhere but Spokane right now. If she wasn't here, her father couldn't show up on her doorstep, asking her to reconsider her job and Tristan's proposal. He'd already texted three times this morning, and with each text, she'd become more agitated.
The first one read:Have you cooled down from your tantrum last night?
Heat had shot through her body at her father's choice of words. She'd finally found the courage to stand up for herself, and he called it a tantrum? She was still so furious with him that she didn't dare respond. She'd only end up saying things that would further damage their relationship.
So, she'd ignored his text, but that hadn't kept him from sending another one thirty minutes later:You’ve been under a lot of stress at work lately. I suppose it'll be good for you to take a few vacation days. Hopefully it'll help you clear your head so you can focus on what's important.
She had no intention of doing what he deemedimportant, so she'd ignored that text too.
When his third text came through, it was all she could do not to throw her phone across the room. Especially when she read his words:I expect you to keep in mind how hard we've worked to build this company and all the families who rely on its success.
DuPont Analytics would be fine without her, and they'd still be successful even without exclusivity rights with all those bigwig companies. It's not like it would fold overnight.
For a while this morning, she'd questioned whether she'd done the right thing in quitting her job, but the fact that her father tried to guilt her into doing what he wanted only made her more determined than ever to leave.
She had no idea what she'd do for a job, but she refused to let the uncertainty get her down. She climbed in her car and started the engine.
A little over an hour later, a sign on the side of the road advertising strawberries caught her eye. They were her favorite fruit, and the thought of fresh strawberries had her making a hasty lane change.
Within minutes, she juggled two pints of strawberries and her purse as she opened her car door.
A bee flew into her face. Its buzzing triggered a mini panic attack in her, stealing the air from her lungs. She danced around and swung her arm through the air, causing the strawberries to slip. Correcting her movements, she straightened the small containers before the berries could fall on the ground. It didn't keep her purse from falling and spilling its contents, however.
Frick!
She hated bees and wasps because she was deathly allergic to them. Once she was sure the bee was gone, she set the strawberries on the passenger seat then crouched to pick up the spilled contents of her purse. Panic filled her again when she realized her Epi Pen was missing. Crouching low, she looked under her car.
Spotting the long slender yellow tube, she sucked in a breath of relief. She snatched up the pen and shoved it into her purse before climbing back into her car.
Only twenty more minutes until she reached Providence. Then Kennedy could help her make sense of her messed up life.
* * *
Rudy parkedhis patrol car at the notorious speed trap north of town. The locals knew it was there and often adjusted their speed, but it never failed; he always managed to catch at least one motorist speeding down the hill.
He set up his radar gun and pulled out his phone. He wasn't supposed to check his email while working the speed trap, but there was nothing else to do.
The third email in his inbox was a quarterly statement from the investment company his accountant hooked him up with a few years ago after he got that hefty bonus and a raise, thanks to the sizable donation given to the sheriff's department.
He smiled as he scanned the numbers on the statement. With careful planning and continued investing, he could retire comfortably in twenty years.
At twenty-seven, he was too old to still be living with his parents, but it had allowed him to surpass his five-year goals, and he was on track to hit his ten-year goal of owning his own home early. Besides, there was a housing shortage in Providence.
He wanted to be financially secure before he settled down and started a family, so waiting until he had a house built only made sense.
His mind wandered to the call Kennedy received last night as he continued to clean up his inbox. Her phone rang just as they finished the second round of the card game he, Scott, and Kennedy had been playing with their parents—yes, he felt every bit the fifth wheel that he was since Scott and Kennedy became a couple. When she answered her phone, Eden's hysterical voice came through so loud, everyone at the table heard her.
She'd lamented something about her father trying to force her onto some playboy, then said something about quitting her job.
Kennedy had excused herself and talked to Eden for half an hour before returning. When she did, she wrapped her arms around Scott and kissed his cheek before asking, "Is it okay if Eden comes to stay with us for a few days? She's going through some pretty heavy stuff right now."
Of course, Scott nodded. Like he could ever say "no" to Kennedy. That woman had Rudy's big, strong, grumpy brother wrapped around her little finger. He was putty in her hands. It was ridiculous really.
