Eden's face split into a broad grin. The kind that made his heart beat a little faster.
Rudy couldn't quite let her father's dig go. "Even the business class suffer from the stress of their jobs though. I recently read an article about how most businessmen and women are sleep deprived and consequently suffer from depression and anxiety in addition to addiction and heart disease. Heck, we're all probably walking around with an ulcer that is only one stressful day away from rupturing."
Oliver laughed at this. If he heard the criticism in Rudy's words, he chose not to react.
A tall, slender woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties walked into the sitting room. Her simple navy-blue dress with a white lace collar matched her stiff posture. A smile softened her features when she spotted Eden. "There's my girl."
Eden rose from the couch and let the woman wrap her in a tight embrace.
"I've missed you, sweetheart."
Rudy heard a soft sniff from Eden before she whispered, "I've missed you too, Helen."
The older woman, who was considerably younger than Rudy had expected, continued to hold Eden tight. "I chewed your father out for that ridiculous scheme he tried to force you into." She shot a scowl in Oliver's direction over Eden's shoulder. "I made him fend for himself for a whole week."
Eden giggled. "Good."
"Don't let that stubborn fool chase you away again, you hear?"
"I won't."
On the drive here, Eden had talked a great deal about Helen, her dad's housekeeper and Eden's former nanny, explaining that she had often acted as a buffer between her and her father. Even though Helen was rather strict and impatient, according to Eden, she'd smothered her with love.
Eden finally pulled back from the embrace. "Helen, I'd like you to meet...my boyfriend, Rudy Wheeler."
Hopefully, neither Helen nor Oliver caught Eden's hesitation before saying boyfriend. They might need to work a little harder at selling their relationship.
Rudy sprang to his feet and held his hand out to Helen. "It's nice to meet you."
The older woman took his hand and pulled him into an embrace, tugging his head down to her level. "I know eleven different ways to filet a fish, so don't even dream of hurting my girl, you hear?"
"Helen!" Eden exclaimed.
And Eden had been worried about the threats her father might make.
"Mmm...I love seafood," Rudy said with a grin.
Helen chuckled as she released him. She eyed him up then back down before squeezing his bicep. She winked at Eden. "He's got the trifecta; tall, strong, and handsome. Don't let this one get away."
A flush of warmth filled Rudy's face, matching the color that tinged Eden's cheeks.
"Helen, stop harassing the boy." Oliver rose too. "I assume dinner is ready?"
"It is." Helen hooked her arm through Eden's and led her toward the dining room. "I made all of your favorites. And this time, don't you dare leave without eating your chocolate mousse."
"I won't." Eden shot an apologetic look over her shoulder at Rudy.
He smiled and waved her on, glad she had Helen in her corner. His footsteps faltered, however, when he entered the dining room that was furnished just a lavishly as the rest of the house with satin draperies and a lace tablecloth—every bit as delicate as Miss Georgie's tatted doilies—covering a massive cherry-wood table. Crystal goblets, fancy China, and more forks than Rudy knew what to do with marked three place settings at the table. One at the head and two to the right.
At least I get to sit by Eden.
They were still getting settled into their seats, when Helen tapped Oliver's shoulder, pointed a finger at him, and mouthed something Rudy couldn't read. Then she was gone, disappearing through a door on the other side of the room. The whole thing happened so fast, he wondered if he'd imagined it.
Rudy had barely taken a bite of his salad when Oliver brought up his job again. "So, Rudy, how much do you make a year as a sheriff's deputy?" His words sounded cordial enough but there was an unmistakable challenge in his voice.
"Dad!" Eden scowled at her father.
Rudy put a hand on her leg under the table to calm her. Even though he couldn't possibly feel more out of place in this monstrosity of a house, he would do whatever it took to keep the peace between Eden and her father tonight. Which meant he would fall back on the motto he'd adopted for himself at the police academy.
