Rudy released Eden so fast she would have fallen if it wasn't for the wall behind her. Instantly, he stood four feet away on the other side of the entry, face beet red.
Wide-eyed, Eden turned away from Alice and covered her face with her hands as similar heat filled her cheeks.
"I must say, it took you two long enough." Satisfaction filled Alice's voice. Then the entry went dark again. "Carry on. But I'm warning you..." Her voice faded as she walked down the hall. "I'll be back out in two minutes to make sure you're keeping it appropriate."
"Geez, Mom. Way to kill the mood."
Eden would have burst out laughing if she wasn't so mortified. She'd never been caught kissing her boyfriend—or any guy, for that matter—by a parent before. No way would she let it happen again. She spun and hurried to her room so fast her door clicked closed milliseconds after Alice's.
"Eden, wait!" Rudy followed her, but she already had her door closed with her back pressed to it.
She jumped when a soft knock sounded behind her.
"Eden, come out and talk to me, please."
She turned until her temple pressed against the door. "I can't. Not tonight."
If she faced Rudy, she'd probably end up kissing him again because the fire he'd sparked in her still burned hot. Or maybe that was the embarrassment of having his mom tell them to carry on.
"Fair enough." His quiet voice sounded like his face was as close to the door as hers was. "But we need to discuss what's happening between us."
Yes, they did, but Eden wasn't sure she wanted to. She was more confused now than ever. She wanted to live out her daydreams with the man who'd stood up to her dad and earned his respect. With the man whose kisses drove her crazy. But she couldn't help feeling that if she chose marriage and a family that she'd be settling and burying the talents God had given her and she'd worked so hard to develop.
She could have a family and a career, she knew that. Women did it all the time. But she wasn't sure she could divide her time and attention like that, without neglecting one or the other.
Speaking of God... Was Alice's interruption a message that she shouldn't kiss Rudy? Or would Alice consider tonight a victory?
After Rudy's door closed, Eden tip-toed back out to the entryway to pick up her purse that she dropped at some point during their kiss. Once safely back in her room, she pulled out her phone. She hesitated a long moment before typing out a text to Rudy.
Remember how I asked if you were upping your game?
Then she hesitated a little longer before hitting send.
His response came almost immediately.
Yes.
Out of curiosity, what would you have done if I'd said it was working?
This time, his response wasn't so fast. In fact, he took so long to respond that she'd changed into pajamas before her phone vibrated again.
Lock your door tonight or you might find out.
CHAPTER18
Rudy laid out traffic cones in front of and behind his patrol car that blocked the intersection of Second South and Main Street. He looked to his right beyond the city offices and spotted most of his family. Everyone was there except for his parents and Eden.
He wasn't sure when he'd started thinking of Eden as family, but it just felt right.
He continued to search the group looking for her as the crowds grew. Scott and Kennedy promised to bring her to the Independence Day festivities, and they were here, but he couldn't see Eden anywhere.
He wished he could spend the day with her, but unfortunately, it was all hands on deck today. For such a small town, Providence celebrated their freedom in a big way. Even if Eden didn't find the plethora of small-town activities impressive, he hoped she still had fun.
"Excuse me, deputy, is it okay for me to park my chair in the middle of the street here?" The dark-haired beauty that he'd been searching for appeared by his side.
Grinning, he resisted the urge to pull her into his arms. "I think you'd be a lot more comfortable in the shade with my family."
Eden shrugged. "I put on sunscreen."
