She curled up on the sofa and looked down at the baby. “You know, your Uncle David is a very confusing person. He cares enough to buy these flowers every couple of days, but doesn't like me and never eats anything I cook. Well, I assume they're for me to enjoy.”
Eden changed the channel to a quiz show. She ate as she watched, almost jumping out of her skin as the front door opened and then shut.
David walked into the room, carrying a takeout bag. His gaze fell on her. “Oh, you're back. What happened to staying with your mum and dad?”
“Mum isn't taking this well. She and Dad have gone away for the weekend, so I figured I'd come home. No point staying in an empty house.”
David growled, looking even more disapproving. “I told you to stay there for a reason.”
Eden sighed. Couldn't she do anything right anymore? “I saved you some dinner. It's in the kitchen.”
“I don't need it. I have this.” He put the bag on the table, scowling as he caught sight of the vase. “And these go on the window sill.”
“Why?” Eden watched him move it. “It's a waste because I can't see them over there.”
“It doesn't matter why. That's where they go.”
“OK.” She tensed slightly at his tone.
He crossed the room again, taking the plastic box from the carrier bag. “And you'll need to make your own way to church tomorrow. I have to go somewhere en route. Preferably alone.”
“I can wait in the car⦔
“Which part of alone don't you understand?”
“Are you working on a Sunday, again?”
“That's no concern of yours. There's a bus timetable on the pin board in the kitchen.”
“What happened to you? All you think of is yourself. Thank you for dumping me. Really. I'll ring Elliott and ask him to pick me and Marc up.”
“Marc and I,” David corrected as he dug his fork into the noodle dish in his hand.
“Whatever.” Eden picked up Marc. “I'll just give him his bath.” She hurried from the room.
“Don't do the feeds,” David called after her. “I'll do them later.”
“Fine.”
She sucked in a deep, calming breath.
God, I really hope You know what You're doing here, because things are almost unbearable. If this wasn't what Hanna wanted, I'd leave.
****
David drove to the park, thoughts running rampant through his mind. Eden hadn't spoken to him since the previous evening. Part of him was grateful for that. The other part of him, the part that still cared an inordinate amount for her, wasn't OK with that at all. But there was no way he could let this infatuation, crushâwhatever he was going to call the torch he still carried for her and the vast amount of love he feltâget in the way of work. He was too involved and too many lives depended on his work. The needs of the many and all that...
When he'd taken the undercover assignment, he'd taken her love and tossed it aside like an empty crisp wrapper. Tossing his heart after it. Only that wasn't true, he chided himself. He'd take her back in a heartbeat, only that couldn't happen.
After parking the car, he shoved the gun into his waistband, and set off across the park to the duck pond. Not the ideal place for a drop, as there were often too many people about, but he didn't have a choice in the matter. Hopefully, he could do this and still make church on time.
David reached the duck pond and looked out over the water.
“A little old to feed the ducks.”
David took in the tall, bald, tattooed bloke in biker leathers standing there. “It's something to do,” he replied.
“Have you got it?”
He jerked his head in response. “Money first.”
The biker pulled an envelope from his jacket. “It's all there.”
“It had better be.” David checked it briefly, and then shoved it in his coat. He pulled out a parcel and handed it over. “Otherwise the boss will come calling. He doesn't want a repeat of last time.”
The biker looked at him.
“Grant was a warning,” David told him. “Next time we won't be so lenient.”
The biker nodded and walked off.
David returned his gaze to the pond. The water was still, not even a ripple. Unlike the rampant emotions tearing him every which way. He didn't move, aware of the photographer on the other side of the pond, capturing his every stance. Was it one of his or one of theirs?
Several unchristian thoughts flooded his mind. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head and prayed for forgiveness. Then he headed back to the car.
He arrived at church to find Eden sitting in his normal pew with Marc. Holding in the sigh, he slid in beside her. He'd made it with a few minutes to spare and picked up his service sheet to read it. Going to church after what he'd just done didn't seem right. He was more aware of his sin here than anywhere else. He wanted a shower desperately in order to try and remove the dirt covering him and caking his soul.
Mrs. Taylor sat next to Eden and made a fuss of Marc, who smiled and gurgled at her.
David caught Eden's gaze, then turned his attention to the service sheet. The pastors were going through the Ten Commandments in the morning services. He found each one progressively more difficult, not just listening to them, but the way his conscience twinged and berated him. Today was going to be just as hardâThou shalt not kill.
David may not have physically pulled the trigger, but if he'd arrived just a few minutes earlier rather than waiting outside things would have played out differently.
For an instant he considered bolting. Perhaps Marc would cry before the sermon ended and he could leave.
But Marc didn't cry. He fell asleep and stayed sleeping.
David found himself rooted to the spot, only able to stand to sing.
The sermon was harder than he'd expected. Pastor Jack seemed to be talking directly at him, every word ramming home with the force of the proverbial battering ram. Had someone been talking? How could the man possibly know all this? How could he know what kind of a mess David was in, and just how deep he was involved?
David realized with a shock, that it was God talking unswervingly to him. He knew Adam was right, despite the way he'd reacted. If he didn't get out, and get out fast, he'd lose his faith and his life. But getting out wasn't going to be easy. In fact, it may well cost him his life. And although it hurt not to be Marc's guardian, Hanna had been right to appoint Eden.
Show me what to do, Lord. This seemed so simple, noble even, at first, but now I'm just caught up in a mess I'm not sure how to deal with. Give me the words, and the means either to close this or to escape, for the waters have reached my neck, and unable to swim, I'm in danger of drowning.
6
Eden secured Marc's jacket and laid him in the pram. She fastened the straps, as he now tried to roll over, and tucked the blankets around him. Although the sun was shining, it was still chilly. Spring was on its way. Trees were bursting into bloom around her, with their cherry blossom scent hanging in the air.
She'd barely seen David the past couple of days. He still wasn't eating what she cooked. He even went as far as cooking for himself when he got in. She'd ceased offering and instead simply put any leftovers in the freezer. Tonight, she was planning on cooking just for her.
Marc grinned up at her and waved happily.
“So, we'll go to the park first, then the shops, and hopefully, you'll give in and go to sleep just as we get back, so I can doze for a few minutes. How can you be so cheerful on such little sleep?”
Even though David had been up half the night with the baby, Eden still hadn't slept. She set off towards the park. This part of town was a lot prettier than the side on which her parents lived. Tears filled her eyes as her thoughts once again turned to Hanna and Eric and all that this baby was going to miss out on.
She wasn't a fit substitute for a parent, and nor was David. They couldn't agree on anything. How could they possibly come together enough to agree on raising a child? She couldn't deny him some say in the matter, even if she maintained overall control.
Eden reached the park and slowly meandered along the path leading to the duck pond. Marc gurgled, not showing any signs of tiredness. The trees overhanging the pond were covered in blossom, white, yellow, pink, reflecting in the still water. A mother duck led her brood of babies across the water.
A tall figure stood beside the pond. Eden instantly recognized him. David. What was he doing here? He said he'd be out of town all day. She shrugged and glanced at the baby. “Shall we go and say hello to Uncle David? See if he has time for coffee?”
Marc beamed and waved.
“I assume that's a yes.” Eden smiled and headed toward the spot where David stood. Then she froze.
A bloke dressed in biker leathers approached David and stood next to him. His face obscured by a helmet, hands tattooed heavily.
Eden backed off and stood behind a tree, watching with bated breath as David pulled back his jacket. She was no expert, but she knew enough from cop shows on the TV to recognize a shoulder holster when she saw one. Why was David carrying a gun?
He took an envelope from the man and checked it before handing over a package in exchange.
Terror filled her. What was he involved in? Well, whatever it was, she needed to get out of there before he saw her. And she needed to think about what she did next. She backed away, turning the pram in the direction she'd come.
Footsteps crunched on the path behind her as she hurried away. A hand grabbed her arm, spinning her around. She gasped.
“Are you following me now?” Anger sparked in David's eyes, pouring from every part of him.
“No⦔ she managed. “We're just going for a walk, trying to get him to sleep.”
“How much did you see?”
“Enough.” She whispered and raised her chin, staring him in the eyes, determined not to show her fear. “Enough to know you're carrying a gun andâ”
David gripped her arm like a vice. “Shut up.” His voice turned low and threatening. “Yes, it's a gun, and I'm not afraid to use it. Now if you know what's good for you, you'll forget you ever saw me here.”
Eden caught her breath, abject terror running through her. Had he just threatened her?
Myriad thoughts ran amok in her mind. What had she gotten herself into? She didn't move as David vanished into the distance. Only when he was out of sight, did she realize she was shaking. Glancing down at the pram, she noted Marc was sleeping.
She didn't want to go home. If she were alone, David might carry out his threat. She should go somewhere public; somewhere she'd be safe, at least for now. And the safest place was the High Street. There'd be lots of people around there.
Eden was still shaking when she reached the Three Sixteen café. And still trembling as she tried to drink the double shot expresso she'd ordered. Her shuddering hands spilled the coffee on the table. As she mopped it up, a dark haired man appeared beside her.
Eden jumped, thinking it was David. Then, as she looked again she realized it was one of the church elders, Detective Sgt. Nate Holmes.
Nate set his two take out cups down on the table and sat opposite her. “Hello, Eden. Are you all right?”
“Been better,” she said quietly, wadding the tissue into a ball and dropping it onto the tray.
His dark eyes studied her. “What's up?”
“I don't want to hold you up if you're busy.” She jerked her head at the cups.
“I have a few minutes,” Nate said. “What's wrong?”
“Really confused,” she whispered, running her finger around the rim of her cup. “And scared.”
Nate picked up one of the coffees, sipping it, nodding for her to continue.
“See, I have this friend, and I think he's in some kind of trouble. No, make that he
is
in trouble, and I don't know what to do.”
“What kind of trouble? Financial, drinking too much, gambling?”
She glanced up, then down. “I think it's the illegal kind.”
Nate's whole posture changed. “Think?”
“He's different now,” Eden said. “He carries a gun for one thing and⦔ She broke off, catching sight of David turning away from the counter, coffee in hand. How could she not have seen him come in? Had he overheard her? She shuddered and changed the subject. “Lack of sleep is a major problem. Marc's pretty easy to look after, just wish he'd sleep all night.”
Nate's expression was almost comical as he struggled to keep up with her. “I'm sorry?”
“At least you weren't up with him all night,” David said, his tone still rough. “I was.” He nodded to Nate. “Sgt. Holmes.”
“David.” Nate stood. “I should go. Nice talking to you. We'll have to catch up properly at some point.”
Eden nodded. “OK.”
“Don't leave on my account.” David put his coffee on the table.
Nate waved the cups and his congenial smile faded. “My partner will be wondering where this is.”
David dropped into the seat next to Eden, and waited until Nate had left before speaking. “Well?”
Eden dug her nails into her palms. “He sat here. Asked how things were going.”
“Were you talking about me?”
Heat flamed her cheeks and gnawed at the pit of her stomach. But she hadn't mentioned his name, so technically, no, she wasn't. She shifted in her seat and pushed her coffee away. “Contrary to what you might like to think, David, the whole world does
not
revolve around you.” She started to stand.
David grabbed her hands. “Good. Eden, I know how this looks, but there are things going on, big things, things you couldn't possibly understand. All I ask is that you trustâ”
Eden scoffed. “How? How can I do that after what just happened and the way you've been acting recently? Give me a reason.”