Whispered Curses

As soon as she flung it open, I took her in. She was a tiny spitfire, with fluffy white curls, a bright green flowered dress, and her ever present dark blue slippers.

She hugged me harder than usual, almost squeezing me to bits. I wanted to fall to pieces and let the tears fall, but I forced myself to hold it together. "Eden, honey, how are you?"

"I'm good, thanks, Nana. How are you?"

She rolled her eyes behind her silver-framed glasses. "I'm disappointed that your mother didn't take her time on those stairs. Penelope has always run around more than she should have," Nana chuckled.

"She's doing fine,” I said. “She'll be back at Uncle Nick’s within a few days. Unless she’d rather stay here since there are no stairs. He’s going to find out and let everyone know.”

Nana nodded. "That's good.” Then she gave me the strangest sideways grin. “From broken legs to broken hearts. I think it's time we had a cup of tea."

Following her around the corner, I smiled at the huge brass plate engraved with an old-fashioned sailboat that was on her wall. It was one of her beloved knick-knacks that she brought over from England years ago. I passed the family portraits, then turned to where I could smell the fresh pot of tea before I saw it. Stepping into the kitchen, everything was in its place as it always was.

Except that Eric was sitting at the table.

~ Chapter 24 ~ Eric ~

* Tea Time *

I wasn’t the sort of person who believed that things happened for a reason. But it was darn handy that I got hold of Eden’s grandmother’s address just before I really needed it. There was no way to know where Eden might be headed, but I needed to get there quickly, just in case.

Some tenants leaving the building let me into the lobby. I made a mental note to speak to the property management

company about security in this building. As I strode to the elevator, I almost laughed at myself. Eden just broke up with me, but my only thoughts were to protect her and her family.

I knew that it wasn't her real feelings. I also knew that being this pushy and showing up where I wasn't welcome would not win me any points.

It didn't matter anymore. I was down to the wire. Manners be damned.

Knocking softly on the door, I realized I was far more nervous than I'd ever been before. I was used to meeting important, powerful people all the time, and had to instantly win them over. But now I was meeting an incredibly important woman with no appointment.

The door opened, and I instantly smiled at the sweet, white-haired lady in front of me. "Hello," I said. "Victoria Palmer?"

"Yes." She didn’t look surprised or suspicious, just analytical, somehow.

I held out my hand. "Eric Stone. I'm a friend of Eden's."

"Hello, nice to meet you," she said, shaking my hand more firmly than I would have expected. "Come in," she said immediately. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Thank you, that's very kind," I said.

"Is Eden here in Vancouver?"

"She is," I said, following the wave of her hand to sit at her kitchen table. "She might be on her way here, actually. But I was hoping to have a word with you first."

Victoria looked me up and down carefully. "Businessman. You're working in an office a lot now, but you used to do very physical things. Like bricklaying, or construction or something.” She cocked her head. "Thirty-eight?"

I grinned. She was immediately likable. "Thirty-seven, actually."

She took a sideways look at my shoes, then pulled out a teapot, rinsing it with hot water before putting the bags inside. "Your shoes are spotless. You're hoping to make a good impression. What did you want to talk about?"

Suddenly I didn't know where to start. I stared into space for a second, trying to collect my thoughts.

Victoria snapped her fingers in front of me. "Start from the middle. Start anywhere. Just spit it out."

I chuckled. "I can see why Eden takes your wisdom seriously."

She shrugged, pouring boiling water into the pot. "Eden is a sweet young lady, but she hasn't been around the block many times yet. She should still be listening to her elders." Her eyes flipped to me. "Her elder women, anyway."