First Impressions (Edenton 1)

“I am ordinary,” Eden said, glancing from the mirror to the dealership down the road. Now Brad was gesturing at the young man. She’d better hurry before they resorted to fisticuffs.

Jared followed her glance. “Don’t you know that men don’t like to be chased?” he said.

She gave him a look. “Women do the choosing and every man knows that. You know, you’re beginning to sound jealous.”

“Not quite. It may surprise you to know that outside of work I have a private life. I even have a girlfriend.”

“I’m so glad for you. Not for her, but for you.” She gave herself one last look in the mirror, saw that it was the best she was going to be able to do, then turned the key in the ignition and started the car.

“What are you going to tell him about me?” Jared asked again. “And you’d better think of something, because I’m not going to leave your side. You get killed under my watch and I’ll never get my pension.”

She gave him a quick look to see if he was kidding. “Who could imagine that you have a girlfriend?” she muttered.

In seconds, she was at the tractor dealership. She parked the car at the far side of the lot and walked toward Brad. She was determined to ignore McBride and to forget all about what they’d been through that morning. She wasn’t going to let Brad know anything about spies or the FBI or men who tore up her house. She knew the people of Arundel; they maybe have forgiven her for an illegitimate child, but whatever had happened in her life to make the FBI interested in her might be too much.

On the short ride into town, McBride hadn’t shut up about how serious the matter was, and how they had to figure out what she knew and why Applegate had swallowed her name. He told her that she should stay away from Granville until this was settled. When he’d pointed out that if those sapphires were ever found, she, as Mrs. Farrington’s heir, would be the owner of them, Eden’s eyes sparked fire. “Are you hinting that Braddon Granville is after what I own—if it were even to be found, that is? Are you saying that he doesn’t like me but what I may have inherited?”

Jared had backed down after that.

Now, as she walked toward Brad, wishing she’d thought to grab some clothes other than jeans, she was trying to think about how she was going to explain McBride’s presence. What was she to say about why he was with her? That she felt so guilty about hurting him that she was adopting him? How was she to explain that he intended to follow her everywhere? At least that’s what he was saying he was going to do. He said he was going to remain in her house and search her room every day, and that he was going to set up surveillance equipment outside. He said he was determined that she wasn’t going to get killed while he was in charge of her safety. She would have been flattered by his concern if he hadn’t said it in a way that made her think that her death would be nothing more than a blot on his record.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Eden said, holding out her hand to shake Brad’s. She was very aware of McBride behind her and of Brad’s questioning eyes on him. Brad took her hand, but then he leaned forward and kissed her cheeks, one after the other in the European way. Eden wanted to throw her arms around his neck and tell him of all the horrible things that had happened to her that morning. But she didn’t. She kept calm and looked past Brad at the tall young man behind him. He was handsome, but he also looked angry and sullen.

“You must be Mr. Robicheaux,” Eden said, extending her hand.

“Yeah,” he said, taking her hand but looking confused as to who she was and why she was there. He also looked at the man behind her.

“McBride, isn’t it?” Brad said, extending his hand to shake Jared’s. “Are you looking for a tractor to buy?”

“Actually, I’m following Eden. We’re cousins,” McBride said.

Eden didn’t look at him. She kept her eyes on Brad and gave him a weak smile, and had no idea what to say.

But she didn’t have to worry, as McBride took care of the explanation. She should have known that he was a fabulous liar in all aspects of life. “Third cousins, so we’re not really close. On her mother’s side, so the names are different. We were truly amazed to find the connection, but then I was told that I had relatives out this way, so that’s why I came here in the first place. My mother’s people knew Eden’s mother, but our families weren’t close. You know how that is.” Halting, he gave Brad a huge smile.

Slowly, so she wouldn’t erupt in anger, Eden turned to Jared. “I think we have other things to talk about than our, uh, relationship,” she said calmly. “And I don’t think Mr. Granville wants to hear about our family connection, such as it is. Mr., uh, Jared, why don’t you go inside and get yourself a Coca-Cola? I’m sure there’s a machine inside.”

“Only if you go with me, cousin dear,” he said, smiling at her. Taking a step toward her, he put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “Imagine my delight in finding my own cousin. After all these years apart, now I can’t bear to be away from her for even a minute.”

Eden, her eyes on Brad’s, kicked sideways, knowing that she’d hit the pistol strapped to McBride’s ankle and cause him pain. He covered his wince of pain well, but his fingers dug into Eden’s shoulders until tears came to her eyes. Twisting, she got out from under his grasp. “Maybe we should talk about the business at hand,” she said.

“Yes, well, uh,” Brad said, looking from Eden to Jared and back again.

Eden turned to the young man who’d been watching all of this with the same sullenness, but now there seemed to be a hint of amusement in his eyes. He is one good-looking young man, she thought, and she could see why Camden Granville had fallen for him. The sullen, angry look wasn’t something that would appeal to her, but she could imag

ine that some girls would like it. “What has Brad told you about me?” she asked, turning her back on Brad and McBride, who were glaring at each other like dogs about to fight.

Reluctantly, Remi took his eyes away from the men. He seemed to be enjoying his father-in-law’s discomfort. “Not a word, ma’am,” he said in that accent of deep Louisiana. Cajun.

Oh, yeah, Eden thought. She understood Camden completely. She headed toward the small tractors, away from the quarter-of-a-million-dollar combines, and Remi followed. Behind them, Brad and McBride walked slowly, side by side.

“I’ve had some experience in designing eighteenth-century–style gardens,” she said to Remi. “So Brad thought that maybe you and I could work together. Do you think that’s possible?”

“If you’re willing to put up with my father-in-law’s tightfistedness, and his constant complaining, yeah, sure. What do I know about designing fancy gardens? At home we let the Lord grow what we eat.”

She smiled at him. “If I plant okra will you make me a pot of gumbo?”

“Why, shore, sugah,” he said, drawling. “I’ll cook you anythin’ you want.”