Minnie took a breath, ready to settle into her story. “They were married for over twenty years, but I don’t think they ever loved each other—at least that’s what Camden says.” Minnie took a drink of her sweet tea. “Sourpuss, isn’t she? She’s married to the biggest hunk to hit this town since Brad Pitt, but to look at her, you’d think she was Woody Allen’s new wife. Anyway, what did you hear about Braddon’s marriage?”
Eden was cautious. “That they were about to separate when she was diagnosed with cancer.”
“You were just told the bare bones. She was having an affair with a man who had been Braddon’s best friend since they were kids. The boys were born just a few days apart and spent their whole lives together. Braddon had the brains, and Treddy had the brawn. His name—”
“Let me guess. Tredwell.”
“Right. Tredwell Norfleet Pembroke. Anyway, they were a perfect match. When the boys left Arundel, they went to some school up north where Braddon could study law and Treddy could captain the football team. It was before my time so I never saw him play, but I was told that Treddy was headed toward being one of the all-time greatest football players in history. But in his freshman year he got in the sports car his father had given him for high school graduation and ran off the side of the road. He injured an elbow and a knee, and that was the end of his glorious career. He returned to Arundel to heal and try to help run the family businesses. But he wasn’t any good at business. When Braddon came back to Arundel with a Yankee wife, ready to open his law practice, he tried to renew his friendship with Treddy, but by then Treddy was drinking too much and had a deep anger inside him. You know what I mean?”
“Yes, I do.” Eden knew a lot about deep anger, and that knowledge was held in her voice.
Minnie looked at her sharply.
Eden looked down at her plate, not wanting to answer the questions that Minnie looked like she wanted to ask. “So what happened?”
“Treddy and Braddon’s wife had a long-term affair. They managed to keep it secret for years, but Braddon finally found out about it and filed for divorce. Just days after he filed, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and Treddy hightailed it out of town pronto. Braddon stayed with her to the end, and three weeks after she died, Treddy came back to town married to some model half his age. There was a cocktail party to celebrate Treddy’s marriage, and Braddon showed up. He didn’t say a word, just walked up to Treddy and hit him in the face. He broke Treddy’s jaw so bad it was wired together for months. Brad also broke two bones in his hand. He and Treddy aren’t friends anymore.”
“I should think not,” Eden said, then lowered her voice even though they were alone in the room. “What I’m curious about is the woman Brad had an affair with while his wife was ill.”
“That would be my mother,” Minnie said, “but don’t look shocked. I used Braddon’s guilt feelings over not marrying her to get him to employ me and give my daughter and me a place to live. It’s tough being a single mother.”
“Yes, it is,” Eden said, smiling at Minnie and understanding her “use of guilt feelings.” “I’m a single mother too.”
“That’s great. Maybe our kids can play together sometime.”
Eden started to explain, but then she laughed. She was sure Minnie knew all about her daughter and how she came to be. She also probably knew Melissa’s birth date. “You’re very kind,” Eden said.
Before Minnie could reply, the door opened and people began pouring in. Within seconds, Eden was faced with her first client. She took a breath and did as Minnie had advised: she acted as though she knew what she was talking about.
Throughout the long afternoon, Jared sat outside, under the shade of the trees, always in view, now and then on his phone. A few times Eden saw him frowning and his conversation seemed to be angry.
Brad was at the far end of the room, talking and smiling at people, and seeming to do it all with ease. Once she looked up to see him watching her, and he gave her a look and gesture that said he was exhausted. Eden nodded in agreement. At five, Minnie efficiently and politely ushered everyone out
of the room.
Brad collapsed on the chair beside Eden. “I don’t know about you, but I need a drink. A large one.”
“Me too.”
He took her arm and they walked outside, where Jared was waiting for them. “Where we going?” he asked.
Eden felt Brad stiffen. “Eden and I are going to dinner,” he said pointedly.
“Great idea. I hear there’s a great seafood restaurant in town.”
“McBride…” Brad began.
Minnie, coming up behind them, put her arm through Jared’s and looked at her boss. “I’m famished. Where are we going for dinner?”
Brad was frowning, but Eden said, “I think we’re outvoted.”
They all looked at Brad, and after a moment he relaxed and smiled. When he started walking toward his car, his arm was still locked with Eden’s. Behind them, Jared and Minnie were also walking with linked arms.
“Why do I feel like chanting, ‘Lions, tigers, and bears’?” Eden asked. Brad laughed.
“We could make a mad dash for my car and escape them,” he said.
“They’d find us. Arundel isn’t that big.”