Nadia nods, sympathy emanating from her gaze. “Of course. You’re free to go. I’ll be in touch. Would you like to be part of arranging a service for the Halls?”
My thoughts have been in such a whirlwind since I first received the call from Nadia McBride, but this is something I’ve thought about. I have a lot of reason to want to get Eden and myself out of Florida as quickly as possible. But I don’t want to scar Eden any more than she already has been. I need to do this right.
Pointing Eden toward my car, I give her a gentle nudge toward the passenger side. Then, I turn to Nadia and lower my voice. “I’d like to concentrate on Eden. But is there any way we can do a memorial service as soon as tomorrow? I’d like to bring Eden back to Savannah with me immediately following.”
If Nadia is surprised by my request, she doesn’t allow it to show in her expression. “Of course. I’ll make the arrangements and send you the details.”
I climb in the driver’s seat of my car. When I glance at Eden in the passenger seat, she’s slumped toward the door, her gaze aimed out the window. I head for the motel, stopping only to grab fast food for lunch because Eden looks like she’s on the verge of passing out any minute.
When we walk into the motel room, Eden stops short, her eyes widening. She doesn’t say a word, but I can see her taking in the cheap furnishings and questionable carpeting and bedding with her bottom lip tucked between her teeth. She vacationed with her family plenty, and I’m willing to bet she’s never stayed in a place like this before.
“Eden.” I place a soft hand on her shoulder. “I rushed into town without much notice. This is the first place I saw off the highway. I’m sorry, I didn’t really think about what it would be like for you to stay here. It’s only for a day.”
I watch as my daughter pulls back her shoulders and shakes off my hand. She tosses her long hair back and schools her features. “This is fine, Brantley. Thank you. For coming to Florida to get me.”
My heart cracks inside my chest. “Of course, sweetie. You’re my…I’m always going to be here for you. You know that. Why don’t you eat something, and then rest a little bit. I have some calls to make and later we’ll go out and have a real dinner.”
She glances at the bag of burgers I’ve set on the small table y the window. Her nose wrinkles slightly, but she nods. “Okay.”
Pulling my phone out of my bag, I glance at her over my shoulder as I head for the door. “I’m going to be right outside. Holler if you need me.”
She doesn’t reply. Instead, she settles herself at the table and stares toward the window. Ducking out into the hallway, I dial Arden.
She answers on the first ring. “Oh, my God, Brantley. I’ve been so worried about you. Where are you?”
I suck in a deep breath. How do I tell my best friend, over the phone nonetheless, everything that has happened over the past two days?
“Ards?” My voice breaks. “Are you sitting down?”
“We’re going to have the rest of your things sent.” I glance over at Eden in the passenger seat as I speak. It’s my hundredth attempt at conversation since we left Florida, and over six hours she’s barely said a word.
I’m trying to put myself in her shoes. Two days ago, she lost both of her parents, who she loved more than anything, in a tragic accident. She’s already likely realized that the upscale lifestyle she’s become accustomed to is going to change. I’m not destitute by any means, but I can’t give her the things her parents could. After a conversation with Nadia, I now know that there’s money for Eden from her parents estate and life insurances in a trust, but I’m not going to touch that money. I’m going to leave it right there until she becomes an adult and can use it however she sees fit at that time. Until then, I’ll be raising her on my own.
Eden nods. Her interest perks just a little bit as we cross onto the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. “This is pretty.”
“The bridge? Yes, it is. It’ll lead us straight into downtown Savannah, which is where your new home will be. I’ve always loved it here. I moved to Savannah when I was eighteen, you know.” I sneak a peek at her across the console, trying to gauge her reaction.
Eden shifts in her seat. “You went to college here, right? You left Florida after high school?”
Nodding, I navigate my car over the bridge and roll into Savannah’s bustling city. We’ve arrived just after eight o’ clock on a mid-weekday evening, and the city isn’t as busy as it would be on a weekend. But Savannah is never exactly sleepy. There’s a lot for Eden to drink in as we drive down the main city thoroughfares and alongside the river.
I park in my usual spot on the street in front of my alley entrance, and I don’t even bother to scan the rest of the street as I hurry around to Eden’s side of the car to help her out. She’s looking all around her, taking everything in. I remember the first time I saw Savannah, marveling at the rich history of the city, the beauty of the historic buildings.
I wonder if she appreciates it the same way I did, or if she’s instantly homesick for the shiny glitz of Fort Lauderdale.
“Let’s leave your bag in the car for now,” I advise. “I’ll come back out for it later. I want to get you settled inside.”
And suddenly, I’m terrified and overwhelmed. I live in a two-bedroom cottage. There’s one bathroom. I use the second bedroom as a spare room, and it definitely isn’t set up as a teenage girl’s bedroom. My house has always been just mine, and I don’t even think I know how to share it. These changes have come so fast, and I’m hit square in the chest with the realization of how inadequate I may be as a caretaker, protector. A mother.
“Wow,” Eden breathes. She stops short when we reach the mouth of the alley and the cottage appears. “This is where you live? It looks like a fairy-tale cottage.”
Dreamily, I stare at my home through her eyes. “Doesn’t it? That’s what I thought when I first saw it. Since then, I’ve done a lot of fixing up to make it livable. But I love it.” Shooting her a sideways glance, I add. “I hope you will, too.”
Eden’s gaze collides with mine and for a moment, I see hope there. Something that matches mine. Then she looks away and takes a step toward the house. When she does, the front door is thrust open and my best friend strides onto the porch.
“Welcome to your new home, Eden!”
Eden’s steps stutter, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders to steady her. Beside Arden, Flash appears with Nitro. Nitro gives a short bark, which I know to be a welcome of his own. Beside me, Eden gasps.
“Oh! I love dogs!” Her voice warms immediately, and I relax with relief.
My eyes suddenly moist, I guide my daughter up the front porch steps. “Eden, this is my best friend in the whole world, Arden Jackson. And this is her husband, Flash. You’re probably going to be seeing a lot of them.”
Eden nods, holding out her hand. But Arden only uses it to pull the girl into a tight hug.
“Oh, my God,” she whispers. “It’s so nice to meet you, Eden. Welcome home.”
Before Arden can get too carried away, I grab her hand and squeeze. She releases Eden, who drops down to greet Nitro. He licks her face and she giggles. In Arden’s ear, I whisper. “Thank you.”