Garnet Flats (The Edens)

I glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Shit. I’m late.”

“Here.” Jasper opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, tossing it my way. “Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow. Will you lock up before you go?” I caught the bottle, waved, then jogged for the door, not waiting for his reply as I hustled outside and into the truck.

Jasper had been here since nine this morning, whipping my ass into shape. In Vegas, we’d start our days earlier, around six and end around lunch. But in Quincy, our training hours would be dictated by Kadence’s school schedule.

So Jasper would come at nine, after I dropped Kaddie off at school, and we’d end by two, giving me just enough time to take a quick shower before heading into town to pick her up.

Today was the first official day of training since I’d moved, and Jasper hadn’t held back. After an intense cardio and calisthenics rotation, we’d spent two grueling hours in the ring doing takedown drills. All to get ready for this fight with Scott fucking Savage.

Normally, just thinking that asshole’s name would give me a surge of adrenaline. A thrill at the idea of putting that mouthy piece of shit in his place. But my head, my heart, wasn’t in it. Something Jasper had commented on numerous times today whenever he’d caught me staring off into the distance, thinking about Talia.

It had been six days since we’d made snow angels in her front yard.

I’d given her time, foolishly hoping that she’d come around. She hadn’t. Every day that went by, my hopes faded.

The only bright part of the past six days had been Kadence.

My phone rang as I drove, Vivienne’s name popping up on the screen. “Hey.”

“Hi. How was training?”

“Long day,” I said. “I’m running a little late.”

“That’s okay. I’ll just wait.” Vivienne wanted to be on the phone when I picked up Kadence. If she couldn’t be here in person, this was the next best option.

“You doing okay?” I asked.

“I hate this. I miss her. Phone calls aren’t enough.”

“I know exactly what you mean. It’s temporary.”

She sighed. “I know but it still sucks.”

Last week had been a short week at school. Vivienne had stayed in Quincy, making sure Kaddie was settled into the apartment. They’d slept together in the bedroom and unpacked Kaddie’s suitcases, filling her closet and drawers. They’d hung up some photos on the walls and tried to make it like home.

Then Vivienne had left on Saturday. We’d driven her the two hours to Missoula to the airport, and after a tearful goodbye, she’d flown to Vegas while Kadence and I had driven home to Quincy.

She’d cried for almost an hour of that trip. And I’d been helpless to distract her since I’d needed to keep my eyes on the road.

For Vivienne’s next trip, I’d charter a plane so she could fly directly to Quincy and land at the small, local airport that offered no commercial flights. At least that would save us all the drive.

“Are we making a mistake?” she asked.

“I hope not.” I blew out a long breath. We were trying to be good parents. We were trying to make the right decisions for our daughter. Quincy held the promise of a wonderful life and childhood.

“Is she doing okay?”

“She’s good, Vivi. Misses you too.”

“It’s temporary,” she repeated. “I’ll be there soon.”

While I was here with Kaddie so she could start school, Vivienne was in Vegas. She was packing up the house so we could put it on the market. She’d sell Angel’s. She was planning a wedding.

She was moving on from Arlo’s blackmail too.

“Look, before I pick Kadence up, I need to talk to you about something,” I said.

“Okay. What’s up?”

“I have to tell Talia the truth. The whole truth.” Including Vivienne’s side of the story. If Talia had let me explain the other night, I would have.

“No. You promised me.”

I clenched my jaw. “I’m losing her, Vivi. I can’t lose her.”

“I’ll come this weekend. Can you just wait? Please?”

Fuck. “Fine.”

“Thank you.”

“Yeah,” I mumbled.

The rest of the drive to town was in silence. I joined the parent pickup line, inching forward in the line of cars. Then there was my girl, jogging toward the truck, her backpack bouncing and her coat looped over an arm.

It was twenty-three degrees outside.

“Hi, Daddy.” She smiled as she climbed into the back seat.

“Hi. Why aren’t you wearing your coat?”

She groaned. “It’s not that cold.”

“Kadence Rose Madden,” Vivienne said. “Wear your coat.”

“Right now?” Her eyes pleaded as she settled into her booster seat.

“No, just buckle up.” I cranked the heat, even though I was still burning up from the gym.

“Tell me all about your day, honey,” Vivienne said.

“It was good, I guess.” Kadence touched the side of her hair where the strands were shorter, hidden mostly unless you knew where to look.

The movement had become a habit of hers, one that made me wince.

“What was for lunch?” I asked as I pulled away from the school.

“Pizza.”

“I like pizza. Was it good?”

“It was okay.”

“Did you make some friends?” Vivi asked.

Kadence just shrugged. “Sorta.”

I studied her through the rearview. Her eyes were on her lap. My beautiful girl with a beautiful spirit who was learning too young that people, especially other kids, could be cruel.

There was only one elementary school in Quincy. One middle school. One high school. Kadence would graduate with most of the kids she’d met last week. In a smaller community, I hoped she’d have the chance to build closer relationships with her classmates. That Vivienne and I could get a better read on parents. That we’d learn who to trust.

And who not to trust.

“Okay, Vivi, we’d better let you go,” I said, slowing as the hospital came into view in the distance.

“You’ll call me later, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Bye, Mommy,” Kadence said. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Vivienne sniffled. She’d be crying after we hung up. And I suspected that her plan to stay in Vegas until summer would soon change. She wouldn’t last six months this far away from our daughter, no matter how often she visited.

I pulled into the parking lot at Quincy Memorial, spotting Talia’s Jeep in its usual spot. No matter what was happening between us, I always wanted to see her. I’d gone too long without her in my life. But today, part of me hoped we didn’t bump into each other. For her sake, not mine.

It would be easier for Talia to see Kadence after Vivienne explained this weekend.

“Homework tonight?” I asked Kadence as I parked the truck in a visitor spot.

“Spelling words. But I know them all.”

I twisted to give her a wink. “I’m sure you do.”

She winked back.

I snagged her coat, then held her hand as we walked through the hospital’s entrance. One day, Kaddie wouldn’t want me to hold her hand, so I held it as often as she’d let me.

We checked in at the reception desk, then waited in the lobby until a nurse called us back. She took Kaddie’s weight and measured her height before setting us up in an exam room.

“So this is just a well-child check?” the nurse asked as she took Kaddie’s pulse.

“That’s right.”

A flyer had come home in her backpack Friday that first and second grade basketball was starting soon. Kadence wanted to play and since we were moving here—had moved here—she’d need a doctor. So I’d called and made an appointment with a Dr. Anderson.

Not Talia. Not yet. But someday.

This was the beginning of another round in the fight. My tactics so far had been futile. So it was time to back off, try another strategy.

Give her space. Let her contemplate the past from a different angle.

Talia had spent seven years thinking of me in a tainted light. She needed to adjust to this new hue.

The truth.

“Any concerns?” the nurse asked.

“Nope.” I shook my head.

“Great.” The nurse typed a few things into the computer, then stood. “Dr. Anderson was just finishing up with another patient, then he’ll be in shortly.”

“Appreciate it.” I nodded as she slipped out of the room.

Kadence started swinging her legs on the exam table, the tissue paper under her butt crinkling.

“Want to read a book while we wait?” I asked, pointing to the basket of books on the floor.

“Nah.”

The wallpaper was a hot air balloon pattern. There was a display case of Hot Wheels hanging on one wall. A jar of lollipops sat beside the sink next to a jar of tongue depressors.

“What should we have for dinner?” I asked Kaddie.

Before she could answer, a knock came at the door.

It wasn’t Dr. Anderson who walked into the room.

Talia. My heart skipped.

She was wearing her scrubs and a white lab coat with a stethoscope draped around her neck. Her silky hair was up in a ponytail, the ends draping over a shoulder.

“Hi.” She gave me a tight smile. “Dr. Anderson was held up and asked if I could do Kadence’s checkup.”

“Of course.” I held my breath as she came into the exam room, closing the door behind her.

“Hi, Kadence.” She extended her hand to my daughter. “I’m Talia.”

“Hi.” Kaddie gave her a shy smile, totally oblivious to the flash of pain on Talia’s face when their hands touched.

Thankfully, that was the only time Talia looked bothered. She conducted the exam, chatting with Kadence and asking her questions about school. Professional and compassionate. Exactly the type of doctor I’d always known she’d make.

“Mrs. Edwards is a really nice teacher,” Talia said. “Don’t tell anyone I told you this, but she’s the best first-grade teacher. You’re lucky.”

Kadence smiled, glancing in my direction.

“Okay, we’re all done.” Talia sat on the rolling stool, shaking the mouse on the computer. “Did you already get your flu shots?”

I nodded. “We did.”

“Then you’re all set.” Talia hadn’t looked at me once since she’d started the exam. Her focus had been entirely on her patient.

Fine by me. I could have kissed her for all the kind smiles she’d sent my daughter. Kaddie deserved that attention.

“Say thanks,” I told my daughter.

“Thank you, Talia.”

“Dr. Eden,” I corrected.

Talia had earned that title. In this building, we’d use it.

“Dr. Eden,” Kadence repeated.

Talia looked at me for the first time, and there was something in her expression I couldn’t read.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.” She waved it off. “The exit is down the hallway and to your left.”

“Wait.” I stood before she could disappear. “Can I have a minute?”

“Um—”

“Great, thanks.” I motioned for Kadence to hop off the exam table. “Put on your shoes, then just hang in the hallway for a minute, okay, little bug? I just need to talk to Dr. Eden for a second.”

As soon as Kaddie was out the door, I eased it closed. Then I framed Talia’s face in my hands and, before she could stop me, sealed my lips over hers. One lick of my tongue against her lower lip and she whimpered, opening for me.

I slanted my mouth over hers, sweeping inside. God, she tasted good. The best in this damn world. Fire raced through my veins as her tongue tangled with mine. Her hands came to my arms, clutching tight.

We couldn’t be over. Not yet. Not if she kissed me like this.

I kissed her fast and deep, then let her go.

Okay, so maybe I wasn’t giving her space.

“What was that for?” she asked, stepping away. Her hand floated to her lips, not to wipe my kiss away, but to touch it.

“To say thanks.”

“For an exam?”

“For being kind to Kadence. This has been a hard year for her.”

“I was just doing my job.” She made a move for the door, but I snagged her hand before she could escape.

“I remember everything you ever told me about Quincy. How people left their homes without locking the doors. How the town was decked out in the school’s colors whenever a team made it to a championship. I came here for you, Tally. I’ll stay for you. But I came for Kadence too. Because I’d do anything to give her your childhood instead of mine.”

Talia studied my face for a long moment, then nodded, tugging out of my grasp to open the door. Except she had to rear back when another woman, hand raised to knock, nearly collided with her. “Oh, sorry, Rachel.”

“Talia.” Rachel’s lips pursed in a thin line. “I’m not a babysitter.”

“We were just—”

Before Talia could finish explaining, Rachel sneered and walked away.

What the fuck?

Talia’s shoulders fell in defeat. She masked it quickly, smiling at Kaddie before walking away.

What the hell was that about? Kadence was standing against the wall, not moving, not causing trouble, just waiting like I’d asked. No babysitting necessary for the two minutes it had taken to kiss Talia.

“Let’s go.” I held out my hand and took Kaddie’s, leading her toward the exit. But before we pushed through the door that would take us to the lobby, I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see Talia jogging to catch up.

She had Kaddie’s coat in her hand.

We’d both forgotten it.

“Here.” She handed it over, then took a step back. Then another.

“Thank you, Dr. Eden.” I dipped my chin.

There was that strange expression again. Almost confusion. “Nobody, um . . . calls me Dr. Eden.”

“Do you not like it?”

“No, I don’t mind. I guess I’m just Talia here. Most people in Quincy have known me since I was a kid.”

“So?” They could still treat her with the respect she’d earned.

She lifted a shoulder. “Bye, Foster.”

“Dr. Eden?” I stopped her before she could turn away.

“Yeah?” The corner of her mouth turned up. If she liked hearing me call her Dr. Eden, I liked saying it. I was damn proud of what she’d accomplished.

“You’ll never be just Talia. Not to me.”

Those sparkling blue eyes lit up. And as much as I hated to lose the smile on her face, I didn’t mind a bit when she gave it to Kadence instead.

“See you around, Miss Madden.”

Kaddie giggled.

Talia laughed.

And just like that, I was back in this fight.