United Eden (6 page)

For goodness sakes, woman. Cora came to a screeching halt. Why are you wearing Josephs sweatshirt? Her eyes roamed down lower. And his underwear?

I sighed. Its a long story, Cor, and trust me when I tel you its one Il never repeat.

Its a darn good thing my purse slash oversized luggage lives by the adage,
always be prepared.
She slung her purse forward, propping it up with a knee, rifling through its contents. She bit her lip, her arm disappearing up to her armpit in the bags depths. Aha! she exclaimed, pul ing out a trench coat so lightweight it was paper-thin.

Why do you have a trench coat in your purse? I asked as she shook it open.

Shrugging, she said, A beige trench coat is this fal s must-have outerwear accessory. Turns out its todays must have accessory for getting you out of the barn without making it blaringly obvious you and Wil iam were up to no good last night. She circled her eyes around my morning attire.

These are Josephs, I said, pul ing at the sweatshirt. Not Wil iams.

I know that and you know that, but do you think anyone else would?

I peered at the bulky Stanford sweatshirt and equal y bulky boxers. Nope, no difference, I admitted, impressed. Cora real y had thought this al out. Except my man smel s a hundred times better than yours, I added, taking a whiff of the sleeve.

Regardless of the season, Joseph always smel ed like fresh-cut grass and a summer morning. It was a pleasant smel , but even if he smel ed like one hundred percent kona coffee and my favorite kind of dark chocolate, Wil iam stil would have smel ed a hundred times better. Nothing smel ed better than love.

Take those off. She nodded at my pajamas. Put this on and . . . She went on another scavenger hunt through her purse, retrieving a pair of classic black flats that were way too big for her tiny feet. She tossed them to the floor and I slipped my bare feet in them. They couldnt have fit better if theyd been hand tailored.

You knew this would happen, I said, pul ing the sweatshirt over my head.

Of course I did. She grabbed the sweatshirt and tossed it in her bag. I had a feeling the Council would be showing up early, so I armed my trusty bag”she patted the yel ow leather purse”and when I found your room absent of its occupant this morning, and Patrick cal ed to let me know Wil iams was the same, I started the search.

She grinned at me. It didnt take too long. You guys werent exactly very creative . . . or romantic, she said, curling her nose at the barn.

Yeah, wel , sometimes circumstance and resourcefulness makes up for creativity and romance when thats al youve got to work with, I said, pul ing down the boxers, now standing basical y naked in front of Cora save for the pale pink lace panty and bra set. It seemed wrong two people other than Wil iam had seen the scanty excuse for underwear Id picked out with him in mind.

Hot mama! Cora exclaimed, looking me head to toe. Wil iams going to bust something when he sees you in that.

Hey, Cora, the coast is clear, a new voice shouted right around the corner. A teleported voice that was going to be rounding the corner quicker than I could duck behind the mountain of hay bales off to the side announced. Holy lingerie! Patrick exclaimed, braking to a stop the instant he saw me. I mean, he shook his head, trying to look away, but he wasnt successful. I mean . . . holy boobs” he shouted, his face instantly red.

Patrick! Cora and I both yel ed out at him in disapproval, but his roaming stare had me frozen where I stood.

Wow. Just . . . wow, he breathed, his eyes final y moving north until they met mine. Youre perfect.

A flying apple hit him right in the nose, clearing his expression of everything that had just been there. And youre a perv, Cora scolded, shuffling through the barrel for another one.

Patrick lunged behind the nearest wal , fearing for something more important to him than his life”his facial bone structure.

That was just a warning shot, or apple, Cora yel ed, winding her arm back with the next one ready to launch. Come around that corner again and youl suffer the wrath of my speedbal , speed apple.

This is the thanks I get for helping you out? Patrick shot back, but his voice had dimmed. He was leaving. Those Haywards were smart men when it came down to it. Although Id say I received my thanks seeing Bryn in nothing but her scivvies. He chuckled the one he was most known for.

Now thats my kind of thanks. Catch you girls later.

Not if I catch you first, Cora grumbled, handing me the trench coat. Sorry about that.

You defended my honor. Thanks, Cora, I said, stil feeling the flush in my face and neck from Patrick finding me sans clothing, wishing he would have found me in my usual underwear, for he would have pierced his eyes out with hot pokers if he walked in on me in those. Cotton on women was Patricks kryptonite.

Cora helped me into the trench coat; again, a fit so perfect the cuffs even hit in the right spot of my freakishly long arms. How are you doing? she asked, her inability to look me in the eyes leaving nothing to interpretation as to what she was referring to.

Im doing my best not to think about it, I answered, cinching the belt tight. Because it doesnt matter if I think about being Betrothed to Wil iam or Patrick tonight. Both scenarios drudge up emotions that are so extreme, they handicap me.

Cora gave my hands a squeeze, a sad smile on her face. Do you think he suspects anything? I mean, I know hes been gone since the day after you guys were al but promised by Charles, but talk gets around faster than you can say
shameless gossip
.

I shook my head. Hes so deliriously happy he couldnt have a clue. I looked up at her. Do you think I should tel him before tonight? The thought of informing Wil iam that I could be promised a forever to Patrick was something on my list of things I never wanted to ever think, let alone speak.

What do you think . . . she stopped, shaking her head. She laid her hand over my heart. What do you feel you should do?

Knowing what I felt was always easier to gauge than what I thought. Too many things could get in the way when you thought something out, things like morals and social responsibility, your prior experiences and others perceptions. Feelings were easier, at least for me, because Wil iam was the center of my universe, what kept the pieces of me in orbit. When I went on my feelings, he was at the core of my consideration, making my decisions easy. A certain part of me wants to tel him so he can be prepared for what could happen. I was tired of saying Patricks and my name in the same breath. I couldnt do it any more. But then another part tel s me theres nothing he could do to prepare himself for that, so why ruin his night?

Cora shot me a look of disbelief.

Its not like we know for sure were not going to be Betrothed tonight, I said, trying to convince her as much as I was myself. Everything might happen just the way he expects.

I know that, Cora replied in her calm voice. I want that just as much as you do. I was only inquiring so I knew what kind of reaction to expect from Wil iam tonight. She grinned, pul ing at the sleeve of my coat. Our ten minute waiting period must be done. So I wont need the few dozen extra security guards until immediately after the Betrothals are cal ed out.

You might not need them at al , I said, feigning offense as she led me out the barn doors. Besides, in case you havent noticed, Wil iams already got his own security duty on his heels twenty-four-seven. Why would you need even more?

We stepped out into the early morning mist, the crispness of the air a welcome relief from the stifling conversation.

Theyre not for Wil iam, Cora said, linking her arm through mine. Theyre for Patrick.

I laughed, even though I knew I should have been crying for letting my mind wander down the Patrick and Bryn Hayward path. Coras own loud, choppy laugh joined mine and I was grateful she was with me. Cora had a gift for infusing laughter into any situation.

Hey-a, Bryn? Patrick said, stepping out from behind the prehistorical y large tree in Charles backyard.

Cora and I skidded to a stop in our surprise, but she recovered faster than I did. Lifting her chin, she ignored him, pul ing me away from his tortured looking face and his disheveled looking clothing.

That got my attention more than anything, Patrick had a strict no wrinkles al owed policy when it came to his designer clothes and the only time Id seen his shirt tails sticking out of his slacks had been . . . wel ,
never
. If I hadnt been so flustered from being caught near-naked by him, I would have noticed then, but he looked drained, like he hadnt slept in days.

Can I have a second? he asked, staring at me. A second alone? His eyes darted to Coras before settling back on me.

What do you need, Patrick? I asked, wrapping my arms around myself.

I need to say something to you. He swal owed, sweeping his hand through his hair. Its important.

Ha! Cora grunted. Youve said more than enough already this morning.
Holy boobs
? she quoted. Real y, Patrick? Real y? She tugged on my arm again, trying to break me from the torture coming from Patricks eyes, keeping me rooted where I was.

Bryn? he whispered, sounding defeated. I wasnt sure which scared me more, Patricks demeanor or his tone.

Not now, Patrick, I said, closing my eyes for a few heartbeats to break his gaze. This time when Cora pul ed at me, I was able to break free of my statue-like state. Later, okay?

What if laters too late? he said, more to himself than to me, but it caused my already considerable resignations for tonights outcome to increase.

Id let too much ruin tonight already, I wasnt going to let anything else. Thats just too damn bad, I cal ed back, feeling more awful than empowered.

Patricks only response was driving his fist into the trees wide trunk.

CHAPTER FIVE

DRESS EVASION

Do you think Pervert, I mean Patrick,”Cora shot me an evil grin as we started up her and Josephs walkway”has heard the rumors?

Patrick and rumors? Dont those two go hand in hand like Patrick and conceit? I said, rol ing my eyes to the gray sky. Hes probably the one that started them.

That would be something hed do, Cora said, coming to a stop. What are you going to do if it is Patrick?

Her question stopped me. I inhaled, visualizing drawing in the positive and emptying out the negative. Inhale Wil iam, exhale Patrick. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.

And then, Wil iam was there, as real in my mind as if he was standing inches in front of me, grinning like only he could. Its not going to be Patrick, I said, confident. So I dont need to worry about Patrick now or ever. Closed book. I looked back at her and an expression of surprise and pride met me. Can we not talk about it anymore?

My lips are sealed. She drew an imaginary zipper across his mouth. So lets go get you ready for your man. Weve transformed Nathanial and Abigails whole second floor into a swanky day spa so we can indulge in some pampering and primping.

Sounds very . . . girly, I settled on.

And that sounds like a very Bryn way of saying no, thank you, Cora said, propping a hand on her hip. Are you seriously bailing on us? We wanted to make today extra special for you. She stuck out her lower lip.

Today
will
be extra special, I said, feeling my confidence growing. And thank you so, so much for putting al that together and thank you for this morning and looking out for Wil iam and me . . . It was always hard saying no to Cora, but this one was especial y hard. But I real y need to be alone for a few hours to col ect my wits.

Cora sighed, resigned. Fine, wel get an extra massage in your honor. She gave me a quick hug, topped off by a reassuring smile before turning. If you need a distraction from your wit col ection, you know where to find us.

Wil do, and thanks again, I cal ed after her.

She stopped so abruptly you would have thought shed run into an invisible wal . Oh, dear me, I cant believe I almost forgot.

Forgot what?

She looked at me over her shoulder. Please, Bryn, if you love me like a sister, please tel me you have a formal dress picked out, purchased, and sized appropriately for you.

What I wouldnt give to have such trivial worries instead of the life and death ones that had plagued me my entire life. Have a little faith, I answered, keeping my voice level.

She studied my face, looking for some fissure of deceit. Final y convinced, she said, I have a
little
bit of faith, so alright,”she nodded her head once”I cant wait to see it. Give me a cal if you need any help getting it zipped or picking a pair of shoes to match or walking once you get into al of it. She winked at the scowl stretching across my face before she did the best run-skip combo Id seen yet. Only Cora could pul off a couple of side braids while skipping through a field without looking ridiculous. Good luck, Bryn! she shouted as she disappeared in the trees.

I make my own luck, I grumbled to the air, turning to prepare myself for a Betrothal to Wil iam Hayward.

So I didnt exactly pass the day in a way that would have pleased Cora. Instead of plucking, waxing, and polishing my way to seven oclock when the Bal official y got underway, I snoozed my way to six forty-five.

The dream that had run on replay the entire eight hours Id been racked out made spending the same amount of time with Cora and her merciless beauty regiment seem like a day at summer camp.

The dream had started out good; great, actual y. I was moving towards a tuxedoed Wil iam, facing away from me in an endless sea of blowing wheat. There was an unfamiliar face smiling at me as I marched towards them, hands clasped between a smal book. I looked down; I was wearing an elaborate dress that looked more like a cupcake frosted with glitter. Cora had obviously had a very prominent position in dress selection.

However, there was no room for me to feel anything but elation that the moment had come at last. Wil iam and I were minutes away from being tied to one another in the most eternal kind of way.