Becoming Calder(19)

Eden looked surprised. "You want to be on the council?"

"Yeah. I want to go out into the community and work."

Eden nodded. "What kind of work?"

"I don't know. From what I hear, the council members work in businesses all over—I'm sure Hector or one of them could find a place for me, you know, if I prove myself."

"So you'd live up at the main lodge?"

I nodded. "That's the plan."

Eden's eyes widened and she glanced down at my mouth as if she was thinking about kissing me. I looked away. Even I had more sense than that.

I stood up and Eden jolted slightly. "I better go. I'm expected back with some holy water."

"Oh, okay," she said, standing up, too. "I'm here every day from noon to two." She shrugged, looking embarrassed. "You know, if you ever want to have lunch here instead of with your friends . . . or, I mean, not that you would, but . . . if you did, or . . ." She shook her head, laughing softly. "Why would you?"

That strange feeling came into my chest again. "I'd be honored to have lunch with Hector's princess."

Her face seemed to fall slightly, but she caught herself and smiled. "Okay," she whispered.

I studied her for a second again. "Speaking of Hector, this probably wouldn't be okay with him, you know," I said.

"I know," she replied, and I couldn't read the expression on her face now.

I paused, knowing I should tell her I wasn't going to be back, but somehow, not being able to. Being in her presence after all this time felt so good, and it seemed the idea of spending time with me brought her happiness, too. "Goodbye for now, then." I smiled and turned and made my way back to the spring where I gathered the water needed at the birthing tent.

I was too late. When I got back, Helen Whitney was holding a healthy baby boy.





CHAPTER FIVE




Eden



The next day, I settled in at the spring, my heart beating triple time, filled with hope that Calder would join me. He never did and as I hiked back to the main lodge, my mood was melancholy, lonely, and disappointed.

I had loved him for so long it seemed. But talking to him, getting to know him just a little bit made that love seem silly and juvenile—made up. He still made my heart beat out of my own chest and his beauty mesmerized me, but now the desire to know who he really was filled my thoughts.

I wanted to talk to him all day long, to hear that deep, throaty laughter that washed over my skin and made me shiver. His voice sounded like warm spring rain falling on a gravel road.

He didn't show the next day either, and so the third day when I sat down on my rock, sans snake, thank the gods, I didn't expect him to show. And so when he suddenly appeared at the rock entrance to the spring, I gasped out loud.

Calder smiled, and another boy with black hair appeared behind him, pushing him through so he stumbled and laughed.

The boy behind him bent over and put his hands on his knees and stood there for a minute obviously trying to catch his breath.

Calder nudged him and said, "Wimp," as he waded through the water and pulled himself easily up onto the large rock. I scooted over to make room for them.

"What's for lunch?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Lunch?" I put my hand over my mouth and then took it away. "Oh no! I told you to meet me for lunch and I didn't bring anything." I groaned and my cheeks heated. "I'm so sorry. How rude."

Calder laughed. "I'm teasing you, Morning Glory. We already ate." He nodded his head toward the black-haired boy now wading through the water toward us. He wasn't as tall as Calder, but the water still didn't come close to his shoulders like it did to my own.

The boy made it to the rock and pulled himself up on it with effort. Calder and I both moved over as he lay back, catching his breath again and massaging his side as if he had a stitch.

Calder chuckled. "Eden, this here sorry, out-of-shape person is Xander Garen."

"Out of shape? Who's out of shape? I walk miles every single day. I just don't jog straight downhill with heavy water containers on my shoulders. Ridiculous." Xander turned to me. "Lovely to make your personal acquaintance, Eden. I played Kick the Can with you once years ago. You probably remember me. I was the star of the game. Not that I particularly remember that game itself, but I was always the star, so it can safely be deduced I was that day as well."

I laughed. "I do remember that game, Xander, because it's the only game I ever played, and yes, you played very well, and so did Calder." I blushed when I looked over at Calder because, well, he was so handsome and I wanted to stare at him, and the way he was looking at me made me feel like he could read my mind. Xander narrowed his eyes, looking between us and then looked away.