Chapter 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

With the situation resolved on the ranch, Eden and Nico turned their attention back to their upcoming wedding. They discussed their various options on the way home.

As expected, Eden’s parents had wished them well and said they would not be able to take the time to travel up to Los Angeles for the wedding.

On the train, Eden told Nico, “It makes me sad they can’t come, but it’s also rather a relief to know we won’t have to explain too much to them about Matty. That is, if Matty agrees to be a part of our union. You know I’m not in love with him yet, but if you love him as much as you do, I think it will happen quickly for me too.” She was glad they had a private compartment so they could speak freely. Her stomach was far more settled on this train journey than it had been on the way south, perhaps because she wasn’t so nervous .

“I understand your feelings completely,” Nico answered. “We’ll still have to work on him to agree to be with us, no doubt.” He looked at her with love in his eyes and said, “I am so happy that you are accepting of this. It takes a special woman to take on two men at once and love us both. I was afraid we might scare you off.”

Eden laughed softly. “Most women don’t understand what they’re missing. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.”

“I hope we can make sure you always feel that way. I know I’m the luckiest man.”

It was late evening by the time they made it back to the Stark-James estate, and everyone there was relaxing in the study after dinner. Walter was reading, Matty and Isaac were playing chess, and Suzette was practicing the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria on her violin. It was such a peaceful, domestic scene, Eden hated to break it up. They all stopped what they were doing as soon as the couple entered the room, and Eden exclaimed, “I’m sorry we disturbed you! Please go on with your music.”

Suzette laughed and set down her instrument, rushing to kiss them both and welcome them home. “Nonsense,” she told Eden. “We are thrilled to have you both back again finally, and besides, that music sounds much better with Adeline accompanying me on the piano. Why have you been gone for so long?”

“We have plenty to tell you,” Nico answered, squeezing Eden’s hand.

After lots of hugs and kisses—especially with Matty—they all trooped back into the dining room where food was brought out for the tired travelers. Suzette took a long look at her son and asked, “Nicolo, dear, why are you so sunburned, and what happened to your neck? It looks like a rope burn!”

“Yes, well…” Nico and Eden’s story unfolded in bits and pieces while Nico’s parents and Matty sipped glasses of brandy. They alternated between disbelief, horror, relief, and delight as the adventure played out in the retelling.

Nico discovered he was famished and made a promise to himself to go thank the cook for a wonderful meal as soon as he was done eating. He’d had no idea how great she was before sampling ranch food made by a terribly overworked woman.

“And I received Mr. Godwin’s blessing after all,” Nico announced after they’d heard the entire harrowing tale. “He even knows that Eden is expecting, and her mother gave us a beautiful, knitted blanket she used for her babies. She said she kept it to give to their first grandchild.”

“How are you feeling, Eden?” Suzette asked.

“Very well, thank you. I’m tired but extremely happy.”

Matty had been somewhat quiet while Nico and Eden ate, delighting in just looking fondly at both of them, happy to have them back. When their story was finished, however, he smiled broadly and announced, “That was quite an experience the two of you had. Now I have something important to share with you.”