Unforgettable (9 page)

The phone was suddenly taken from her hand and she gasped, turning. Galen stood there, glaring into the phone before bringing it to his ear. Eden gasped, leaning against the wall, unable to believe he’d snuck up on her so easily.

“Stop upsetting her,” he growled harshly down the phone. Eden couldn’t hear the reply, but his face didn’t ease, the expression remaining angry and cold.

“Fine, come over tomorrow then.” He ended the call, putting the phone down. He stared down at her thoughtfully for a moment. “Andrews is worried about you. He’ll be over tomorrow to check up on you. We need to have a talk, Eden.”

 “Urgh. I don’t want to talk.”

“You’ve got another headache,” he stated.

Eden wisely held back the
duh
which threatened to escape. “I’m fine. You know, you can’t just camp in my backyard without permission. That’s trespassing.”

“Rick gave his permission,” Galen said. “Have you eaten?”

She shook her head, wincing at the movement. Suddenly she found herself swung up against a wide chest.

“W-what are you doing?” she gasped.

“Putting you to bed for a rest,” he told her as he turned towards her bedroom.

“Galen, put me down, I feel fine.”

“You’re white as a ghost and I can see the pain in your eyes. You need to rest.” He placed her on her bed, tugging off her shoes before tucking her under the blankets. She should protest, but she was really feeling awful.

Standing, he pulled her drapes then turned off the bedside lamp.

“No, leave it on,” she said in a panic.

“You won’t need it, baby. You need darkness to get rid of that migraine that’s developing. I’ll watch over you. I won’t let anyone harm you, I promise.”

She sighed. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re bossy?”

He grinned down at her. “Only you, kitten.”

“I find that very hard to believe,” she said dryly. But funnily enough, the usual jitters she got from being in the dark weren’t there.

“Everyone else would be too scared to. You’re the only one brave enough to take me on.”

“You’re big-headed too,” she yawned as she snuggled under the covers of the bed.” He tucked her into bed, brushing the hair back off her head in a gesture that felt familiar. She relaxed a little more, closing her eyes. Having him here felt right.

Trying to keep some distance between them was wearing on her. Perhaps she could relax her guard some more. Already she trusted him more than she thought she would. He hadn’t said or done anything to cause her not to believe he meant every word he said.

“You like my big head.”

She snorted. “You’re dreaming, sunshine.”

“I hope not, I spent four weeks dreaming of you, you’d damn well better be the real thing.” She opened her eyes at the pain in his voice, her hand reaching around until she found his, grasping it.

“I’m sorry if I’m making this harder on you,” she told him.

“I can take you not knowing me, not trusting me, those things will come with time, what I couldn’t take, what I will never be able to take, is not knowing where you are, if you’re safe. You’re everything to me, Eden.”

She felt his sincerity, heard it in his voice.

“Now, have a sleep. I’m going to be just outside, watching over you, okay?”

“Wait.” She grabbed his hand, stilling him. He’d done nothing to scare her, nothing to make her think he was anything but a concerned lover. In fact, he’d been amazingly patient, trying to do what was best for her, no matter the cost to himself.

“You can sleep on the sofa if you like,” she told him almost shyly.

“Thanks, kitten.”

“Stay with me until I go to sleep?” she asked.

“Of course.”

*****

Eden awoke the next morning, amazed to realize she’d slept through the whole night without one nightmare. Rising, she quickly moved into the bathroom, wondering if Galen was still here.

Walking into the living room, she heard a bang then some swearing. A small smile crossed her lips.

“Everything okay?” She strolled into the kitchen to find him throwing a pan into the sink before turning on the cold water. The pan sizzled as steam and the smell of burnt food filled the air.

“Ahh, cereal for breakfast?” he asked.

She chuckled a little, shaking her head. Before she could answer there was a knock at the door.

“Stay there,” Galen warned her as he headed toward the back door. She shook her head and followed him.

“Galen this is my house, I will get the door.” But he easily beat her to it, glaring at her over his shoulder until she capitulated and moved farther back.

“Morning,” she heard Rick say. She stepped forward, tugging the door from Galen’s hand as he grumbled softly.

“Bit early to be visiting isn’t it?” Galen growled at the other man.

Eden resisted the urge to kick him, just. “Again,” she told him. “My house, my friend. If you can’t be civil go away.”

Andrews smirked at the larger man. “Better mind your manners, Galen.”

“And you behave as well,” she ordered, fast becoming annoyed with the two of them. “In fact why don’t you both go, I’ve gotta get ready for work.”

“I’ll be driving you,” Galen reminded her with a firm look. Eden just sighed and nodded.

Rick cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. “Can I speak to you, kid?” Andrews asked.

They both stared at Galen until he sighed and turned. “Fine, I’ll be in the shower.”

Andrews waited until he’d stepped into the bathroom and they heard the shower come on. “I wanted to check in on you. Are you all right? Do you wish I hadn’t called him?”

Eden sighed. “No,” she said, realizing how much she meant that. She’d felt far more settled and safe since Galen had appeared. And even though at times she still felt unsure around him, she was fast gaining trust in him.

Of course, she could wish that his need to spank her came with an off-switch.

“No, you did the right thing in calling him. I just wish you’d been upfront with me. I thought we were friends.”

“We are friends. I was trying to protect you, as well as prevent you from getting too overwhelmed. I’m sorry, honey.”

She kissed his cheek. “You’re forgiven.”

“You do what he tells you, got it.” He poked a finger in her face and she stuck her tongue out at him.

“Leave, or I’ll tell him you tried to kiss me.”

“You wouldn’t!” His face actually went pale as he stared down at her in terror. It had only happened the once, and she’d jumped back before he could touch her. Still, sometimes a girl needed to resort to a bit of blackmail to get her way around these incredibly arrogant men. She grinned, knowing it was an evil smile.

“Wouldn’t I?” she sung.

“I’m going. I’m going.”

“You always did have a mean streak.” She turned to find Galen standing with just a towel around his waist, wet hair dripping water onto his wide, muscular chest. Yum.

“Glad to know some things haven’t changed,” she replied as she hurried into the kitchen, away from the tempting feast in the hallway.

*****

“Why don’t you just go, honey? We’re so quiet.”

Eden looked at the clock; it was a good hour until Galen would be here to pick her up. He’d driven behind her the whole way into town then taken her car to the mechanic for a service. It was a bit silly for him to drive in just to follow her home again.

Picking up the phone, she called the mechanic who assured her that her car was ready to go. Hanging up, she dialed Galen’s number, knowing she’d better call him.

She called his cell phone, wondering if he was in town. She had no idea what he did all day, other than mowing her lawns, chopping her wood, even fixing the leaking faucet in her bathroom that Rick hadn’t gotten around to doing.

He was actually kind of handy to have around. Sometimes.

Her call went straight to voicemail. Frowning, she closed her phone, thinking. She’d leave him a message. After all, she didn’t want to spend another hour here when she could be at home, showered, clean, perhaps even trying on the new lingerie she’d bought during her lunch hour today. Not that she’d bought it with him in mind, no, not at all. Well, okay, maybe.

Mind made up, she left a quick message on his phone and went to get her car before she could think about it any longer. After all, Galen was being extremely paranoid with this driving her to and from work.

Eden paid for her car, wincing at the dent in her wallet and drove off with a wave, ignoring that stab of guilt in her stomach. She wasn’t doing anything wrong. Just as she turned onto the gravel road leading to Rick’s place, her phone rang.

Glancing down at the screen, Galen’s name popped up. Biting her lip, she debated about whether to answer it or not. She was nearly home and driving and using her phone was a big no-no with Galen.

So she ignored it and kept going, her small car slowly climbing the hill. As she drove down the other side, she hit the brakes, wondering at how loose the pedal felt. It had seemed fine going through town, but then that had been a relatively straight, flat road up until this point.

Panic tore through her, threatening to steal all rational thought. But she hauled herself back from the deep abyss, drawing on the handbrake slowly as she used her entire strength to pull the steering wheel to the left, forcing the car over to the side of the road. Sweat beaded along her spine, lungs laboring with fear and exertion as the car reached the sharp curve at the base of the hill.

Suddenly the landscape spun around her, a dizzying blur of colors before the car landed with a shuddering thud.

*****

Time was inconsequential; she had no awareness of it passing. Every time she came to, pain washed through her, pushing her back under. A loud roar of anguish and fury forced her awake just as sharp pain struck her ribs and head. Someone murmured softly in a soothing tone and embraced her. A sense of safety overcame her at the protective touch.

Eventually she had to rise from the deep, healing pool of unconsciousness. Pain, fear, confusion, they were all familiar feelings. Her nose was assaulted by the sharp tang of disinfectant, the stench of sickness. Eden awoke with a low cry of anguish.

“Shh, kitten, shh.” She blinked, bringing him into focus, trying hard to swallow back her whimpers.

“Galen.”

“Yeah, kitten. I’m here. You’re safe, I promise.” He clasped her hand with his, his words a vow that echoed through her mind.

“W-what happened?” she asked, swallowing back another cry as her fragmented brain failed to piece together the puzzle.

“You ran off the road, kid. You’ll be okay, but you’ve got some wicked bruises, especially over your ribs.” She turned her head slowly towards the familiar voice, grateful that the pain wasn’t as harsh as last time. Rick looked down at her from the other side of the hospital bed. He was in his sheriff’s uniform, his face drawn into a frown of concern.

“Déjà vu,” she whispered, managing a smile.

“Déjà vu.” He didn’t smile back.

“What happened?” she asked again, her voice hoarse and dry, the bitter taste of fear still tainting her tongue. A straw was held up to her mouth, and she sucked up some clean, cool water. Eden gave a small smile of thanks as Galen placed the cup back on her side table.

“You don’t remember?” Rick’s voice was hesitant, treating her like she was fragile glass that might shatter. She didn’t blame him, she felt entirely breakable.

“N-no.” The wobble in her voice betrayed her extreme agitation. “I don’t know. I can’t remember. Was there someone else? Did I hurt anyone?”

“No, kitten.” Galen’s voice held a strong hint of censure as he glared over at Rick, his eyes glowing, an unnatural sight that had her staring up at him in shock. Then his gaze turned to her, the glow dimming, becoming more controlled, more human.

“What are you?” she whispered.

He ignored the question. “There was no one else there, kitten. You ran off the road. You could have been killed.” His hand ran over her cheek and down her neck in a touch that screamed of possessive knowledge.

“I-I don’t remember.”

“It’s okay, kid,” Rick said reassuringly. “We’ll work it out. You rest, all right? The Doc said you can leave later on today as long as someone will be looking after you. I’ll come back and get you after my shift.”

She started to nod until Galen squeezed her hand, his low growl filling the room with his displeasure.

“I’ll take care of Eden.”

Eden looked over at him, unsurprised.

“That okay with you, Eden?” Rick asked. Eden knew that one word from her and Rick would interfere, try to prevent Galen from taking over. But besides the fact that Rick couldn’t take Galen if things got violent, she felt safer at the idea of Galen being with her. As though he could single-handedly keep her safe, keep the bad things at bay.

“It’s okay, Rick.” She smiled slightly, although she didn’t feel amused. Her life seemed to be one giant joke, expect it was a joke no one had let her in on, because she was really not amused.

Rick nodded before patting her shoulder and left the room.

“You know, you could actually ask me whether I wanted you to stay,” Eden said tiredly.

Galen grinned. “Ask? Asking implies you have a choice. Kitten, I’m not leaving your side for quite a long time.”

*****

As Galen pulled up to her cottage Eden sighed with weariness. Not that she’d been doing anything to tire herself out; Galen had barely let her move a muscle. He’d carried her from the hospital to his truck, paying extra attention to her comfort, even going so far as to put a pillow between her sore ribs and the seatbelt.

Before she could open her door he was there, picking her up carefully, carrying her into the small cottage. Galen ignored the living room, striding straight into her bedroom to lay her on her bed. “I’ll get you something to eat then you can rest.”

“What I want is a bath.”

He shook his head. “No way. You’re too weak to lift yourself in and out of the bath.”

Wrinkling her nose she glared up at him. “I’m tired, I’m dirty, I’m sore, and that was not a request.” Eden made sure that her voice held zero flexibility.