Becoming Calder (A Sign of Love Novel)(28)
Someone slammed a door to a cabin, and even though it wasn't very close to where we stood, we both startled. I lowered my voice even more when I said, "Let's not talk about this again, unless we know we're somewhere where no one is around."
Xander nodded. "Is it really safe to discuss this kind of stuff around Eden?"
I thought about that for a second, certainty filling my chest. "Yes. Yes, I believe so."
He paused. "You have feelings for her already, don't you?"
I thought about that for a second and simply settled on. "I won't be that stupid."
Xander nodded once. "The thing is, Calder, it's not always a choice who you develop feelings for. You're playing with fire in more ways than one. Any fool can see the way you two look at each other. And the more time you spend together—"
"We have a history, Xander. We're fond of each other."
"Fond of each other?" He snorted. "I'm fond of your mom, and sunsets. You are not 'fond' of Eden, trust me."
I smiled. "Okay, so it goes a little beyond 'fond.' I'm okay, I promise. You don't need to worry about me."
Xander studied my face and then nodded again. "Okay, brother." He started to back away. "Have a good night." And then he turned and walked off, leaving me to return home, and my mind to go over and over and over what we had discussed. What if Xander was right and Hector was wrong? What if there wasn't going to be a great flood . . . What if I had the choice to leave Acadia?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Eden
The next day, Calder didn't show at the spring and sadness and humiliation filled me as I walked back to the main lodge. I had ruined everything. I'd acted like a fool—a stupid, honest fool. I'd had to get away to lick my wounds. And now, I had lost my only . . . friend. Or I'd thought he was my friend. I groaned in despair and put my hands over my face as I leaned back on the inside of my bedroom door. Good job, Eden, I thought bitterly.
I spent most of the day lost in my music—my only refuge, my only comfort.
Later that night after I'd helped bathe Hailey's boys and gotten them dressed in their PJs, I walked back through the main room toward the stairs. I saw Maya, Calder's sister, with a stack of folded clothing in her hands opening the front door to leave and I stopped in my tracks. I smiled at her, but she blushed, lowered her eyes, and ducked out the door before I could say anything to her. Gods above! Calder didn't tell her about yesterday, did he?
I walked up the stairs slowly, my heart heavy.
When I stepped into my room, I immediately saw the dark clothing item lying at the end of my bed. I stopped, confused. I picked it up and then looked back over my shoulder nervously, then closed my door. I held up the hooded cloak and simply stared at it for a few minutes, biting my lip. I had seen the workers wearing cloaks like these in the evenings sometimes.
Was I meant to wear it? The hood would certainly hide me, especially if it was dark. Could I wear this and dare walk out among the workers? I felt exhilarated. Maya had left this for me. Had Calder sent it with her? I sucked in a breath. Maybe he wasn't mad at me. My heart picked up speed and I brought the cloak to my chest, holding it tightly as a slow smile spread over my face and I let out a small squeak.
The rest of the evening went by at a snail's pace as I waited for it to grow dark and for Hailey to go to bed.
Once the main lodge was mostly quiet and the night sky was deep and black, only the sliver of a new moon showing, I crept down the stairs and through the front door, closing it quietly behind me. Once I had made it around the main lodge, I put the cloak on, tucking all of my hair inside and pulling the hood low over my face. Then I walked briskly toward the worker cabins where several bonfires lit the night.
As I walked unnoticed for the first time since I'd come here, I took in all the sights and sounds around me. People sat around three main bonfires in the large, open area in the center of all the cabins. There was soft laughter and conversation and I heard small portions of stories people were telling as I walked past. I wished I had the nerve to sit right down with them and listen in, but I didn't want to risk anyone noticing me. Just walking around like I was—feeling free and anonymous—was thrilling. I took a deep breath of the cool, slightly smoky air.
At one of the bonfires, a man was singing softly, his voice deep and melodic as everyone around him sat quietly and listened. I stopped for just a second, lulled by the peaceful sound of his low voice, wishing I could play the piano while he sang. I felt the keys under my fingers, finding the notes that would accompany the melody he sang.