Daffodils in March by Clare Revell Read Free Book Online Page B

OK; just trying to get my head around this. May I see?”
    She took the offered document. There it was in black and white. She got Hanna’s half of the house. And primary custody of Marc. She glanced up. “What happens if the house gets sold?”
    “You’d get fifty percent of the total proceeds if you both wanted to sell. If either you or David alone wanted to sell, the other would have to buy the whole house or sell his share at the same time.”
    “What happens to the money from the sale? Does that go into Marc’s trust fund?”
    Mr. Watts shook his head. “No, the money from any sale would be yours.”
    “I see.” Eden glanced at the window to see David’s car driving away at high speed. Great, she’d been abandoned and lost Marc within five minutes of being made his legal guardian. She bent and picked up her bag. “I shouldn’t take up any more of your time.”
    The lawyer stood with her. “I’ll see you out. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ring. Hanna was very adamant about this.”
    Leaving the building in the rain, Eden started the long walk back to the house. She had no idea what to do. David had made his feelings plain. Now Hanna had her living in the same house as David and raising Marc as her own, with David in the father role.
    ****
    David swung the car onto the drive and dashed inside with the car seat before he or the baby got too wet. Marc was sleeping, and he didn’t want to disturb him by moving him into the cot. Instead, he set the car seat on the floor of Hanna’s bedroom.
    He hurried downstairs and hung his jacket on the end of the bannisters. He headed into the integral garage and slammed his fist into the punch bag hanging from the ceiling over and over again. How could Hanna do this to him? After all he’d done. After the way he stood by her. Took her in when Eric died, despite his better judgment. Protected her, loved her and the baby.
    The sudden realization that Hanna didn’t trust him, hit him hard. The punch bag flew back and hit him on the shoulder sending him to the floor. He sat, winded, salt burning his eyes. She’d died not trusting him with her son.
    A spear pierced him. What was he doing? To have sunk so low that not even his own sister trusted him with anything.
    From above him the sound of a baby screaming echoed down the stairs. He had to prove her wrong. Prove, even though it was too late, that he could do this. That underneath the dirt of the sordid persona he’d adopted, he was still the same man she knew and loved.
    ****
    An hour and a half later, Eden arrived back at the house, still no closer to a resolution than when she left the solicitor’s office. She headed up the drive, just as Pastor Jack Chambers let himself out.
    Pastor Jack smiled. “Hello, Eden. I’m sorry for your loss.”
    “Thank you,” she managed. “I still can’t believe she’s gone.”
    “I know. I’ve gone over the funeral arrangements with David. It’s set for this Friday. He said he’d fill you in.”
    “He might do. We’re not exactly getting on right now.”
    “It’s hard for both of you,” Pastor Jack said. “Just give it time and prayer and it’ll work out.”
    “OK. Thank you.”
    “Call me if you want to talk. I have another appointment, otherwise I’d suggest going for coffee in the High Street.”
    She nodded and headed inside. She hung her wet coat above the radiator and glanced into the lounge. David sat on the couch, a screaming baby in his arms, bottle in his hand. She went in slowly, not sure of the reception she’d get. “I saw Pastor Jack. I was coming in as he left. He said the funeral is on Friday. Isn’t that a little soon? Will we even have the body by then?”
    David jerked his head in response. “Yeah; we’ll get the body tomorrow or Wednesday. I don’t want this hanging over my head for days, like with Eric or my parents.”
    Hurt she hadn’t been asked her opinion on anything, she wrapped her arms around herself.