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“No problem. It was my pleasure.” As someone who'd been the subject of petty gossip due to her own mother's desertion, she certainly wasn't going to encourage Merry’s bad behavior. Even though Eden wasn’t in the holiday spirit, she still thought people should act better this time of year. Holiday cheer and good will toward men. Ho Ho Ho and all that cheerful stuff.
“Aren't you at least curious about what she was referring to?” Brady asked, his forehead crinkling with confusion.
She shrugged. “No, not really. Whatever she was talking about happened a long time ago. Surely there's a statute of limitations on gossip.”
Brady laughed out loud at her comment, his beautifully shaped eyes crinkling up with the effort. “Tell that to Merry Jackson,” he teased. Suddenly, his expression changed and he became solemn. “All those years ago my family did leave because of a scandal. It was something that nearly tore my parent’s marriage apart.” He raked his hand through his chocolate brown hair. “My mother was involved with another man, which my father found out about. Everything kind of blew up after that. This being a small town…it was the talk of Celebration.”
She held up her hands to cut him off. “You don't have to tell me all this. It's so personal.” How could he be telling her something so deeply private? Airing her dirty laundry was the last thing she would ever do. Secrets were to be closely guarded. Hadn't anyone ever told him that simple fact?
Brady stood up and began rocking back and forth slightly on his heels. “I'm telling you because we're going to be working side by side every day. What Merry just proved is that people have long memories. You might as well know what people might be whispering about when they see I've come back to Celebration. It makes it easier for both of us to clear the air.”
Brady's words were sad but true. Although most folks in Celebration were kind and generous, there was also a contingent who enjoyed mindless gossip. They were the type to go to church on Sunday but spread negativity come Monday morning. She knew certain people who wouldn't hesitate to dredge up skeletons from the Shepard family tree.
“I'm sorry about Merry.” Eden made a tutting noise. “And on your first day, to boot.”
Brady was scanning the paperwork about Jingle, his dark eyes focused on the information like laser beams. When he swung his gaze up to meet hers, she felt a slight sense of shock at the effect it had on her. There was something about his eyes, some quality that pulled her in. She couldn't remember ever feeling such a deep level of attraction. And she knew it wasn’t just based on his good looks. Brady Shepard had a kindness that radiated from within.
He shrugged. “I knew there was a possibility of this coming up when I agreed to come back here. But there really wasn't any possibility of my saying no to Gram's request. I really wanted to enjoy the holidays here in Celebration. I'll just have to grow a thick skin.”
Something told Eden that Brady's thick skin had developed many years ago. She's seen the distressed expression on his face after he'd overheard Merry’s unkind words. And she knew from her own childhood how cruel people could be. How could she desert those poor children? What kind of woman leaves her family?
“I guess it's time for me to meet Jingle.” Brady's grin knocked her a little bit off kilter.
She wasn't used to being in such close proximity with a good looking, charming man. And even though she didn't know him all that well anymore, she was starting to feel a little bit more at ease with him. Hope fluttered like a white winged dove inside her. Maybe, despite her initial mistrust of him, Dr. Brady Shepard really was one of the good guys.
Chapter Four
A week passed during which Eden was feeling more and more comfortable in Brady’s presence. He really hadn’t changed all that much from the boyish Brady of her childhood. He was sweet and slightly goofy and full of charm. She felt at ease with him in a way that surprised her. Every day he did something outrageous to make her laugh. Today he was sporting reindeer ears. The day before he had worn a Santa
Claus hat and beard. And he had been helping her with the candy cane fundraiser and brainstorming ideas.
At the moment Eden was sitting at the reception desk trying to figure things out. They were still short a considerable amount of money. But she had come up with an idea that might just work to bring in the extra cash. The idea was a throwback to the original candy cane exchange they’d done as children. Eden had tossed out the idea of selling candy canes at the Christmas festival at the church with proceeds going to the abandoned animals. And if they brought the idea to the local elementary schools, middle schools and high schools, they would really be able to make their goal. Brady was very enthusiastic about the idea and had pledged to help out.
The tinkling sound of the bell above the door alerted her to a new arrival.
“Good morning, Mrs. Forrester. How can I help you?” Mrs. Forrester was a sweet older woman who was a retired school teacher. She didn’t have an appointment according to the computer, nor did she have an animal with her, although she did have a large fruit basket in her arms.
“I don’t have an appointment. This is for Dr. Shepard.” She placed the fruit basket on the counter. It has a festive red and green bow and practically screamed Christmas tidings.
“I’ll make sure Vicky gets it. She won’t be back to the practice for some time. She’s scheduled for surgery,” Eden explained. Eden had been instructed by Vicky on what to tell her clients.
“Oh this isn’t for Vicky. It’s for Dr. Brady Shepard. He was a real life-saver last night by coming to my house and taking care of Cornelia my cocker spaniel.” Mrs. Forrester shook her head. “I taught him in second grade. He’s just as fine a man as I imagined he would become.”
Hearing Mrs. Forrester’s praise of Brady made Eden grin. Of course Brady hadn’t mentioned making a house call to Mrs. Forrester and Cornelia. The more Eden was in Brady’s presence, the more she was beginning to realize he was a good man. He wasn’t boastful or arrogant. He truly followed God’s command to love his fellow man.
“Wait right here, Mrs. Forrester. I’m sure he’ll want to thank you in person,” Eden said.
“Only if he’s not with a client. I know how busy this office gets.”
Eden winked at her. “You came during a lull, so I’ll go grab him.”
Eden went to Brady’s office and lightly knocked. When he called for her to come in, Eden opened the door and stood on the threshold. “Brady, there’s someone here I think you’ll want to see.”
“Who is it?” he asked.
“Come and see,” she said with a smile, wanting him to be surprised.
The moment he entered the waiting room, Sybil Forrester came forward and greeted him warmly. “I had to come by and thank you again for coming to see Cornelia last night after hours. It was beyond compassionate.” She handed him the fruit basket. “Just a little something to say thanks and happy holidays.”
