From Cradle to Grave Read Online Free Page A

Guy said. ‘I’m sorry, but this is a very bad time.’
    Claire began to sway slightly. ‘Guy?’ she said. ‘Who is this?’
    The girl looked directly at Claire. She shook her head in disbelief, and her voice was plaintive. ‘Doesn’t she know about me?’ Eden asked.
    Guy avoided Claire’s panic-filled eyes. ‘Claire,’ he said grimly. ‘This is Eden Summers. She’s . . . my daughter.’
    Claire looked from Guy’s face back to the teenager. Then she let out a little cry of anguish. She looked as if she was about to collapse. Morgan wanted to help her, but she was still holding the baby. Without another word, Claire turned and fled into the house.
    For a moment, Guy seemed to be torn between speaking to this teenaged intruder or following his wife. Then, Guy made up his mind and rushed into the house after Claire as the arriving guests watched, mouths agape.
    ‘Who is this?’ Dick Bolton asked, confused. He looked casually elegant in a black turtleneck and a tweed jacket.
    Astrid murmured into her husband’s ear.
    ‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ said Dick angrily. He turned on the girl. ‘Look sweetie, if you’re trying to get to know this family, this is not the way to do it – showing up here out of the blue.’
    ‘It’s not her fault,’ Lucy protested indignantly. Guy should have said something.’
    Eden’s chin trembled, but her gaze had grown steely. ‘It’s my brother’s baptism,’ she insisted, her voice shaking.
    Dick shook his head. ‘I’m not trying to be cruel. But you should go back to Kentucky . . . or wherever it is you come from.’
    ‘West Virginia,’ the girl said bitterly.
    ‘Dick, let’s be nice,’ Astrid pleaded in her charmingly accented voice. Looking pained, she offered the girl her hand. ‘I’m Astrid. It’s nice to meet you.’
    Eden shook her hand briefly.
    ‘Astrid.’ Dick yelped. ‘This is ridiculous. This girl does not belong here. Can’t you make her leave?’ he said.
    ‘Darling, it’s not my place,’ Astrid murmured.
    Lucy turned on her father. Her mild, almond-shaped eyes were uncharacteristically ablaze. ‘Dad. You act like she’s a criminal. She’s got a right to be here.’
    Dick shook his head. ‘I’m sorry. Not after all her grandparents put my son through. This is just wrong.’
    Astrid, dressed in a sky-blue knit suit, was holding a beribboned package.
    ‘Astrid. Take the present inside,’ he said. ‘And meet me at the car,’ Dick turned away. Then, he made a detour over to where Morgan stood, holding the baby. He rubbed his index finger over the baby’s delicate head. ‘You be a good boy, Drew Richard Bolton. I’ll see you soon.’
    Astrid, gripping the package, walked up the pathway and into the house.
    Eden’s face was frozen into an expressionless mask. She did her best to avoid meeting the curious gazes of the guests.
    ‘Lucy, what is this all about?’ Morgan asked in a low voice. ‘Who is this girl?’
    Lucy rolled her eyes. ‘You heard her. She’s Guy’s daughter.’
    ‘How come I’ve never heard of her before? Claire didn’t know anything about any daughter.’
    Lucy shook her head. ‘He should have told her. That’s just like Guy. He doesn’t care about anyone else’s feelings.’
    ‘The girl said she was from West Virginia. Does her mother live in West Virginia . . .?’
    ‘No. Her grandparents. She was raised by her grandparents. Kimba died on their honeymoon.’
    ‘Their honeymoon!’ Morgan exclaimed. ‘Guy was married before?’
    Lucy looked disgusted. ‘For about one week. They got married after Eden was born.’
    The front door of the cottage opened, and Astrid came outside, minus her present.
    She walked over to where Lucy stood with Morgan, the heels of her shoes sinking into the lawn. She opened her arms to Lucy and squeezed her in a brief embrace.
    ‘Poor Claire,’ said Lucy. ‘How’s she doing?’
    Astrid shook her head and rubbed Lucy’s small fingers in her own, well-manicured