1921
Lynchburg, Virginia
"There, there, dear," Carmen crooned as Eden stirred in the bed after he lay her down.
His heart went out to her in more ways than he could express.
He longed to make her comfortable in every possible way.
Eden.
Covering her with the thick duvet, keeping his eyes attentively on her as he walked to the chair beside the window.
He wouldn't let her out of his sight.
Truly, he couldn't let her out of his sight.
Her reality was somber, sobering, and gut-wrenching.
She was young, precious, and so so lovely.
She didn't cause trouble and she only wanted to provide for her child.
How someone could hurt her was beyond him.
But the depth of the hurt is what shook his soul.
Precious dear Eden.
Raped.
His hands longed to go out and strangle the man who defiled her.
How unfeeling, how despicable, how depraved.
Fury raced through his heart.
William.
Rosalie's father.
A detestable cruel man.
His heart lurched.
Rosalie.
A darling gift from God, but the product of unforgettable harm.
"Jesus,"
He respected Eden.
She adored her child.
Her love for Rosalie was boundless. Resentment was far from her.
"My Lord," He whispered, shaking his head as revelation poured in.
Eden chose to work for and live with a strange man for the sake of providing for Rosalie.
He could've hurt her. He could've hurt them.
He could've been like that Lincoln cad at the inn.
But Eden took the risk for the sake of Rosalie.
Her selflessness was beautiful and humbling.
If only he could go back and do more for them, if only he could say the right things to assure Eden that this was a safe place.
He offered a place in his home without a thought.
Not once did he imagine-
"Mr. Carmen,"
Rosalie.
He looked up and found the little girl peering at him from the bedside.
"Hello, dear girl." He smiled gently as she leaned over to kiss Eden.
Rosalie stepped away from Eden, holding her hands behind her back. "She's sleeping, she looks better,"
He nodded, noting the quiet wistfulness in her voice. "She is, Rose. We talked and rest came upon her. I believe she will be better, but a little sad when she awakes,"
Rosalie nodded biting her lip.
"Come see," He motioned for her to come and she did. "What have you behind your back?" He asked lightly.
YOU ARE READING
The Hope of Eden
ChickLitSet in 1921, Virginia. - After almost losing her life, Eden leaves everything she knows behind with the promise of a better tomorrow. With her younger sister in tow, in the name of her daughter, Eden finds herself working for a wealthy much older Do...
