Eden's Playground: Graystone Academy Book One, BE Kelly [good short books .TXT] 📗

a few minutes, we’d like to ask you a few questions,” Anson asked. He was taking a chance that his father hadn’t downed a few more drinks while they were talking to Glory.

“What about?” his father slurred.

“About the founders of Graystone,” Duff said. “We found evidence that the school wasn’t just founded by the Graystone family, but also by the Kirkpatricks.”

“Evidence?” his father asked. “What kind of proof did you find?”

“Pictures,” Anson said. “We were doing some research and we found that our six times great-grandfather helped build Graystone. Is it true?”

His father’s expression turned murderous and he wasn’t sure if they had made a grave mistake in asking their father to help them. “Maybe coming here was a mistake,” Anson said.

His father’s smile was mean, “Not at all, Anson. You and your brother are always welcome here. This is your home. I have to go out for a bit, but you three enjoy the pool. I won’t be home until late.” Anson watched as his father turned and left, not bothering to answer their question.

“Well, that went well,” Duff grumbled.

“You boys,” Glory breathed. “You asked the right question, finally—just didn’t ask the right person. I think I might be able to help you.” She sat down at the kitchen table and turned to look back at the three of them. “Well, sit down, now. You’ll need to settle in for this one—it’s a long story.”

Duff

They sat around the big kitchen table and Duff stared down Glory. She knew their family. Why he hadn’t thought of asking her sooner, was a mystery. “You’re a Graystone, right?” Glory asked. Eden looked between him and Anson and they both nodded at her.

“You can trust Glory,” Anson said. “Tell her who you are.”

“I’m Eden Graystone,” she said. “Theodore Graystone is my father.”

“I see,” Glory breathed. “I knew your father,” she said. “He was a few years behind me in school, but I remember him. He was quite handsome.” Eden made a face and Glory giggled. “I guess most young girls don’t want to hear that their fathers are handsome.”

“No,” Eden agreed. “Were you two friends?”

“Yes,” Glory admitted, “at least, I’d like to think so.”

“But Mr. Kirkpatrick wasn’t a fan of my fathers,” Eden said.

“At first, they were the best of friends. Kirkpatricks and Graystones were business partners and friends for as long as time can remember. You boys were correct—Kirkpatricks helped to build Graystone Academy. But then, your father went and fell for Bianca Graystone, and when she turned up dead, poor dear, your father blamed Dugan, Eden. I’m afraid that was the end of the friendship between your two families. Theo blamed Dugan for Bianca’s death and your father never got over her loss, boys. That’s why he acts the way he does—running away from every situation that rubs him the wrong way and drinking himself half-blind. It’s sad, really,” Glory said.

“What about our mother?” Anson asked. “Did he ever love her?”

“In his own way. He met her years after his time at Graystone. Your mother was a force, boys. She loved him something fierce, as she did both of you. But your mother’s love wasn’t enough to erase Bianca’s memory.”

“Poor Mum,” Duff whispered.

“Don’t feel sorry for your mother, Duff,” Glory said. “She had you boys and you made her so happy. She never really understood the feud between the Kirkpatricks and the Graystones, but then I’m guessing she didn’t know the whole story either. One lost life tore apart two families generations of friendship.”

“How can we fix it?” Eden asked.

“Well, you’re doing it now—just by finding each other and being friends,” Glory said. Duff didn’t tell her that they wanted to be more than friends with Eden. She smiled at him, letting him know that she most likely read his mind.

“Thank you for telling us our family history,” Anson said. “We had no idea.”

“You are quite welcome,” Glory said. “As for your path forward, I’m sure it will become clear soon enough. I think you boys met Eden for a reason and only the three of you can figure out that reason together. If you have any more questions, I’ll be happy to answer them. For now, why don’t the three of you have some fun before supper? I’m making your favorite—shepherd’s pie.”

“You did know we were coming, didn’t you?” Anson asked.

Glory giggled, “I’ll never tell my secrets, boys,” she teased. “Now, go on and get out of my kitchen.”

“You think she’s actually going to come out of there?” Anson asked. He looked over to the small pool house that sat just past the patio. They had convinced her to pack a bathing suit for the trip home, but Eden seemed so shy about changing to go for a swim.

“If not, we can always go in there and pull her out,” Duff offered. He would too. Eden was innocent and maybe they were pushing her too fast, but he didn’t want to wait to have her and he knew Anson felt the same way. Glory was right, something in the universe wanted the three of them to meet and be together. He just wanted to speed the process up.

“Wow,” Anson breathed, looking over to where Eden came out of the pool house. She was standing up against the building, her arms wrapped around her middle as if she was trying to hide from them. “She’s beautiful,” his brother said.

“Come here, Eden,” Duff said. They sat on the lounge chairs next to the pool, and she didn’t look like she was very likely to walk across the pool deck to obey his order. When it came to sharing women, Anson usually let Duff take control, but he could feel his brother’s desire to be the one in charge of Eden.

“You want to take this one, Brother?” Duff asked.

“Yeah,” Anson agreed. He stood and walked over to where Eden was standing, pulling her into his arms. She was so timid; she didn’t lower her arms from around