Page 76 of Rescued Heart

How was his mother in here? But more importantly, why had she hunted him down after ten long years?

FIFTEEN

Bianca didn’t miss Eddie’s flinch when this relative of his tried to hug him. She’d made a mistake.

She should have checked with Eddie before she’d agreed to this surprise reunion. Why hadn’t she learned her lesson from the pizza incident?

After surviving the scene of kissing Carter’s cheek, she’d been trying to process the frown Eddie had worn when he’d left for the fire station. That was when a woman who Bianca had assumed was a film extra had motioned her over. Usually, Bianca would have waved and gone on preparing for the next scene, but at their current last-minute location, there wasn’t a specific section for the extras.

Something about the woman’s fancier clothes and familiarity had made Bianca walk over. Now she realized it had been the woman’s eyes. The rich mocha coloring matched Eddie’s.

Bianca jogged the rest of the way toward the pair as Eddie glared at his relative. “What are you doing here?”

The woman extended her arms. “Can’t your mother surprise you?”

Bianca gaped at the woman. “You’re his mother?”

Eddie’s frown and tightly crossed arms did not match his mother’s expression. “I’m definitely surprised.”

Bianca put out her shaking hand. “Why didn’t you tell me who exactly you were?” Then again, would it have mattered? She would have assumed Eddie would have wanted to see her. Just as Bianca would have wanted to see her own family.

His mother’s haughty snarl at Bianca flashed into a smile as she addressed Eddie. “I called you more than once. But you never answered, so I thought a surprise was in order. I arrived in time to see you holding your new girl.” She put her hand on her chest, her eyes misting. “You’ve gotten so tall.”

“Rice!” His lieutenant hollered from the bay area where Zack and Ridge jogged toward Eddie. “You’re needed inside. Now.”

Eddie shot Bianca a look. “Yes, sir.”

She’d messed up even bigger this time.So sorry, she mouthed.

He avoided her gaze and marched away to the fire station.

Zack stopped beside Bianca while Ridge stepped in front of Eddie’s mother. “Can I help you, Mary?”

Bianca squeezed her eyes shut. They knew this woman and were protecting Eddie. While she’d done the opposite.

Mary adjusted her leather purse on her shoulder. “I’d love a chair in the air-conditioning while I wait for Eddie to have his lunch break.”

Zack shook his head. “If you want to see Eddie, you’ll need to contact him.”

She lifted her chin. “I’ve been calling him.”

Ridge motioned toward the pathway to the parking lot. “Then he has his reasons for not replying.”

Mary raised her brow and rested her hand on her thick pearls. “Doesn’t that Bible he reads now say something about respecting his mother?”

Zack squared up to the lady. “Ma’am, according to the law, you’re not his mother any longer.”

Bianca pressed her fingers over her mouth. Oh, Eddie. She’d failed him.

Mary’s eyes watered, and then she turned for the pathway.

Ridge hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “I’m going to go make sure…”

Zack nodded. “I’ll catch Bianca up here.”

Ridge gave a thumbs-up and trailed after Mary.

“I’m so sorry.” Bianca sank her face into her palms. “She said she was a family member traveling through town and wanted to surprise Eddie. I guess I thought how I’d love it if my own family went out of their way to come see me…but I was too focused on my issues instead of thinking of Eddie. I didn’t know he and her…” She lifted her face. “I really need to apologize.”

---