Cherrywood Manor: Part Eight (special preview)

The sunrise from the view of the cabin was perfect. Paired with their favorite cup of coffee, Eden was quite happy. They had arrived with Lydia the previous evening, having arrived late due to a rock slide on the suggested route.

But now, everything was peace and tranquil. Lydia was still in bed, sleeping peacefully, and the morning could not be more perfect. Work had been cluttered and chaotic since she transferred, and despite the excitement of moving to be closer to Lydia, it was all very stressful. This vacation had been needed for some time.

“I always admired your work ethic,” Asher told her one morning. “You never appear frazzled, but we both know the case.”

“Never let them see you sweat. That’s what I was taught,” Eden replied with a slight scowl. “It’s gotten me far, especially since being a succubus has some roadblocks on it.”

Asher’s smile turned soft and understanding. “I know. You called me a lot when you were in college.”

Eden sighed and set her coffee aside. “I finally have everything I want. I can look back on all that stress as worth it. But what about now? The days I come in too tired to deal with anyone. The days I’m too mentally exhausted to pay attention or see there are troubles around the house. Is that worth it?”

Asher sat down and took hold of Eden’s hand. “You just need to sort out your priorities. Figure out what’s best for you and see if there is something that fits your life better. You don’t always have to be the overachiever. No one here is going to think any lesser of you because of it.”

Eden nodded and smiled at her cousin. “When did you learn to give good cowboy talks?”

Asher broke into a big grin. “Between learning how to give cowboys head.”

Eden snickered and leaned closer to him, pressing their foreheads together. “How do you know cowboys?”

“I know plenty.” Asher stroked the side of their face. “You got this. You finally have a huge support system around you. You’re not in this alone, Eden.”

Eden smiled fondly at the memory. Ever since then they had been sorting out their priorities and figuring out what they wanted to do now that their homelife was everything they wanted. Before, work had been the escape so they had focused everything they had into it. Now it didn’t seem worth it.

“There you are.”

Lydia’s voice snapped Eden from their thoughts and they turned to smile as Lydia came out of the bedroom.

“You’re up early,” Eden said with a smile.

Lydia rubbed her eye and yawned. She was wearing an oversized t-shirt that Eden figured belonged to Knox. She looked cute and sleepy standing there in the doorway.

“Being in a new bed is always weird,” Lydia murmured. “I was half asleep and realized something was weird.”

Eden stood up. “I’ll go fix your coffee. You can get back in bed if you want and we can snuggle a bit.”

Lydia nodded, still half asleep. “Okay. I’d like that.”

Eden went back into the kitchen, fixing Lydia’s coffee when their phone chimed. A little irritated at messages so early in the morning. They grumbled under their breath that it better not be from work. Luckily, it was Asher.

“Hope you made it safe. Knox saw on the news today there was a rock slide your way and asked I check.”

“We got caught in bad traffic because of it, but we’re here and fine.”

“Have you given Lydia your present yet?” Asher asked.

Eden’s cheeks warmed at the thought. “Not yet.”

“You can’t just wait for the right time, then it may never happen.”

Eden pouted. “What do you know?”

“Not much. But I like to think I know somethings.”

Eden rolled their eyes and picked up Lydia’s coffee. “I’ve got this. I’ll do it when I feel it.” They set their phone down then took the coffee tot he bedroom.

Lydia was curled up in bed, her pastel hair spilled out along the pillow. She stirred and moved as Eden came into the room.

“I’m up. I’m up.”