Page 83 of Riding High

But she had a decent excuse not to talk to Jed today.She was in charge of making sure the charity polo match was a success.If she dropped the ball now, at the last moment, the pledges they’d been promised wouldn’t materialise and Hope Harbour would be in dire straits.Strangely, she felt like she needed to get the charity on its financial feet so that she could move on too.

Her phone rang and Eden snatched it up, expecting to see a call from Henry or one of the committee members.The bread stuck in her throat when she saw Detective Gosling’s name.She answered and met Troyden’s eyes.He frowned, held up his hand, and the table fell silent.

‘I’m calling to inform you that we arrested Tara and Vincent Bancroft half an hour ago at their residence,’ Detective Gosling told her.

She nodded, realised he couldn’t see her and cleared her throat.‘Are they… Are they okay?’she asked, then shook her head.How okay could they be when the police arrived at their door holding an arrest warrant?

‘Being arrested is never fun.They’ll go before a judge and will probably be granted bail in a couple of days.’He cleared his throat.‘It was a quiet arrest, no drama.’

‘And the foundation?’Eden asked.

‘All their bank accounts have been frozen, including the foundation’s.’

Eden grimaced.So many charities and people wouldn’t be getting the help they needed anytime soon.

‘We’ll be in touch, Ms Ennis.’

Eden thanked him, cut the call and looked down at her sandwich.There was no chance of her eating anymore.She bit her lip and closed her eyes, hearing nothing but the sound of the clock ticking behind her and the sizzle of bacon in the pan.

‘I’m sorry to tell you… but the Bancrofts are in custody,’ she stated quietly.‘The foundation isn’t operational either.’

Alistair looked up from his tablet.‘I expected that.It will take a while to untangle the funds, get the money distributed.And by a while, I mean it will take many months, possibly years.’

Eden bit down on her bottom lip, feeling a little sick.‘So many charities will be scrambling now, desperately worried because the money they thought they could rely on isn’t forthcoming.’

Mick pushed her chair back and shot around the table, hugging her from behind, her cheek against hers.‘It’s not your fault,’ she murmured.‘I promise, it’s not.’

She squeezed Mick’s wrist and nodded.‘I know, Mick,’ she softly said.And she did.It was their choice, their consequence, but the charities were suffering because of the Bancrofts’ greed.But she still felt awful for them.She patted Mick’s arm.‘I’m okay, Mick.I promise.’

Troyden’s gaze held hers, steady and sure, his slight smile reassuring.It’s okay.I’ve got you.

Eden hauled in a deep breath, took a sip of her coffee, and tried to unjumble her conflicting emotions.Concern for the people she’d once loved and relief that the sword had dropped juggled for dominance.Did that mean she could move on?And what did moving on mean?Was she able to hate what they did, but still retain affection for the people who’d nurtured and supported her?Could she keep the good memories of working for the Bancrofts and discard the bad?Could she hate what they’d done and still like them?

She didn’t know and couldn’t take the time to figure it out.Right now, she could only do what she could do: making sure the polo event was a success to keep Hope House afloat.One step, on one charity, at a time.Eden pushed her plate away and lifted her mug again, desperate for a caffeine rush.Was there something more than coffee, but less than cocaine?

She stood, pushing back her chair.‘I need to go,’ she said, bending to pick up her bulging tote bag.

Troyden lifted his cheek for a kiss.‘Good luck, darling, we’ll find you later to see how you are doing.’

Eden squeezed his shoulder and smiled at Justin, who held up his hand for a high-five.Mick, because she was Mick, pulled her in for another hug.She rocked her from side to side, before pulling back to grin at her.‘My best idea, ever, was to ask you to join the committee.I’m totes brilliant.’

‘Nobody says totes anymore, and you’re truly incredible at getting someone else to do the work, Michaela,’ Justin countered.

Mick, because she was a mature adult, lifted her middle finger.

Alistair looked up from his phone and sent Eden a sweet, rare smile.‘I’ll send you the employment contract on Monday,’ he said, before returning his attention to his phone.

Uh… what employment contract?

‘Initial each page, get two witnesses.Got to make it official.’

Justin sighed and rolled his eyes.‘Alistair, we agreed that we would talk to Eden after the polo day was over,’ he said.

‘She’s here.We’re here.We can talk,’ Alistair responded.

Talk about what?She had no idea what they were going on about, but she didn’t have time to play guessing games.She needed to get to Bythesea Hall and start running through her million and one checks.

‘Guys, I’ve got work to do,’ she warned.‘If you have something to say, it’s got to be now.’