Read It Had to Be You (Christiansen Family) for Free Online

that she needed a spotlight, but when, exactly, might it be her turn to become someone who did something amazing?
    Frannie intercepted her as she waited. “Eden   —I’m so sorry. I found this in the lobby. I think it’s from your flowers.” She handed her a florist card.
    Charlotte hung up the phone. “Eden?”
    “Thanks, Frannie,” Eden said and pocketed the card. She stepped into Charlotte’s office, debated closing the door, and then gently pushed it shut.
    Charlotte raised a penciled eyebrow, her computer glasses perched on her nose, her hair freshly darkened, a white silk scarf draped around her shoulders. “Yes?”
    Eden swallowed hard, then tempered her tone even as the words emerged from the angry place inside. “Help me understand why you gave the remembrance piece to Kendra instead of me.”
    Charlotte leaned back in her chair, pushed the glasses up on her head, narrowed her eyes. Then she glanced at the clock. “I went looking for you at 8:16 this morning. Waited until 8:32. Does that answer your question?”
    Oh.
    “I’m sorry I was late, Charlotte. My car   —”
    “It’s your career, Eden. No one is going to hand it to you. You have to earn it.”
    Heat crept into Eden’s face. “Right. Thank you.”
    Charlotte nodded and replaced her glasses, her attention already on the computer screen.
    Eden backed out of the office, wanting to go home, climb into bed, and start her day over.
    However . . . She pulled out the florist card and opened the envelope.
    Dear Kendra,
    Is it too early to ask you to be my valentine?
    Love, Nick
    Eden froze. Felt a fist closing over her chest.
    Yes, it’s too early, Nick.
    She walked back to her desk, picked up the flowers, and silently brought them to Kendra. Kendra looked up, a frown on her face even as she continued her conversation. Eden handed her the card, not meeting her eyes, and returned to her desk.
    Mercifully Kendra said nothing, even after she hung up.
    Eden grabbed her phone and dialed Owen. He should be awake by now.
    No answer   —her call went to voice mail.
    Fine.
    She managed to avoid Kendra until lunch, when the woman tracked her down in the cafeteria.
    “What are you working on?” Kendra slid her orange tray onto the table. It held milk, an apple, and a plastic-wrapped turkey sandwich.
    Eden set her pen in the crease of her notebook and shut it. “Trying to choke down this salad.” Her phone lay on the table. She hit redial.
    Kendra eyed the notebook, then gave her a wry smile. “Sorry about the flowers.”
    “Forget it.”
    “You should call him anyway.”
    “Who?”
    “Russell Hays. See if he wants to go out again.”
    Eden hit End on her phone. “Shoot. He’s still not answering.”
    “Who?”
    “Owen. He was in pretty bad shape last night. And he’s got practice at two o’clock.” She reached for her bag.
    “Holy cats, Eden. Seriously   —you’re obsessed.”
    “I’m not obsessed. He’s my brother.”
    “He takes up all the available space in your life. And you let him. What happens if he’s traded again? Or injured?”
    “Don’t say that.”
    “I’m not trying to jinx the ice, but you have to be honest with yourself.”
    “I’m his big sister.”
    “Right. Not his trainer. Not his coach, not his mother.” She shook her head. “You gotta show a little tough love here.”
    “I can’t let him destroy everything he’s worked so hard for.”
    “What you’ve worked so hard for.”
    Kendra’s words stopped her. Then, “Listen, I’m all caught up, and if anything comes in, call me. I’ll be back in an hour or so.” Eden picked up her plate to dump it.
    “Don’t forget your notebook.”
    Eden shoved it into her bag. The last thing she’d let anyone see were her journal entries about the lives she’d encountered in obits. She didn’t know why chronicling the extra information that didn’t make it into the obituary column mattered, but the details   —likea man’s coin collection or