Page 36 of The Virgin's Chosen Dragon

Theo turned in his chair. “Oh, my God, my parents are on that boat too,” he said, then turned back to her. “Maybe we should try to go back. This might not be good.”

“You’re telling me,” she said, getting shakily to her feet. “We’d better go save Max. He doesn’t deserve my mother’s wrath. That’s reserved especially for me.”

Theo stopped her and pulled her into his arms. “You don’t deserve it either, Eden,” he said. “As far as I can see, you’ve never done anything but give in to what she wants. It’s time for you to exert your independence. If you can face being thrown back in time, nearly being raped, and then being set adrift at sea during a storm, you can handle your mother.”

“You’re right,” she said, giving him a big kiss on the lips. “I’m not going to let her rule me anymore. I’m going to get my teaching certificate, I’m going to marry you someday, and we’re going to have a house full of kids.”

“And I’m going to be there with you every step of the way,” he said, grinning down at her. “But I’m warning you right now, I’m not changing dirty diapers, that’s where I draw the line.”

“Oh, you think so?” she asked, grinning back at him. “We’ll see about that. I know a thing or two about getting what I want, and I’m just learning.”

CHAPTER 21

***THEO***

By the time they got down to the dock, Eden’s mother was practically screaming at Max, who was just watching her, a stunned look on his face. “You had better take me to my daughter; I know something is terribly wrong with her,” the woman screeched. “She hasn’t called me in three days, and she would never do that unless there was something wrong. What have you done to her? If you don’t take me to her right this instant, I’m going to tear this island apart looking for her.”

“Are you going to let me talk now?” Max asked, when Eden’s mother took a breath.

“I’m not finished,” her mother said, sticking her finger in Max’s face. “I’m going to sue you when I get home. What kind of reputable business let’s a young girl stay alone? Anything could have happened to my baby while she was here. If anyone has hurt her or corrupted her in any way, I’m going to hold you personally responsible. Now take me to her right this instant.”

“That might be a bit difficult,” Max said, crossing hisarms over his chest. “You haven’t told me who your daughter is, lady.”

“Lady,” Eden’s mother huffed. “You will address me as Dr. Bishop and no other way.”

“Oh, I see……” Max said. “You’re Eden’s mother.”

“Stop playing games, you knew very well who I was,” Dr. Bishop said. “I can’t believe an idiot like you is in charge of this place. You have no business running a resort, and I’m going to get you closed down if it’s the last thing I do.”

“That’s enough, Mother,” Eden said, stepping up. “You’ve berated that poor man enough. I’m the one you want, so leave him alone.”

“Oh, Eden, look at you,” her mother said, a look of horror on her face. “What have they done to you? What is that you’re wearing? Cover yourself up at once, you’re embarrassing yourself with that display.”

Eden clenched her teeth together for a second, then let out a long sigh. “Mother, you may be embarrassed by your body, but I’m not,” she finally said. “This is the way I want to dress, and that’s just the first of many things that are going to change.”

A look of shock appeared on the woman’s face; Theo tried not to laugh. “How dare you talk to me that way? I only have your best interests at heart,” her mother said. “If you’re going to be a successful doctor, you have to think about your reputation. Men can’t see you as attractive; it undermines your abilities.”

“Well, since I’m not going to be a doctor, it won’t matter,” Eden said, her shoulders squared for battle. “I’m going to go back and get my teaching degree. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, and I know that I’ll be good at it.”

“You will not waste yourself teaching, I will not allow it. Ithought we settled this a long time ago. You’re going to medical school, you’re going to become a doctor and continue the family legacy,” her mother shouted, her face getting red. “I knew that it was a bad idea to let you come here. You’re completely out of control, you need to be medicated right away. You must be having some kind of a breakdown.”

“I’m not having a breakdown, I’m finally standing up to you,” Eden said. “I’m done letting you run my life, I’m going to do what I want when I want, and you’re not going to say a word about it, or I’ll cut you out of my life.”

Her mother’s face went from red to pale almost instantly. “I can’t believe you just said that,” her mother wailed. “After everything I’ve done for you, you ungrateful brat; you’re going to be sorry, I’m going to cut you off. Do you hear me? You won’t get another cent of our money; you’ll be living on the streets, eating out of dumpsters, and I’m going to laugh at you when it happens. You’re nothing without me, nothing.”

He'd had all that he could take, knew that Eden had to be wearing down. “That’s where you’re wrong, Eden will have me,” he said, stepping up behind her and putting his hands on her shoulders. “And I promise you, she won’t be living on the streets or eating trash while I’m around.”

“Who the hell are you?” Dr. Bishop demanded. “Take your hands off my daughter.”

“I’ll take my hands off Eden when she asks me to,” he said. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Theo Mayhew, and I’m the man who is in love with your daughter.”

“And I love him,” Eden said. “Fate brought us together, and nothing is going to tear us apart, so save your breath, Mother.”

Dr. Bishop’s mouth opened and closed several times, then she started to crumple to the dock, but Max reached out and grabbed her. “Oh, dear, I can’t breathe, and my chest hurts. Ithink I’m going to die,” she wailed. “Everything is going dark, I’m dying, I’m dying, and you did this to me, Eden, you did this.”

He felt Eden stiffen under his hands, felt her resolve beginning to crumble, but then Eden’s father stepped forward. “Stop this right now, Gwen,” he barked. “You are not having a heart attack; you’re just in shock because our grown daughter finally exerted her independence. I would also like to point out that you’re wearing a wool suit in the tropics; not a very smart wardrobe choice. You might want to take some pointers from Eden. She looks very beautiful.”

Dr. Bishop stopped wailing and let Max help her to a bench. “Now that we can hear ourselves talk, I think all my wife needs is something cold to drink and a place to lie down,” her father said, then held out his hand to Theo. “It’s nice to meet you, young man. I’m Thomas Bishop. I hope we’ll have a chance to get to know each other later.”

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