The Letter(33)

“You seem lost in thought.” Owen squeezed her shoulder.

“Just thinking about how things have worked out.” She stopped and turned to him. “I’m… well, I’m really happy these days. You’re a big part of that.”

“Good. I want to make you happy. You have to know that I’m crazy about you.” His voice was low and flowed over her like a warm stream on a summer’s day.

Bella drew in a quick breath and looked at Owen. The man who had just said he was crazy about her. A twinkle of the lamplight caught in his eyes, so warm and caring. “I’m crazy about you, too.”

Owen smiled and leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. Then he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. “I’m so glad I met you. Glad you gave me a second chance after I threw you out of your shop, so to speak.”

Bella remembered how angry she’d been with what she’d thought had been a cold, calculated business decision. Instead she’d found out it had all been to help his half-brother.

“How are things between you and Jake? Any better?”

“It’s going slowly. I’m not sure he fully trusts me, but who can blame him after our father basically disowned him and refused to acknowledge Jake was his son.”

“It’s hard to imagine a father doing that.”

“My father was… cold. I think that having Jake didn’t fit into his precisely planned life. So he just denied he existed.”

“That is really sad. Though Sylvia and her family did a great job raising him. From what I know of him, he is a kind, big-hearted man. He sure did a lot to take care of his mom when she was so sick.”

“I feel badly that my father never helped them at all. Never helped support Jake, much less try to be part of his life. I was so surprised when I found out I had a brother after Father died.”

“Well, I’m glad you found him… and I’m glad you found me.” Bella sucked in a deep breath of the crisp winter air.

“I’m glad I found you, too.” Owen took her hand and they continued on their way down the cobblestone street.





CHAPTER TWELVE





Gil was sitting at Rebecca’s dining room table drinking coffee when Madeline came downstairs the next morning. She couldn’t even figure out how she felt about it when she saw him. Liar. She was happy to see him.

Rebecca came bustling into the room. “Look who stopped by. I gave him some coffee and said I was sure you’d be down soon.”

“Morning.” Madeline gave a generic greeting aimed at both of them. Or just Rebecca, or just Gil, depending on how a person looked at it.

“Hey, Maddy.” Gil’s voice was like thick black coffee pouring forth.

Madeline just stood there staring at him like a fool.

Rebecca cut through the uncomfortable tension by announcing Gil was having breakfast… no arguments, and she’d have it right out.

Madeline slipped into a chair across the table from Gil. He got up and poured her a cup of coffee from the sidebar and placed it in front of her without a word. He lowered himself back down into his chair, directly across from her.

“I know you have every right to be mad at me. I was stupid in New Orleans. I didn’t keep you safe. I messed up things so you missed meeting up with Paul. I don’t know how to make it up to you.”

“You don’t have anything to make up. It was just a series of unfortunate events, and I really think you should stop apologizing. It was just as much my fault because I followed after you when you left the hotel. Besides, you were the one who had to get stitches. And you bought me boots, remember?” She held her leg out high to show off her boots. “I love them.”

“I’m not sure a pair of boots evens things out.”

“Well, luckily you bought me the black flats too… oh, and paid for my hotel room. There are advantages to losing my credit card, you know.” The beginnings of a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

A lazy grin slid across his face. “Well, I guess that does make us even then.”

Rebecca came in with breakfast. “Eat up, kids. There’s more where that came from.”

Madeline almost moaned. “It looks delicious. I haven’t eaten this much food in… well, I don’t think I ever have. And each meal is a bit better than the last one. I’m going to get fat.”

“You could stand to put on a few pounds,” Rebecca clucked at her.

“Many more pounds and I’ll require a whole new wardrobe.”

“Hey, I bought the shoes, don’t count on me for a new closet full of clothes,” Gil teased her.

Larry came in the front door with a burst of cool air and the paper tucked under his arm. “Hi, Gil. Good to see you. Morning, Madeline.”