The Magnolia Cafe(54)

Not that he was asking anything she wasn’t more than willing to give. She clutched his shirt in her hands, steadying herself. She lost all her reasons why it was a bad idea to kiss this man.

He pulled away slightly, one arm still wrapped around her waist. “Now, was that nice?”

“You win. It was…” She stopped to pull her thoughts together. “It was perfect.”

Hunt stood with a self-satisfied grin plastered across his chiseled face. “Perfect is so much better than nice.”





CHAPTER NINETEEN





Bella punched up the weather on her laptop. It looked like the hurricane was turning a bit and would miss coming their way. It had slowed down some, too. So even if it brought storms, Summerfest should still be a go. Then she just had to worry about the weather for Jenny’s wedding.

She glanced up when she heard someone knock. “Owen. You’re here.” She jumped up from the kitchen table and opened the screen door. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close.

“I wouldn’t miss Summerfest. I told you that.”

“I was getting worried that you wouldn’t make it on time. It all starts tomorrow. Did you see that the hurricane has slowed down? We’re going to have beautiful weather for the festival.”

“I did hear the hurricane has stalled. I’ve been checking on it for days. Didn’t want anything to ruin Summerfest for you.”

They walked into the house, arm and arm. She poured some sweet tea, and they sat back down at the table, two large notebooks spread before her, one for Summerfest and one for Jenny’s wedding.

“Now, what can I do to help? I’m here to do anything you need.”

“I was getting ready to head over to Magnolia Cafe. It’s the grand opening of Keely’s patio area. Kind of the kickoff for Summerfest. Do you want to come with me?”

“Sure do. I plan on doing no business this weekend. I’m all yours.”

“I like the sound of that. All mine.” She smiled at him, glad to have him back in town, if only for a while.

“Where are the boys?”

“Ah, the quiet gave away that they aren’t here, didn’t it?” She laughed. “They’re at their dad’s for the night. So I guess I’m all yours.”

Owen raised his eyebrows. “I like the sound of that.”

Bella leaned over and gave Owen a quick kiss. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too. Hoping to stick around for quite a bit this time.”

She knew he meant it… it just didn’t seem to work out very often. He often planned for long trips back to Comfort Crossing, but it seemed like something always pulled him away. In spite of all of his promises that he’d be back for Summerfest, she hadn’t really been sure until he walked in her door.

Owen put a hand on her knee. “I know that look.”

“What look?”

“The doubting one. I’m really trying to be here more.”

“I know you are. It’s okay.” Though she missed him so much when he was gone, it was hard to adjust when he was back in town, trying to fit in time with him along with taking care of the boys, running the shop, and whatever else she had going, like planning Jenny’s wedding. It seemed like just when they got their footing again, off he’d go.

Owen reached over and traced one finger along the crease between her eyebrows. “I can hear you thinking.”

She flashed a half smile.

“We’re going to work things out, you’ll see.”

She hoped he was right.

He took both of her hands in his. “Bella, you know I’m crazy about you. I want this to work. I know it’s hard on you when I’m gone so much. I want to be here for you. I do.”

He leaned over and kissed her then, gently, raising one hand to cradle her face. She kissed him back, so glad this man was in her life, even if it was infrequently. She pulled away slightly, looked into his eyes, and smiled.

“I’m crazy about you, too.”

Owen stood up abruptly, then took a few steps across the kitchen floor. She looked at him in surprise. He turned back towards her, then paused and looked directly in her eyes.

“I’m more than crazy about you, Bella. I should have been telling you every single day that I love you. Hopelessly and completely in love with you. I want something more for us than random dating on my trips to town.”

She sat there staring at him wordlessly.

~ * ~

Maybe he’d spoken too soon. Maybe she wasn’t ready for his words. He did have a habit of disappearing when least expected. He couldn’t expect her to just… what? Get deeply involved with him when he always seemed to up and disappear. He wanted more with her, but he was so clueless about woman. Had no idea how she was going to react.