~ * ~
Bella slumped against Jenny after Owen left. Her friend held her tighter.
“It’s going to be okay,” Jenny murmured.
Bella fought back the tears that wanted to fall. She wouldn’t let them. She was going to get through this. It was just a setback. A major one. But she wasn’t going to let Owen Campbell get the best of her. Her mind kicked into planning mode. She wasn’t going to wallow in despair.
“I need to go talk to Gil. See if I can temporarily put the merchandise from my store in the back room at the Feed and Seed. I’m sure he has room.”
“We’ll help you move. Becky Lee can round up some of the guys from Magnolia Cafe. Nathan will help.”
“It’s just that I won’t be making any income until I can find another place for the shop.”
“I wish you’d let me loan you some money,” Jenny offered again.
“Jenns, I love you, but no, I’m not taking your money. I’ll work it all out.” But how was she going to work it out? She had hardly any money in savings. Was it just a week ago that she had been so proud of herself that she had actually begun saving a bit after only two years in business? It had been a short-lived heady feeling. She had been so proud that she was finally making a success of her life. All on her own.
A group of women came into the shop. Bella pasted on a smile. “Welcome. Let me know if I can help you with anything.”
She turned to her friends. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Are you going to be okay?” Becky Lee’s eyes held a worried look.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll go talk to Gil after work and see if I can store my things there until I find a new place to lease.”
“I’ll ask around and see if anyone knows of a place for you and the boys to live. Nothing better than a job at Magnolia Cafe to keep my finger on the pulse of the town. We’ll find you something.” Becky Lee turned to Jenny. “We should go let this woman get back to work.”
“We’ve got your back, Izz.” Jenny hugged her.
“I know. Love you guys.”
She watched as her friends left the store. Just like Owen had. Owen, the first man she’d been interested in years. The man she had kissed. Kissed lots. And enjoyed it thoroughly.
No more of that. She felt so betrayed by him. The weight of all the decisions she had to make, and all the work she had ahead of her slammed against her, making her feel alone and frightened for the first time in a very long time. She resented Owen for making her feel that way, too.
She wondered what her brother, Gil, was going to say about all this. He’d always been overprotective. He might put a bounty on Owen’s head, or at the very least, chase him out of town. Which was what she wanted, wasn’t it? For Owen to be gone?
~ * ~
Bella pushed into the Feed and Seed that evening, figuring her brother would still be here. He worked even longer hours than she did. She needed to talk to Gil, then get over to the ballpark to see the boys’ games.
“Hey, Bella. What brings you here?” Gil walked out from behind the counter. He was a handful of years older than she and had looked out for her since their parents had died. Actually he had looked out for her ever since she was a toddler following around in his shadow. He was the one who had first called her Bella and the nickname had stuck.
“I need to ask a favor.”
“Yes.” Her brother grinned at her.
“You don’t even know what I’m going to ask.”
“Have I ever said no to you?”
“Well, yes you did. In high school I wanted you to set me up with your friend, Tex.”
“The guy was a loser. He wasn’t really my friend and there was no way in Hades that I’d have let him go out with you.”
“Okay, probably a good choice, but I was so mad at you then. Anyway, it proves that you have said no to me.”
“Ancient history, Sis.” He led her over to an old wooden table. “Pop?”
“Sure. Sounds good.”
Her brother put some change in the old pop machine and pulled out a bottle for her.
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” Gil slipped into a chair beside her and slid the bottle across to her.
“I need a place to store the merchandise from my shop until I can find a new location. Mr. Potter sold the building.”
“The new owner won’t lease to you?”
Her heart beat a jagged tune and she fought to stay calm. “He said no.”
“I’m sorry. When do you have to be out?”
“A couple of weeks.” She popped the tab on the can.
“That soon? That doesn’t give you much time. Of course you can store your stuff here. Where are you and the boys going to live? You should move in with me until you find a place.”