“I’ve been asking around about a place for you to live. No luck so far.”
“I talked to Gil yesterday. I think we’re going to move in with him until I can find us somewhere to live.” Izzy tried to keep her disappointment out of her voice.
“Oh, Izz. That’s a good idea. It gives you more time to get things sorted out. I bet the boys will love it too.”
“I’m pretty sure they’ll drive Gil crazy within a few days. He’s so used to his bachelor lifestyle.” Bella sighed. “I guess I’m lucky he still has our parents’ house. It’s certainly big enough for all of us. I’ll stay in my old room. That will be weird. The boys can stay in Gil’s old room. He’s in the master bedroom now.”
“It will work fine until you can find your own place. Gil’s always at the Feed and Seed anyway.”
Bella had a hard time looking at the sympathy—or was it pity—in Becky Lee’s eyes. She didn’t want people to feel sorry for her. She just wanted to sort it all out and get things fixed.
Becky Lee pushed some flyaway strands of her blonde hair back from her face. She always wore her hair pulled back while she worked, but, wow, when she let it down she turned heads. Becky Lee seemed oblivious to her good looks. She dated off and on, but no one serious in quite a few years. Bella had always thought that Becky Lee would have been the first of them to get married, and yet here she was, single. She always seemed happy with her life though.
Bella thought she should grab some of Becky Lee’s happy with life attitude. Even though things were up in the air, she had a place to live. She’d find a place for the shop. It would all work out.
“Hey, look who’s out there.” Becky Lee nodded her head towards the window.
Bella looked out the window and saw Owen walking down the sidewalk on the other side of the street. “Hope he isn’t coming here to eat.” She tracked his steps.
“I don’t think he’d have enough nerve. He probably wants to avoid me, though if he does show up, I have some choice words for the man.” Becky Lee reached down and untied her waitress apron and placed it on the table. She stood up. “I’m officially off duty. Let me get us some coffee and brownies. Cook just made a batch and they’re still hot.”
Bella nodded. She looked out the window and saw Owen head off down the street. Her shoulders relaxed and she took a deep breath. She wasn’t ready to see him again. She was so unsure of her feelings. Though how could she like a man who threw her out of her business and home in the pursuit of gain for himself? Well, she didn’t like him. She’d just had a momentary fling, no emotional connection. None. At all.
Maybe he’d just head back to Chicago now that the deal was made with Mr. Potter. But why did that thought cause her to momentarily feel lost? Too much was going on right now for her to work through any of her thoughts or emotions. Just take one step at a time. Move. Find a place for the shop. Open the new shop. Find a place to live. Don’t think about Owen. A list. She should make a list. And put the don’t-think-about-Owen as number one on the list.
~ * ~
Becky Lee sat and sipped on her coffee long after Izzy headed back to work. She felt sorry for her friend and hoped she’d be able to do something to make things easier on her. So far, she hadn’t had much luck.
Keely came over to her table. “I heard that Bella’s building was sold and we’re getting a new restaurant in town. Sylvia Landry is going to open her restaurant up again.”
“No, really? I knew Owen bought the building, but he's leasing it to Sylvia? That makes no sense. Why? I thought I heard that Sylvia and Jake were in a hard way from all of Sylvia’s medical bills.”
“I don’t know the details, just that Sylvia’s is opening back up. It will mean more competition for the cafe. I guess I shouldn’t complain. I, at least, still have my business. Is Bella having any luck finding new space for her shop?”
“Not yet.” Becky Lee sighed. “Property rentals have really gone up in the last few years. She has to find somewhere for her and the boys to live now too.”
“That’s a lot to sort through and figure out. I hope she can find a property with reasonable rent for her shop. I’m just lucky my parents bought this building so many years ago. We probably couldn’t afford to pay what it would cost to lease a building like this now.”
“Well, it’s good for the town that things are picking up again. The schools here are bursting at the seams, not to mention the private school. There’s such a fine line between sleepy small town and dying small town. I’m glad we’re not on the dying side, but things sure are changing. I hope Comfort Crossing keeps its small-town feel.”