“You’re doing all that, too?” Jake was surprised his brother was spending even more money on the building.
“If you both agree, yes.”
“I think that’s wonderful. The old bathrooms were in need of a refresh. You are right that the old refrigerator was on its last legs. I appreciate all that you’re doing.” His mother folded her napkin and set it on the table. “The one thing I’m not happy with is Bella Amaud. I feel badly that she’s losing her shop space and the apartment she lived in. I hear she’s having a hard time finding a new space for the shop. I also hear you were seeing her before all this happened.”
“Not much is secret in a small town, is it?” Owen smiled. “I’m working on a solution for Bella. I didn’t know that Bella was the renter. She’s pretty upset with me right now. She thinks it’s just a cold, calculated business deal.”
“You didn’t tell her about us, did you? You promised you wouldn’t.” Jake looked closely at his brother.
“No, I gave you my word.”
“Jake, I don’t think it would be wrong for Owen to tell Bella. It might make her understand better, make her not so upset with Owen.”
“Mama, I don’t want the town talking about you. It’s been years since anyone has said a word about who my father might be.”
“You have to know I’m at an age where I just don’t care if people talk about me, son.”
“No. There is no need for anyone to know.”
“You don’t want people to know that Owen is your brother? Don’t you think they’ll be curious why he’s doing all this for us?”
“It’s no one’s business but ours.”
“I won’t say anything, if you still don’t want me to.” Owen said.
“I don’t want you to.”
His mother sighed. “You’re being stubborn, son.”
“No, I’m being a good son and protecting you from gossip.”
“I don’t really need protecting.” His mother got up from the table and cleared away her dessert plate. “I’m perfectly capable of fighting my own battles. Always have been. You know, you’ve got your father’s stubborn streak.”
“I’m nothing like my father. Nothing at all.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Owen spent the next few days working with his business team, trying to come up with a solution to the problems he’d caused for Bella. After a couple of days, he was pleased to find what he thought would be something Bella would agree to. He’d have to approach her carefully, but she seemed to have a good head for figures and he could prove this would be beneficial to both of them.
He sat out on the front porch of the Sweet Tea with his notebook, jotting down notes. He went over the numbers again. Yes, he thought this would work.
Rebecca came out on the porch carrying a tray. “Would you like a glass of sweet tea?”
“Yes, I would. That sounds nice.”
Rebecca set the tray on a small table and poured him a glass.
“Care to join me for a bit?” Owen nodded to the chair beside him. “I could use a break.”
“I could, too.” Rebecca poured another glass and plopped into the chair beside him. “That was a crazy busy weekend with the full house of guests. I’m still recovering. I’m glad for the business, but if it were like that all the time, I’d hire some more help.”
“I don’t know how you managed with that crowd and the constant stream for breakfasts each morning—which were delicious, by the way.”
“Thanks. I kind of get in the swing of cooking when it’s that busy. I try and do part of the breakfast the night before, like bake bread or coffee cake.” Rebecca took a sip of her tea and rocked her chair, just a hint of a back and forth motion. Wisps of her grey hair blew in the light breeze.
“I talked to Larry, and told him I would like to stay another week or so. He said that was fine with your schedule” Owen said.
“Yes, that works fine. Business keeping in you in town longer than you thought?”
“That, and I’m trying to undo how I botched up Bella’s life.”
“That would be nice.” Rebecca’s voice didn’t hold any recrimination, just straight facts.
“I think it’s going to work out. But, I’ll have to see if Bella agrees to it.”
“She’s an independent woman these days, but practical. Won’t take a handout from you, though.”
“I know. I think I came up with something that would benefit both of us.”
“You like her, don’t you?” Rebecca gave him a look that said she expected honesty.