“I do like her. I like this town. You and Larry have both been so welcoming, too.” Owen was surprised to find how easy it was for him to talk to Rebecca.
“To be honest, before this whole deal where I found out I was displacing Bella, I had started to entertain thoughts of being here in Comfort Crossing more often. Getting to know Jake. It’s the first place I ever felt that everyone just accepted me for who I am. I didn’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations. I’m envious of what you all have here. Families. Lifelong friends. I’m tired of feeling like the little kid, outside, looking through the window at all the family fun going on inside. The laughter. Family meals. All of that.”
“You don’t have that back in Chicago? No family?”
“It’s just me.”
“I’m sorry. Being alone isn’t any way to live life. Life is meant to be shared. With family, with friends, with someone you love.”
“I just never thought that kind of life was possible for me. I didn’t even realize that I wanted it… though, maybe I guess I always have. I was always envious of the kids whose parents came to all their games, or even of the moms who gave embarrassing kisses to my teammates.” Owen took another sip of tea and looked out at the pretty yard in front of the B&B. “I look at the friendship that Bella, Jenny, and Becky Lee have. I want that. Friends I can talk to and just hang out with.”
“If that’s what you want, you should go after it. Life is too short to spend it on anything but the things that make your heart sing and the people who are important to you.”
“I don’t know if Bella will even speak to me, much less ever go out with me again.”
“You’re never going to know unless you try, are you? You lay out your plan for her, and see if she’ll agree to it. Then, give her some time and see what happens. Keep trying. Tell her how you feel. It’s hard work to make your dreams come true.”
~ * ~
“What do you mean Timmy isn’t here?” Bella’s heart beat with a horrible irregular thumping.
“I thought he was watching TV. I was in our bedroom. Then when I came out to watch TV with him, he wasn’t there, so I came downstairs to tell you.” Jeremy had a worried look in his eyes. It was his responsibility to keep an eye on his brother when they were upstairs and Bella was down in the shop.
“Did you look outside?” Bella’s mind whirled through all the reasons that Timmy wouldn’t be upstairs. Upstairs where he was supposed to be.
“He knows we’re not allowed to leave without telling you. But I looked out back and he’s not there either.”
Bella rushed to the front window and looked out on the street. No sign of her son. She stepped outside and scanned Main Street in both directions. Still no Timmy.
Her heart raced and she motioned to Jeremy to join her. Without wasting anymore time, she flipped the sign to say closed. “Come on, let’s go look at the park.” She locked the store door behind her. It wasn’t like Timmy to leave without telling her. He was allowed to play out back of the store, but not go anywhere else on his own. She took a quick breath, refusing to panic just yet. He had probably gone to the park to play with his friends. But she didn’t quite believe it. She sucked in a big gulp of air. Don’t panic. Stay clear-headed.
They quickly walked down the street—just a half pace short of full-out run. They reached the park. No sign of Timmy. She felt herself start to panic, but firmly put it away. Focus.
She grabbed Jeremy’s hand. “Let’s try Magnolia Cafe.”
The short walk back to the cafe seemed to take twice as long as it should have. Jeremy struggled to keep up with her pace with his short legs. She hurried into the cafe and scanned the tables. No sign of Timmy.
Becky Lee waved from across the room, finished taking an order, and came up to them. “You guys here to eat?”
“No, we’re looking for Timmy. I c-c-can’t find him.” Bella used every power within her to keep in control. Her heart was racing and she clenched her fists.
“Keely, I have to go. Timmy’s missing.” Becky Lee handed her waitress apron and the order she had just taken to her boss.
“Go. Don’t worry about a thing here. I’ll keep an eye out the window for him and call you if I see him.” Keely took the apron and order.
Becky Lee put her arm around Bella and gave a quick squeeze. “Okay, let’s find him.”
Bella leaned into Becky Lee, drawing on her strength. “I don’t know where else to look.”
“Do you think he left something at school?” Jeremy asked.