“Timmy, looks like we’re in luck. I think I have a solution to our problem.”
Timmy grinned from ear to ear. “I knew it was a good idea to come talk to you.” His small legs swung back and forth from the chair.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Bella snatched her cell phone out of her pocket and answered on the first ring. “Hello?”
“Izzy. It’s Becky Lee. Timmy is fine. He’s at the Sweet Tea. Rebecca tried to call your store but when you didn’t answer, she called Keely at Magnolia Cafe. Keely called my cell.”
Bella’s heart leapt and the unbearable weight that had been crushing down on her for the last hour began to lift away. “I’m on my way.”
She quickly dialed Rick’s number, told him where Timmy was, and hung up before Rick could say a word to her.
A smile grabbed her and wouldn’t let go. She turned to Jeremy. “He’s at the Sweet Tea. Let’s go.”
Jeremy grabbed her hand and they ran down the street to the B&B. Within minutes they were in front of the Sweet Tea. Bella took a deep breath to calm herself and climbed the porch stairs. Then she saw Timmy sitting at the end of the porch and tears rushed to her eyes.
“Timmy.” She sank to her knees and held out her arms. Timmy came running over and launched himself into her embrace. She held him close, gathering in the sweet scent of his hair, feeling his tears mingle with hers on her cheek. She rocked back and forth, undyingly grateful to have her son in her arms.
Timmy pulled back after a few minutes. “I’m in trouble, aren’t I?”
Bella looked right into his eyes. “You’re not supposed to leave the apartment alone. You know that.”
She gathered him back into her arms, unable to scold him right now, knowing they would have to have a serious discussion at some point.
She looked up and saw Owen standing beside them. “Timmy came to talk to me.”
“Really?” Surprise washed over her. “What about?”
Right then Rick pulled up in front of the B&B and took the distance from the car to the porch in a few long strides. “Tim. You okay?”
Timmy nodded. Bella stood up but still held tightly to Timmy’s hand.
“Why did you leave your mom’s place? Were you upset she’s moving you?”
Timmy looked from his mom, to his dad, to Owen. Owen nodded to him. The little boy drew in a large gulp of air.
“I came to see if Mr. Campbell would let Momma stay at the shop and let us stay at the apartment. I don’t want to live with you all the time, Dad. Don’t be mad at me. But I like being with Momma too. I want to keep going back and forth, not stay all the time with you. I’d miss Momma and she tucks me in better than you do.”
Rick looked at his son.“Timmy, sometimes a parent knows what’s better for their child than they do.”
Jeremy went to stand by Timmy. “Dad, I don’t want to live with you all the time either. Even if I do have my own room there.”
“Boys, I’m just doing what’s best for you until your mom can figure out her life and a place for you to live.”
Fear chased through Bella. She held tightly to both Jeremy’s hand and Timmy’s.
“But we don’t want to, Dad.” Timmy said.
“It’s for a judge to decide.” Rick stood firm in his decision. “Come on, boys. You’re going to my house tonight.”
“It’s not our night to go to your house.” Jeremy insisted.
Timmy burst into tears and clung to his mother.
“Rick, we’re not going to talk about any of this in front of the boys. It’s the boys’ night to be with me, nothing has changed so far. You need to give me time to sort out where I can move the shop and find a permanent place to live.”
Rick stood there, an angry look plastered on his face. He wasn’t used to people not jumping to his bidding. “You’ve got one week.”
Rick turned on his heels and stomped across the yard. There was no other way that Bella could think of to describe Rick’s departure. He stomped away like a little boy who hadn’t gotten his way. It was never a good idea to not let Rick get his way. It always meant trouble. Bella let a sigh escape.
Rebecca came out of the porch again. “Bella, glad you got the message. It was kind of a tortuous route, but I didn’t have your cell phone number.”
“Thank you so much for calling.”
“So, I thought after all that excitement, the boys might be hungry. How about you two boys come inside? I just made some sugar cookies and I bet they’d go great with a big glass of milk. What do you say?”
“Can we, Mom?” Jeremy asked.