The Shop on Main(49)
“Sure. That sounds great. Thanks Rebecca.”
“You two just sit down and have some more of that sweet tea. We’ll be back out in a bit.” Rebecca led the boys inside.
“Come on. Let’s sit down. You look like a wisp of a breeze could knock you over.” Owen walked across the porch and Bella followed.
She sank into the rocking chair and Owen poured her some tea. He held out the glass, and she reached for it, noticing her hands were shaking. Owen’s fingers brushed hers as he handed her the glass, and he waited for her hands to steady before letting go of the glass. She took a sip and placed it carefully back on the table.
Just then Sylvia and Jake Landry came walking up the steps to the Sweet Tea.
“Bella, there you are, dear. I was at Magnolia Cafe and heard your son ran away. But you found him, right? I hope we didn’t cause all this by us getting the building back.” Sylvia crossed over to where Bella was sitting.
“No, it’s not your fault. I understand how you’d want the building back. It’s been in your family for generations.”
“If it’s going to cause you this much trouble, then I’ll turn down Owen’s offer and you can stay there.”
“No, I’ll be fine. I’ll find another spot for the shop. We’re going to stay at my brother’s until I work out where we’ll live.”
Owen leaned forward in his chair and touched her leg. “I guess this is as good a time as any to talk to you, Bella. I have a business deal I want to discuss with you. Will you hear me out?”
She looked at Owen, who was watching her with such an intense look in his eyes. She nodded.
“I know you want to do things on your own. I get that. I have a bit of an independent streak myself.” He flashed her a wry smile. “Anyway, I’ve bought two properties on Rosewood Avenue. One on the corner of Main and Rosewood, one across the street and a couple houses down. The houses there are zoned for commercial, as you know. I want to rent the one on the corner of Main and Rosewood to you.”
Bella started to interrupt, but Owen held up his hand. “Let me finish. Please. I’ll even show you the numbers, but I can lease it to you for the same amount you paid for your shop now. It’s a Victorian house with a large front porch. Lots of room for your shop. Lots of windows, lots of light. It has an old carriage house behind it that has been converted into a small cottage to live in. Three bedrooms, two baths, and a small kitchen. A nice sunroom in the back. It has a fenced backyard the boys could play in.”
“Owen, I can’t let you do that.”
“I’ve already bought the two houses. I’m keen on developing that area to help with the overall growth of the town. I have two tentative renters for the second building. I’m going to rent out both buildings whether you accept my offer and rent from me or not.”
Bella sat silent for a moment. It seemed too good to be true. It would be a move of one block, right on the corner of Main Street and Rosewood. The area was developing quickly. She just didn’t want to be a charity case for Owen. She’d built the shop up on her own. She didn’t want him to give her a handout.
“Bella, dear, I think you should take Owen up on his offer. Sometimes it’s hard to accept help, I know that. But Owen is a good man. I let him give us the building for my restaurant. I’ll tell you why he did that too.” Sylvia turned to her son. “It’s time the truth came out.”
Jake nodded to his mother.
Sylvia sat down in the chair beside Bella while Jake leaned against the porch railing. “You see, Owen’s father is also Jake’s father. He never acknowledged Jake or did anything to help raise him. Owen recently found out and came looking for Jake. Then he bought the building that had been my grandparents’ —the one I had my restaurant in before I got sick. So much of my family history is in those walls. So many memories. And I loved running the restaurant there. Owen gave the building back to us, no strings attached. I’m a proud woman, but not too proud to take help for something I really want. Owen felt his father owed us this much.”
Bella looked at Owen. She had judged him so harshly, thinking it was all just a cold business deal. But it wasn’t. Owen was trying to do right by his brother. He was an honorable man, and she was a judging fool. “Owen, why didn’t you tell me?”
“That would be my fault. I asked him not to tell anyone. Didn’t want people talking about Mama again. But you know, I’m kind of glad the secret is out. It’s not all bad having a brother.” Jake reached out his hand to Owen.
Bella watched as boyish grin spread across Owen’s face.