The Shop on Main(50)

Owen jumped up and shook his brother’s hand. “No, it’s not a bad thing having a brother.”

“So, you see, Bella. You’d be putting my mind at ease if you accepted Owen’s offer. I wouldn’t feel so badly about you losing your space for your shop and your place to live with your boys.” Sylvia looked at Bella expectantly.

Owen turned to Bella. “I can see your mind churning. I’ll show you my figures to prove I’m still turning a profit when I rent to you. It’s not a handout, it’s a business deal. This should also solve the problem of Rick insisting he’s going to take the boys away. No judge is going to give him custody because you moved one block. One block closer to their school, too.”

Bella’s mind whirled. This would solve the problem with Rick and take away her fear that he’d get custody of the boys. That was her biggest problem right now. This solved it. And if it gave them a place to live along with a place for her shop, all her problems would be solved.

“I’d need to see the numbers. I don’t want to be a charity case.”

He reached into his notebook and gave her a typed-up page of numbers. She studied the figures for a few minutes. It did look like he was still making a profit. Not a great one, but a reasonable one. She looked up at Owen.

“I’d also like you to deal with the rental of the other house. I’m also looking for one more property on that street. If I find it I’d like you to manage it too. See if you can find renters for the rest of the office or shop space. If you could manage the properties for me, since I won’t be in town all the time, it would really help me out,” Owen said.

Yet another reason she should take the deal. She would be helping him out. Owen had thought of everything. No wonder he was known as a master dealmaker.

“I could have the lease ready to sign tomorrow.” A hopeful expression crossed Owen’s face. “I know you want to make it on your own. You still will be… with just a slight change of address. I do feel responsible for the upheaval I’ve caused in your life. Please let me do this one thing to try and make things right.”

Bella was tempted. Very tempted. While her normal instinct was to say no, she’d find a place on her own, do it all on her own… this really was a good solution to her problems, especially to Rick’s threat to take the boys away. She couldn’t really think of a reason to say no except for her stubborn pride. Which was a really silly reason to turn this down.

“Well, you did cause all these problems.” She flashed him a small smile.

Owen reached out and took her hand in his. “I think you’ll love the building. Lots of windows. Great light. A handful of rooms on the ground floor to use for the shop and the second floor could be used for the shop too. A good sized yard for the boys. The house is empty now so you could move into it at anytime. I’ve already arranged for a cleaning service to clean it tomorrow. Like I said, I plan to rent to you if you want it, or to someone else if you don’t. I’m committed to helping Comfort Crossing prosper.”

It almost sounded too good to be true. She squeezed his hand. “I can’t thank you enough for doing this.”

“Is that a yes?”

“That is a yes. And a thank you.”

Owen sat there with relief plainly evident on his face. She realized he’d been scared of her answer. Afraid he wouldn’t be able to set right what he had caused when he bought the building the shop was in now.

“Oh, I’m so pleased.” Sylvia clapped her hands. “Everything is going to work out for all of us, I just know it.”

Owen took Bella’s hand. “You think you could repay me by letting me kiss you again?”

Jake laughed out loud at his brother. “Real subtle.”

Bella laughed, too. “You did all this for a kiss?”

“That and a chance to take you out on a date again.” He flashed a wicked smile at her. “I’ll have to be around a lot more now, what with having all these properties in town.”

“And a brother. Don’t forget you’ll have a brother here,” Jake said.

“That I will.”

Bella looked over towards Owen, staring at those lips of his, the ones she’d wanted to kiss ever since the picnic. Owen angled close and kissed her, his hand coming up to touch her face. The kiss rocked her world. So gentle but it pulled her deep into its emotional depths. Gave her hope for the future. A desire to get to know Owen better. A need, deep inside her, that she’d hidden for so long, began to beg her to be let free.

Jake cleared his throat.

She reluctantly pulled away from the kiss. Owen pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.