The Shop on Main(6)

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Bella was too tired to think about making dinner. The boys were at Rick’s and she didn’t feel like being alone. She decided to head over to Magnolia Cafe because she knew Becky Lee was working tonight. It was after the dinner rush and Becky Lee would probably have time to talk while she worked. Keely, the owner of the cafe, knew she had a great worker with Becky Lee and never minded if Becky Lee chatted with the customers.

She walked down the street to the cafe. There was a hint of coolness in the late spring air. The street lights were just flickering on, throwing a charming glow to the sidewalks. She loved this town so much. She’d lived here her whole life with no desire to move anywhere else. Her parents were gone now, but her brother, Gil, had taken over the Feed and Seed that her father used to run. It seemed like neither one of them wanted to ever move away. She was glad to still have some family in Comfort Crossing. Her aunts had moved down to the coast at Bay St. Louis. She still saw them when she could—which she felt guilty wasn’t more often. She shook her head. She always found more things to feel guilty about.

She entered the brightly lit restaurant and noticed that only a few tables were filled at this late hour. The Jensens and their young son, Bobby, were just leaving. She waved to them. A man she didn’t recognize sat at a table by the window.

Keely motioned to her to take any table. She decided to sit at the counter so Becky Lee could work on her evening clean up chores of filling shakers and rolling napkins while they chatted. She slipped onto a stool at the counter.

Becky Lee came out from the kitchen with a tray of food balanced on her hip.

“Hey there, Izzy. I was hoping you’d stop in tonight.”

Bella was glad her friend was working. She sometimes hated eating alone. Rick had ordained that Wednesday nights worked best for him to have the kids during the week and she’d agreed to it. Plus the first Monday of the month, which is why she and Becky Lee and Jenny had started their Monday night get-togethers on that day. She’d agreed to almost everything in their divorce. Rick was a hard person to fight. He was used to getting his way.

“I’ll be right back.” Becky Lee crossed over to a table where a couple who looked familiar was sitting. Bella knew she’d seen them around town, but didn’t know them personally.

Becky Lee came back and slid behind the counter. “What are you having tonight?”

“I’ll just have a salad. House dressing. Possibly a slice of pie for dessert.” Bella nodded towards the front window. “So, who’s the guy in the suit by the window?”

“Some guy here on business. Staying with Rebecca and Larry at the the Sweet Tea.”

“We sure get a lot more people in town these last few years. It’s good for business.”

“It is. Keely’s happy that Magnolia Cafe is doing so well these days.”

“Business has picked up at the shop, too. I’m thankful for that.”

“I’m proud of you, Izzy. You’ve worked really hard and have done it all on your own.”

The stranger from the table by the window came up to the counter. A city man, from the looks of him. Tall, dark hair, and a muscular build that said gym, not hard physical labor.

“Izzy, meet… oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.”

Bella had to hide a smile. Becky Lee was fishing for information.

“Owen. Owen Campbell.” He turned to Bella and held out his hand to her.

She shook his hand, surprised at its warmth and strength. She didn’t know why she thought he’d have a cold handshake. “Hi, Mr. Campbell.”

“Call me Owen, please. Nice to meet you, Izzy.” He easily just slid into using her first name. Well, using Izzy, which was what Jenny and Becky Lee called her. The rest of the world called her Bella, but she didn’t mind Owen using her nickname. It had a kind of nice ring on his voice.

“I hear you’re staying at the Sweet Tea. You’ll enjoy it. Rebecca has done such a great job of fixing the place up. An old house, kind of a mix between Victorian and I’m not sure what. Very pretty though.”

The man—Owen—smiled at her. Was it possible to have a businesslike smile? Because if so, he’d nailed it.

He turned to Becky Lee. “Do I pay you?”

“Right here at the cash register.” Becky Lee moved down to the end of the counter.

Becky Lee checked Owen out at the old fashioned cash register. Becky Lee seemed to always be able to coax it to work. The man turned and waved back to Bella as he left. She wondered what he was doing in town. No telling.

“He’s right cute, huh? In a city-type kind of way.” Becky Lee came back and placed a salad and a piece of peach pie in front of her. “You know you want that pie, Izz.”