“Do you want a ride home? I’m heading that way to get Mia’s family.” He only stood a few feet away, leaning against his truck. But it felt as though he was smothering her.
It seemed the tension between them had returned, making it hard to breathe. Why had things changed? Was it TJ’s questions in the car earlier? Or the way he’d jumped in and cared for this woman so readily? Could it be the fact that he wasn’t pursuing her anymore? She forced in a lungful of crisp, wet air. “TJ should be along soon.”
Bently nodded. “Do you want me to wait until he gets here?”
The kind gesture was yet another reminder of how unfair she’d been to him. The more time she spent with him in different scenarios, the more she could see the makings of one of those rare good men.
“I’ll be fine, but thank you.”
He stood and walked to the driver’s side before climbing in and offering her a wave as he left. His red taillights glowed in the cloudy afternoon.
“What did you do, Belle?” she asked herself aloud. Maybe she’d let her fear dictate too much of her life.
And just maybe, she’d ruined her shot at happiness because of it.
Chapter 11
Belle
Warm sunrays made the crisp wind tolerable. Colored leaves rustled in the breeze as Belle walked down Main Street. The epicenter of the small town, the little shops were clustered together on this stretch of road. A far cry from the inner-city streets she’d grown up on.
Cinnamon and spices wafted through the air, no doubt from the Stardust Café on the other side of the street. Oh, she could kill for a good coffee. And perhaps a good book to distract her from all the confusion Bently had created in her head.
She ducked into the bookstore to grab some reading material, then walked to the café. She adjusted her bag of purchases and pulled open the door with her free hand as a gust of wind blew, making her hair fly in her face. She went inside and pushed the door shut as the bells rang together from the disturbance. Sweet baked goods and the earthy fragrance of coffee melded together, enveloping her in a scented embrace.
Picking her hair from where it stuck to her ChapStick, Belle walked to the counter, studying the colorful chalkboard menu on the wall in the otherwise empty café.
A little girl dashed in front of her. “Is that a present?”
Belle glanced at the bag in her hand and then to the little girl. “I guess it kind of is.” A gift to me from myself.
She smiled, showing off a few missing teeth. “I love presents. Christmas is only two more months away. Then I can get presents!”
“Lyra, I asked you to stay in the back room while I finished changing your brother.”
Belle glanced up as a dark woman walked through the back door, adjusting a baby on her hip.
Lyra’s head lowered as she crossed her arms behind her back. “I’m sorry, Mama.”
“Go get your coloring book and set yourself up at one of the tables, and I’ll bring you a hot chocolate and cookie, okay?”
Lyra’s eyes brightened as she ran off.
“I’m sorry about that. My mom usually watches them while my husband and I work, but she’s sick and my brother-in-law won’t be here for another thirty minutes. I’m Remy, by the way. What can I get you?”
Belle smiled. “It’s no problem at all. I understand what it is to have to juggle little ones and life.”
Remy grinned and adjusted the baby into a carrier on her back. The little boy protested, kicking out his chubby little legs and crying.
Remy blew out a frustrated breath as Lyra came back, coloring book and markers in hand. “Can I have a chocolate-chip mermaid cookie, Mama?”
“Yes, sweetheart.” Remy grabbed a small cup and poured hot water inside. “I’m sorry. Just give me one minute to get her settled and I’ll be right with you.”
“It’s really no problem at all. I’m in no rush.”
Remy hurriedly mixed the hot chocolate, dolloping whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon on top as she jiggled up and down, trying to ease the crying baby on her back. Brushing a few stray braids from her face, she blew out an exasperated sigh and came over to the counter, smiling at Belle. “What can I get you?”
“A latte with two of those—”
The baby’s cries grew more insistent as the bells jingled above the door and a group of four people walked in.
Remy glanced at the clock while she pulled the baby off her back before tucking him into her front. “I’m so sorry. It’s his nap time and he only likes to be held a certain way when he’s this overtired.”
Belle reached out her hand. “Stop apologizing. There is no need. Your baby’s needs come first. I get it. If I was capable of jumping in behind the counter and taking over, I’d help out until your brother-in-law gets here. But my skills are in taking care of people. Would you feel comfortable with me entertaining these two while you deal with your other customers? I can sit right there where you can see us.” Belle pointed to where Lyra was happily munching on cookies.
Remy looked between her and Lyra, her forehead wrinkled in the dilemma.
“Here’s my badge from the hospital. I’m Belle Jones—a nurse in the emergency room. If you want to hang on to this, I totally get it.” Belle held up her hospital ID.
Remy narrowed her eyes on the plastic and then back to Belle, the lines on her forehead disappearing. She smiled. “I don’t need to keep it, but I’ll take you up on your offer.”
Remy walked around the counter
