“Okay.” She looked out her window at the busy street below, wishing she was in her little pink cottage.
“When are you coming home?” There was a wistful note in his voice, which gave her hope.
“I don’t know. There are things here that I have to deal with first. I’m so sorry, Jake. I never imagined it being like this.” When she hung up, Bella dropped down onto the couch, pulled a cushion to her chest and tucked up her feet. She felt as though she was in a hotel. The room was bland and soulless. A little like how she felt right now. Stuck between two worlds, she couldn’t settle things with Jake until she had the contract signed and sealed. Only then could she give him the assurance he needed. Until then, she was stuck here, the place she never thought she’d dislike as much as she now did.
*
Jake thought about it. It was what he wanted, wasn’t it? But how was he going to be sure this would be the only incident? That Bella wouldn’t regret her decision to leave all the glitzy life behind. Could he be sure this was what she wanted, that he wasn’t just a distraction that gave her a reprieve from her hectic lifestyle? And the fact she didn’t discuss it with him first bothered him. He could understand her wanting to surprise him with a puppy or a weekend away but this – this was a huge step for both of them and it didn’t feel right to be kept in the dark over it no matter what her reasoning was.
He walked into his bedroom and stared at the photos on the wall. Did he have the guts to make the break? It felt as though he was being disloyal to Lisa to put her away. Not that he’d ever forget her. Whether it was with Bella or someone else, it was time to move on with his life.
The front door slammed and the sound of a school satchel hitting the floor indicated Cory was home. This might not be the time to put away his dead wife’s photos.
“Hey, Dad.” Cory stood in the doorway. “What’re you doing?”
“Stalling.”
Cory came in and sat on the bed. “About what?”
“Bella and me.” Jake sat down beside his son.
“When’s she coming back? I thought you said she’d only be a day or so.”
“I don’t know. She must have more to deal with than I thought.” Jake linked his fingers and looked up at the photos on the wall. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something. I think it’s time I moved on and put these away. Would it upset you?”
Cory shrugged his shoulders. “No, don’t think so.” He looked at them and smiled. “Don’t throw them away though.”
“No, I wasn’t going to. Maybe put them in the cellar for now. You can have them anytime you want them but I figure it’s not quite the room decorations I should be having with Bella being such a big part of my life.”
“Maybe.” He nudged his father. “So, does that mean you and Bella are going to, you know, move in together?”
Jake sighed. “Here’s the thing, I don’t know. I’m not sure that I haven’t upset her. I wasn’t that pleased about having my face all over the television for the new show and I let her know that.”
“Seriously?” He grunted his disapproval. “You need to get a grip, Dad. This is Bella, not some freak show. She’d never do anything to hurt you. So what if everyone sees you two together? It’s part of her life, you know? Deal with it. It’s not all about you, you know.”
“I never said it was.”
“Yeah, you did but not in so many words. It’s like she has to change everything she is for you but you’re not prepared to change for her. Lighten up a bit.”
“It’s not that simple, Cory. She’s used to being in the public eye. I’m not.”
“So what? Things will calm down once all the fuss about her new show is over. Before long, everyone will be talking about something new and you guys will be old news.” He turned to Jake. “You see, Dad, you have to figure out what’s more important. Your ugly face being on television or your future with someone that makes you happy. Easy.” Cory stood up. “I’m going to go and kick goals. See ya later.” He ambled out of the room leaving Jake pondering his son’s words.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Two days later, Jake noticed her car sitting outside the cottage. She hadn’t called him to say she was back but he didn’t care. He wanted to sort this out once and for all. He strode down the lane and walked through the gate. When he stood at the front door, he took a couple of deep breaths to try and calm the anger that still simmered through his body.
She answered before he could knock. Shadows darkened her eyes and paleness made her skin almost transparent. He’d never seen her looking so worn-out or defeated. This didn’t look like the right time to discuss lifelong changes.
“You didn’t call when you got in. I was worried about you.”
Bella rubbed her hands over her face and pulled her hair back. “I only got in about an hour ago and I think I fell asleep on the couch. Sorry.”
“Right. So you were going to call me, weren’t you?”
The shadows danced in her eyes and Jake wanted to kick himself. Way to go. Hit her with your bad mood when she’s down. “I’m sorry. I’m being an idiot. Come here.” He held his arms open and she leaned into him, a tremor going through her body.
She slid her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his chest.
“I didn’t mean to tear into you. That was unforgiveable of me.” Jake dropped a kiss on her hair.
Her voice was thready. “No, not your fault. I shouldn’t have been so presumptuous with my plans and not involve
