Holding Out for a Hero (Baytown Heroes #9)

Chapter 5

5

PRESENT DAY

Sometimes they said to be careful what you wished for. Bess's Bakery was so wildly successful that she worked from early dawn to evening. Falling into bed each night more exhausted than she ever remembered, she couldn’t deny the satisfaction and fulfillment that came from seeing her bakery thrive.

As she let out a wide yawn, she took another fortifying sip of coffee before turning her attention to the muffins in the oven. She grabbed the mitts to pull out the pans and set them on the cooling racks with practiced ease.

She looked over in surprise as her sister entered the bakery’s kitchen. “Belinda, what are you doing here? You’re not working today.”

Despite being two years older, Belinda had always shared a deep bond with Bess, forged through a lifetime of shared experiences. Playing with their dolls, Belinda would pose them while Bess tried to feed them. At the library, Belinda would look at art books while Bess combed through children’s recipe books. Belinda made sure no one picked on her younger sister, and Bess threatened anyone who made Belinda cry.

Even though Belinda was a professional photographer with her own successful business, she often spent her early mornings helping Bess in the shop.

“I don’t have to be at the bride’s house until ten, so I have time to help you get things into the bakery case before Lottie shows up.”

Bess grinned at her almost twin. Both had red hair, although hers was darker, and they shared blue eyes, although hers were lighter. “Well, you know I can use the help.”

“Have you decided about advertising for someone to help besides Lottie and Josie?”

“I’ll check with the community college to see if they can suggest anyone. I’d love to get a bookkeeper to take that load off me. But then I’d also love to get someone who can bake. Plus, if they have someone in mind, I can offer to provide their mentoring hours needed for certification.”

“Oooh, a bookkeeper baker. That sounds like a good idea, but I’m not sure you’ll find one person who can do both.” Belinda carried a tray to the front and returned to the kitchen a few minutes later. “By the way, did you read about the vehicle thefts in the county?”

Bess nodded, swiping powdered sugar from her cheek. “Yeah. I guess it’s a good thing my car is so old since it’s parked right out front.” She noticed her sister’s scrunched nose… another trait they shared when perplexed. “I know, I know. You’re thinking of your car next to mine. Do you think we should park them in the alley and put a security camera back there?”

“Probably, since we know the building’s owner won’t spend a dime more than he has to.”

“I didn’t think about it when I got the other cameras installed,” she confessed. “If someone breaks in through the back door, that camera will get them.” She pointed at the one in the kitchen.

“I’ll ask Aaron about a camera for the alley,” Belinda offered. “Especially with these car thefts. The newspaper said that it might be the work of gangs who have come down from Baltimore.”

“Great, just what we need,” Bess groaned, pulling out another tray of baked goodies. “You know, I was thinking of buying an old van. Since I’m starting to cater events, I need something larger to transport trays without fear of cupcakes sliding onto the floor every time I come to a stop in BeBe!”

“Ooh, you should look for an old Volkswagon van.”

“I can’t afford one of those! I wouldn’t be able to afford BeBe if it wasn’t for Grandpa giving it to me.”

“When are you going to look for one?”

“This afternoon. I’m going to check out a couple of lots. I even thought of old Mr. Williams.”

“Is he still in business?”

“Yeah, I usually let him work on BeBe. Although he was closed last winter and didn’t answer when I knocked on his door. I was afraid he might have died, but a neighbor passed by and said he was at the Veterans Hospital in Virginia Beach. I started taking my car to the shop just up the road. I drove by Mr. Williams’s place last week just to check, and he must have some younger guys working for him now. I saw a couple of vans out front, and I thought I’d stop by and see what kind of deal I could make. Anyway, I need an oil change while I’m at it.”

Belinda nodded. “Have you talked to Mom and Dad recently?”

“I texted the other night. Both Nana Jules and Aunt Gwennie are doing a little better. I told them you were busy and would probably call them after this weekend.”

“Thanks. This wedding isn’t complicated, but I know it might lead to more bookings.” Belinda looked at the clock on the wall. “Oh, I have to go.”

Bess crossed the space and wrapped her arms around her sister. “Have a good day. I know you won’t get in until late… if at all.” She waggled her eyebrows, only to elicit a playful slap from Belinda.

“Well, I’m not sure where Aaron and I’ll be after tonight, but I wouldn’t mind a twirl around the dance floor with him when all the photographs are taken.”

Saying goodbye, she watched as Belinda headed out the front door. A gentle smile curved Bess's lips. Belinda and Aaron had gotten closer over the past couple of months. This time, it seemed as though they had a shot. Bess was slow to forgive him, but then she was the most reactive of the two sisters. Aaron had even come into the bakery, seeking and taking Bess's advice regarding Belinda. Begrudgingly, she had to admit that he was devoted to getting to know Belinda as they slowly moved forward. And how her sister smiled when he was around told Bess all she needed to know… her sister was falling in love with a good man.

With the bakery and Belinda’s photography business blossoming, she and her sister were living their best lives. Although, I wouldn’t mind meeting someone special, too. The bell over the door interrupted her musings, and the first customers of the day walked in. Her smile widened as she greeted them. “Bess's Bakery. I’m Bess. What can I get for you?”

That afternoon, Bess pulled off the highway and navigated along a few backroads until she came to Williams’s garage. Mr. Arthur Williams had been a fixture in the community for many years, and at one time, he’d been the only place in the area to get car inspections, oil changes, basic maintenance, and parts. He never worried about relocating closer to the main highway simply because everyone knew where he was. Now, several auto parts stores and chains had built along the highway, as well as other places to get work done. She used one in Baytown after it seemed Mr. Williams had closed. It was run by the husband of a friend of hers, Rose, who owned an ice cream parlor in Baytown.

Her dad had always used Mr. Williams, claiming he did good work and didn’t overcharge. She hoped he could still do those two things for her car now.

She approached the office, thinking it hadn’t changed since she was a child. Mr. Williams’s wife would preside in the office and handle the reception. She always had a jar of candy on the counter, and as soon as Bess's dad nodded toward them, she and Belinda would hurry over to eagerly take a piece. She remembered Mr. Williams mirrored their excitement, always getting a piece when he went in and out of the office. He’d wink at the two girls and say, “Got me a hankerin’ for a treat.”

Bess's smile at the memory slipped away, now remembering Mrs. Williams died a few years ago, and looking at the desolate area, it seemed that Mr. Williams just kept his business open sporadically out of habit but now had others doing the work.

She was heartened to see the bay doors were open, signaling he was still in business. As she walked inside the office, her gaze fell upon the older gentleman sitting on a worn-out sofa, engrossed in the newspaper. He was smaller than she’d remembered as a child, and now, age and probably poor health gave his thin frame a frail appearance. His hair was now white, sticking up at odd angles.

“Mr. Williams?”

He looked up and stared at her through rheumy eyes before his gaze settled on her red hair. “I remember your daddy. He married that pretty redhead. I knew he’d have gingers. You’re one of them Crowder girls, aren’t you?”

“Yes, sir. I’m Bess.”

“Bess.” His face scrunched up, making the creases in his face move slowly until he was smiling. “I heard you've got a bakery going. I ain’t been in ’cause I don’t get out much anymore.”

She reached inside her bag and pulled out a plastic container. “Here. I brought a few goodies for you.”

He put his hand out eagerly. “Are you trying to bribe me, girl?”

“Well, I need my oil changed, and I was going to look at a couple of the vans you had out here the other day on your used lot. I hope I don’t have to bribe you for an oil change, but I’m pretty desperate. Anyway, I remember you used to say you liked sweets.”

He chuckled and stood. “Well, call me Artie like everyone else, and we’ll see that you get taken care of.” He opened another door that led into the garage. “Jaybird!”

A young man sauntered into the doorway, his gaze quickly sweeping over Bess. He was medium height but had some muscles, clearly shown by how his tattooed biceps strained against the rolled-up sleeves of his oil-stained T-shirt. His black hair was buzzed on the sides, and it almost looked like he had a tattoo on the side of his scalp. His coveralls were down around his waist with the long sleeves tied over his stomach like a belt. Once his gaze zeroed in on her, his eyes trailed slowly from her head to her toes and back again, pausing and landing on her chest. When his gaze lifted to her face again, she was glaring daggers his way.

Artie jerked his head toward the front and said, “Got an oil change, Jaybird. Do it now.”

“Keys?”

Wondering what kind of nickname Jaybird was, she dropped the fob into his hand so she didn’t have to touch him. An insolent grin slid across his face, but she refused to back down, holding his gaze steadily.

He jerked his head up, turned, and headed back into the garage. When he left, the air felt lighter, and she sucked in a deep breath, relieved to be free of his unsettling presence.

“Looks like you’ve got some new people working for you, Artie.”

He shuffled over to the counter and popped open the top of the plastic container. He immediately began munching on a cookie as he nodded. “I can’t do the work no more. My Dorothy is gone, and we didn’t have no children. I don’t even got nieces or nephews I could leave the business to. So I have some young bucks who came in and said they’d do work for me. I asked ’em if they wanted to buy the business, but they said they didn’t have enough money.” He hefted his bony shoulders. “They do okay work, and I’m so used to coming in here every day, I’ll probably do it until I die.”

“Let’s hope that’s not for a long time,” she said. “While my oil is changed, I was going to look at the used vans I saw the other day. But it seems they’re gone. Were they already sold?”

Artie wiped crumbs from his chin, and his brow lowered. “To be honest with you, I don’t rightly know. I let them boys handle that. You lookin’ to buy?”

“Yeah, but I’m hoping to pick up something that won’t break the bank, you know?”

He laughed, then fell into coughing. “Sweetheart, that’s all I ever hope fer… don’t break the bank. But you can take a look and see what’s out there. And if I get somethin’ in, I’ll give you a call. Bess’s Bakery is easy enough to remember where you are.”

Thanking him, she walked outside. Only a few cars were in the lot, and they didn’t interest her. But as she wandered around to the side, she saw a white panel van sitting near the back of the building. Walking closer, she spied the For Sale sign in the window and felt a surge of excitement. The doors were locked, but she peeked through the driver's window.

“What are you doing?”

She jumped as she swirled around, not having heard anyone approach. Another man was standing a few feet away. Taller than Jaybird, he had a similar appearance… coveralls rolled to his waist with the arms tied across his stomach. T-shirt sleeves rolled up, exposing full-arm tattoos. He wasn’t close enough to be in her personal space, but he’d surprised her nonetheless. She backed up several inches, her gaze assessing. “I’m having the oil changed in my car and wanted to look for a van while I was here.”

“This one isn’t for sale.”

“There’s a For Sale sign in the front window.”

“It’s still not for sale.”

“If someone else has bought it, don’t you think you should take the sign out of the window so it’s not confusing?”

He dropped his chin and grinned before returning his gaze to her. “I’ll do that. I’d hate to see anyone else get confused.”

“Do you have any others like this for sale?”

Tilting his head slightly to the side, he lifted his hand to rub the straggly whiskers on his chin. His gaze strayed slightly as he looked her up and down, and she felt almost as slimy as she had with the man changing her oil.

“Sometimes we get one. What are you looking for?”

“I wanted to find a used van that I could have for my business when I need to carry items to a catered event.”

His gaze dropped back to her shirt, and a slow grin appeared. “Bess's Bakery. Sounds good. I like sweet things.”

His tone slithered down her spine but also served to steel her resolve. “If you’re trying to intimidate me, I’ll let you know now that it won’t work. Please just answer the question. Do you have another van like this for sale, or do you think you might get one in?”

“Never can tell what’s gonna come around,” he said, his grin never wavering. “People get desperate and decide they need to sell, or they want to trade up. Do you wanna leave your number, Sweet Cakes, and I’ll give you a call if something comes in?”

“Sorry, I don’t give out my number unless I know someone really well.”

“I think that could be arranged, Bess . Name’s Flip. I think we could get to know each other really well.”

She would’ve told him off immediately but hated the idea of him or Jaybird working on her vehicle after she’d insulted him. She felt he wasn’t a man who was often turned down, and she didn’t want to give him a reason to mess with her car. “I’ll just keep checking back to see if anything comes in,” she said. Slipping by him, she walked quickly but steadily back to the office and the safety of old man Williams. Seeing him back on the sofa, the half-empty container on the counter, crumbs down his shirt, and him settling back as though ready to take a nap, she sighed, unsure he’d provide any safety if needed.