Holding Out for a Hero (Baytown Heroes #9)

Chapter 20

20

CORRAL

“Carol, this is incredible!”

Bess was stunned. In three days of working in her small office, Carol had already organized everything and created spreadsheets for what Bess needed. Although Bess's business background taught her overall information, it was the fine details of bookkeeping that she hated spending time on but needed to make decisions.

“Honest-ly, it wasn’t that hard,” Carol protested, smiling as Bess looked over Carol’s shoulder at the computer screen.

“I’m going to work on your bank statements next. You are ma-king a good profit, but we need to see where our expenses are, especially if you want to ex-pand.”

Bess had discussed the idea of expansion with Carol almost immediately after hiring her, hoping for a little interest. What surprised her was Carol’s sheer enthusiasm—it was as though she shared Bess’s level of passion and excitement. Bess prided herself on her confidence and energy, but being in the presence of Carol’s infectious smile was a bonus.

“Hello!”

Bess lifted her head and grinned widely. She walked around the desk, looking back at Carol. “You’re in for a treat. My sister is here.”

Hugging Belinda, she drew her toward the office, where Carol stood in the doorway. At a glance, she could see Carol’s nervousness, but Belinda charged forward and enveloped Carol in her arms in typical Crowder-girl fashion.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Carol! I was thrilled when Bess told me she’d hired more help!”

“He-llo,” Carol said, her lips now curving upward, too.

“Since we’re closed for the day, let’s celebrate,” Bess declared. “Belinda is healing and now driving again, Carol has organized my office, and I’m one step closer to expanding!”

Coffee was soon poured, and treats left over from the bakery case were plated before the trio. The conversation flowed to the possible expansion next door and was met with an enthusiastic response. Chewing, then hiding her mouth behind her hand, Belinda sputtered, “Oh my God, Bess! That’s a fabulous idea!”

Buoyed by the two ladies’ excitement, Bess grinned. “I’m nervous about the cost. It would be the extra rent, knocking through a wall to put in an opening, painting, then buying more furniture… it’s a huge upfront expense. And I haven’t even talked to the building owner.”

Belinda tapped her fingernail on the table for a few seconds, then said, “What about using volunteers for the painting? The high school and community college have vocational classes for construction. I bet that you could get some young people willing to donate a Saturday to paint. You could sign off on the community service sheets since most need community service hours for special recognitions at graduation.” Belinda worked with the photography club at the community college and had insight into what students might be willing to participate in.

“That’s a good i-dea,” Carol agreed, nodding. “You could look for ta-bles and chairs from yard sales. It won’t ma-tter if they don’t match.”

The seed buried deep inside Bess flourished and grew with each suggestion. “Okay, so here’s what we need to do. Carol, you will keep looking over the books, and then we’ll talk to the building owner together. Belinda, can you check at the community college to see if volunteers might work?”

With enthusiastic nods, they finished their coffee just as Allison came to pick up Carol. Waving goodbye, Bess relocked the front door and then walked back to the kitchen with Belinda. Reaching for her sister’s hands, Bess sighed. “Let’s talk about you.”

Belinda remained quiet as they held gazes, and as always, Bess knew what her sister was thinking. “You’re moving in with Aaron full-time?” She felt her stomach twist slightly, already knowing the answer.

“Not right away… it’s too soon. But I am over there a lot.” Belinda’s face fell as she spoke, and Bess pulled her in for a hug and closed her eyes to ease the stinging of impending tears.

“Sis, it’s okay. We both knew that having apartments next to each other was temporary. I want you to be happy, and if that’s with Aaron, then that's where your future will be.” Bess rested her head on her sister’s shoulder.

“But it won’t be the same as having you right next door.”

Bess nodded even though she felt like crying. Wiping her face of all remnants of sadness before lifting her head, she leaned back and peered into Belinda’s eyes. “Where we sleep hardly means we won’t see each other all the time.”

“Yes, but our nightly visits and long talks won’t be the same.”

“Then we’ll have to make up for it at other times.”

Belinda offered a watery smile. “I’m not moving in with him completely now. We’re still new to our relationship, but I admit, the craziness of the past month has sent us on the fast track. I’ll still pay rent on the apartment, even if I’m not there every night.”

“Is that smart? You could use the money for something else.”

“I think it’s smart to keep my housing options open for another month or so. Plus, I don’t want someone weird moving in and being your only neighbor.”

“Then if you’re at the apartment, let me know so I won’t think someone is breaking in.”

Belinda’s eyes widened. “Oh my God, you’re right. That would be scary.”

The two women settled to work beside each other, wiping down counters and ensuring the kitchen was spotless before they said goodbye outside the bakery. Bess watched as Belinda darted to her car, then trudged up the stairs alone. Now that Belinda was gone, she didn’t have to hide the fact that not having her next door made her feel lonely.

Once inside, she dumped her purse onto the counter just as her phone vibrated. Looking down, she smiled at the message from Brad.

Hope ur day was good. Still can’t wait until our date.

Typing, she responded, Can’t wait, either. Day was good. Carol is great, and Sis stopped by.

You must be lonely without her next door

Her breath hitched at his perceptiveness. Yes, but she’s happy, so it’s all good

The three dots appeared, then disappeared. Waiting, she stared at her phone. Finally, another text came through.

You’re a good person and a good sister

Her teeth caught her bottom lip, and she smiled. Thanks. Now, go fight crime before you have me crying at how sweet you are

Can’t have you crying. See you soon

Stay safe

Thx - You too

With that, the dots disappeared, but when she lay her phone on the counter again, her face was lit with a wide smile. And the future seemed a little less lonely.

The next day, Bess and Carol stood inside the empty store next to the bakery with the building owner. He lived in Maryland but often visited his mother, who lived nearby. He was anxious to rent the space, considering it had been empty for almost a year.

She hated to haggle over the rent price but emphasized, “I would have to have it deep-cleaned since food would be served here. And I’ll have to re-paint. Plus, I’ll have to have a doorway cut into the wall between my bakery and this space.”

“I’ll pay for the deep clean and knock off a percentage of the rent price for the first six months, agreeing for you to put in a doorway. Then the rent price will return to the original offer for the next six months.”

She glanced toward Carol, who held her gaze but didn’t nod. “I’ll need to talk to my accountant and banker, Mr. Toliro. I’ll let you know soon what my decision is.”

He nodded. “Sounds good, Ms. Crowder.” He hesitated, then added, “You know, having the bakery here has been good for this little strip of shops. The pawn shop brings in business, but you bring in the returning customers. I have a man who wants to put in a pizza shop at the end, beyond the pawn shop. There are some tables and chairs in there that were left by the last restaurant owner who was there. He said he didn’t want them, so I would have to sell them off. If you want them, that might sweeten the pot for you.”

Reining in her excitement, she said, “As I said, I’ll talk to my accountant and banker and will let you know.”

He nodded and shook their hands. Neither she nor Carol spoke until they were back inside the bakery, where they whirled around to face each other with huge smiles on their faces. Holding hands, they laughed, both excited at the prospect of expanding.

“I’ll work on the books, then you can talk to the accoun-tant,” Carol said.

“I need to talk to my parents since it would mean paying them back a little slower,” Bess said. “Maybe next week, I can make a decision.”

Hugging again, the two women parted just as Carol grabbed her things to leave. “You should come for dinner some-time when my bro-ther is over.”

Brows raised, Bess stumbled over her words. “Um… sure… but uh… maybe once I get things more settled.”

Carol nodded and walked out the door. Bess waved toward Allison with a smile, but her mind was on the dinner invitation. “Let’s see if I can make it through a date with Brad first,” she mused out loud.

With the idea of her upcoming date and the possibility of Bess’s Bakery becoming even more awesome, she raced up the stairs to her apartment.