Evan peeled off his gloves and tucked them under his arm. “Let me know when I can help with the actual repairs.”
He may get a kick out of busting on Ben, but Evan had turned into a good friend these last few years. “Thanks, bro. You have no idea what that means.”
Evan shrugged. “Not like I have much else going on these days. Just working late most nights and looking in on Chrissy.”
Chrissy Price, the forty-something-year-old hardware store owner in town, had been a mentor and friend to Evan since he’d stopped his wild ways a few years back. She’d been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer a few months ago and, unfortunately, it looked like she probably wasn’t going to make it.
“Well, I appreciate it all the same.” Ben would need all the help he could get if he wanted to repair the inn in a few weeks’ time. Any longer and he’d miss out on the rest of the high tourism season.
Once again, Ben surveyed the damage along the side of the inn, his gut twisting at the sight. But movement inside the courtyard caught his eye. Someone walked toward them.
Bella.
She’d done away with the professional clothing and wore a yellow tank top and shorts that showed off her shapely legs. Her hair was on the top of her head in a messy knot, and long earrings brushed the top of her shoulders.
Man, she was pretty. And with the casual style, she looked like she belonged here.
Evan nudged him in the ribs. “Looks like Bella is coming to say hi.”
“Shut up.”
They walked forward to meet her inside the courtyard gates. Bella flashed a tentative smile. “Long time, no see.” She turned her attention to Evan. “Hi, I’m Bella.”
“I know.” Evan’s eyes sparked with something like amusement. He held out his hand. “Evan Walsh.”
She took his offered hand. Evan held on longer than necessary.
Ben had never wanted to punch the guy before, but he wouldn’t have minded taking a swing at his friend right now. “He was just leaving.”
“Yes, I was.” Evan slapped Ben on the back. “Let me know when you need me next, buddy. Bella, a pleasure to meet you.” And with that, Evan headed to the parking lot, whistling some obnoxiously upbeat tune.
Ben grunted and turned to Bella. “Did you need something?”
Despite his professional tone, she stiffened. But why? Just because they’d shared a few minutes of pizza and Yahtzee didn’t make her more than a guest in his mind, no matter what Evan might say.
“Oh. Yeah. Yes.” She cleared her throat. “I just wanted to let you know that my shower isn’t working.”
He nodded. “I’ll get inside and take a look right away.”
“No rush. Not until morning, anyway.” She offered a wry grin then glanced around the courtyard. “I haven’t been back here since your porch nearly killed me. It’s tranquil. Well, it will be once you get everything fixed. How long do you think that will take?”
“I don’t know. Weeks.” She’d be long gone by then.
Not that he cared.
“It would look gorgeous with a garden.”
“Maybe. But at this point, I doubt I could even afford the seeds.”
“You know seeds are super cheap, right?” Bella leaned against the stone wall ringing the courtyard. “Your finances can’t be that bad.”
He really shouldn’t be talking about this, especially with her, but there was something about the defiance, the certainty, in her voice that made him want to knock her off that high horse. “You wouldn’t say that if you got a good look at them.”
“So, show me.”
Ben huffed out a staccato laugh. “Right.” But she was looking at him so openly, as if she hadn’t just suggested he show a stranger his vulnerable position. “You’re serious.” Even after he’d been so rude to her? “What’s your angle?”
“Do I need to have one?”
“Doesn’t everyone?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t know anything about you. And you don’t know me.”
“I have an MBA and experience running a business. I can’t promise I’ll be able to help, but I’m happy to try.”
But then he’d owe her.
The wind teased a piece of hair loose from Bella’s bun, sweeping it across her face, sticking it to her upper lip. She plucked it free. “Now you know one thing about me. And I already know at least one thing about you. You’re a member of town royalty who has the largest family tree in history.”
He surprised himself when a chuckle flew from his lips. “In all of history, huh?”
“Fine, maybe not the largest, but definitely bigger than mine. Other than some aunts and cousins who won’t talk to me because my mom offended them in some way, my mom is my only family.” Bella’s eyes fell to the ground. “That I know of.”
“That you know of? Are you adopted?” The moment the words left his mouth, he cringed—not only because it was far too personal a question but also because he didn’t care.
“Not adopted. Just . . . well, not abandoned, exactly.” Bella played with one of her earrings then blew out a breath. “I’m here in Walker Beach because I want to find my father’s side of the family.”
“Are they lost?” His lame excuse for a joke didn’t break the tension like he’d hoped.
“They are to me. And I need to know if they’re out there.”
Something tugged at his heart with those words as she once again removed her professional veneer. And for just a second, he wanted to offer his help. Anything to chase away her frown.
But that was crazy. Ben barely knew this woman—and he didn’t want to know this woman. He had his own problems, and he didn’t need to add hers to his list.
Except . . . maybe he should. The answer hit him square in the chest.
He considered her for a moment before he spoke. “Bella, what if we helped each other?”
“What do you mean?” She pushed herself off the wall in one fluid motion.
He had her attention. Good. “You help me by looking over my books, seeing if there’s any way to turn things around here.” Despite all his Walker Beach connections, the only person he could really ask was one who could be objective, who wouldn’t be disappointed at the way he’d handled his inheritance. And that meant bringing in an outsider—someone who wouldn’t charge him an arm and a leg. “And I’ll help you find your father’s family.”
“How would you do that?” But before he could answer, she shook her head. “Never mind. You don’t need to help me. But I’ll definitely help you with your accounting.”
Oh, she was stubborn but so was he. Ben puffed out his chest. “We help each other or no deal. I refuse to take advantage of your time while you’re here.” And he would not owe her. Who knew what her price would be?
Man, Elena had really screwed him up, hadn’t she?
Bella’s eyes narrowed, her gaze like steel. Then, at last, she nodded and held out her hand. “Fine. It’s a deal.”
Her handshake was as firm and confident as the rest of her. “Tomorrow night? Five-ish?”
“All right then.” She walked back toward the inn then stopped and turned. “By the way, I’m going into town to grab some food, so my room will be unoccupied for the next hour if you want to fix the shower now. If not, I’m happy to use a shower in one of the other guest rooms instead.”
“Sounds good.” If she’d be back in an hour, he’d have her shower fixed in fifty-nine minutes or less.
Ben watched her go, admiring her determination and intelligence—and, yeah, maybe also the way her hips swayed.
Stop it.
Elena had been gorgeous and confident too, but in the end, she’d been his downfall.
Maybe this “deal” was a mistake. But if Ben kept going the same direction with the inn, he’d also keep failing. He needed help.
And it looked like Bella Miranda was his only hope.
Growling, Ben kicked at the dirt and waited until she’d disappeared before he trudged inside too.
Chapter 4
Spy work was not for the faint of heart.
Bella leaned against the brass headboard in her guest room, shutting her eyes and shoving her phone away. But the words from Mom’s text message still burned in her mind. Atta girl. I knew I could count on you to get the job done.
She fisted soft handfuls of the antique white quilt covering her bed. Mom had sent the text after demanding an update from Bella. It seemed she’d liked that Bella was about to meet with Ben to go over his financials.
If she knew the full truth, though, she’d hate the rest of the facts—that Bella was considering feigning illness and staying locked in her room all evening. Not that she’d need to feign much. She did, in fact, feel sick to her stomach about her upcoming plans with Ben.
And she only had ten minutes to get over it before he expected her down the hallway.
Inhaling deeply, Bella opened her eyes and took in the vertical yellow and white stripes painted on all four walls. Soft light streamed from the corner window beside the bed, and the high wainscot ceiling and crown moldings lent a quiet elegance to the room. Under normal circumstances, it would strike her as peaceful too.
If only she were getting ready to go on a date with a cute guy, not to peek at his financials. If only she were just a girl on vacation, not a company executive sneaking around. If only she could take up Ashley and Shannon on their offer for another lunch without wanting to retch.
Because for one blissful hour on Saturday, she’d almost forgotten she had a job to do. Instead, she’d simply enjoyed time on the beach with two women who were as genuine as they were beautiful. They’d immediately accepted her, almost as if she really belonged in Walker Beach.
Then, reality had crashed in and the illusion shattered.
Because Bella Moody didn’t belong anywhere—not even with the only parent she’d ever known. Maybe at one time she had, but not anymore.
Still, maybe another family was out there waiting to accept her with open arms.
She just needed to find them.
Pushing herself off the bed, Bella moved her neck from side to side. She shook her hands and bounced from one foot to the other like she was about to go toe to toe with Rocky Balboa.
She’d need to be on her guard. Rocky hit hard.
Just like any successful boxer, Bella needed a pep talk. “You’ve got this. Get in, get information, get out. That’s your strategy. Stay focused.” She couldn’t let Ben’s piercing gaze distract her. Or the way the blond scruff along his chin winked in the sun against his tan skin. Or how he was so determined to avoid her but had agreed to their little partnership anyway.
Bella cleared her throat. “You’ve got him right where you want him. Find a way to suggest he should sell. Show him there’s no other way to become solvent. Remind him what failure will cost him.”
Because Bella couldn’t afford to forget what it would cost her.
Her blood pumping a strong beat in her veins, she opened her door then strode down the hallway and the stairs and hooked a left toward the kitchen, which was tucked away on the southernmost part of the building.
Ben sat at the wooden table next to the window that overlooked the beach. Today was slightly overcast, leaving the room on the dimmer side. He looked up from his laptop. “Thanks again for doing this. I really appreciate it.”
Bella’s heart stuttered. “No problem.” As she rounded the table and took the seat beside him, her shoulder brushed his.
His chair legs squeaked against the tile as he backed up. “You want some coffee?” Ben bustled toward the counter where a coffee pot sat. The vintage white cabinets complemented the pale green fridge that looked as if it belonged to the seventies. “I just brewed some. Figured we’d need sustenance.”
“Sure, thanks.”
He snagged two mugs from one of the cabinets and poured the brown liquid into both. “Cream? Sugar?”
“Both, please.”
He brought over the mugs and set them onto the table. “Thought so.”
“And why is that?”
“Don’t all you big-city types like your frou-frou coffees?” Ben walked back for a small sugar bowl and bottle of hazelnut creamer, which he placed in front of Bella.
“Think you know me so well?” Without adding anything, Bella took a drink from her mug and nearly gagged at the bitter taste.
Ben’s eyebrows lifted as he took his seat again. “You sure aren’t one to back down from a challenge, are you?” After snagging a spoon from the middle of the table, he measured out a tiny bit of sugar and dumped it along with a teaspoon of cream into his mug. “I guess I should have assumed as much.”
“Have you made other assumptions about me?”
“I probably shouldn’t say.”
“Now you have to tell me.” She took the sugar bowl and dumped a good spoonful into her mug. A dollop of cream blended with a nice stir later, and her coffee turned from black to luscious brown. Bella sipped. “Oh, that is so much better.”
Chuckling, Ben settled against his chair. “Well, at first I thought you were this big-city executive type used to getting her own way . . .”
“And now?”
He paused. “Wait, that’s actually true.”
“Hey.” She nudged him with her elbow.
“Watch it. You’re gonna make me spill.”
“It would serve you right.” Bella took a drink of her doctored coffee to hide her laugh. Where had this Ben Baker been hiding? She could get used to him.
Get back on track.
Bella set down her mug and pointed at the computer. “Is this ready for me to look at?”
“Yes. But the first thing you need to know is that I’ve defaulted on my mortgage.” He grimaced as his fingers drummed along the edge of his mug.
“You have a mortgage on this? Hasn’t it been in your family forever?”
He nodded. “But my grandparents took out a second mortgage to add some rooms onto the south side and build the decking and courtyard, improve the beach, that sort of stuff. And then they had some lean years and didn’t pay it off.”
“All right.” Bella tapped her lips. “How long have you been in default? I’m assuming some fees and extra interest are accruing?”
“Actually, no. I have a buddy who works at the bank, and he’s giving me some grace. We don’t have anything official in place, but he’s agreed to let me push off what I owe and extend the mortgage until I get back on my feet.”
Another point for small-town life. “Really? That would never happen in the city.”
“People watch each other’s backs here.” Ben scratched his neck. “Of course, I don’t want to take advantage of our friendship, so my goal is to pay him back as soon as possible.”
He leaned toward the computer screen, peering intently at it. “Anyway, I just wanted you to know that before we get started. So, here’s my budget. And here’s my spending. And . . .” Ben clicked through his accounting program as he explained the various financials it took to run the inn.
But with his face mere inches from hers, Bella found it difficult to focus. She reached for the laptop. “I’ll just take a look for a minute on my own, if you don’t mind.”
“Go for it.” He backed off so she could control the mousepad, but he still wasn’t all that far away. His warm breath lifted the hair on her neck, and she closed her eyes, imagining what it might be like to turn her head just slightly, to allow herself to drown in his scent, to wrap her arms around him and find his lips and . . .
“How about some music?” Oops. She’d practically shouted the request, and the curious look on Ben’s face evidenced that he might have heard the tremble in her tone.
She snagged her phone and punched in a few commands, selecting the perfect song for the occasion. “Eye of the Tiger” burst from the device.
Ben lifted an eyebrow. “Really like to get pumped up about budgeting, huh?”
“Yep.” She turned back to the spreadsheets. “So, where are you at with the insura
nce?”
“There won’t be any.” He explained what had happened. “But Evan called this morning and told me I got enough from a small city grant to pay for supplies. It means I can’t fully reopen for a while, though, so that’s a missed sales opportunity.”
Now that was information Mom would want to know.
But as the hours ticked by and Bella asked him numerous questions about his financials, as she dug in more deeply, her stomach tightened until it turned into a coil ready to spring.
The truth settled in like a lead weight—Ben wouldn’t have much of a shot at surviving the perfect storm he’d found himself in unless he took out a loan or a major infusion of cash came through.
And although Evan was working on getting him a larger grant, it would probably be just enough to pay down the mortgage and maybe a few other annual expenses.
Ben was going under.
Unless Bella helped him.
She could probably do it. This was her area of expertise, after all.
But helping him meant Mom wouldn’t help Bella.
Just do it. Tell him there’s no way out except to sell.
But the words wouldn’t come.
Bella peeked at Ben, took in his pained but hopeful expression, and exhaled a sigh. “I’d like to look at this more in-depth over the next few days. Can you print me a copy?”
“Sure. Absolutely.”
Either he finally trusted her, or he was just that desperate. Maybe both.
Was she going to be like Mom and take advantage of that trust?
Bella bit the inside of her cheek, tasting blood. She needed to get out of here, before her resolve weakened any more. “I’ll take it to my room and order in.”
His lips quirked. “This is Walker Beach. Not many places deliver this far north. Actually, none do during the week.”
“Seriously?”
He shrugged. “Welcome to small-town living.”
“Yay.”
Laughter puffed from Ben’s lips. “Come on, let’s snag dinner.” He placed a hand on top of hers. “My treat.”
If Ashley and Shannon could be believed, the fact that Ben was inviting her to dinner—and that she, for once, wasn’t the one strong-arming him—was a big deal.
All of You, Always Page 4