A Father for Bella

by Jill Weatherholt

  “Well, it’s really none of my business.”

  Ten minutes later, her eyes turned toward the front door. “If you’ll excuse me, my daughter and sister just arrived.” She pushed herself away from the table and, with her shoulders stiff, made her way to her family.

  Joshua watched as Bella raced to her mother. The stoic look painted on Faith’s face while she sat with him moments earlier vanished as soon as her daughter was in her arms. He turned away when his phone chirped. He glanced down at the device sitting on the table. His mouth dropped open when he saw a text message from Melissa.

  The inn will never be yours.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “My foot hurts, Mr. Joshua.”

  Bella’s curls glistened under the fluorescent lights at Valley Memorial Hospital. Seeing her slip on the ice outside the inn late on Tuesday afternoon, he and Mrs. Watson had sprung into action. Thankfully, Bella hadn’t hit her head, but her ankle had twisted like a stubborn ketchup lid. Faith had gone into town with Joy to run a few errands, so he and Mrs. Watson were keeping an eye on Bella. Joshua had volunteered to take her to the hospital and Mrs. Watson followed in her own car. Once at the hospital, the woman stayed for a few minutes before she had to get back to the inn.

  “I know it’s painful, sweetie,” he said. “They should take you back soon for an X-ray.”

  Her curious blue eyes stared up at him. “What’s an X-ray?” She squirmed on the love seat and leaned closer to him. Her eyes looked down and glimmered with fear. “Will it hurt?”

  He flinched. Hurt. It wasn’t always about physical pain. The hurt his father had bestowed jabbed deep, without his ever having laid a hand on his son. “Oh, no, it’s only a picture of your foot. It’s nothing.”

  A giggle rose from her throat. “Why do they want to take a picture of my foot?”

  “To see if you have a broken bone.”

  She gripped his arm and blinked several times. “Winston from my class broke his arm. He said the doctor re-breaked it and it really hurt.” Her eyes grew wide. “Are they going to do that to me?” She nuzzled closer. “I’m scared.”

  He cast his gaze upon the frightened child and his chest squeezed. Growing up without a father, she searched for comfort from a man she hardly knew. Joshua wouldn’t be like his father and tell her to “man up, life is hard.” Instead, he ran his hand across her forehead. “There’s nothing to be afraid of, sweetie. I’ll be right there with you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

  Bella wiggled into his lap and looked up at him with teary eyes. “I wish you were my daddy, Mr. Joshua.”

  Unsure what to say, he narrowed his focus on the child as her wish crept deeper into his heart. He glanced around the empty waiting room as voices echoed down the hall. If this was what it felt like, he wished he was her father, too.

  His thoughts were interrupted when she released a heavy sigh. “I didn’t know my daddy, but I still miss him.”

  Joshua’s heart broke for the child. “I know you do.” He spoke in a quiet tone.

  She remained silent for a moment and then gave a slight shrug of her shoulders. “He’s in Heaven now, so he can always see me.”

  They both turned to the sound of heels clicking down the tile floors.

  “Bella—baby, what happened?” Faith dashed inside, concern spilling over her face. Joy, who was with her, looked just as frightened.

  As Faith leaned toward him, Joshua inhaled the scent of lavender. She threw her arms around her daughter’s neck, smothering her cheeks with kisses.

  “Mommy, you’re getting me all wet.” With the palm of her hand, she wiped off her face. “I slipped on the ice, but it’s okay, Mr. Joshua’s been taking care of me. Mrs. Watson came, too, but she had to leave,” Bella announced.

  Heat crept up his neck when Faith looked at him and smiled. “Thank you for bringing Bella to the hospital and staying with her. When Mr. Watson called my cell, Joy and I got here as fast as we could.” Her eyes looked away. “You don’t have to stay.”

  Bella jerked in his lap. “No! He said he’d stay with me.” Her breath quivered as she looked into his eyes. “You promised, Mr. Joshua.”

  He nodded. “You’re right. I did. I’m not going anywhere.”

  She let out a heavy sigh. “After they re-break my foot, maybe Mr. Joshua can come over for Sunday dinner.”

  Joshua’s stomach twisted. The auction was on Saturday. Sunday morning, their lives would be changed forever.

  “Re-break? What?” Faith’s eyes widened as she first looked at Joy and then back to Joshua.

  He slid Bella off his lap and onto the love seat. “Joy, do you mind if Faith and I go down to the cafeteria for some coffee? The nurse said it’ll be at least an hour before they can get her back into X-ray.” Joshua scanned his watch. “That was over thirty minutes ago.”

  Faith studied him as he stood up. “I could sure use some caffeine. Is that okay, Joy?”

  Her sister slid into the seat next to Bella. “Sure, just bring me back a cup—black, please.”

  Joshua placed his hand on the small of Faith’s back and guided her down the corridor. The ER doors whooshed open behind them, reminding him of her anxiety when it came to hospitals. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  Her eyes peeled to the Exit sign told him otherwise.

  Once inside the cafeteria, the aroma of unpalatable foods and hand sanitizer turned Joshua’s stomach. Doctors dressed in scrubs buzzed around the room, grabbing a quick cup of coffee before it was time to move on to their next patient. An elderly man with snow-white hair sat at the corner table with his head in his hands. His shoulders quivered. A younger man patted him on the back. Were they father and son? Had the wife and mother been admitted into one of the rooms inside the hospital? Joshua shook off thoughts of his own mother.

  “Let’s take a seat by the window. We can watch the snow flurries.” His pulse quickened at the thought of spending a few minutes alone with Faith. What was it about her? He’d been fighting these feelings surfacing whenever she was present. But why? There was no chance of a future for them. He’d never be able to grant Bella her wish. That only happened in fairy tales, like the ones his mother read to him as a child.

  With a gentle hand on her arm, he guided her toward the round table with a wood-veneer top and a cast-iron base. Salt and pepper shakers sat in the middle, along with a silver napkin holder.

  Faith took a seat and wrapped her arms around her chest.

  “If you’re too cold next to the window, we can move.” Caught off guard by his intense need to protect her, he pointed toward a table across the room.

  Faith shook her head and gazed out the window. “This is fine. I like to watch the snow falling.”

  Warmth traveled through Joshua’s body. He enjoyed it, too. “I’ll get us some coffee. That’ll warm you up.” He winked and, with a turn, headed toward the beverage station.

  Within minutes, they were both clutching their steaming disposable cups.

  “Do you really think they’ll have to re-break her foot?”

  He shook his head. “Nah, some classmate was trying to sound tough in front of his friends. It’s probably only a sprain. There didn’t appear to be much swelling.”

  A smile slid across her lips. “Thank you. That makes me feel better.” She ran her finger along the top of her cup. “It’s no wonder Bella thinks of you as her superhero. This is the third time since you’ve arrived in Whispering Slopes you’ve come to her rescue.” Her cheeks flushed. “Mine, too, actually.”

  His chest grew heavy at her words—after all, his future plans to develop the Black Bear Inn made him the bad guy. He couldn’t help wondering if there was a way they could each get what they wanted. Of course, he knew that was impossible. They both wanted ownership of the inn. He squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m afraid you and Bella wi
ll feel differently after the auction.”

  Faith remained silent. He couldn’t blame her. What could she say?

  Seconds later, she drew in a deep breath and exhaled. “Let’s change the subject.”

  Fine by him.

  “I’ve wanted to say thank-you, but the time hasn’t ever seemed right.”

  “Thank me?” He couldn’t imagine what for. Once he gained ownership of the Black Bear and the expansion project began, she’d be anything but grateful.

  “Yes, you made me realize how wrong I’ve been.”

  His eyes narrowed. “About what?”

  She hesitated and drew in a breath. “Remember the day I got angry about Bella coming into your room?”

  Boy, did he ever. Her face lit up like a red-hot chili pepper. “Yes, I do.”

  “I’d overheard her telling you about the photographs of her father...or should I say lack of pictures.”

  He nodded. “Go on.”

  She clasped her hands together and rested them on the table. “I know you must have thought I was a horrible person.”

  “I could never think that about you.” Especially lately, when thoughts of her consumed his mind from the moment he woke up each day.

  “No, it’s true. I was so busy protecting my own feelings I couldn’t see I was depriving Bella of her father’s memory.” She inhaled a deep breath and released it. “I was wrong, so thank you.”

  He kept his attention focused on Faith and reached across the table for her hand. “Don’t blame yourself. You did what you had to do to survive, Faith.” When she gave his hand a squeeze his heart thumped at the possibilities. What was happening here?

  A hint of a smile caused slight dimples to root in her cheeks. “After that day, Bella and I spent an evening going through boxes of old pictures. You should have seen how excited she was. Watching her get to know her father through captured moments in time was one of the greatest joys in my life.”

  Relief washed over him as he leaned back into his chair. Now this sweet child could begin to know her daddy. This made him happy, but at the same time, an intense longing took hold. The unconditional love of a child had to be the greatest feeling in the world. “I’m happy things worked out for you.” He swallowed the lump clogging his throat. “Really, Faith, I couldn’t be happier.”

  “Things turned out better than I’d imagined and I owe it all to you, a complete stranger.”

  His shoulders slumped. “Do you still think of me that way?”

  She hesitated for a moment and searched his eyes. “No, not after all the time we’ve spent together, but you were, then. You’ve changed my life—and my daughter’s. I’ll be forever grateful.”

  His chest grew tight. Grateful. Would she still feel the same way when he’d have to ask her and Bella to pack their bags? Suddenly, the cup of coffee he’d been enjoying turned bitter on his tongue.

  * * *

  Wednesday morning, Faith propped her king-size pillow behind Bella’s back. Her daughter always liked to sleep in her mother’s bed when she wasn’t feeling well. “You heard the doctor, you have a slight sprain. He wants to you stay off your leg for today.”

  Bella flung her shoulders back against the pillow. “But my ankle doesn’t hurt anymore. Besides, I want to see Mr. Joshua when he comes over to cook.”

  “Don’t you want to go to the pizza party at school tomorrow?” Faith bent down and opened the credenza underneath the TV in her bedroom. She had a large collection of DVDs, many of which she and Chris had watched together on their Saturday date nights. Her breath hitched. Now only Bella watched those movies. “So, what movie would you like to watch?”

  “Oh, yeah... I forgot about the pizza party.” A smile filled her face. “Do you think Mr. Joshua would come? We’re allowed to invite anybody.”

  Faith’s pulse surged at the mention of Joshua’s name. “I doubt it.” She placed her hands on her hips and turned toward the bed. “Now, what movie do you want?”

  “Why won’t he?”

  Bella’s attachment to Joshua was getting out of control. Sure, Faith appreciated everything he’d done for both her and Bella, but she had to protect her daughter’s heart. Or was it her own heart she was protecting? “If you don’t tell me what you want, you’ll be sitting in here in silence.”

  Bella whistled and clapped her hands. “Plato, come and watch Cinderella with me.”

  Of course, she was obsessed with Cinderella—and Joshua.

  With Bella resting, Faith did a little spot cleaning in the kitchen. Glancing at the clock, she realized Joshua would be by any minute to prepare lunch. From the moment she woke up this morning, thoughts of the auction and Joshua’s good looks had consumed her mind. In three days, her fate would be sealed. Over the past several weeks, she’d tried to convince herself she could outbid Joshua or any investor, but who was she kidding? Yes, the insurance money was a large amount, but even with Joy’s financial assistance, she couldn’t release the nagging feeling that it just wasn’t enough.

  This morning, as she’d sipped her first cup of coffee, she’d finally decided to take her sister’s advice. She’d tell Joshua about the dream she and Chris shared. She knew playing the sympathy card might be an unfair tactic, but what other choice did she have? It was obvious, especially the other day at the hospital, how Joshua seemed very protective when it came to Bella. Could it play to her advantage, as well?

  Her stomach felt like an empty pit when she heard a car door slam. A few seconds later, a gentle knock signaled her guest had arrived. The dream she’d had the night before where she and Joshua were married popped into her head. Now? Really? She raked her fingers through her wavy curls as she opened the door.

  “Good morning.” He stepped inside, removing his leather coat. He was dressed in jeans, his dark wavy hair barely touching the collar of his crisp white shirt. Her heart hammered inside her chest. She caught a whiff of a musky scent, triggering a memory of Chris. The smell of his aftershave had always made her feel safe. “So what’s on the menu today?”

  He placed three shopping bags on the kitchen table. “I thought I’d go with a taco bar.”

  Her stomach grumbled as the coffee churned inside. She hadn’t had a chance to run up to the inn earlier to grab a bagel. Mrs. Watson had picked up several dozen for the guests. After making pancakes for Bella, her appetite had disappeared. “That sounds really good. I hope you got both crunchy and soft shells.”

  Joshua laughed as he pulled both kinds from the bag. “What’s your preference?” He flashed a grin that made her knees buckle.

  “I’m a crunchy gal—always have been.”

  “I love the soft shells. We sound like the perfect—”

  Faith took notice of the smile quickly vanishing from Joshua’s face when he’d realized what he was saying. It did seem like they were a perfect match, except when it came to their battle over the inn.

  He cleared his throat. “Sorry, maybe a little bit of wishful thinking on my part, but I’ll be completely honest—if it weren’t for the Black Bear, I would have asked you on a date by now.”

  Faith’s face warmed as her heart fluttered. A date? The two of them? “Look, Joshua, I owe you an apology. Ever since I learned your reasons for coming here, I’ve been a real jerk.”

  “That’s a little harsh. Perhaps you haven’t been Little Miss Sunshine, but I understand your reasons.”

  She closed her eyes and took a calming breath. “Can we sit down and talk for a minute?”

  They each pulled a chair out from under the table and took a seat.

  “Before Chris was killed in the fire, he and I had a plan.”

  Joshua leaned across the table and tenderly brushed her hair away from her face. “I’d like to hear it—if you want to talk about it.”

  “We planned to open an inn. It was his dream at first, but the more we talked abou
t it, I became excited, too.” She paused as the memory caused her eyes to prickle with tears. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

  “Of course it does. It’s important to have dreams. Why would you say that?”

  She looked down at her hands and picked her fingernail. “I know I’m not going to be the highest bidder at the auction. For weeks, I’ve tried to pretend it wasn’t true. But the confidence I’ve displayed has been an act.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  Faith shrugged her shoulders and looked at him. She was surprised by the sincerity emanating from his blue-ice eyes. “Oh, come on, you should be happy.” She forced a laugh. “I’m the only other person planning to bid on the inn.” She paused to steady her breathing. “If that’s the case, you’re a shoo-in now.”

  As soon as she spoke, she knew her tone was condescending and his face confirmed it.

  “I didn’t come here to steal your dream.”

  Her eyebrow arched. “Not on purpose at least.”

  “I wish you had shared this with me sooner.”

  She traced her finger along the tabletop, avoiding eye contact. “Joy wanted me to, but I didn’t see any point.”

  Joshua ran his hand across his clean-shaven face. “All along, I thought the inn meant so much because it’s where you grew up and it’s your home now. But this—it changes everything.”

  She shook her head. “It doesn’t change anything. You have your own reasons and I’m sure they matter just as much to you. It all comes down to money and the fact is you have more.”

  Joshua hesitated before turning toward her. “Whispering Slopes was my mother’s favorite place on earth. Before she died, she asked me to never let it out of our family.”

  Faith turned and their eyes held. She knew his mother had meant the world to him. It was an endearing quality among others he seemed to possess. The last thing he’d ever want to do was not live up to a promise he’d made to her. “Then why would your father want to put it up for auction?”

  He released a heavy breath. “My father is angry at me for quitting my job with his company. When I quit, I became a huge nothing to him.”