by A. M. Kusi
Belle hugged the baby boy close as she hummed and moved closer to Lyra’s table, swaying back and forth. He quieted, clutching a strand of her hair in his tiny fist. She smiled. It had been a long time since TJ was this little, and she was not much older than Lyra when she’d taken care of him by herself. Something about holding a sleeping baby made everything calm and peaceful inside her.
“Is he asleep?” Lyra asked, whispering.
Belle lifted her head and sure enough, his eyes were closed, his tiny fist partially inside his mouth. Drool slid down his hand, no doubt spilling onto her jacket.
“I think so,” Belle said, sitting across from the little girl. “What are you coloring?”
“Tiana from The Princess and the Frog.”
“Oh, she’s very pretty,” Belle said.
“She’s the only princess with skin like me. Well, except for Moana and Pocahontas. They’re light brown too.”
Belle nodded. The little girl had already noticed the vast underrepresentation of people of color in the media. Why was it so hard for most adults to see? What child didn’t want to see someone who looked like them saving the day and finding their happily-ever-after?
“What about Doc McStuffins? Have you ever seen that show?” Belle asked.
Lyra stopped coloring and smiled at her. “Yes! I love that show. And Nella the Princess Knight.”
Belle nodded. “Can you draw me your favorite character? You are great at coloring.”
Lyra took a sip of her hot cocoa, leaving a mustache of chocolate on her upper lip and a dab of whipped cream on her little nose. She grinned. “When I grow up, I’m going to be an artist.”
“I bet you will.” Belle handed her a napkin.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Lyra asked, her face serious as she wiped her mouth, leaving the spot on her nose.
Belle bit back another smile. “Well, I am pretty grown up. I’m a nurse.”
The little girl’s mouth dropped open. “Do you work with Doc McStuffins?”
Belle chuckled. “Not exactly.”
Lyra scribbled across the page, her little body hunched over in focus as her pink tongue stuck out the side of her mouth in concentration. Lyra turned the page upside down to put what appeared to be the finishing touches on her drawing. Belle breathed in the scent of the baby as his little chest rose and fell.
The bell jangled as a couple of patrons left the café. Remy set a steaming latte in front of her. “This is on the house. Along with my eternal gratitude. Did you want anything else?”
“I would love a couple of those mermaid cookies. But I insist on paying.”
“It is the least I can do.” Remy left and quickly came back with a bag full of the dessert.
“Thank you.” Belle grabbed one cookie and bit into it. “Delicious.”
“I don’t suppose you want to keep him for a little while longer, do you? If I move him, he’ll wake up and then be miserable the rest of the day.” Remy bit her lip.
“I’d love nothing more. I’ve got an adorable baby on my shoulder, caffeine, cookies—heck, I should be paying you to enjoy this.” Belle smiled, hoping to set Remy at ease. Taking care of people was what she’d done for as long as she could remember. It made her feel needed and appreciated.
“You are a godsend.”
“She’s a nurse, Mommy! She works with Doc McStuffins,” Lyra added excitedly.
Remy smiled, eyes widening towards her daughter. “That sounds super fun.” Remy kissed Lyra’s forehead before grabbing another chair to sit by them. “Are you new to town, then?”
Belle took a sip of the latte before she answered. “I moved here a few months ago with my younger brother after I got the job.”
“How do you like Shattered Cove so far?”
“It’s a nice place,” Belle said honestly. The town was nice—and Remy was nice too. Maybe she was another potential friend—someone outside of work. The other nurses had been kind but, aside from Katy, she hadn’t really bonded with any of them. Remy was different. There was a feeling of potential here.
The bells jingled above the door behind her as a gust of wind blew into the café. Her skin prickled in anticipation as Lyra’s face broke out into a wide grin.
“Uncle Bently!”
No.
Chapter 12
Belle
Belle froze, the blood draining from her face. Bently? As in, Bently Evans? Sheriff Bently Evans was Lyra’s uncle and Remy’s brother-in-law?
“Hey, sweetheart. You ready to go to my house? I thought we could play with that new dollhouse I set up for y—Oh. Hi, Belle.” Bently looked as surprised as she felt.
“Hi,” she said, much steadier than she was. His gaze was fuel to an instant ache. Those blue eyes sent her tumbling, plunging into darkness so she didn’t know which way was up or down. Longing and uncertainty clamored in her chest as she took a wavering breath.
“You two know each other?” Remy asked, pulling her from the trance as more customers entered the café.
“She’s the one who found Mia,” Bently’s gruff voice answered.
“Oh! You did? You’re just an everyday heroine, then, aren’t you?” Remy joked.
Bently cut Remy a questioning glance before focusing on the sleeping babe on Belle’s shoulder.
“Can you wait until Phoenix wakes up before you go? I know it’s not ideal, but if we move him, he’ll be in a horrible mood for the rest of the day. He’s already been asleep for thirty or so minutes,” Remy asked Bently.
“Uh, sure. Whatever you need,” he said.
“Color with me, Uncle Bently,” Lyra directed.
He grabbed a chair and sat beside his niece, his tan police uniform clinging to his muscled shoulders. A few stray locks of black hair tumbled over his forehead.
“I’m going to go help those customers. Does anyone need anything?” Remy stood.
Belle shook her head.
“Coffee would be nice.” Bently smiled appreciatively.
“Coming right up.” Remy left them alone with the kids at the table.
Bently got to work coloring the prince after Lyra handed him a marker. Seeing this tough ladies’ man being so gentle and loving towards his niece made Belle’s ovaries ache. Not that she wanted children—at least not anytime soon. But witnessing Bently talking about playing with dollhouses was such a stark contrast to her first impressions of him. She’d been very wrong about Bently Evans.
“How’d you meet Remy?” he asked, shaking her from her spiraling thoughts.
“I came in for some coffee and she was having trouble managing the kids and running the whole café by herself.” She sipped her latte again.
He nodded. “Thanks for helping her out.”
“Of course . . . I had no idea you were related to her.”
“Yeah, my brother, Mikel, and Remy got married last year. But they had a long history before that,” he explained.
The urge to say something built, but she wasn’t sure what to start with. She’d already apologized. “She seems nice.”
“Did you know Belle is a nurse, Uncle Bently?” Lyra interjected.
He turned his attention back to the little girl. “I did know that, ladybug.”
“That means she saves people like you saved Mommy and me,” she said matter-of-factly as she continued coloring.
Bently winced. Belle wanted to ask, but it wasn’t exactly her business.
Remy set a cup of black coffee in front of Bently. “I have the perfect way to say thank you, Belle. We’re having our annual pumpkin picking hayride and then a bonfire afterwards with some hot cider and food at my house. Bring your brother and I’ll introduce you to everyone. What’s your number?” Remy pulled out her phone.
“Uh . . . I don’t know if—” Belle glanced at Bently who kept his attention glued to the paper he was
coloring.
“I won’t take no for an answer. I’m sure Mia would love to see you and thank you properly.”
Maybe it was time to stop holding back so much and let the walls down. Remy seemed lovely. Why not? Belle rattled off her number.
“Great. I’ll text you the address and information. You bring your pretty self and that brother of yours, and I’ll worry about the rest.” Remy scurried away with Lyra before Belle could respond.
Bently’s jaw was set, his blue eyes flashing as he glanced at her.
“Is it okay with you if I go? I don’t want to intrude,” she said.
“You were invited,” he said as if that would answer the questions swirling around inside her. Does he want me to go? Is he mad at me? Why does it matter so much?
***
Days later, Belle parked in front of the large home among the several other vehicles already in the driveway.
“Nice house,” TJ commented from the passenger seat, the edges of his mouth turned up like he knew something she didn’t.
She swallowed her unease, and shut the engine off. Getting out of the car, she pocketed the keys in her jacket.
“I forgot to tell you the woman we helped, Mia, will be here tonight.”
TJ snapped his head towards her, before looking away and shifting on his feet.
“Is that okay?”
“Yeah.” His voice cracked. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Why are you acting all antsy?” What secrets are you keeping from me now?
He sighed and tipped his head up. “I’m not. I just don’t like surprises—you know that.”
She nodded. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
TJ smiled, which set her somewhat at ease. “I know, sis. Now, quit your stalling and let’s go see your boyfriend.” He started walking across the lawn.
“You little shit,” she grumbled.
The smell of wood smoke and the sound of laughter drew them around to the backyard. TJ walked by her side as they approached the group of friends.
“Belle!” Remy called, waving her over.
TJ’s steps faltered as they grew nearer. She looked back at him questioningly. Fear flashed through his expression as he eyed the small crowd.
“It’s okay. I’m sure they don’t bite,” she joked.
He cleared his throat, eyes widening.
“Hey—” a man started to say.
“Andre!” the woman she recognized as Mia growled and sprouted a flurry of Spanish at him as she tugged him away from the group.
Everyone watched them go until they were out of sight.
“What was that about?” the man asked. Surely, with such a similar face and build, he had to be Bently’s brother.
“I don’t know. But I’m sure Dre deserved it.” Remy pulled her gaze back to Belle. “I’m so happy you could make it.”
“Sorry we couldn’t do the hayride. My shift only ended an hour ago,” Belle explained.
Remy waved her off. “No problem at all. I’m just glad you could come. Let me introduce you. This is my husband, Mikel. You’ve already met Lyra.” She pointed to the little girl on her husband’s shoulders.
“Hi again, Lyra.” Belle gave the little girl a high five.
“Hi!”
“And you got to know Phoenix. And this handsome man must be your brother.” Remy motioned to TJ.
“TJ, good to see you again,” Bently said with an easy smile as he stretched out his hand to her brother. Her heart fluttered. Damn, she needed to get a hold of herself. Heart palpitations could be a sign of a serious medical problem. But they only happened in his presence, which was scarier than the potential medical issues.
“You too.” TJ’s voice smoothed out.
“This is Jasmine, Mikel and Bently’s sister, and her adorable daughter, Zoey.” Remy opened her arm to welcome the other woman over.
“Hi.” Jasmine waved, a little more reserved than the rest of the group.
“The two lovebirds in the house are Mia, whom you rescued, and Andre, my brother,” Remy finished.
“I’ll admit, I’m terrible at names, so please forgive me if I don’t remember them all.” Belle smiled and they all laughed.
“I know it’s a lot to take in. Can I get you something to drink? Food is almost ready.”
“Sure, cider would be nice.”
Jasmine and Belle made small talk as TJ joined a game with Bently, Mikel, and Lyra. The easy way TJ interacted with Bently gave her the feeling that the two had grown closer than either of them had let on. Why would TJ keep this from me?
“Belle?” The accent in the voice made her name sound more like “Bella.”
She turned as the familiar face of Mia came into view. Blue yoga pants hugged her curves, and she wore a gray hoodie that said “Shattered Cove, N.H.”
“Yes? Mia, right?”
The man she’d come to know as Andre stood by her side, his arm protectively wrapped around her as he watched the other guys play.
“I am. And I just wanted to thank you for, well, saving my life.” Mia smiled.
“No need to thank me. Really, I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Dinner!” Remy called.
They all filed into Remy’s house. The natural wood flooring added to the warm and inviting atmosphere. They turned left into the dining room with a long table set with various savory dishes. The smell of the delicacies made her stomach grumble with hunger. She’d only had time for a quick smoothie for lunch today.
“Mia, you sit here, and TJ will sit on the other side,” Remy directed them. “Bently you’re here.”
“Since when do we have assigned seating?” Mikel asked as Bently took the empty chair beside Belle. She inhaled slowly, taking in the hints of oak, campfire, and him.
Remy cut her husband a look that had him changing the subject. “How’s the studio, Mia?”
“Oh, it’s great. My classes are so full, I’ve had to add an extra one on the weekends,” she answered.
“Do you do yoga, Belle?” Remy asked.
“I’ve never tried.”
“It’s really fun. We girls should get together and have a class sometime,” Remy suggested.
Belle nodded. She’d never really had friends before, but it seemed that was possible in Shattered Cove.
Bently handed her a platter of vegetables and she served herself some before passing it on to TJ as everyone made polite conversation. She’d never seen so much food at one table in her life. Once everyone was served, Mikel lifted his glass of what looked to be hot cider. “To family and friends.”
The group of adults lifted their own cups and repeated the sentiment before taking a sip. Belle glanced at Bently’s plate, at the similar array of vegetables and seafood before she tucked into her own. Flavors exploded in her mouth, rich and savory. “This is fantastic.” She nearly moaned. Bently seemed to sit a little straighter next to her, his jaw tense.
“So, how did you two meet?” Mia asked, motioning between her and Bently.
“I thought they met because of you,” Remy said, narrowing her eyes at him. Belle didn’t like being the center of attention. She glanced at Bently nervously, pleading with him to answer.
“Yeah, I’d like to know too,” Andre said, eyeing TJ.
“I gave TJ a ride home. His bike had flat tires. Belle was there when we got to his house,” Bently answered.
“And?” Remy prodded.
Belle shifted in her seat.
“And we’ve seen each other at the hospital a few times because of work,” Bently supplied, taking a sip of a beer.
The fact that he’d left out how rude she’d been to him, saving her the scrutiny of his friends, brought a sharpness to her chest. She’d never had anyone stick up for her, or try to protect her besides TJ.
“What aren’t you telling me?” Remy asked, her gaze boring into Bently’s.
“I took his self-defense class too. How old are you, Lyra?” Belle asked, changing the subject.
“I’m six!” the little girl said around a mouthful of asparagus.
“So, you’ve known each other for a couple months, then?” Mikel asked, eyeing his brother suspiciously.
Bently grunted.
Mikel smirked and nodded to Andre. “Seems like Bently here is speechless for once in his life.”
Bently sighed and drained the last of his beer. He covered Lyra’s ears beside him and said, “Enough, you two dickheads. Eat your dinner and shut the fuck up.”
He returned his hands to the table and took another bite. His friends were grinning but she was really out of the loop.
“How’s business at the inn, Jas?” Mikel asked.
“Pretty good. I’m saving up to finish the reno downstairs,” Jasmine answered, nursing her little one.
“You own an inn?” Belle asked.
“Yes.” She beamed. “The Lighthouse Inn. It’s right on the coast—a couple miles from town.”
“That sounds like a pretty cool job to have.”
“TJ, you up for a game of hoops after dinner? You and me against Dre and Mikel. A hundred bucks says we can take ’em,” Bently asked. Her chest tightened again.
“I’m game,” TJ answered.
“How about we make it two hundred?” Andre asked, smiling while eyeing TJ.
She wasn’t sure she liked that man. It would be nice to see TJ wipe that smirk off his face.
“You’re on,” Bently agreed.
After dinner, the guys went outside to play while the women popped a bottle of wine. Both babies were asleep, and Lyra was watching a cartoon about an ice princess and her sister saving the kingdom.
This was so easy, so comfortable. The ladies talked, laughing and making jokes. She felt right at home, like everything just clicked. This was her new tribe.
Belle sipped the crisp white wine.
“So, Belle,” Jasmine started, and Belle gave her new friend her full attention.
“Did you fuck my brother?”
Chapter 13
