Galen had spent the whole day spoiling Bella, showering her with affection and attention. She’d already had him tied around her little finger.
I glanced across the table and found Brad, Emma, and Galen laughing at something. I’d caught Galen watching Grey and me throughout the day, somewhat contemplative. It was the same now. Even though he had been laughing, his eyes were on Grey’s actions.
Sam sat next to me, somewhat listening to us. “I got Chels out of the house today,” she announced.
“Really?” I asked, my spirits lifted a bit at the news. After the other day, when she didn’t come over, I’d tried calling a few times, but she hadn’t answered or returned them.
“She came to the B&B and helped me and Mrs. Birdy in the kitchen for a bit,” she elaborated. “With Christmas right around the corner, we’ve been swamped, so I convinced her that I needed help.”
I laughed at her slyness. “Good idea.”
Sam lifted a brow at me. “I actually needed the help, Clara. Since Grey’s been slackin’ off, I’ve gotta cover everything.”
My eyes grew round. “What do you mean?”
“Shut up, Sam,” Grey muttered from my other side.
My head swung to him. “I thought you said it wasn’t a big deal that you were off today.”
“And it’s not,” he argued, glaring at his sister over my head.
“I’m just messin’ with you, Clara,” Sam relented. She was smirking when I glanced back at her. “I’ve gotta get my kicks where I can.”
“You’re mean.”
“How was she?” Grey questioned her.
Sam’s amusement dwindled away, and her expression grew serious. “She’s like a robot, just goin’ through the motions. She doesn’t talk, doesn’t laugh. Even Mrs. Birdie couldn’t break through.”
I found this surprising. Mrs. Birdie had an easing presence that made everything seem better.
“Damn,” Grey murmured, pushing my plate back in front of me.
I picked up my fork and commenced on eating, my mind a mess over Chelsea, while Grey and Sam talked more about her. It didn’t take a medical degree to diagnose her depression. I’d recognize the signs anywhere. She needed to talk to someone, someone that could help guide her through this.
An idea struck me.
“Why doesn’t she move out of their cabin?” I asked, halting their conversation.
Grey stared at me for a second and then murmured, “That’s a really good idea. The memories there…”
“They probably aren’t helpin’,” Sam finished.
“Since Justin’s disappeared, she can’t do anythin’, either,” Grey stated sadly. “She’s filed for a divorce, but without being able to serve him the paperwork, it’s at a standstill. I’m not quite sure what’s gotta happen there.”
“”Maybe she can stay at Adam’s,” Sam suggested. “His place his huge, and it’s only him stayin’ there. I’m sure he’d be all for it.”
Grey considered it, then nodded. “I’ll talk to him and see what he says.” He kissed my temple. “Thanks, darlin’.”
“Talk to Galen about her divorce. He might be able to give you some advice, too,” I suggested again, smiling.
Grey’s lips twitched. “You’re full of good ideas tonight.”
I shrugged playfully. “Aren’t I always?”
Sam sniggered beside me. Before I could goad her, a voice boomed from the end of our table.
“Hey, y’all!”
Everyone paused and looked to the end of the table. Shelley was standing there, her hair down around her shoulders, wearing a big grin.
“Shelley,” Brad said, smiling at her. Everyone but Galen had said their hellos before he continued. “How’s it goin’?”
“Good, good,” she chirped. “Seems like you’ve gotta family to-do tonight…” She directed her smile at me. “Who knew that when I was droppin’ you off at the B&B, you’d end up here? Glad to see everythin’ workin’ out for ya, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Shelley,” I replied, returning her smile. “Small world, isn’t it?”
“Sure is…sure is…” She stole a glance at Galen, intrigued.
“Sorry, Shelley. This is Galen, my surrogate father.” I nodded to Shelley. “Galen, this is Shelley. She was my driver when I’d initially arrived. She’s a good friend of the Raiden’s.”
Galen stood and took her hand. “Nice to meet you. Thank you for taking care of my girl when she got here.” He lifted her hand and placed a kiss on it. “I’m indebted to you.” There was something akin to attraction in his eyes.
This shocked the holy hell out of me. In the years since Galen had lost Ava, I’d never seen this type of behavior from him.
I glanced back at Sam and bugged my eyes out at her. She choked on a giggle and snorted loudly. I smothered my expression and turned back to Galen and Shelley. She had a small smile tipping her lips, her interest evident.
“I really think Bliss is La-La-Land,” I whispered to Grey. “Crazy stuff happens here.”
Grey peered down at his plate, trying not to laugh. “La-La-Land?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
“Why don’t you join us, Shelley,” Sam eagerly proposed, her humor laced through her words.
“I’ve already eaten…” Shelley trailed, clearly wanting to join us.
“A drink then,” Galen urged. “I insist.”
Oh, Lordy.
♥♥♥
Not able to sleep, I snuck downstairs, needing some water. I was surprised to find Galen standing in the darkened living room, his back to me as he watched the snow fall outside.
“Hey,” I whispered, joining him.
He peered down, smiling sadly. “Hey, what are you doing up?”
I linked my arm through his, leaning against his side. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“Couldn’t sleep” he murmured, turning back to the snow.
“Same here.”
“Want to talk about it?” he questioned, concerned.
“Not really…”
“Jonathan?”
“Surprisingly, no. Nothing like that. Just couldn’t fall asleep. You?”
He sighed heavily.
“What’s wrong, Galen? You were off when you got here, too. Something’s up.”
“Grey’s a good man,” he stated, throwing me off guard.
I recovered from my surprise and bumped my shoulder against his. “Noticed that, did you?”
He grinned into the night. “Hard not to.”
“Very true.”
“Do you love him?”
It was my turn to sigh.
Melancholy dripped from his words. “Enough said, kiddo.”
“What’s going on, Galen? Why do you sound sad about it?”
“Nothing serious, girly. Nothing at all… I can see it written on the both of you.”
My heart stuttered. “Yeah?”
“Definitely. You’re finally starting your life, Clara. You’re moving on to something great.”
“I feel a but coming on,” I pointed out.
He grinned, shaking his head. “You’ve always been intuitive.”
“You can talk to me, Galen. You know that, right?”
He detangled our arms and curved his behind my back, bringing me into a hug. “It’s nothing bad, sweet girl.”
“Then what is it?”
“I see why you like it here. It’s…different.”
I cocked my head, trying to decipher his words and the meaning behind them. This was leading somewhere; I just didn’t know where.
“It’s tranquil, healing,” I agreed.
“That it is. That it is, girly.”
I wrapped my arms around his middle, squeezing him a bit. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me too. I hate that you’re so far away.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I feel the same.
“But you’ve got a good life here. I like seeing you like this. You’re different, more at ease. It’
s what I was hoping for.”
“What you were hoping for?” I questioned, my brows furrowing with confusion.
“Yes.” He didn’t elaborate, and instead, he changed the subject. “I’m getting old, Clara.”
I frowned, not liking where this was heading. “You’re not that old, Galen. You’ve got a long time ahead of you.”
“That I do,” he agreed reflectively.
“What’s going on with you?”
He held sorrow in his gaze when his met mine. So much so, it took my breath away. “I didn’t realize how much peace you brought into my life until you were gone. Without Ava…”
Tears welled in my eyes. “Galen…”
“I hate not seeing you every day. You’re all I’ve got, my girl.” He reached up and ran his thumb over my cheek. “All I’ve got. It’s made me appreciate what’s important and what’s not.”
“What do you mean?”
“Decisions need to be made, and I’m making them for myself.”
Why was he so evasive?
A thought hit me, and I braced. “Are you sick? Is that what all this is about?”
He chuckled and tugged me closer again. “No, sweetie. I’m not sick. Healthy as a horse is what my doctor tells me. Just lonely. Without you around and with Ava gone, all I’ve got is my work. It weighs on me.”
“Then come here. Move here. You wouldn’t be lonely with us,” I suggested, lightened by the idea. What I wouldn’t give to have Galen in my day to day life again.
“I’m not going to lie, I’ve thought about it. And Bella…” A radiant smile stretched across his face. “God, she’s an amazing child.”
“You love her.” I grinned against his chest.
“Yes, I do.” He took in a deep breath and let it out. “I want to see her grow. You’ll eventually marry and, God willing, have more children. I don’t want to miss any of it.”
I was going to end up in a big pile of tears if he didn’t stop. “I can see that.” I tightened my arms around him, sniffling. “Just think more on it. There are options.”
“The firm has been in my family a long time,” he pointed out, but it seemed resigned, like his job really was weighing on him.
“Jared can take it over…and Tom still hasn’t retired. He’s been talking about it for years and still hasn’t done it. He probably never will. You can find another partner if you need to. It’s not outside the realm of possibilities to retire yourself. You deserve it, Galen. You’ve dedicated your life to that firm.”
“It’s an option,” he admitted thoughtfully.
“And there’s Shelley,” I teased to lighten the moment. They’d gotten quite cozy during dinner.
Galen chuckled. “We aren’t going there, Clara.”
Using his words against him, I joked, “It’s an option.”
He laughed in response.
“I love you, Galen. I’m always here, no matter what.”
“Love you too, kiddo.”
Chapter 24
Clara
“That looks disgusting,” Galen commented as he watched me stir the rice cereal.
I grimaced at the smell. “It doesn’t seem all that appetizing, does it?”
“Are you sure you should feed it to her?”
“The books I’ve read said that you should introduce solid foods to babies when they are about six months old,” I explained. I walked around the island, heading for Bella’s new highchair next to Galen. She was sitting up, looking like a big girl, as she conked her toys loudly on the tray. “Bella’s only five months, but she’s constantly hungry. Emma said that this should help with that.”
Galen raised a skeptical brow. “Emma said? Are you sure that’s okay? Is it healthy?”
I hid my smile and placed a stool in front of Bella. “She’s had two kids, Galen. I’m sure she knows what she’s talking about. It’ll be okay.”
“Clara…” he cautioned warily. “I don’t think that’s smart. You might-”
“I called her pediatrician to be sure. He said it was fine.”
I snickered at the whole protective grandfather thing he had going on lately. He’d been doing this over the last few days, so I wanted to pull his chain a little bit. If I didn’t know that he only had Bella’s wellbeing at heart, I would have ripped my hair out by now.
Sheepishly, he admitted, “I guess I deserve that.”
“Yes, you did,” I agreed, winking at him. “But I don’t hold it against you. You love her.”
He sighed and looked back to his laptop. “That I do, girly.”
“Take some pictures for me, will you?” I asked and wrapped a bib around Bella’s neck, getting her prepared for the big event.
“Pictures?” Galen inquired, confused.
I gave Galen a duh expression. “This is a huge milestone. It’s her first real food. We’ve gotta have pictures.”
Galen chuckled while grabbing his phone off the counter. “Okay, girly.”
Watching Bella, I questioned, “All right, Bella. You ready for this?”
She gave me a big toothless smile in return, clearly ready.
Bella and I were a bit clumsy with the process, and we got more on ourselves then we did in her mouth. She kept making little grunts and gurgles as she swallowed, loving every moment of it.
“I think that was a success,” Galen remarked as I cleaned Bella, and myself.
“I believe you’re right,” I countered, laughing.
Bella’s eyes were drooping by the time I’d lifted her out of the highchair, exhausted by the excitement. She snuggled into my chest and immediately fell asleep.
“These pictures are quite entertaining.” He turned his phone toward me so that I could see.
Bella and I had the cereal covering us, and we both had our mouths open, completely enthralled by what we were doing, our eyes on the spoon.
“I look like a dork,” I stated, chuckling.
Galen shook his head, a small smile tipping his lips. “No, sweet girl, it looks like you’re a good mama.”
I swatted his shoulder playfully, trying to act unaffected. “Don’t say stuff like that to me. I’ll get all girly on you and break down into hysterical sobs.”
“Hush, you,” he joked.
“I’ll put her down. Be right-”
The doorbell rang, interrupting me, and caused Bella to jerk in my arms, waking her slightly.
“Here.” Galen held out his hands and pushed himself off his stool. “Hand her over and I’ll put her down.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, wondering who was at the door.
I’d been waiting to hear something from Wes since the night he was here, but I still hadn’t heard a peep. It was starting to frazzle my nerves a bit.
I rushed to the door, hoping it was him, but when I opened it, it was the last person I’d expected.
Trying not to laugh, I said, “Hey, Shelley. How are you?”
She grinned at me, knowing I was on to her. “Good, sweetie…real good.”
“Come on in,” I said, motioning into the house as I stepped back. After I’d closed the door behind her, I asked, “Can I take your coat?”
“No, I’m okay. I just wanted to talk to you for a moment, if that’s okay?”
“Uh…sure,” I replied, confused. “We’re in the kitchen. Follow me.”
Galen was still upstairs when we reached the kitchen. Shelley surreptitiously glanced around, probably searching for him, but I didn’t comment.
“Coffee?” I offered.
“I’m good. I’ll be quick.”
“Okay…” I drawled and relaxed onto my stool, pointing to another one.
She sat and glanced around again, this time in interest of her surroundings. “Nice place. Haven’t been here in a long time.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, I better get on with it, shouldn’t I?” She laughed. “We do a bake sale every Christmas to help the less fortunate children in the area. I wanted to see if you’d like to donate some things?�
�
Taken by complete surprise – I was not expecting that – I stared at her for a second. “I, uh, sure. That would be fine. I’d be happy to help.”
Shelley nodded, pleased. “I’m glad to hear that, Clara. There’s a neighborhood outside of town that’s not,” she considered her words, “the most prosperous. The town likes to get together for their children. We take a truck filled with toys over there every Christmas Eve.”
“Well, I’m honored to help,” I replied, liking the idea. “What is it that you need?”
“Whatever you want. You don’t have to go crazy, though,” she assured me. “We usually have a great turnout, so a couple of cakes or a few batches of cookies would be enough.”
An ingenious idea came to mind.
“Do you take donations, too?” I questioned mischievously.
She blinked, surprised. “Yeah…”
“I’m sure Galen would love to hear all about it,” I recommended, acting aloof.
A saccharine smile slowly spread across her face. “Is that so? I might have to talk to Galen about that.”
“Talk to me about what?” Galen asked as he came into the room and eyed me knowingly. He totally heard our conversation.
“She asked me to donate some stuff to the bake sale for a kid’s toy drive. She said they took donations. I figured you’d be interested.”
“I can tell you all about it over coffee if you’d like,” Shelley suggested, playing coy.
Oh, she was good.
Well played, Shelley.
I was feeling a bit triumphant playing matchmaker until I glanced at Galen again. His smile was lighting his face, but it was predatory, like he couldn’t wait to eat her up.
I threw up in my mouth a little bit.
And here I thought the other night was bad.
The doorbell saved me.
“Someone’s popular today,” Shelley commented.
“Yep.” I jumped off the stool, ready to flee. “I’ll just, uh, go get that.” I rushed out of the room, their laughter following me.
I guess I’m pretty transparent.
Attempting to erase the last few minutes from my mind, I threw the door open, not expecting to find Wes standing on my stoop. The surprise about knocked me for a loop. And dear Lord, he was more beautiful in daylight than he was at night.
Finding Bliss (Bliss #1) Page 36
