They all laughed.
Ben’s fingers fiddled with the edge of one of the report papers. “I figured if anyone would know something about your dad and his family, Bud would.”
Oh.
Bella took a drink of her lukewarm coffee, swishing it slowly before swallowing. Why had she ever agreed to Ben’s terms? She’d tried insisting she didn’t need his help—because the only way he could help was by selling the inn—but he wouldn’t budge without her agreement. She’d figured she would be able to get him to fold before he’d remember he was supposed to help locate her family.
She’d figured wrong.
Should have known Ben would be more honorable than that.
“Um, that’s great.”
Bud cracked his knuckles. “So, young lady, what do you know?”
“Well.” She licked her lips. Her eyes wandered the restaurant, landing on a decorative fishing net spread across the wall behind Bud’s head. Just like the starfish artfully arranged inside the net, she was caught. Unless she flat-out lied—or could be just vague enough with the details so she didn’t.
She’d have to try. Otherwise, she’d be no better than Mom.
Bella returned her attention to Bud. “I only know a few things.”
“Ben said as much.” He knocked a fist lightly against the side of his head. “But you never know what this old noggin will remember.”
Ugh. Here went nothing. “My father’s name was Daniel. My mom’s name is Camille.”
“And you and your mom share a last name?”
“Yes.” Please don’t confirm that it’s Miranda . . . She rushed on. “My dad died before I was born.”
“And you were born here or somewhere else?” Bud drummed his fingers along the knicked wooden tabletop.
“Los Angeles.”
“And they would have been in Walker Beach when?”
She’d never actually said there was a connection between her parents and Walker Beach, but of course Ben would think there was. Why else would she be looking for her father here?
Bella twiddled her earlobe, searching for a way to speak the truth without giving herself away. “Um . . . I was born twenty-seven years ago, and my mom was twenty when she had me.”
“And was your mom raised here? Or your dad?”
She stayed focused on Bud, trying to forget Ben was there. It made it easier. Kind of. “I’m not sure where my dad was born, but my mom is from Los Angeles.” A droplet of sweat raced down Bella’s back.
“Hmmm.” Bud sat back in his seat, tugging at the far ends of his beard. “Their names aren’t ringing any bells, but a good friend of my wife’s may remember more. Being a former teacher, she was involved with the young people back in the day. Maybe she’ll know of a couple named Daniel and Camille from twenty-seven years ago. I’ll ask her and let you know if she’s got anything.”
“That . . . that would be great. Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you so much, Bud.” Ben clapped a hand on the older man’s shoulder. “Let me buy you lunch to say thanks.”
“Young man, it’s my pleasure. You keep that money and spend it on someone a lot prettier than me.”
At Bud’s comment, Ben snuck a look at Bella and offered her a small smile.
Her heart nearly stopped. Oh boy.
She was in so much trouble.
Chapter 6
One major job done. Only five more to go. Plus, about a million smaller ones.
Ben slid off his hardhat and stepped back to examine his handiwork. The northwestern wall of the Iridescent Inn was repaired, minus a new paint job. Dad had done him a solid in sending over his structural engineer to inspect the place earlier in the week, and Ben had breathed a sigh of relief to learn the earthquake damage to the clapboard siding was only superficial and not indicative of a deeper problem.
Groaning, he massaged his sore upper arms, the midmorning Friday sun roasting the back of his neck. Once upon a time, he’d used these muscles on a daily basis, but months behind a desk had clearly weakened him. First, he’d used a backsaw to cut out the damaged clapboard—not an insignificant amount—then he’d cut replacement boards and tapped them into place. Not a terribly difficult process, just a long and tedious one.
And what would have taken a crew of guys one day to complete had taken him three on his own, with help from Evan the last few evenings. Everyone else Ben would have called either had to work or were already busy helping with the other cleanup around town. That’s where Dad’s company had lent their services, so even if Ben had the money to pay someone to help him out, the crew of Baker Construction was booked for weeks.
As it was, the small grant Evan had managed to secure for him gave him only enough for materials. Still, he’d been grateful for his friend’s help.
He craned his neck and caught sight of the damaged bit of the roof on the north side. Just after the quake, he’d thrown some tarp over it to keep out the elements, but that was definitely the next repair. He probably should have taken care of it first, but he’d been waiting for a call back from Dad’s roofing guy, who was an expert at repairing older homes. Ben didn’t have the funds or time to do a full shingle and underlayment replacement of the entire roof, which was unfortunate because, according to the inn’s records, it was long overdue for an upgrade. He could only hope that more damage didn’t occur before he had the money to do all of it.
After the minimal roof repair, he’d need to replace damaged boards and railing on the upper porch and—
“Wow, it’s looking really great out here.”
His eyes swung to the right, stopping on the welcome sight of Bella with a frosty glass of lemonade. “It’s coming along. It’ll still be another three or four weeks until I can reopen though.”
She held out the glass to him. Thanking her, he took it, and she turned to survey his progress, shielding her eyes from the sun overhead.
What was she thinking? Bella hadn’t told him any ideas for improving his financials yet, even though she’d been reading the reports at the Frosted Cake when he’d surprised her with Bud Travis yesterday. But he hadn’t had a chance to ask after Bud left because she’d scurried away.
Ben didn’t want to push, but . . . “I’ve been meaning to ask if you’ve had a chance to look over the reports I printed for you. Any more, I mean?” He scraped the ground with his steel-toed boot and downed the lemonade in one fell swoop. The cold rush burned his throat.
She sighed. “I need a few more days. I’m so sorry.”
“No, it’s all right.” It’s not like he was paying her for her services, and it’s not as if he’d fulfilled his end of the bargain yet. It would likely take time for Bud to get back with them. The city councilman was a busy guy. “I understand.”
“Are you at a good breaking point, though? I made lunch.”
“You did?”
“OK, fine, I grabbed lunch from the Frosted Cake.” She stuck out her tongue. “I do know how to cook, though.”
“Prove it.”
It took a few seconds, but the smile that had come so easily on Tuesday night reappeared on her beautiful face. “Maybe sometime I will.” She took the empty lemonade glass from him. “Now come on.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Abandoning his hardhat and gloves, he followed her toward the kitchen door. Strange how the damage to the inn had only occurred on the north part of the building and the outer staircase in the middle of the inn, leaving even the upper porch fully intact on the south side.
As they reached the inn, the ground beneath them began to rumble. These aftershocks were getting annoying. Most lasted mere seconds, but every time he had to stop whatever work he was doing and wait them out. During the first several days, hundreds must have occurred.
Bella steadied herself against the doorway. “Whoa, this is a strong one.”
The dishes in the sink clanged against the stainless-steel edges, and the inn groaned under the shaking. Something loud cracked somewhere overhead.
“What was t
hat?” Bella asked.
“I’m not sure.” Sometimes aftershocks could cause already-damaged buildings to shift just enough that more destruction occurred. Please don’t let that be the case.
After thirty more seconds, the aftershock ended.
Together they strode outside. His eyes swept the property, stopping on the roof.
On the crack that shot out from under the tarp and now crossed the entire inn.
Ben growled. Great. What was that going to cost him?
More time. More money he didn’t have.
“That doesn’t look good.”
“No.” He ran a hand along his jaw, the urge to punch something rushing strongly and fiercely in his veins. “And I’m pretty sure the earthquake insurance I purchased will not cover this since the original damage was from an uncovered event.”
“I’m sorry, Ben.” Bella placed a hand on his upper arm and squeezed.
The contact surprised him. More surprising was that the friendly gesture didn’t have him running for the hills. “No, I’m sorry. You can’t stay here anymore. It’s not safe.”
“I’m not afraid of another aftershock.”
“I’m going to have to tackle that roof, and I don’t want your room upstairs exposed. I’m sure they have space for you at the Moonstone Lodge. The manager there owes me a favor. I’ll call her right now and get you a room.”
“I don’t want to stay at the Moonstone Lodge.” She paused. “Just move me downstairs.”
Why was she so determined to stay?
Ben shook his head. “The only other rooms I have are next to mine.”
“That works.” Bella peeked around him then strode toward an object on the ground. Picking it up, she plopped the yellow hardhat on her head. “Now, put me to work. I don’t know much about construction, but I want to help.”
He laughed. She looked ridiculous—and fine, adorable—with the oversized hat balancing on her head. And her tone seemed quite serious, which was even more laughable.
Ben waved a hand at her shorts and tank top. “I don’t think you’re exactly dressed for the occasion.”
“I’m sure I have something that will work. Or I can borrow something of yours.”
Her comment was said innocently enough, but the thought of her wearing one of his shirts did something to his chest.
“Hey, Ben.” They both turned to find Ashley standing just inside the south gate. “And Bella! You’re still here. I wondered. What are you guys up to?”
Bella stepped around him and strode toward Ashley. “We were just examining the roof. The latest aftershock damaged it.”
Ashley’s gaze shot upward. “Yikes.”
“Yeah.” Ben ran a hand through his hair, and it came back sweaty and dirty.
“Sorry, bro.” Ashley came inside the gate. “Listen, I know you’re busy, and this probably isn’t the best timing, but the whole family is going to Al Fresco Night tonight. I was sent to beg you to come.”
“What’s Al Fresco Night?” Bella’s nose scrunched.
“Every other Friday night during the summer the town hosts a movie in the park night. We set up blankets and chairs, and some vendors sell yummy treats. It’s a Walker Beach tradition.” Ashley tilted her head. “Bella, you should come with us. You can meet the rest of the Baker clan.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude.” But something lit in Bella’s eyes at the suggestion. She turned toward Ben. “Are you going to go?”
“I don’t know. I’m pretty busy.”
“There’s always going to be a lot to do, Benjamin.” His sister shook her head, smiling.
He had been neglecting his family lately, missing more Sunday night Baker family dinners than he’d made. So, yeah, maybe he was due for a little Baker time.
“All right, I’m in.”
And it would be rude not to invite Bella. After all, she was kind of growing on him. He eyed her. “You game?”
And the shy smile she flashed him was proof he’d made the right call. “Let’s do it.”
Bella got out of Ben’s truck and made her way with him from the parking lot into the park. Not Baker Community Park down by the beach but another in the hills that overlooked the downtown area. Up this way, the landscape turned residential, the mature California oak trees providing a gorgeous contrast to the beach setting below.
The movie would begin in fifteen minutes, and the parking lot was packed as they weaved their way toward the enormous grassy field. A paved walking path surrounded the park, and baseball fields held space in the far corner. The huge projector screen stood tall in the grass, close to the playground equipment where dozens of children took advantage of the last vestiges of daylight. About a dozen food trucks lined the edge of the parking lot, producing a variety of sweet and salty smells that left Bella’s stomach growling.
“My family usually sits that way.” Ben nodded toward the screen as he adjusted the straps of two collapsible camping chairs flung over his shoulder. Freshly showered, he smelled of clean shampoo and wore jeans and a black Walker Beach High hoodie with its sleeves pushed up to his elbows.
“Great.”
When he turned her way, something about how he looked at her caught her breath. It was more than just his handsome features and muscles, which were distracting to say the least.
But it was the tinge of vulnerability lacing his expression that Bella longed to touch. Exhaustion she longed to ease. And, somehow, she wanted nothing more than to help him keep his family heritage intact. To help him keep his inn.
She closed her eyes as the weight pressing against her chest deepened. Because that was the opposite of what she was supposed to do.
Ben bumped her shoulder. “You look queasy. Sure you want to hang out with my crazy family all night?”
No. What if they saw right through her? But the allure of a big family event was too much to pass up. And if she happened to get to sit next to Ben in the dark . . . well, that was just a bonus. “Of course.”
“Only about ten more seconds before you can back out.” He glanced back at the park, squinting. “Scratch that. We’ve been spotted.”
Bella’s leg muscles twitched. Too late to turn and run all the way back to the inn, then. Definitely too late to run back to LA.
Normally, she could push through any feelings of nervousness. She laughed in the face of a big board meeting where she was presenting a new idea. Stood strong when forced to fire an employee. Braced herself before facing Mom in any capacity.
But meeting Ben’s family? It was different. And it wasn’t just about work. Not anymore.
As they approached the grassy area, which was already a flood of picnic blankets and lawn chairs, a tall woman with a ponytail turned from her conversation with two others. Her face lit up. “Ben! You made it.” Striding toward him, she pulled him in for a hug.
“Hey, Mom.” He pulled back from the embrace and turned. “This is Bella. She’s staying at the inn.”
Bella forced a swallow as the woman’s kind eyes shifted toward her. “Hi, Mrs. Baker.” She held out a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Lisa, please.” The woman stepped forward and, before Bella knew it, had her arms around Bella’s shoulders. She smelled like jasmine and lemon, and her embrace wasn’t casual—it was a real mom hug, deep and tender and welcoming, the kind Bella hadn’t experienced in a long time.
When Ben’s mom lowered her arms, her smile gave off the same warmth as a hot cup of cocoa. “Such a pleasure to meet you. Ashley mentioned you may be here.”
“I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Oh, nonsense.” Her arm looped through Bella’s. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to the family.” She started to walk, forcing Bella to keep up. “Kiki, Louise, this is Bella, a friend of Ben’s.”
Both women, stylish fifty-somethings with highlighted blond hair and thin waistlines, greeted Bella just as warmly as Ben’s mother had. Lisa patted Bella’s hand. “These are my sisters-in-law. Well, two of them anyway.”
Before Bella could say anything else, a few more family members joined them, and Lisa made another round of introductions.
Bella recognized one of the women from her first day in Walker Beach. “Jules, your art gallery is amazing.”
Ben’s redheaded aunt didn’t look a day over thirty-five in her sleeveless white boho dress and long feather necklace. “That’s so sweet. And what do you do, Bella?”
Everyone’s attention swiveled to Bella. She gulped, angling her head backward to find Ben smirking about ten feet away. Clearly, he was enjoying seeing her swallowed by the Baker tide. Returning her attention to Jules and the others, Bella smiled, praying it didn’t look as thin lipped as it felt. “I’m a manager at a company in Los Angeles.”
“What kind of company do you work for?”
At the question, which was innocent enough, a small fire started in the pit of Bella’s stomach. “Well . . .”
“Bella! You’re here.” Ashley whizzed from somewhere outside the circle of aunts, which parted. Ben’s sister snagged Bella’s hand and tugged. “I have a spot saved for you and Ben up front.”
Before anyone could protest, the two made their way closer to the movie screen. “I thought you could use a rescue, and Ben was too engrossed in playing with our littlest cousins to notice.”
Scanning the area, Bella finally located Ben on the ground, dog piled underneath three small children, laughing. The sight did something to her insides.
Capable handyman. Family guy. Child wrangler.
What was Bella doing here? If she had any heart at all, she’d leave this amazing man and his family alone. Coming here had been a grave error. Yet she couldn’t gather the strength to go.
“I didn’t need rescuing.” Bella tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “Your family is nice.”
All of You, Always Page 6
