ChapterTwenty-Nine
Simon moved out of her house two days later.
As he loaded his bag into the back of his sleek black SUV, Bella swallowed the lump in her throat. She’d gotten used to having him around. Simon made the very best kind of housemate: he gave her plenty of space, cleaned up after himself, and made coffee without being asked. Bella swore her bathroom had never been as clean as it was after Simon used it.
Liz stood behind her and sniffled. “I’m going to miss that hunk of burning man love.”
“Yeah.” The fact that they were being silly didn’t stop Bella from feeling like she was losing a friend.
“Nobody mixes my Manhattans like he does.” Liz blew her nose.
“Not even Noel?” Bella had seen more and more of him in the last couple of days. He arrived at Liz’s house in the evening and stayed all night.
Liz blushed. “Not even Noel.”
“So . . .” Simon stood in front of them. “It’s been fun, Bella girl.” He held his large hand out to her.
Screw that! Bella tugged him into a big hug.
Arms like steel bands came around her.
Then Liz threw herself into the hug and turned it into a three-way.
“Hey, now.” Simon disentangled himself. “You girls are getting me all wrinkled. I’ll only be one town over, you know.”
“But it won’t be the same.” Liz scrubbed at her eyes with her palms. “We won’t be doing girls’ nights anymore.”
Simon winced. “Liz, I hate to break it to you, but I’m not a girl.”
“That’s what made them so special,” Liz wailed.
Simon laughed. “Get it together, woman. I’ll come to see you soon. And I’ll bring the movie. I’m all chick-flicked out.”
As Simon drove away, Liz sighed and leaned against Bella. “Are you sure you’re not a little bit in love with Simon?”
“No.” Bella wished she could answer differently. “He’s going to make some girl so lucky one day.”
“True.” Liz sighed again. “He even has that broody, man-of-secrets thing going on.”
“I tried that.” Bella turned them back into her house. She felt bad about not letting Liz into their plan. Simon had discouraged her, saying they needed everyone around Bella to behave much as they would if Simon really had left. “Next time I fall in love,” she said as Liz followed her into the kitchen, “it’s going to be with a nice guy. One with no dark past or skeletons.”
Liz snorted. “Good luck with that. Noel was one of those.”
Bella refused to be depressed. “There are nice, normal men out there who are looking for the right girl to share their life with.”
“Name one,” Liz said. “Name one we know who isn’t already taken.”
Keeping it positive, Bella said, “Maybe we should get a dog?”
* * *
Bella joined Daniel chopping vegetables at a large stainless-steel kitchen counter while Liz went off to set up tables because she said she hated chopping. Bella remained convinced she only did the setting up to get a look at Michael’s ass and back as he hauled furniture around in preparation for the soup kitchen. Michael had a spectacular rear view. The front didn’t suck either.
“Where’s your shadow?” Daniel handed her an apron.
“He went home.” Bella ducked her head and tied her apron. If Daniel saw her face, he’d know she was lying. “We think Adam is gone.”
Daniel frowned and put down his paring knife. “Did Nate confirm that?”
“Yup.” Damn, her voice sounded too chipper. She grabbed a handful of carrots. “What are we doing with these?”
“Peel and grate.” Daniel tilted his head and studied her. “Nate said this Adam guy was nothing to worry about anymore?”
“No.” She stuck as close to the truth as she dared. “But Adam was seen in Chicago just before Christmas, so he thinks the threat to me is over.”
“Bella.” Daniel caught her hand in midpeel. “You’re lying and you totally suck at it.”
“Yes, I am.” Bella gave up. “But could you leave it at that for me? Could you do that?”
Daniel stilled. Then he nodded. “Okay, Bella.” He grated three carrots and then slammed his grater down on the table. “Fuck! No, I can’t leave it there. Tell me you’re going to be safe?”
She didn’t want him worried about her. Bella covered Daniel’s hand with hers. “I’m going to be perfectly safe.”
“Huh.” Daniel scowled. He picked up his grater and went back to work.
Bella let out the breath she’d been holding. A new subject was called for. She pointed to a handmade poster pinned to the wall. In multicolored marker, it announced the St. Peter’s New Year’s Bash. Then somebody had drawn a bunch of sombreros and maracas, which she took to indicate a Mexican theme. “You going to that on New Year’s Eve?”
Daniel glanced at the poster. “I hadn’t really thought it out. Why? You asking me out on a date, finally, Bella?”
“No.” Her face heated. Daniel’s teasing had lost some of its edge. “But Liz and I haven’t made plans yet. I don’t feel like one of those swank places up on the hill. And staying home is sad. So, if you’re going and I’m going, we could meet there.”
“I’m going.” Daniel grinned at her. “Ex-cons don’t exactly have a full social calendar.”
“But not as my date.” She needed to know he got this.
His gaze held hers. “I get it, Bella.”
Bella read the uneven writing along the bottom of the sign. “It says its potluck. What should I bring?”
“Whatever Liz makes.” Daniel threw her a wicked look.
Bella could get huffy, but what was the point? She couldn’t cook for crap and everyone knew it.
* * *
Nate couldn’t say the hammering on his door came as a surprise. Tonight was Bella’s night to volunteer at the church with Daniel. He also knew firsthand how badly Bella lied.
He opened the door to a fuming Daniel.
“What the fuck?” Daniel stomped into his entrance hall, scattering loose snow. “Bella is all on her own?”
“Take your boots off.” Nate had finished those floors himself. “And hang up your coat.”
Daniel did as he was told and followed Nate into the kitchen. He’d lost none of his steam as he glared at Nate. “Don’t even think of feeding me that bullshit about how fuckwit has given up and disappeared.”
“How’s Bella tonight?” Nate got Daniel the soda he liked from the fridge and dropped it onto the counter in front of him.
“Bella is gorgeous.” Daniel popped the cap. “And you could have all that gorgeous if you got your head out of your ass long enough to do something about it.”
Nate stared at him. This from Daniel? “You’re always telling me I’m no good for her.”
“You aren’t.” Daniel sipped his soda. “But she seems to care for you, and any man who has a Bella wanting to be with him is a lucky one.”
“What the hell?”
Daniel shrugged and fiddled with the tab on his soda can. “I’ve been thinking about what I said to you last time.”
“And . . . ?” Nate fetched a beer. He had the feeling he was going to need it for this conversation.
“The way I spoke to you. That wasn’t right. I came back here expecting you to give me a second chance. And you did.” Daniel chugged his soda. “I didn’t do the same for you. You turned your life around and became a man I’m proud to call my friend. You’re not the same punk kid who screwed up. Just like I’m not that kid anymore.”
“Still doesn’t mean I’m the right kind of guy for Bella.” Nate savored the sharp bite of hops, wishing he could wash away the sour taste in his mouth with it.
Daniel studied him. “Dude! You’re the only one who can decide that. Now tell me what’s really going on with Bella.”
Nate hesitated. Daniel wasn’t on his need-to-know list, but he might be useful. Daniel still had some of his old contacts, in places Nate as sheriff wasn’t welcome. He outlined Simon’s plan, such as it was.
“Shit,” Daniel said.
Pretty much what Nate kept thinking. Simon had checked in with him as soon as he left Bella’s place. Since then, the man had gone ghost. Not a sign of him, and Nate had looked carefully. Only the occasional message from a burner phone let Nate know Simon was still around.
“You trust this Simon?” Daniel parked it on a stool and rested his elbows on the counter. “You trust he can get to Bella before Adam does?”
“Yeah.” Nate had to laugh at them all. “I trust that he’s another member of the Bella Fan Club.”
Daniel stared and then laughed. “Damn. We’re a truly sorry bunch of assholes. I bet you wish you’d tied that up when she was still following you around school.”
Nate shook his head and got another beer.
Lately, he’d been thinking a lot about him and Bella. He missed her, bone deep missed the hell out of her, and it was getting harder and harder to remember why he was no good for her. People did change, if they really wanted to. Matt had gotten his head out of his ass and gone for Pippa. Daniel had turned his addiction and his jail time into something good. Nate had taken a huge step in the right direction when he’d entered the police academy and then served first in SLC and now here. Was it really impossible for him to make another leap forward? Especially when he knew what, or who, waited for him to take the jump.