Everything looked brighter for Belle the next day. She woke up starving, and after a quick shower she went to see about breakfast. The diner was filled with the wonderful smell of pancakes and bacon. Belle had been craving sweet foods lately, and ended up pouring syrup on the bacon and eggs too. She was enjoying her breakfast at first, but worries of how she would support herself and her daughter soon interfered with her appetite.

"Are you Ok?" She turned and saw the brunette from the night before- Ruby according to her name tag. Ruby smiled warmly at her, and Belle returned the smile. "Let me guess? Bad breakup?"

Belle touched her cheek, grateful Gaston hadn't bruised it when he'd slapped her. She'd rather not have too many questions asked. Ruby didn't seem nosy though. She seemed honestly concerned. When Belle didn't answer she asked "Do you have place to stay?" She must have meant any family in the area. It was clear from looking at Belle she was on the run from a bad situation. She would need to get on her own two feet somehow.

"Hey, no worries," Ruby told her. "Stay here until you get on your feet. Granny will be fine with it."

Belle smiled gratefully. She needed all the kindness she could get now.

"What I really need, though," said slowly, "is a life. A job." Just what she had no idea.

"What do you like to do?" Ruby asked encouragingly. Belle was starting to like Ruby. She talked like somehow this would all be possible, that it would work out.

"I do love books," Belle said hesitantly. What kind of job would that get her? She winced remembering she's left her own beloved books behind in her rush to get away.

"Well, there is the library," Ruby said, biting her lip. "It's actually been closed for a couple months. The last librarian didn't really enjoy books. She gave up the job. It hasn't had one since. But of course, like everything else in town-"

"It belongs to Mr. Gold," Belle understood. "Why does everyone act so afraid of him? I mean he doesn't seem all that bad."

Ruby sighed.

"He isn't really. But he's had it hard. The things he's been through can make a person seem harsher than they are. If he was as bad as people say though, he wouldn't have raised such a great son. Almost entirely on his own. And he does have a soft spot for kids. He's like a second father to little Grace. He's a hard dealer when it come to his pawnshop but-"

"Pawnshop?" Belle asked. "I was hoping I could sell a few things."

"Well if you want to try, he should be in his shop soon. You could talk to him about that library job too, if you like."

"It can't hurt, at any rate," Belle agreed. Things couldn't be more desperate. No, she corrected herself. She had a place to stay. She had some money. She had a chance at a job. She had hope.

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Robert was looking at some antique statues he'd only just acquired. He should easily be able to sell them for more than he'd paid. He looked up from them when he heard the bell ring, announcing a potential customer.

"Mr. Gold?" he heard a sweet voice call out. He turned and saw the woman from Granny's. Somehow she seemed even more beautiful this morning. Some of that frightened, desperate look had left her stunning blue eyes. Robert found himself starting into them a few moments too long. What was he thinking? She was too young for him, and obviously had a man in her life.

"Yes. Can I help you?" Best to keep everything strictly business.

"I was hoping you'd be interested in a few things." She took a wedding ring out of her purse. "I'd like to sell this."

Now that was a shock! Not many people wanted to sell jewelry like that.

"You're sure about that, Dearie?"

She felt anger at Gaston boil inside her.

"If it wasn't for the money I can get for it, I'd have flushed the thing down the toilette."

She had a temper, that much was for certain. Robert briefly wondered what had happened. He was sure he'd be on her side knowing the whole story, though. She'd clearly been through a nightmare, but had strength enough to get out. She must be a brave one. He took the ring, looking at it with a well practiced eye. It was worth little. There was a low amount of actual gold, and the diamond was small.

When he quoted her an amount, he realized it was more than he would have paid anyone else for it. He knew he was being overgenerous. She seemed to know it too.

"It's- it's not a very valuable ring."

"No, it isn't," he agreed. "But rings like this sell more easily than the better quality ones." That was true enough, but he knew it was an excuse. "It won't be setting in my shop as long."

"Oh," she said simply. "Well, thank you. I um- I have some other things to sell too."

She sold every piece of jewelry Gaston had ever given her to "make her look her best." When they were done dealing, she told him "Actually, I'm thinking of staying in town. I'm interested in a job, and I heard the library needs a librarian."

He nodded. "Yes it does. There's an apartment for the caretaker, if you want it. It's not furnished, but I'm sure you can find a few things in here to start with." Her excitement rose hearing that. When he told her what the job paid, she nodded eagerly. Librarians weren't paid all that much, but if she had the apartment rent free, she could easily pay her other bills and set some money aside.

"It sounds perfect. Thank you, Mr. Gold."

Robert soon had part of the money he'd given her back. She found some chairs and a table, a sofa, and some dishes and cookware. It was a good start. She'd be all right on the sofa until she found a bed. She ran her fingers longingly over a crib for the baby, but it was an antique. It was far beyond what she could let herself pay at the moment. Still, she felt incredibly proud of herself. She had a job, and a home. She and the baby would be just fine!

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After she left, Robert shook his head. He was known for his skill at deal making. Why had he just let that woman pay far less than the furniture might have brought him? Oh well. It wasn't as if he need the money. He had to be on his guard though. He couldn't let any woman affect him this way. Never again. Now if only he could get those blue eyes out of his mind!