Note: There may be further stories in this Universe. I'd really like to do one with a higher rating and I've a few other ideas
Enjoy
Ch 3 – Belle Shakes Out The Pieces
"Without you everything falls apart. Without you it's not as much fun to pick up the pieces." From "Perfect Drug" By Nine Inch Nails
It began to snow large fluffy flakes on the afternoon before Thanksgiving. Five-year-old Emma Nolan and ten-year-old Bae Gold played in the park under the watchful eye of Mary Margaret Nolan. She sat on a bench sipping hot chocolate with cinnamon, enjoying her time off, even if the temperature had dropped. School had closed at noon and wouldn't open again until Monday.
"Ya gotta squint hard." The boy laughed as the young girl turned her face to the sky trying to see the swirl of white as it came down.
"Mamma says no two are the same, but they're moving too fast for me to check 'em out." She kept trying to distinguish one piece of falling snow from the other as they bounced against her lashes and melted on her cheeks.
"Papa says the same thing." Bae held out his navy mittened hands and let tiny bits of white collect in his palms. "Miss Belle say it is science, but I think it's magic."
A pair of smaller hands joined his and Emma inspected her pink gloves. "They show up better on your dark mits. I wonder what they taste like?" She threw back her head and giggled. Her mouth was wide open and her tongue stuck out, catching the snow.
"They taste like winter." The boy laughed as he imitated her stance and let the white stuff collect and melt in his mouth. It was his first experience with northern climates in November. Though he knew he'd lived in Storybrooke for a few months the year he was born, he had been a baby and had no memory of it. His mom had moved to Sarasota, Florida when she left Maine. That was where he'd spent the school year until just recently.
"Yeah, they taste like winter and Thanksgiving and Christmas." Emma was bursting with excitement and deliberately bumped shoulders with Bae. He returned the favor and soon they were sitting in a heap on the grass, which was fast being covered in a carpet of white.
"Emmy, you get up off the ground." Her mom called. "You too Bailey. Your clothes will be wet through."
"Aww, mom, you're a party pooper." The little blonde declared.
"I sure am kiddo." She grinned at the children, biting her lip to keep from laughing. "On your feet, both of you." Mary Margaret used her teacher's voice and both children responded immediately.
Belle could see the park from where she sat on the window seat of her apartment. She was glad to see that Emma Nolan had befriended Ian's child. It was evident by the way Bae was treated by some of his classmates that the boy was being darkened by his father's reputation. It was hard enough being the 'new kid in school', without having most of the other children's families dependent on Gold for their homes and jobs.
With Emma in his corner, Bailey would soon have lots of friends. When the little girl was out playing the group often consisted of children of mixed ages, erasing the five-year age difference between them. Em was innately kind and a strong leader. Traits she'd inherited from her mom and dad. When you added a double dose of stubborn into the mix she was the best friend Gold's son could have. His dad wasn't popular, but if little Miss Nolan had anything to say about it, Bae would be.
Three large fat candles of different heights were sitting on the hearth in Belle's fireplace. She took one more look around her apartment to be sure it was ready for company. Her sister was going to visit and she wanted everything to be perfect.
According to the app on her phone, Lacey's flight was two hours out of Logan. The plan had been for Lace to rent a car in Boston and drive to Storybrooke, though Belle had insisted she would be glad to meet her sister at the train station in Heaven. The older twin had won out on the grounds that having her own vehicle gave her more mobility.
The only visible sign of Belle's week of frantic baking was a neatly packed picnic basket on the small counter beside the stove. It contained a pecan pie, three dozen of her signature crunch cookies, and a small box of home made caramels. One customer hasn't picked up his order yet and that customer was Ian Gold. She'd tried to give it to Dove earlier in the day, but he'd had errands to run and said, "Mr. G. would be by after he closed the pawnshop."
"Darn you, Gold. You are not going to manipulate me this way." She reached for her cell in her pocket to insist he see to his bakery or forfeit the items. It was no skin off her nose one-way or the other. All of her customers paid in advance.
Just as she wrapped her fingers around the slim cool device, it vibrated. The sound of Aretha Franklin singing "Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves," startled her and she almost dropped her phone. "Lacey" the librarian answered laughing.
"Hey, little sis?" The older twin chirped with forced gaiety. "Care to share the joke?"
"It's one of those things you'd have to be here to think was funny." Belle shook her head and curled up on her small sofa. "Did you get an earlier flight?"
"About that…um…I…well…I'm still in L.A." Lacey squirmed and wished she'd told Belle sooner that she wasn't coming.
"Ohhh…kay. You're not coming, at all are you?" She could read her sister's voice and knew something was wrong.
"Belles, I'm sorry. I should have said something weeks ago, but Storybooke has nothing but bad memories for me." Lace looked out of the window of her small apartment on Franklin Street. She was walking distance from Griffith Park and the Observatory in one direction. The Hollywood sign was low in the hills in the other. She loved her neighborhood, the dry heat, and her job as a waitress at The Unicorn. "I came back when pop died because I had too. I…well…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lied, when I said I'd bought a ticket."
Given time and perspective Lacey realized how lucky she'd been when Keith Nottingham had broken into the Rabbit Hole. If she'd been in the main room of the bar, instead of Jack Quick, it would have been her dead body that was found in a pool of blood. That night still gave her nightmares more than a year later.
In Los Angeles she wasn't Racy Lacey who was quickly following in her father's drunken footsteps. She wasn't the temperamental barfly sister of sweet, kind, and, smart Belle.
She'd stopped bed hopping, gambling, and drinking long before she left Maine, but she'd never been able to shake the reputation. Lace wanted a life of her own that she could be proud of, one where she made her own decisions, instead of simply reacting as things happened. It wasn't a life she could have in Storybrooke, Maine.
She'd met a man. The relationship was new and fragile. They were taking is slowly, starting as friends. For once in her life, she'd found someone worth waiting for, someone she really wanted. Greg Garson was one of the bartenders at The Unicorn. He and his brother were building a business away from their day jobs. They did lighting for outdoor parties and weddings. The two men already had numerous contracts for the holiday season, a number of them from celebrities. Given the warm weather and outdoor lifestyle in L.A. they worked year round, though June and December were their busiest months.
"Lace, are you still there?" The silence on the other end of Belle's phone made her worry.
"Yah, sorry, I was just…thinking about Los Angeles." Her words lacked their usual gusto, but how could see tell her twin about the man in her life when Lacey had broken up Belle's one love, even if she'd done it out of caring for her sister.
"Give me a second to do some research, maybe I can come to you." Belle punched information into her favorite travel app. She had four days off. It would be a quick trip, but if she could find something that fit her budget she would do it. Her contract with Storybrooke City Council prevented her from using any of the vacation time she'd accrued until she'd worked for the town for a year. She'd only been with them five months.
"Darn." She exclaimed as flight after flight was being canceled. "The long weekend is a mess for travelers. Airports are closing and planes grounded. We've got a storm headed this way. It has been snowing for about an hour. The Midwest has is a huge weather front that runs from Canada into the Gulf of Mexico. There is another one coming in from the Pacific bringing heavy rain to most of California. People are getting stuck all over the country and they are fighting for the few flights, rental cars, trains and buses that are moving."
"Don't try it Belles. I miss you but I'd rather know you're safe." Lacey added gently. "You may be an experienced international traveler, but fighting your way cross country during a stormy Thanksgiving weekend may be too much for even you."
"You're right. Trying to get a plane at this late date, under these weather conditions is an exercise in futility." Belle sighed in defeat. "I can't use my vacation time until July, so I guess we won't be together at Christmas, either, if you're serious about not coming back to Storybrooke?"
"Sorry Kid, I just can't, not yet and the restaurant is open on Christmas Day. I volunteered to work in place of my friend Marta. Her mom is ill and may not be around this time next year, so I took her shift."
"You've changed." The Librarian smiled and wished they were having their talk in her cozy apartment. "I always knew there was more good in you than people gave you credit for."
"You only say that because you love me." Her sister giggled, relieved that Belle wasn't upset with her. "I love you too." She whispered. It wasn't something she said often, because it made her feel vulnerable and in the case of her twin, guilty.
"I know, I've always known. It's harder for you to show it is all."
"Belle, I've…uh…gotta tell you something. It's about Mr. Gold." In Los Angeles Lacey cringed at the idea of admitting that she'd lied, even if it had been in her sister's best interest. "He…well."
"Lace, stop," Belle insisted, hearing pain in her twin's voice. "I know what happened. It's okay?" She was relieved that Lacey had finally brought up the mess with Keith Nottingham. She'd never understood why her sister felt it necessary to hide it from her.
"Wait, how can you know? I mean I didn't -"
Belle laughed and interrupted. "Honey, you neglected the number one rule of survival in Storybrooke: 'if you want to keep a secret, you don't tell Ruby'." It had taken her a few weeks to pry the information out of her friend, but one night, over a glass of wine, the tall slim brunette had told her about the murder and drug bust at the Rabbit Hole.
"But…" Lacey remembered that summer before Belle had gone back to Boston University to work on her masters degree. It had been Rubes who had recognized that Belle was falling in love. She had threatened to seduce the dude, if she could figure out his identity, and then make sure the younger French twin knew about it. Everyone in Storybrooke realized how important getting a post-graduate degree was to the girl. It had caused a major rift between father and daughter. Lace was sure she'd been discreet about her lie, but nothing much got past Ruby Lucas. She couldn't have missed Mr. Gold's dour expression and bad temper for months after Belle left. Ruby much have guessed Lacey had taken matters into her own hands, since they had agreed, jokingly, it was a good plan.
"No, you did your best for a good reason." The librarian silently cursed Gold for his part in hurting her sister. If he'd stuck by Lacey, after their affair, no one, not even Nottingham would have dared come after her. Instead Ian used the debacle at the Rabbit Hole as an excuse to quietly send his ex-mistress to the other side of the country.
"But I made you cry." Lacey had seen sister's puffy eyes and red wet face when she ran from the pawnshop. "I'm so sorry about that. I only wanted what was best for you."
"I only want the best for you too." Belle agreed. Having her sister so far away brought tears to her eyes but she's get past it as long as Lacey was safe and happy. "Telling the truth makes things easier. I'm so glad that we are finally able to talk about this."
"You're right," Lace sighed. She'd lied to her sister, so Belle would go back and get the education she'd dreamed of all her life. Lacey had never slept with Gold, never even given him a second glance until she noticed that the air vibrated between her twin and the older man whenever they were in the same room. He had helped Lace once. She was sure that his assistance had come at no cost because of his deep regard for her sister. "I should have told you about Mr. Gold sooner. It was important that you know the truth."
"Your safety and happiness is what counts. Gold likes to play his games a bit much for my taste." She could understand why her twin had run to the west coast when Ian broke her heart. Belle had gone to Boston and then finally Europe, but the pain hadn't healed.
"Kid, you're missing the point." Lace's voice broke. It appeared she'd done irreparable damage to Belle's love life. "We need to talk about this seriously." Lacey insisted.
"I understand, but I can't right now." The dark haired beauty, begged off. It was too painful to hear her sister defending the man who'd had an affair with one twin at the same time he was trying to seduce the other with kisses and sweet words. "I really need to run, it's snowing here and I have bakery to deliver before it gets too much later."
"I love and miss you Lacey," Belle whispered as she put her phone back in her pocket. She could tell her sister was still upset about Ian Gold and could sympathize with her. The man had that effect on the younger French twin too. She was determined to do something about it. He had no right to break the hearts of both sisters.
A quick look across the street and she could see that the lights were still on in his shop. Enough was enough. That man was going to have to make this right.
Belle pulled on her boots, hat, coat, and gloves. She put the picnic basket containing his baked goods over her arm and headed out.
"Mr. Gold," she called as she entered the shop. The tinkle of the bell over the door rang happily. "Mr. Gold, I've brought your bakery."
"Miss French, it was good of you to come out in the snow. I was planning to stop by the library on my way home." He looked her over carefully. There were flakes melting on her coat and her lovely vintage black felt cloche. "I see you still have the hat." He smiled at the memory of her finding the period item among a box of estate goods shipped from Los Angeles, three years earlier. He'd told her that cloche was French for bell so it was doubly fitting that she have the hat. She'd insisted on paying for it, so Ian had cut the price steeply, an employee discount he'd called it.
"Yes," she smiled and blushed, momentarily forgetting her real reason for being in his store and remembering the way she'd kissed him on the cheek for his thoughtfulness. "I love it."
"It's very becoming." He spoke softly, his eyes lingering on her face. For one moment she appeared pleased and then she froze and took a step back.
"I…uh…yes…well." She stood straight and walked up to the counter, setting the basket on the glass top. "I need to discuss something with you."
"Ahhh I see. You need something." It was a statement not a question. Mr. Gold was severely disappointed. Belle French was one of the few people in town who owed him nothing. Even her apartment was part of her salary as town librarian. Storybrooke paid the rent, though he owned the building. He didn't want to enter into a business deal with her because he had a strict rule to never mix business with pleasure.
"No," she gasped when he looked at her with cool doubt. "It isn't that. I don't need money. I just…well…" She stopped speaking and looked around. "Are Bae or Simon in the back? I need some personal help." She whispered.
"How intriguing, that after all this time you'd come to me for something personal" he muttered.
"Mr. Gold, do not make this more difficult than it already is." She gripped her leather gloves in both hands.
"Miss French, I am a hard man. You know my reputation." His stance changed until he looked every inch the Town Beast. "But you needn't worry. We are quite alone, no one else will know you've come to me for help. Bailey wanted to ride with Dove when he drove Mrs. Potts to the train station in Heaven. She is going to Boston to visit her son, Chip. That four-wheel monster of Simon's will make the trip despite the snow, but it will take longer than usual. I instructed him to be sure the trains were still running before leaving my housekeeper on her own in this weather."
As he spoke, Belle's eyes drifted over the jewelry in the glass case. A particularly garish necklace caught her attention. It was gold encrusted with flashily cut green stones. "That piece, may I see it please?" She pointed.
He unlocked the case to get the necklace and placed the item on a black velvet pad, unsure of where this was going. "Emeralds set in yellow gold are a bit..." He searched for the word. His voice filled with distaste.
"Ostentatious?" Belle raised her right eyebrow and stared at him.
"I was thinking…gaudy." He knew it was something that would have appealed to Milah or even Mayor Mills in her darker moments. It was a piece that was made to loudly proclaim its expense and little else. "I would think this would appeal to you more." Gold reach into the showcase and pulled out a lovely, platinum pin from the same era as her hat. It was a gentle oval that cradled three sapphires with a diamond between each blue stone.
"Oh my," she gasped in delight. It was delicate and one of the loveliest things she'd ever seen. Her eyes sparkled and her fingers yearned to touch the dainty pin before she remembered why she was here and what needed to be done. "No, put that away and stop trying to distract me." She declared. "You're right the necklace isn't my style, but Lacey would love it."
"So you're here for what?" He questioned unsure how to proceed. "You want a loan to purchase an exorbitantly priced Christmas gift for your sister? As good as your pies and cookies are, it would take you years to pay for it. You are no longer my employ so you do not qualify for that particular discount." He was being cruel and he knew it, but this was the most she'd said to him in more than three years and it was a sadly disappointing conversation.
Belle gasped as his words hit home. Part of her was tempted to toss her pretty hat in his face, but would not give him the satisfaction. "I don't want it, nor do I want to buy it." Her fist came down hard on the counter in frustration. "You are to give it to my sister. You are to make right whatever happened between the two of you that caused you to use that situation with Nottingham as an excuse to sneak her out of town and put her up on the opposite coast."
"Pardon me?" He looked at her in amazement.
"You heard exactly what I said." Her eyes filled with tears but she was determined to finish what she started. "You hurt her. You had an affair with her and tossed her aside when you decided to move on." If it was anything like the pain she was feeling, no wonder her sister didn't want to come back.
"I did no such thing." He denied.
"That's not what I heard." Her checks turned pink.
"Oh and who has been telling tales of things they know nothing about?"
"Lacey, Lacey told me." She glared.
"I find that hard to believe." Gold couldn't imagine the older twin making up stories about him. They'd worked one small deal a year-and-a-half ago and both had walked away content with the results.
"She said-" Before she could finish her statement; the lights flickered and died.
The entire town of Storybrooke was pitch black, no friendly lights from shops and home, and no street or stoplights.
"Damn, the city council for refusing to listen to reason and replace the power grid." Gold exclaimed and grabbed for her wrist before she could flee. "Aha aha, Miss. French, you've said too much to stop now. Let's light some candles and finish this most interesting discussion."
"Please, Ian," she gasped in embarrassment. She hadn't used his first name in years except in her dreams.
"This is the first time you've spoken to me as Belle in a very long time. Frankly I am sick to death of the cool businesslike Miss French who suggests reading material and goes on about her business, as if she hadn't ever felt my lips on her neck and didn't know the taste of my skin." He remembered the passionate kisses they'd shared in the back room the last few weeks before she'd slammed his key on the display case and walked out of his life. "I've missed them and you. We need to settle this."
"Don't you see, we can't." She could smell his expensive cologne close to her face and feel his hand where it held hers securely. "You've been with my sister. It will never work."
"Your sister and I had a short lived business arrangement, which I am not at liberty to discuss, but suffice it to say we were not intimate."
"You always knew exactly what to say to twist things around." Being so close in the deserted pawnshop was like coming home. "Please don't do that to me."
"I'm not manipulating you, simply attempting to straighten out this mess. We need light. Our conversation is too important to take place in the dark. Can I trust you not to bolt if I let go of your hand?" Gold asked gently.
"I am done running." As she said the words, she realized that she had been avoiding Ian Gold because once they were done digging up the past; there would be nothing left to say and no possibility of going back.
Five minutes later Gold had lit two large hurricane lanterns he kept in the shop because winter storms played havoc with electrical power during Storybrooke winters. The lights had fat double-wicked candles and could be carried easily and safely, even for a man with a cane. He placed them on the counter and came around to stand facing Belle.
The two occupants of the pawnshop were too involved with each other to notice Simon Dove's big truck pull up out side. The large man and Bae Gold watched in fascination as candles burst into flame and a man and a woman were silhouetted against the light.
"Is papa okay?" The boy asked his friend. They had a perfect view through the glass door of the shop. Even with the snow falling as hard as it was
"He's working on it. How about we sit here quietly and wait for Mr. G and Miss. French to finish up. I bet that is one of her pies in the basket on the display case." Simon's lips twitched in the closest thing to a smile anyone but Ruby Lucas had ever seen. "I'll keep the motor running so we stay warm and the wipers will work." He reached down and turned off the headlights to allow the couple the illusion of privacy.
"I hope there are some cookies in that basket too," Bae added. "Papa is a good cook, but his baking isn't good."
Back in the shop, two people were trying to untangle their lives.
"I gather from what you've said, you believe I've had an affair with your sister." He handed Belle his pocket square to dry her tear damp cheeks.
"She said-"
"Start at the beginning." He requested.
"All right." She looked up at him, enjoying how close they were. He smelled of lemon oil furniture polish and the light cologne only he wore. "The Sunday before I left town to work on my post-grad degree, Lacey and I had lunch together, like we always did. That was when she told me that she'd been seeing you most of the summer and…and…over the last month you'd become intimate." It embarrassed her to think of him touching her sisters in ways she wanted him to touch her. "You were with my sister, at the same time you were romancing me." She was angry and hurt.
"That's impossible. You are the only French twin who has ever attracted me." He rested his cane on the counter and gently cupped her cheeks. "Please believe me, I have no desire for Lacey, never have. But you my dear, are a different matter entirely."
"I saw her coming out of the shop any number of times that summer. I didn't think anything of it until that last Sunday. She's beautiful and exciting. All the men are attracted to her." Belle had always felt slightly mousy when compared to her sister. It had never bothered her until Ian.
"You and Lacey may be identical twins, but I think your beauty far outshines hers. I much prefer quiet strength, intelligence and charm in a woman. You have fascinated me far longer than is decent, given your age." Ian admitted. "The year you were twenty, my post divorce haze finally cleared from my eyes. I looked up at the world again and there was this beautiful girl working in my garden. She worked in most of the gardens around Storybrooke. But the strangest thing was that when I looked at her she didn't look away like everyone else. She met my eyes and smiled. I felt like a dirty old man."
Belle laughed. "Then it is a good thing you didn't know my feelings for you began when I was sixteen."
"Oh my dear, you shouldn't tell me such things." His fingers gripped her sides and he wanted to pull her close, but it was too soon. "Belle, I swear to you on my son's life that my involvement with your sisters has never been personal. I required she work hard at your father's shop to earn a recommendation for a job at the Rabbit Hole. There was a small issue later, that was an outcome of her employment, but beyond that, nothing."
"Nottingham?" Belle questioned.
"As I said, I am not at liberty to discuss business dealings without the express agreement of the other party." It was a cool practiced line that he'd used often when Mayor Mills tried to dig for information.
"There is one way to solve this." She pulled out her phone and prayed the cell towers were still up. When Lacey answered on the second ring she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Belles, what's up?" Her sister was surprised to hear from her so soon. "You didn't book a flight in all this craziness did you?"
"No, Lace, I've got a question. When we talked before, you tried to tell me something about Mr. Gold. Were you talking about how he helped you leave Storybrooke after the stabbing at the Hole?"
"Damn, can't I keep anything private anymore?" Lacey was upset. She was trying for a safer, saner life, but was embarrassed when Belle discovered how careless. she'd been in the past. "I'm happy that you two made up, I really am, 'cause I love you and I think he could make you happy, but you tell Goldie that I said he is a ratfink welcher. He promised he wouldn't tell you about it."
"Wait, wait." Belle cut in. "Ian didn't say anything about Keith Nottingham that I didn't already know. As I mentioned in our earlier conversation, Ruby is physically incapable of keeping a secret."
"Oh..." The waitress in Los Angeles was putting pieces together on her end. "That means…you still don't know what I did almost four years ago?" She sighed having to admit her guilt all over again. Lacey had been working the twelve steps in her Al-Anon program. That darn step eight about making amends was the one she kept tripping over.
"I know that you told me you were having an affair with Mr. Gold, but I'm beginning to believe that wasn't the truth." Belle felt tears fill her eyes unable to fathom why her sister would be so cruel. "Why would you lie to me about that?" her voice broke.
"I could tell your longtime crush had turned serious. You were talking about staying in Storybrooke, so I did the one thing I could think of that would make you go back to school. I made up an affair with Gold." Lace spoke fast, it all came out in one breath. She was flooded with relief to finally be sure her sister knew the truth. "I'm sorry I did it that way. I know better now. I should have just talked to you about your future, tried to get you to see reason, and let you make up your own mind. Back then I didn't understand how important that was, nor did I have the tools to even initiate the conversation. I wanted you to have your dreams and still do."
"Oh, Lacey," Belle covered Ian's hand and mouthed 'I'm sorry', before returning her attention to her sister. "I wouldn't have stayed. I mean I thought about it for about ten seconds, but knew that no matter how much I cared; I needed some life experience before I could come back to him. I was determined to get my graduate degree and hopefully do some traveling."
"Sis," Lase gasped. "I can't apologize enough for messing with your life."
Gold carefully took the phone from Belle. She was crying silently into her hand and unable to speak. "Miss French, thank you for clearing up the misunderstanding."
"Gold, I didn't do it to be mean." Lace insisted. "I didn't want my sister to look back and have regrets. I know what that's like."
"I understand," he replied. He had his share of regrets, too. "I would never have let Belle sacrifice her education for me." Though he spoke to both girls, he concentrated on the woman who he'd pulled tightly to his shoulder and who's tears were dampening his neck. "I wasn't tied to Storybrooke, but the stability of living here was a major factor in gaining custody of my son."
"I'm sorry for the pain I caused." Lacey sniffed, refusing to cry. She'd made the mess, it was her responsibility to take care of it. "I was dead serious about how much my sister cares about you."
"That is very good, because I care about her too." He ran his left hand up and down Belle's back to calm her.
"Good." The girl on the phone wasn't done. "Just one more thing before you get to the make-up kisses. If you hurt her I am coming after you and neither your cane nor, Mr. Dove will be enough to protect you."
"I stand on notice." Mr. Gold's words were gentle and serious. As much as he wanted to be upset with Lacey French's meddling, it was hard. Belle was back and if he had anything to say about it, they were going to give it a real try this time around. He also had his son, something he might have missed out on if he'd been following a much younger woman, to who knows where. No matter how well it worked with Milah's plans, that he had primary custody, her pride would have been stung. She would have made things more difficult.
"Mr. Dove, what's taking them so long?" Bae pressed his nose against the windshield and watched his father hug and make googly-eyes at Miss. French.
"I think they are almost done. Ahhh yes." Simon's heart warmed as his boss kept his tight hold on the petite woman and kissed her for all he was worth. The little missy ran her fingers through Gold's hair with one hand and gripped onto the lapel of his suit with the other. "Maybe you shouldn't be watching this Bailey."
"I want to see. Papa needs to be loved by more than me. I'm growing up and won't always be around to give him hugs and kiss his cheek. Miss Belle can do it for me and I won't have to worry about him when I have to visit mom."
"Good thinking kid, but we need to let them know we're here." Dove beeped the horn and chuckled as Mr. G. and Miss French looked up but never let go of each other.
"I know it isn't far to the library, but we'll give you a ride. The truck has four-wheel drive." Gold offered as he held tightly to Belle, hating to let her go, but knowing he had to. "Dove can bring in extra wood, so you will have plenty if the power doesn't come on soon."
"The ride would be great, but I need to be dropped at Granny's, Inn. My chimney is one of the ones that need to be cleaned before I can use it. I don't have any heat with the power off."
"Granny's is full. The tourist bus that came in last night had engine problems. It's stuck here another night. Every room is occupied." When Gold had gone for a late lunch, the café was filled with unfamiliar faces. He'd overheard Ruby and Ashley talking about the unexpected business.
"I'm sure I'll be fine." She assured the man who was gently stroking between her shoulder blades. "But I'd appreciate the ride home."
"There is another option. I have two guest rooms that are sitting empty. You are welcome to use either. This invitation is not a prelude to seduction. It isn't that I don't desire you, but my son is in the house. You would be well chaperoned. " He assured her. "And despite the years we've known each other, I'm not taking a chance on losing you again. We deserve to take this slowly."
She thought for a moment before she responded and then smiled gently and caressed his cheek. "I would be happy to use one of your spare rooms, Ian."
"Good." He leaned in and kissed her nose. "If you don't have other plans, Bae and I would enjoy your company for Thanksgiving."
"No plans since Lacey isn't coming to visit. Simon tells me you are an excellent cook. With your skills and my pie, we will have a delicious dinner."
"That we will. The stove is gas, so the meal will be as planned." He got into his coat and scarf and then reached for his cane. "You should stop at the library and get some warmer clothes. The thermostats run by electricity, so the furnace is useless. The house will get cold, even with fireplaces in most of the rooms."
"I'd like a change from my work clothes." Suddenly Belle began to laugh.
"Care to share the joke, my dear?" he asked as they walked to the truck holding hands as if they never wanted to let go.
"I was just thinking about the huge fuss Mayor Mills has been raising about the lighting ceremony tomorrow night. If the storm keeps up the way it is, we still won't have any power." She laughed around her words remembering how stressed she'd been, trying to get everything finished in time. "If you hadn't sent Dove to help I'd still be trying to hang lights in the snow and wind. And now," she giggled. "Now the whole darn town is going to be dark."
"On Sweetheart, you've got to stop talking dirty to me," he chuckled. "At lease in front of my son. When we are alone, it is a different matter entirely." He laughed and kissed her as she gripped her felt cloche to keep it from flying down the street. The idea that the storm would put a chink in the mayor's plans added to his feeling of good cheer.
Dove's lips twitched at the two people beside his vehicle. It looked like despite the snow and lack of holiday lighting, it was going to be a Thanksgiving to be remembered for a very long time.
The End