Chapter Seven
I t was a good week for Bear. Cormac apparently was as eager to sell the building as Bear was to buy it, with Cormac accepting Bear’s first offer, agreeing with alacrity to the proposed thirty-day closing. Now that Bear had his desired commercial space, and his house, he was free to move into his new home in Marietta anytime, and the big brick building would be his at the end of the month giving him time to get plans drawn and permits filed. Finally, he was moving forward, and his plan to have a facility for SCI people wasn’t just a dream but soon to be a reality.
A huge weight felt as if it had been lifted off Bear’s shoulders and for the first time in months, he slept well, and woke up refreshed.
The days passed quickly, filled with appointments and meetings, not just with Rye and his subcontractors, but with city officials and a local venture capitalist—introduced to Bear by Cormac Sheenan—who was intrigued by Bear’s idea.
He was hoping to get Josie involved soon. She was finishing up her midterms for her two summer school courses and then promised to turn her attention to Bear’s projects, as she’d just gotten approval from her advisor who seemed as thrilled by the two design opportunities as Josie was. It probably helped that she was doing the design work for Bear Braden Anderson, everyone’s favorite local legend.
She told him that on Friday when she drove to Marietta to meet him at the house. He had the keys now and was hoping to move in sooner than later, but Josie wanted him to wait until they got the big stuff done.
“You don’t want to live in the middle of a remodel,” she reminded him, “even if it’s a small one. Wait to move in until we at least get your bathroom done, because they’re going to tear out the floor and plumbing and retile it. It’s going to look nice when they’re done—it’ll be a proper wet room with tiles on most of the walls. I know Rye will do his best to manage his subs, but the tile saw is noisy, and small spaces can be particularly chaotic. You didn’t want people in your way in Clyde Park, and it’ll be even worse here. Everyone will be on top of each other.”
“True,” Bear agreed. “I’m just ready to be out of the ranch house.”
Josie nodded sympathetically. Now that she knew Savannah was such a part of the house, she understood his motivation for getting out sooner than later. “We’re tackling the bathroom first. With luck you can be in within ten days. Maybe two weeks.”
*
Returning to her apartment that evening, Josie discovered an envelope had been slipped under her door. Inside, she picked up the envelope and drew out the typed letter.
Her apartment lease, as well as the larger apartment next door, would not be renewed at the end of August. The owner had plans for the building and after three years of applying for permits and jumping through the planning commissioner’s hoops, the owner had gotten permission to turn the two upstairs apartments, and the attic above, into a rooftop bar.
Josie supposed this was good news for Bozeman’s business district, too, but it wasn’t good for her, or her neighbor. Her neighbor was a pilot with Montana Air and rarely around, but Josie was around, and she’d liked her spot in downtown Bozeman. It had been nice to walk to everything, from class to shops to her favorite coffee spot two blocks over.
She could always move home, but that didn’t appeal. She’d loved her independence, and being on her own had made her realize how sensitive she was to the family drama. Her dad was doing better than he had in Eureka, but he still had his moods and down days.
She could possibly live with her brother but that didn’t have much appeal, either. She loved Rye, but he was so protective—overly protective—and she didn’t want to have to be explaining to him where she was going every time she left the house. It was one thing to stay over now and again, and another to make Rye and Ansley’s home hers.
Josie pulled out her laptop and began checking for available apartments in Bozeman. Most one-bedroom apartments ranged from $1,900-3,000 depending on how new and luxurious the complex was. But she didn’t need a complex with a pool and gym and community center. It wasn’t as if she’d be showing up for Saturday barbecues or Hump Day Happy Hour on Wednesday.
After some searching, she did find an apartment in an older complex for $1,200 a month. It wasn’t big, but it had everything she needed, meaning a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and a tiny living-dining space just big enough for a card table and her loveseat.
Josie put in a call to the phone number on the listing to see if the unit was still available, but her call went to voice mail. She left a message asking if unit 4A was still available.
She was still scrolling through Bozeman housing listings when her phone rang, and she reached for it hoping it was the apartment manager but wasn’t disappointed when she saw it was Bear.
They talked a lot, and they were both so open with each other, that when Bear asked her what she was doing, she didn’t think twice about blurting out her situation, and how she was bummed to lose her current spot but already searching for a new one.
“You can have one of the bedrooms at my new place,” he said. “If you’re going to be working so hard on my projects—”
“Theoretically they are also my projects.”
“Precisely. You might as well live where you work. Although I can also see why you’d prefer Bozeman. It’s closer to your family and friends.”
“I’d be closer to Rye in Marietta,” she said thoughtfully, “and it’d be fun to see more of Ansley. But wouldn’t it be… awkward?”
“How so?”
Josie hesitated, and frowned, not sure how to explain. “I’ve never lived with anyone except my family.”
“No roommates during college?”
“No. I’ve been in a studio apartment this past year, and when I wanted to, I headed to my parents’ house.”
“Do what’s best for you. I just thought you might like to be living closer to your two job sites.”
“What about you? Won’t you hate having me around so much? I’m sure I’ll end up getting on your nerves.”
“I’d rather you be here than some stranger. I’m picky about housemates. I like things clean. I know you. You’re not a lot of work, and I’d never have to give you the no drinking, no smoking, no parties lecture.”
She laughed. “Oh, you don’t know me. I could very well throw parties every weekend. Live bands, dance floor, keggers, you name it.”
“I’d like to see that.”
“No, you wouldn’t.” She thought about his offer, not sure if he was truly open to renting her a room. “But are you serious? About renting me a room?”
“It’s a three-bedroom house. I don’t need three bedrooms, and I’m not going to rent you a room. I’m going to give you a room. If you’re working for free, you should at least have free room. Don’t you think?”
“I do like saving money.”
“Take your time to decide, because there are negatives for you. You’d be driving to Bozeman for work, and then you’d have to deal with me, and I’m not always Mr. Cheerful.”
“I’m nearly done with the internship and my classes wrap up the end of summer, which means I just have my projects.” She paused, smiled. “And I’ll buy you a flag, maybe a pirate flag or a bear flag and when you’re in a bearish mood, you just hang the flag and I’ll know to steer clear.”
“You’re hilarious,” he said dryly.
“I know. I make myself laugh.”
“When do I see you again?” he asked.
“Tomorrow afternoon. I’m coming back to measure for your new appliances.”
“I’m doing new appliances?”
“The new washer and dryer, remember?”
“Oh, yes, I do, and if you think you can squeeze a dishwasher into that kitchen, measure for one of those. I hate doing dishes by hand every night.”
“I’ll work on it.”
*
Josie made plans to meet Ansley for a quick early lunch as Ansley’s gallery didn’t open until noon on Saturdays as she stayed open until ten in the evening.
They met at Rosita’s, the Mexican restaurant on Main, and both ordered the chicken taco salad with extra guacamole and wasted no time diving into a proper catch up as it had been over a month since they’d seen each other. Ansley shared that she was busy painting, working at the gallery, and spending an evening or two each week with her uncle on his ranch. Her brother Lachlan was still there, and he’d settled in well, and was thinking that the Campbell ranch in Paradise Valley should break even at the end of this year, and with luck, be profitable the following year.
“That’s not luck,” Josie said as their salads arrived. “That’s hard work.”
“He’s happy there, and that’s the good thing.”
“It’s also great that your uncle Clyde gets to stay in his house. He has to love that.”
“I can’t see him in a senior home,” Ansley agreed. “He’d be so difficult.”
“How is his health?”
“Up and down. Some days are good, and some days he’s just so childish. He’s beginning to have tantrums and thank goodness Lachlan has a cool head. He doesn’t let Uncle Clyde get to him. But he will need more care as time goes on. Probably full-time care.”
“Which is expensive.”
“The money isn’t the issue. It’s getting my uncle to agree to anything.” Ansley shook her head. “Enough of that. I find it rather depressing. Let’s talk about you. You must be so excited to finally have your design projects squared away. You’ve got six months to work your magic. Can you do it?”
“If I had to rely on any other contractor than Rye, no. But Rye is so good, and we work well together. It makes me happy to team with him.” Josie pushed some of the lettuce around, uncovering bits of corn and cheese. “I have a question for you.”
“Oh?”
“If I lived in Marietta, could you put me to work?” Josie asked. “With it being summer, you have significantly longer hours and I’d be happy to come in and do some evenings or work on the weekend. I know you have someone who helps you out part-time, but you wouldn’t need to pay me—”
“Of course I’d need to pay you! You’re already working for free for Bear Anderson.”
“That’s different. It’s part of the requirements for my design project, but I’d feel weird taking money from you.”
“What if we worked it out so that you’d earn a percentage of everything you personally sell? That way it’s a win-win.” Ansley gave her a penetrating glance. “My work isn’t inexpensive. They don’t just walk out the door.”
“I think it sounds fun, and it would give me something to do on the weekends, and evenings.”
“But isn’t that a lot of driving back and forth to Bozeman? Or are you thinking you’d like to stay with Rye and me this summer? You’d be more than welcome. We have plenty of room and Rye has already said to your parents that he doesn’t want you driving late at night. He worries about drunk drivers and people not being responsible.”
Of course Rye did. Rye had become everyone’s surrogate father after their dad was injured and gave up on life.
It crossed Josie’s mind that now was the time to tell Ansley everything. Josie would need an ally and she hoped Ansley would be that person. “Bear has offered me a room in his house, and since I’m going to be spending so much time in Marietta, I’ve accepted. I won’t be paying rent, so I’ll also be saving money.”
Ansley didn’t immediately speak. Her gaze dropped and she seemed to be concentrating on her salad, but Josie knew Ansley was stalling for time. Seconds continued to pass, a tick ticking that Josie felt in every bone in her body.
“You don’t approve?” Josie asked, forcing the issue.
Ansley’s shoulders shifted. “It’s not for me to approve or disapprove. You’re a grown up. You can do what you want.”
“Yes, but you’re usually so enthusiastic about everything and I’m not sensing any enthusiasm from you.” Josie watched her sister-in-law’s face closely. “What are your concerns?”
“Wouldn’t you be more comfortable with us?” She looked at Josie now, her expression uncertain. “I mean, I’d love to have you stay. Rye would, too.”
“I have thought about it, but you’re both outside of town, and I am excited about being in town. Bear’s new house is an easy walk from Main Street, as is the Farrell Building, and I’m looking forward to walking everywhere and exploring Marietta. It will also be helpful when I need to meet one of Rye’s subs or be there for a delivery.”
“Does your brother know your plans?” Ansley asked.
“Not yet, but I don’t think he’d mind. He likes Bear, and the fact that I’m no longer costing anyone rent should be a plus.”
“You’ve always chipped in and done your share,” Ansley protested. “This last year in particular. You were working full-time while also going to school full-time. I don’t know how you did it.”
“It helps that I love design, and I get excited about every project. But it would be fun to do something a little different this summer, and being here in Marietta would be like a summer vacation. I could help out at your gallery. I could make some friends—”
“Maybe go on some dates,” Ansley added. “You haven’t had a social life since I met you.”
It was on the tip of Josie’s tongue to confess that she had feelings for Bear, but at the last moment managed to hold back the words, realizing Ansley wouldn’t welcome the news, and no one in her family would probably be that thrilled, either.
She forced a smile, hiding her turbulent emotions. “I like the idea of working for you on commission. I think it’s ideal.”
“But I can go days without selling anything. Some weeks paintings move quickly, and other weeks, they just hang there.”
“I don’t mind. It’s a challenge and you know I love those.”
“Oh, I do.”
“And just think if I can sell one of your huge canvases”—Josie lifted a hand—“that would be amazing. Just know, I’m not wanting a big percentage. Whatever you think is fair is good with me.”
Ansley gave her a long look. “Can we talk about Bear for a minute?”
Josie’s smile slipped. “Sure.”
“Why are you moving in with him and not us?”
Josie didn’t know how to answer. Eventually she just shrugged. “I think it’d be fun.”
“Fun?”
“We’re friends. We have a good time together.”
Ansley didn’t appear convinced. She kept studying Josie, as if waiting for her to crack. “Rye thought—and he could be wrong—he is a man after all. But Rye thought you might have a crush on Bear.”
Josie had two options. Be honest or keep pretending that Rye and Ansley had it awrong. “I might,” she carefully admitted. “It’s hard not to be a little smitten. He’s smart. Gorgeous. Successful.”
“And how does he feel about you?”
She sighed. “Brotherly?”
“You’re sure?”
Josie nodded. “He said I remind him of his sister Susie.”
“So, he keeps an eye on you. He’ll keep you safe.”
“Absolutely.” Josie could tell Ansley was relieved. Josie wasn’t sure how she felt. “But if I’m being perfectly honest, my crush is one of the reasons I thought it’d be good to get out in the evenings and weekends. It’s why I’d love to work in your gallery. I don’t want to just be hanging around the house every evening and weekend. It’s a small house, and one day it’ll be a charming house, but I do need a social life, and if I’m working in your gallery, I’m going to be meeting people and having something to do.” Besides crush on Bear .
“Are you sure that moving in with Bear is the right next step for you? It’s kind of a big step.”
“That sounds really weird when you put it that way. I’m renting a room from him—more or less. There’s no torrid affair.”
“He’s still a mature single man, and your family is pretty conservative.”
“No more conservative than your family, and definitely no more protective than your brothers. Poor Rye having to face down the five Campbell brothers at one time.”
Ansley grinned, obviously enjoying the memory. “I was very impressed at how well he handled them. But then, Rye never shows fear.”
“Probably because he’s not afraid of anything—except something happening to you.”
Ansley’s expression softened, turning tender. “I am madly in love with that man. He wasn’t as convinced that we would work. Fortunately, I had you and Hannah on my side.”
“Always.” Josie reached across the table and gave Ansley’s hand a quick squeeze. “Now I have a talented sister that’s going to put me to work. Right?”
“When do you want to start?”
“A week from today? Next Saturday?”
“I open at noon.”
*
Bear’s little house in Marietta was coming along nicely. His bathroom was nearly done. The new appliances were installed in the kitchen and the tiny, enclosed porch at the back of the house had become the new laundry room. She’d insisted the washer and dryer slide into their new spot without a frame or box beneath, and then had a slab of marble installed over the appliances, giving Bear a solid work surface for sorting laundry or folding clothes. Josie was also careful to document every step and decision for her program.
Her bedroom was ready for her to move in. Rye knew she would soon be moving, but her parents didn’t yet know. She hadn’t yet broken the news to them, and she wasn’t looking forward to it. But with her moving out of her studio in just days, it was time to share her plans, and she had to do it face-to-face.
Josie made arrangements to have dinner with them on Thursday night, offering to bring their favorite Italian dishes—cheese ravioli with meat sauce, lasagna, baked rigatoni—plus garlic bread and a bottle of red wine.
Her mother had set the table and Jasper, slumped sideways in his electric chair, used his laptop to show Josie the courses he would be taking at Gallatin College in the fall. “I might need an aide,” he said, struggling to form sentences.
Josie knew not to hurry him because eventually he’d get the words out, and even if they weren’t clear to strangers, she understood them.
“The school said they could help me maybe,” he added.
“I’m excited for you. You’ve wanted to go to college for a long time.”
“I’ve taken classes online but it’s not the same.”
“No, it’s not,” she agreed. “It’s probably lonely doing it online.”
“And boring.” He leaned forward a little, his mouth opening and closing, his facial muscles straining with the effort to speak. “I need to get out. Parents making me crazy.”
Josie laughed and kissed him on his forehead. “I totally understand.”
They headed to the dining room for dinner, and it was a pleasant meal, with everyone in a reasonably good mood. Her dad seemed healthier—and happier—than Josie had seen him in a while, and her mother shared that her dad had been getting some physical therapy himself and was discovering that he was stronger than he thought and had even begun to think about some woodworking activities he could do again.
“Rye said he could build your dad a new work bench,” Mom added, “but Dad says he wants to do it himself. He just needs Rye to pick up the lumber and maybe lend a hand here and there.”
Josie’s eyes widened. “Dad, this is fantastic. Remember the jewelry boxes you made for Hannah and me? I still love mine. Maybe you could make one for Ansley for her birthday.”
Her dad nodded. “That’s a good suggestion. It’d be a good first project for me.”
“Don’t start with something too difficult,” Mom cautioned. “You don’t want to get frustrated and give up.”
Dad’s smile faded. “I won’t give up.”
Mom seemed about to protest but Josie jumped in first. “I have some news,” she said brightly.
Everyone looked at her, and Josie drew a breath and gathered her courage. “I’m moving to Marietta. I’ll start moving things in tomorrow, and Rye has promised to help me get everything else on Saturday.”
“You’re going to live with Rye?” Mom said, head tilting.
“No, Rye’s just helping me move. I’m going to be renting a room from Bear Anderson. Since I’m working on his two projects in Marietta, it seemed most practical to stay in Marietta, and he had space, so it’s all arranged.”
Her mother reached for her wine glass and took a sip. “You have a place, Josie. You have a nice place of your own. Why move in with him?”
“I’ve lost my lease. I’ll soon be forced to move out, and Bear is giving me a great deal. I won’t have to pay rent, so I’ll be saving money.”
“I’d feel more comfortable if you’d live with Rye and Ansley. Have you discussed this with them?”
“Yes, and they offered to let me stay, but I don’t want to move in with them. I’m excited to have some independence. I also think it’d be fun to have a roommate. Except for my sister, I’ve never had that before.”
“Say housemate,” her dad interjected gruffly. “Because you won’t be sharing a room, I presume.”
“That’s true. I’ll have my own room and my own bathroom. Well, my bathroom is the one guests would use when they come visit but I don’t know who would come visit at this point other than Rye and Ansley.”
Her mother’s brows pulled. “But, Josie, you barely know the man.”
“I’ve been working with him for the past month, and so has Rye. Rye likes him, and thinks Bear is a trustworthy person. Call Rye. Talk to him. Ask him. You know Rye’s always been a good judge of character.”
“I’d just be more comfortable if you were living with Rye. He and Ansley must be past the honeymoon stage now. I’m sure they’d welcome you with open arms.”
Do not roll your eyes. Do not. No matter what you do…
“Mom, this is about me wanting to do something new, and I think it’d be a fun adventure living in Marietta for the summer—”
“Just the summer?”
“Probably the fall and winter, too, if all goes well. I’m looking forward to walking downtown. They have farmer’s markets every week until the end of September, and apparently Marietta at Christmas is just magical. The whole town decorates, and they have so many festive activities. We never did any of that in Eureka. I’ve been working hard, too. I’ll be graduating soon and I’m going to be working even harder once I’m out of school. Best of all, I’m going to pitch in at Ansley’s gallery, and if I sell her works, I’ll earn commission.”
Josie’s parents exchanged glances.
“But you wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for him,” her mother persisted. “You would still be in Bozeman focusing on you and your dreams, instead of thinking about his.”
“I am focusing on my dreams. I can’t graduate without my design projects, and my advisor was tough to please, but she approved the Farrell Building project and Bear’s house, and if it weren’t for his invitation to join his team, I wouldn’t be graduating in December.”
Her mother just kept shaking her head. “I think this is about Bear. I think you’re taken with him and caught up in his tragic story.”
“It’s not that tragic, Mom. And yes, I’m designing for him so that he can function independently in his own home, but this is what I love to do. It’s what I want to do for everyone—whether or not they have a disability.”
“Not disabled,” Jasper said, grinning. “Able.”
Josie blinked back tears as she smiled at Jasper. Thank goodness for his sense of humor. Otherwise, she’d be a mess right now. It frustrated her to no end that her mother didn’t listen to her, and that everyone in the family seemed so determined to wrap her up in gauze and keep her from harm. But that wasn’t life, and life had risks, and she refused to hide away just so she wouldn’t get bruised or broken.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing to care about others,” Josie said after a moment. “I don’t think it’s bad to choose to be supportive.”
“Josie, I understand you have a big heart, but I can’t approve of this, and I don’t support it.”
Josie bit into her lip, holding her breath, reminding herself she’d expected pushback. Her mom was a worrier and worried. Her dad had struggled with depression for years. They’d lived on a painfully tight budget, a budget which meant that Josie and Hannah hadn’t been able to go to college right away after high school. They’d both spent a year or more working and saving up every penny to put toward their tuition and books.
Until a year ago, she’d lived with her family in Eureka. She’d only moved to Bozeman for school and the internship, and even then, Rye had checked out the apartment to make sure it was safe for her.
“So, you’re going to be his roommate, is that it?” Her father asked, his dark brow furrowing, his gaze meeting hers.
“As you pointed out, I’m not sharing his room,” Josie said evenly. “I’m essentially renting a room in his house. There will be nothing weird, nothing for you to worry about. Bear will just be my landlord.”
“I don’t like it.” Her mother’s voice sharpened. “And you can say what you want about there being nothing weird, but I’m not comfortable at all. Your work is in Bozeman. Your classes are in Bozeman—”
“I’m done with classes in just a few weeks. My internship is wrapping up as well. I hope Melissa and Neil will offer me a paid position with them, but they haven’t said anything yet, and might not want to.”
“Why wouldn’t they?” Jasper protested. “You’re brilliant.”
“Because they can just get another intern and work her or him to the bone, and not have to pay.” Josie wrinkled her nose. “That doesn’t sound very nice, and I like Melissa and Neil a lot. I’d love to stay on there. I just don’t know that it will happen.”
“Josie, honey, you’re my born optimist, and I love that about you, but nothing about your plan makes sense. It’s just not logical. Staying with your brother would be the logical choice.”
Josie shrugged helplessly. “Sometimes what we want isn’t logical—”
“Your dad didn’t expect to fall from the roof. We never thought he’d break his back. Who knows what could happen to you if you are driving to Bozeman every day? Who knows what might happen when the weather changes? There are so many accidents every year, things out of one’s control. I can’t have anything happen to you. I just can’t.” Mom glanced at her dad, eyes bright with tears. “Tell her, John. She’s always listened to you.”
Josie looked into her dad’s eyes, looking as she always did—deeply, with love—because when others gave up on him she never did. “Nothing is going to happen to me, Dad,” she said quietly, gently. “It’s Bear who is hurt. I’m fine. I’m good. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“We love you, Jo-Jo.”
“I know, Daddy, and I love you and Mom. I love Jasper. I love our whole family. But I have to do what my heart is telling me, and my heart is telling me this is the right move.” She reached over to take her mom’s hand, but her mother pulled her hand back. “I won’t be driving to Bozeman every day, and if Melissa did offer me a position, I imagine I could work remotely a couple days a week. I work remotely some days now.”
“I think what your mother isn’t saying,” her father said at length, filling the long silence, “is that we don’t want you to end up being a caregiver. It’s not been easy for your mom, and we had plenty of good years before my accident.”
“Bear isn’t helpless.”
“He’ll have serious health concerns as he ages—if not now. If you don’t believe me, talk to Hannah. Do some research.”
“That may be, but he’s not sitting around feeling sorry for himself. He’s trying to improve the lives of others with spinal cord injuries. I respect what he’s trying to do. And he’s good company. He’s fun.”
“I’m sure he’s fun right now,” her mother said, folding her napkin and placing it beside her dinner plate. “But just wait until he’s in the hospital with a serious infection. It won’t be fun then.”