13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
I t was awful.
But thankfully, she didn’t have to face it alone.
Belle stood at the doorway of her bedroom, which looked like a disaster zone. Cleaning wasn’t exactly her thing. She did it when she had to. She was far from a slob but nowhere close to being tidy. She was somewhere in between.
She’d thanked Parker for offering to help her clean, but she told him it wasn’t necessary. He insisted on staying and helping her with the house. But before they could get started, there was a knock at the door. She wasn’t expecting anyone.
She turned to Parker. “Someone for you?”
He shook his head. “I’m not expecting anyone.” When she started downstairs, he said, “Maybe I should get it.”
She stopped and glanced back at him. “I’m not going to live in fear.”
This criminal had already stolen enough from her.
She wasn’t going to give up her sense of independence.
She arched a brow at Parker. He hesitated for a moment.
She appreciated that he wanted to keep her safe, but she wasn’t going to back down on this.
At last, he sighed and nodded for her to keep going.
She turned and continued downstairs. When she swung the door open, her mouth momentarily gaped.
It was Parker’s parents. Because they all lived in a small town and having grown up with Parker, Belle knew his parents.
They would share the occasional greeting in town, but they’d never been to each other’s homes. This was a first.
“Hi.” Belle plastered a smile on her face. “You must be here to see Parker. Come on in out of the cold.”
Belle stepped back and pulled the door wide open.
When his parents stepped inside, a gust of wintry air followed them in.
As she closed the door, she realized she should have started the fireplace, but she’d been so distracted with the daunting task of cleaning up the upstairs that she hadn’t thought about trudging out in the cold to retrieve wood from the firewood shed.
As if on cue, Parker stepped up behind her. “Mom. Dad. What are you doing here? Is something wrong?”
His mother sent her son a reassuring smile. “Everything is okay with us.” Her gaze moved to Belle. “It’s you that we’re worried about. Michael was just filling us in on what all went on last night.” His mother’s gaze moved to her son. “Are you all right?”
While Parker assured his parents that he was fine, Belle immediately felt guilty. Parker’s injury was all her fault. Okay. Maybe it isn’t entirely my fault. After all, she wasn’t the one who had struck him. Still, it was her home and her book that struck him.
“So, what are you doing here?” Parker asked once more.
His mother, Tricia, smiled as she slipped off her coat. “We’re here to help.” She gently elbowed his father, John. “Aren’t we?”
“Uh, yes.” He smiled. “Yes, we are. I hear there’s a window that needs to be replaced. I picked up some glass on the way over.”
“That’s great,” Parker said.
At least one of them was happy about this turn of events.
This was not the way she wanted to get to know Parker’s parents better.
Not that there was any reason for her to get to know his parents better.
As the ramifications of what she was thinking sank in, she inwardly groaned.
Ever since Parker had become her bodyguard, she hadn’t been thinking clearly.
“Well, I’ll let you visit.” Belle was anxious to put some distance between her and Parker. “I have some cleaning to do upstairs.”
Tricia’s brows creased as worry clouded her eyes. “Was that horrid person up there too?”
This question made Belle wonder how much his parents really knew.
Belle nodded. “I don’t know what they were searching for, but they destroyed a lot of stuff.
” Thoughts of the broken ornaments poked at her heart.
“At least now they should realize that whatever they’re searching for, isn’t here. I just need them to give Odie back.”
“Your poor little puppy must be missing you something fierce.” Sympathy oozed from Tricia’s voice. She turned to Parker. “Are you close to catching him?”
Belle noticed the brief frown that flashed over Parker’s face. “Mom, you know I can’t discuss ongoing cases with you.”
“But Belle needs this to be over and her puppy returned to her.”
Belle could see the fine lines deepen on his face. She’d seen that look before when he was getting frustrated with her.
When he spoke, it was in an even tone. “I understand. And we’re doing everything we can.”
Tricia arched a brow as she looked at him. “Then why are you still here?”
“It’s my day off.” As though sensing that answer wasn’t what his mother wanted to hear, he said, “And I have a window to replace. We’re not sure what the suspect is searching for and when or if he’ll return, but I want the house secure.”
“Your father can help you. We have to hurry,” Tricia said. “Tonight is caroling.”
Parker vocally groaned as he rolled his eyes.
“Oh, don’t be that way.” His mother lightly slapped him on the arm. “It’s tradition.” She looked at Belle. “You sing, don’t you?”
“In the car with the radio turned up.” Belle smiled.
“Good enough. Now, everyone get back to work.”
Work? Belle’s mouth opened, but no words came out. What exactly did his mother mean? Was she planning to help the guys with the window? That must be it.
“Okay,” Belle said. “Just yell if you need me.”
As she started up the steps, she sensed Tricia was right behind her. It would be a little awkward to stop on the steps and ask her where she was going, so Belle continued up to the landing.
There was hardly any place to stand that wasn’t covered by a mess of broken glass from wall hangings, overturned wooden shelving units, knick knacks, or any number of other items.
“Oh, my goodness.” Tricia’s eyes widened as she took in the sight. “I’m so sorry.”
“It isn’t the items that I care about that much.” Belle’s thoughts quickly turned to the broken heirloom ornaments. They were the exception. “But I don’t understand why they took Odie.”
Tricia reached over and placed her hand on Belle’s arm. “I don’t think any of us understand what gets into people’s minds sometimes.” She glanced down at the mess. “Let’s get this cleaned up. You can’t even walk around up here. I’ll have the guys bring up some supplies.”
Without another word to Belle, his mother called out to the guys and told them exactly what they were going to need, starting with a broom and dust pan. Once they could walk around, they sorted things into three piles: keep as is, fix it, and straight to the trash.
More ended up in the trash than she’d expected.
It was like the person who broke in went into a total rage when they couldn’t find what they were searching for.
Some of the stuff that was broken appeared to have nothing to do with whatever he wanted.
Like the framed pictures on the wall. Why break them?
As they cleaned, his mother talked about nothing in particular. Belle knew his mother was trying to put her at ease, but it wasn’t working. Belle’s emotions felt like they were on a roller coaster ride.
She was embarrassed to have Tricia going through her personal belongings, not that there was anything to be embarrassed about. It was just an awkward situation. Although, she’d much rather have Parker’s mother help than have Parker picking up her underwear. Just the thought set her cheeks ablaze.
When she went to put them away, she found one of her dresser drawers was broken.
Tricia insisted that her husband could fix it.
Whoever had broken it was a very angry person.
There was no other explanation for the degree of damage done.
She didn’t even want to think about what the person was doing to Odie.
Every time she let herself think about the sweetest dog in the world, tears rushed to her eyes.
While they worked upstairs, Parker, his dad, and his brother Colin, who showed up a little bit ago, replaced her window in the living room—the one the burglar had broken the night before.
For lunch, Parker’s father ran out and picked up submarine sandwiches for everyone. Belle was truly touched that the Bishop family was pitching in and helping to clean up her house. It was so sweet of them. Now she knew why under his grumpy sheriff persona, Parker was actually a sweet guy.
When she finished making her bed, Belle turned to Tricia. “Thank you so much for helping. I don’t know how to thank you.”
There was a twinkle in Tricia’s eyes. “You can thank me by coming over this evening for some beef vegetable soup and then go caroling. We always need more people.”
The first part of the plan sounded good. The second part had her hesitating. “I’m not a good singer.”
Tricia waved off her concerns. “You don’t have to be.”
“I don’t?” She was confused. Wasn’t the point of caroling to sing to people?
Tricia shook her head. “I’ll tell you a secret. My husband can’t sing, so he lip-syncs.”
“Really?” After her surprised reaction slipped past her lips, Belle clamped them together.
Tricia was unfazed as she nodded. “Not many people know. And he never tells anyone that he’s faking it the whole time. But no one has to be a professional singer. It’s all for fun. So, you should use your voice, well, if you’re comfortable doing it.”
“Thanks. I’ll think about it.” And then a thought came to her. “What about Parker? Does he sing?”
Tricia nodded. “He has a beautiful voice, but he rarely uses it. I can’t remember the last time I got him to go caroling. That’s why I’m hoping you can get him to go this evening.”
“Me?” She pressed a hand to her chest. “I don’t think I’m the person to get him to go.”
“Sure, you are. If you were to ask him, I’m sure he would do it.” Tricia stopped from hanging up one of Belle’s blouses and looked directly at her. “My son can be stubborn, and sometimes he can’t see what’s right in front of his face. Just give him some time. He’ll come around.”
The heat returned to Belle’s cheeks. If she didn’t know better, she would think his mother was trying to set them up. But she wouldn’t do that, would she?
Tricia hung the top in the closet. “Is there anything else you need done up here?”
Belle shook her head. “Thank you so much. I never would have gotten this done today without your help.”
“I’m just sorry that someone broke in here and did all of this damage. They obviously don’t have any Christmas spirit in their heart.” Tricia moved to the bedroom doorway and paused. “I’ll just go get the guys to haul out the trash.”
After Parker’s mother headed downstairs, Belle took a moment to look around. Her bedroom was back to normal. Then again, a “new normal” would be a better description.
The lamp that had been next to her bed since she was a little girl was now gone—the brass base and hundreds of tiny glass pieces was all that remained.
The remnants would be hauled out to the garbage along with numerous other knickknacks, picture frames, and there was even a wooden chair that had been smashed to pieces.
The amount of destruction made her sick to her stomach to think about.
She had to believe the culprit was going to be caught, and she’d be reunited with Odie.
It was her only Christmas wish this year.
She heard the rumble of Parker’s voice just outside the bedroom. He was certainly turning out to be different than she’d pictured him all of these years. She was sorry she’d taken so long to get to know him better.