19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
S he still hadn’t called.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Parker got off work and headed home. The house was quiet—too quiet. After his engagement ended, he’d prided himself on being a bachelor. He made peace with his solitary existence.
But after spending time with Belle, he realized he preferred to share his life with someone—not just someone but with Belle. There was something about her that brought happiness to his life—a reason to hit the ground running in the morning. And now he didn’t know what to do to win her back.
He was hoping after she calmed down and Odie settled back in that she would realize they really did belong together. But so far, she still hadn’t called him. And it was taking all of his self-restraint not to call her again.
And so, on the way home, he might have stopped by Kringle Blooms and ordered a bouquet of red and white roses to be delivered to Belle.
But since it was so late in the day, they couldn’t deliver them until the following day.
He agreed and instructed them to deliver the flowers to Frills & Heels.
When they asked if he wanted to fill out a card to go with the flowers, he’d declined. He wasn’t sure what to write.
And now he wondered if he’d made a mistake. Were the flowers too forward? Should he just cease all contact? He wasn’t sure. He didn’t want to make things worse.
Knock-knock.
Before Parker could answer, the door flung open. “Hey, Parker, you here?”
He recognized his brother’s voice. “In the kitchen.”
Stomp-stomp.
Michael appeared in the entrance of the kitchen. “Did you just get home?” When Parker nodded, Michael said, “Mom’s been trying to get a hold of you.”
Parker knew it. He’d been avoiding his family because he didn’t know what to say to them about Belle. He couldn’t explain to them what had happened between them because he didn’t understand it himself.
“I’ve, uh, been busy,” Parker said. “I just haven’t had a chance to call her back.”
He knew that if it was anything urgent, one of his brothers would track him down. His family was close that way.
Michael nodded. “So, you’re avoiding her.”
Parker opened his mouth to deny the allegation, but he knew it was pointless. He wordlessly pressed his lips together and shrugged.
Michael nodded in understanding. “She wanted to know if you’re bringing Belle to Christmas dinner.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because it’s obvious to everyone that you’re crazy about her. And I think she’s crazy about you too.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Why?”
He really didn’t want to talk about it, but he knew his brother wouldn’t let the subject drop until he told him. “She dumped me.”
Michael’s eyes widened. “Man, I’m sorry. But are you sure?”
He glared at his brother. “Of course, I’m sure. I think I’m smart enough to know when someone doesn’t want to see me anymore.”
“So, what are you doing about it?”
He thought about the flowers he’d ordered but decided it was best not to mention them. “Nothing. Okay. If I didn’t have bad luck with women, then I wouldn’t have any luck at all.”
“If you’re really into her, don’t give up.
You know it wasn’t easy for me with Candi.
After losing Evelyn and Noah, I didn’t think I would ever be open to another serious relationship.
And then Candi crashed into my life, literally.
I did everything to fight the thing that was growing between us.
Thankfully, Candi never gave up on me. Well, I guess she eventually did give up, but by then I got my head screwed on straight. ”
Parker shook his head. “But that was different. You lost your family.”
“And Belle lost her family. It might have been years ago, but no one in Kringle will forget that tragedy. I don’t know if there was a dry eye in that funeral home.
Don’t you remember? They couldn’t even fit everyone in there.
Belle was still a teenager. That loss must have left its scars on her. Maybe she just needs you to go slow.”
“For once, you’re making some sense.” He never thought of it that way. And then he recalled her reaction to the Christmas ornaments being shattered. Speaking of which…
After his brother left, Parker retrieved the box of broken ornaments from his pickup. He couldn’t just throw them out. They meant too much to Belle. He just needed to figure out a way to present them to her again.
The house was quiet…too quiet.
And work was too busy.
Wednesday evening, when Belle got home from work, Odie didn’t meet her at the door like he normally did. After taking off her boots and shrugging off her coat, she found him waking up on the couch. When he saw her, his little tail started thumping against the couch.
He was eating again, but he still wasn’t himself. It was like he didn’t sleep the whole time he was gone, and he was just now catching up on it.
She scooped Odie up in her arms. His head rested on her shoulder. Belle snuggled him. His warm little body fit perfectly in her arms. Her heart swelled.
“I love you, little one,” she whispered in his ear.
She carried him over and plugged in the Christmas tree lights. She settled on the couch and pet Odie. Her gaze strayed to the vase of red and white roses. They’d been delivered to the boutique the day before, but they still looked just as fresh as the moment they’d been handed to her.
There hadn’t been a card with them. But she didn’t need a card to know they were from Parker. She wondered why he’d go to the effort of sending her flowers but wouldn’t include a message. It certainly had her puzzled. After what she’d said to him, why would he send her roses?
A few minutes later, Odie got off her lap and settled on the couch next to her. His body pressed against her thigh. Life was getting back to normal. So, then, why did she feel as though something was missing?
Buzz.
When she got up from the couch, Odie let out a little whimper. She looked back at him. “It’s okay, little one. I’ll be right back.”
She grabbed her purse from next to the door.
She reached inside and quickly found her phone.
She glanced at the screen and found it was Merry Kringle.
She wondered why she was calling. Maybe she wanted to check in on Odie.
After all, it was Merry who brought Odie into her life. She owed the woman a debt of gratitude.
Belle pressed the phone to her ear as she retraced her steps back to the couch. “Hello.”
“Oh, hi, Belle. You didn’t leave yet, did you?” Without waiting for a response, she rushed on. “I forgot the pretzel sticks. Is there any chance you could pick up a half dozen bags or so?”
Pretzel sticks? Belle didn’t know what she was talking about. Lately, her mind had been filled with thoughts of Parker. And wondering if she’d made the right decision.
“Belle? Did you hear me?” Merry’s voice drew Belle’s attention.
“Uh, yes.”
“I’m sorry to call on you. But I’m already here at the community center setting up for the competition.”
And then it dawned on Belle. Tonight was the gingerbread house competition. This wasn’t one of those dramatic competitions like they had on television with the three- and four-feet tall structures. This contest was modest in comparison.
“So, you’ll pick up the pretzels?” Merry asked.
Belle didn’t want to go out. She didn’t want to be around a bunch of cheerful partygoers. But she couldn’t turn down Merry. “Yes, I will. I’ll be there shortly. I just need to change clothes and get Odie some dinner.”
“How is the little guy doing? It was so horrible what happened to the two of you.”
“He’s doing better every day. It’s like he was on alert the whole time he was gone, just waiting for me to come get him. And now that he’s home, he’s wiped out.”
“It’ll take him a bit, but I’m sure he’ll feel safe and secure again. It was great that Parker was there to help you bring him home.”
He was the last person she wanted to talk about. “Yes. He was great.”
“You two spent a lot of time together. I heard he stayed at your place to protect you. That’s so chivalrous.”
Belle inwardly groaned. She didn’t want to think about how awesome Parker was, because it made her regret how she’d ended things between them.
Anxious to end this line of conversation, Belle said, “I better get going if I’m going to pick up the pretzel sticks. I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Belle disconnected the call and looked at Odie. His eyes opened, and he yawned. He stretched and then found a new position to go back to sleep. “Must be nice.”
After putting some food out for him, she changed into a red sweater and a pair of blue jeans. She would pick up the pretzel sticks and drop them off at the community center, but as soon as she was done, she was leaving.