Chapter 29
“Girlfriend, you are amazing! What is this magic?” Tatum exclaimed, holding up her spoon.
Bella grinned. “It’s called Sassy Lassy. It’s good, right?”
“Freaking amazing!” Tatum looked over at Meg, Maddie, Sofia, and Phoebe, who were all sampling the same flavor. “I can’t believe you’re an ice cream maven, now.”
“I know, right?” Bella grinned. “I had no idea how much fun it would be to create new flavors of ice cream. It’s actually so complicated to get it right. And now that we’re selling the vegan line too, it’s very challenging. I love it.”
Meg raised her brows. “How much did you make this year in your gourmet ice cream business?”
Bella grinned. “We just hit eight figures for the year. We added ten trucks in three cities, and I’ve picked up a couple huge retail accounts.”
“You’re a marketing genius,” Tatum said. “I’m going to have to hire you away from yourself.”
Bella laughed. “No way. I love this.”
Sofia waved her spoon. “And to think you invested because you felt bad about pulling out of the catering gig. Just goes to show you never know where life leads you.”
“And then you went and bought the catering business anyway,” Meg said, “when Diana was reluctant to walk away from her legacy. You’ve made such a difference to LaToya and all the women she has hired to run it. Complete empowerment and opportunity for underrepresented women.”
Joy flooded Bella. LaToya Johnson had been working at a crappy restaurant, a single mom without the resources to get out and start her own business. When Bella had found her and hired her, LaToya had fully staffed the entire catering business with underrepresented women, all of whom had had a tough break in life and needed a chance that no one else would give them.
Bella was proud to be a part of that movement, and she’d started looking for more opportunities to reach out into communities to help talented, underrepresented women who were ready to flourish with just a little bit of help.
But the ice cream business filled her creative side like her soul needed. “I got lucky. Diana and Jessie are smart and amazing, and they were the right people to grow the ice cream business. When I suggested we make our own gourmet ice cream, that changed everything.” She held her hand out toward her friends. “And I have to thank you guys for always coming over here and trying my new flavors. You’ve made a big difference.”
Tatum took another scoop. “You guys help me with my songs, too. My new album has a release date. Next month, on the fifteenth.”
“What?” Bella shrieked, and everyone cheered. “What did you call it?”
Tatum looked pleased. “ Her .”
“Oh my God, that’s so perfect,” Sofia said. “An entire album focused on the power of women. No one does that. Literally no one.”
“Well, I’m at the top of the food chain in the music industry, so I can do whatever I want,” Tatum said with a wink. “And I want little girls all over the world to listen to the lyrics and feel like they can be strong, powerful, and create whatever life they want, no matter what.”
“Amen to that, sister.” Phoebe raised her glass. “The women in my confidence program are going to freak out when they find out you’re doing a class on unleashing your inner badass.”
“I’m very expensive,” Tatum said. “Don’t forget you’ll owe me a free lunch by Hart Pond.”
Bella grinned. “God, I love you guys. I never thought I’d feel so happy and comfortable with you all, but it’s amazing what has happened in a year, isn’t it?” It had taken only a few weeks for Dylan and his team to solve the situation with the man who had tracked them to Cape Cod. It turned out, it had been a man who was owed money by Falcon’s biological father, and he’d decided to try to get the money from the Harts. Simple, clean, and easy to unpack.
Bella’s stalker had found her one evening when she’d been doing a photoshoot in LA. And for the first time in her life, she’d stood up for herself with her voice, and using some of her magical self-defense skills, with Falcon looming over the situation looking quite monster-ish.
Her stalker had wound up needing stitches and a cast. He’d never bothered her again, and she’d spent weeks feeling like a goddess. Still kinda did, actually.
Phoebe leaned forward. “Is Falcon around this weekend?”
Bella nodded. “He’s due back any minute. He went for a ride. Why?”
“The healing he did with Annie a few days ago made such a difference. I know he releases trauma that is stored as energy blocks, but I still find it amazing. I’m also like a different person. Even Jacob noticed, and he’s decided to work with Falcon.”
“And my hands—” Tatum held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. “For years, I’ve had stiffness in them, and they’re completely fine.”
Bella smiled, immense satisfaction spreading through her. “He’s going out to Sedona next week for a five-day intensive on physical healing. He’s so passionate and so talented.”
Meg sighed. “It’s so amazing how both of you have lit up since finding each other and your passions. I’m not going to lie, I’m massively jealous of all of you. I feel like I’m still floundering. Don’t get me wrong, I love using my financial wizardry as your ice cream CFO, but it’s your business, not mine.”
Bella put her arm around her sister and gave her a quick hug. “You’ll find your place, Meg. I didn’t think I would, but I did.”
Meg nodded. “I know. You inspire me.” She grinned at them. “You guys all inspire me. You’ve all found your career passion and love, so it’s my turn.”
Tatum smiled warmly. “It’ll be your turn when you’re ready. You ready?”
Meg looked around at them all. “I think I might be.”
They all cheered and pulled Meg into a laughing hug. God, Bella was so happy. She never knew she could be so happy?—
The front door suddenly opened, and she looked over as Falcon walked in the door. He was dusty from his ride, looking rough and rugged and extremely delicious. He’d discovered he liked being clean-shaven, and he looked so much younger without the scruffy beard. His cowboy hat was tipped back so she could see his beautiful face, and he flashed her that smile that made his eyes crinkle up with laughter.
God, he looked happy. Relaxed. Carefree.
She knew it was because he was living his purpose work, the life he was meant to live, and she was so lucky that it included her. “Hey there, gorgeous,” she said.
He blew her a kiss, his wedding ring catching the light coming in through her picture windows. The wedding ring they’d picked out together. “Sassy Lassy a hit?” he asked, aware that today had been a final tasting of the new flavor.
“Of course,” Tatum said. “Your wife is a genius.”
“I know.” Pride was evident on his face and in his voice, and Bella’s heart expanded. “She’s incredible. I fall more in love with her every day.”
“Aww...” Meg put her hand over her heart. “You guys are literally the sweetest---”
“Mommy! Mommy! I galloped today! I galloped on Night Blade!” Gordy came running in behind Falcon, his little cowboy hat askew, and his red cowboy boots finally covered in dirt, after months of Gordy being afraid to get them dirty, because they were the best thing he’d ever had in his life.
“Wow! I’m so proud of you!” Bella crouched down, catching Gordy as he flung himself into her arms. She stood up, propping him on her hip as he filled her in on all the details of his trip.
His brown eyes were twinkling with joy, making her heart dance. “Daddy said today was the day. Is it really today?”
She grinned and looked at Falcon. “Is it today?”
He nodded. “Yep.”
“Today! Today!” Gordy bounced in her arms, then wiggled to get down. “I made her a bed. I’ll go get it.” He sprinted up the stairs, his little feet pounding.
Meg raised her brows. “What’s today?”
Bella looked at Falcon and smiled. “Today’s the day we’re picking our new dog.”
“A new dog? You’re getting a dog?” Phoebe grinned. “Cupcake will be so happy to have another dog on the ranch! What is the dog like?”
“A three-legged, eighty-pound pit bull,” Falcon said.
“Named Athena,” Bella added. “She was rescued from a terrible situation, and it took her foster mom months to build her confidence back up. She was forty pounds when they took her in.”
“Oh…” Meg put her hand over her heart. “And now she has you guys.”
Bella nodded, smiling as Falcon walked up, put his arm around her waist, and kissed her cheek. “Gordy picked her, but we all felt the bond with her. She’s going to learn to feel safe again.”
“And love,” Falcon said. “She’ll get to know what it feels like to be loved.”
Bella smiled at him. “Always loved. By all of us.”
Falcon’s smile was just for her. “Always loved, Bells. Always .”
Things get sassy and spicy in When We Least Expect It ! If you can't stand the heat, get out of the wedding! Except that the chemistry between wedding planner Piper Townsend and her fake fiancé, ex-cop Declan Jones, is scorching hot…and in danger of combusting into something more real than either of them wants. Sparks fly when the sassy runaway bride recruits her reclusive landlord into her world of romance, tuxedoes, and happily-ever-after when she and Declan make a deal to fake an engagement for twenty-one scorching hot days. Treat yourself to When We Least Expect It today or keep reading for a sneak peek!