Finding Home (14 page)

Ben shuffled his feet. “With all due respect, sir, I paid two hundred thousand for them the first time, to people I didn’t even know or care about. I’d like to give you three hundred thousand.”

Travis dropped the dish he’d been washing. It clattered into the metallic sink, but didn’t crack.

“No, thank you, boy,” he said grimly. “We don’t take charity.”

Ben nodded and resumed drying. Maybe, he should just let it go. Thinking on it, he decided he couldn’t. It wasn’t charity.

“How much are they worth?” Ben asked, not taking his eyes from the task.

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“I’m sure you do. You must have done some research here and there, no?”

“Okay, maybe a little.” Travis handed him a bowl.

“So, you know they’re worth at least three hundred thousand dollars then. You know that if you took the time to sell them to the right buyer, you would get at least that much.”

Travis nodded slowly, his gray head bobbing just slightly.

“Then I don’t see how it’s charity. I’m a buyer, just like anyone else you could find. I’d like to buy the rings for my girlfriend, please.”

“Your girlfriend?” Travis cocked his brow.

“Technicalities,” Ben shrugged. “But I hope, in time, maybe much more than that.”

Travis faltered, bracing his hands on the countertop. “Are you sure you can afford that? Jessica told us about…” The man let his words trail off, obviously not wanting to berate or diminish Ben.

“My horrible business sense and faulty investments?” Ben supplied.

Again, Travis only nodded.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Ben said. “Actually, Jessica doesn’t know this yet…I haven’t gotten around to telling her, what with everything else going on. One of those crappy investments paid off big time. I’ve got quite a lot of money, right now.” He paused waiting for a response, but none came. “I’d like to re-invest it in your niece.”

They continued their task in silence, until the last dish was dry. Ben didn’t dare press the older man. After they’d hung up the dish rags, Travis turned to Ben and stuck out his hand.

“Okay, then,” he said. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

* * * *

Jessica beamed as her family scarfed up her cinnamon buns after the large dinner they’d already had.

“Good, huh?” she asked.

The kids all nodded and grunted.

“Worth coming back from Tommy’s for,” Billy said to a round of laughter.

“You’ve always been such a blessing in the kitchen, Jessica,” her aunt said. “It’s a shame they threw you into stocking shelves at the Shaw’s. You’d have made that bakery shine.”

Jessica nodded, bitterness stinging at her. All she’d wanted was to work in the bakery. It had been the position she’d applied for. But with no experience, they promised her “training” if she started on the shelves. That promise had never materialized.

She tried to lighten her mood.

“Actually, most of the recipes I use now, especially for baking, came from Ben’s mom.” She smiled at Ben. “Ellie is an amazing cook!”

“Can’t argue with you there,” Ben said after he chased down his bun with a gulp of milk. “But you’ve made changes to these. They’re better when you make them.” He slitted his eyes in mock conspiracy. “Don’t tell her I said that.”

Jessica laughed. “I won’t.” She sighed. “Maybe, someday, I’ll have enough to start up a business of my own. You can do it online these days. I wouldn’t even need a proper shop.”

“Is that what you want?” Ben asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never let myself think about it. Well, not since Mom and Dad…” Her voice cracked.

Ben walked over to where she stood at the counter and put his arm around her. “I was going to wait for this,” he said, “but I think now is as good a time as any.”

She looked around, aware that her aunt and uncle were staring at her, grinning like fools.

Ben reached into his pocket and pulled out the rings. “This is your first Christmas present,” he said. “Sorry, they’re late.”

Anger flashed through her. What was going on?

“No,” she said stubbornly. “Those belong to Uncle Travis now.”

“He bought them fair and square,” Travis said, not moving from the table. “Gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

“No offense, but I doubt that,” Jessica retorted. “Those are worth more than any of us have to throw around.”

“Actually,” Ben said, moving away from her so he could look into her eyes, his gaze capturing her and almost making her forget her irritation—until she remembered what they were talking about. Ben leaned in again, softening his voice. “There was an old investment I made when I first moved to New York. It was so paltry and risky, I lost a lot of money on it in the beginning. I couldn’t bear to watch it anymore, or sell at such a loss, and eventually, I just up and forgot about it, assuming it would never pay off. But I was wrong, and it did. I bought the rings from Travis for what they were worth.”

He paused, assessing her reaction. She gave him none, not knowing what to think.

“I want you to have them. Please.”

“You suddenly have enough money to afford them?” She was skeptical.

“And more than that. I’d got more money than I know what to do with right now,” he answered. “And I’d like to make another investment.”

Jessica groaned.

“In you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” Ben said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. “We all agree you’re an excellent chef, and you just said yourself you want to open a bakery.”

“Yes…”

“So let’s do it.”

“Open a bakery?”

“Why not?” Ben asked. “I can’t think of a better business venture to invest in. Plus, I really like it here. So much more homey than New York.”

“What about your parents?” she asked, not wanting to be the cause of a second rift.

“Oh, I plan on flying back and helping them with arrangements on the farm. With this money, I can pull them out of the hole and make it profitable again. Then, if you don’t mind me living nearby, I’d like to move here and help you set up shop. I can’t cook, but I can help in other ways. If you’ll let me.”

“This is a lot to think about,” Jessica said.

“I don’t see how there’s anything to think about,” Stella interjected. “It sounds like a marvelous plan to me.”

“Well,” Jessica said, hesitating. “Maybe…”

“We can set up all the details later,” Ben said. “For now, will you accept the rings?”

She smiled, her heart welling over with goodwill. She was so lucky to have lived and learned, to have been allowed to make her mistakes and still be surrounded by such love.

“Yes,” she said. “Thank you.” Tears stung her eyes. “Thank you so much.” She couldn’t believe that in one Christmas she’d found not only her old family, but possibly a new one. She caught the tender look in Ben’s blue eyes and felt utterly at peace. “This has truly been the best Christmas ever.”

Ben pulled her into a bear hug. “I agree,” he said, nuzzling her fiery locks. “I’ve finally found home.”

Jessica laughed, looking around at the comfortable kitchen, at the old table where her aunt and uncle sat beaming, the sounds of children playing wafting in from the living room, then looked up at Ben, his strong arms making her feel safe and warm. “Me, too,” she said.

About the Author

When not writing her next romance, Ninette Swann spends her days rock-climbing and taming wild horses. Or not. You decide. Or ask her about it at [email protected].

She lives with her amazing husband and children in Florida…not to be confused with Miami, unfortunately.

You can find her at http://ninetteswann.com.

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