Chapter18
Maverick
Icouldn't believe it when a woman stepped outside onto the makeshift walkway in heels and a fitted skirt.I'd never met Belle's mother before, but I could see the resemblance in their faces.Her hair was a bleached blond though, and she was more delicately boned than Belle.
Belle had looked uncomfortable, but I couldn't get past my irritation with one more person not respecting the rules of a construction zone.It was no place for heels.
Why was her mother here?Belle had said the money for her shop had come from her grandmother.Was her mother controlling Belle in other ways?Did Belle yearn for her mother's approval?I had a feeling that wasn't something her mother gave easily, if ever.She preferred to keep her daughter wanting more and never delivering.
Belle stayed out to lunch longer than usual.I wondered if that was her mother's doing.Belle hated to leave for longer than fifteen minutes to get a coffee or grab something to go.Then she ate it quickly in the break room so she could get back to work.
But it seemed like Mrs.Beckett got whatever she wanted, whether it was Belle's time or attention.I wondered why Belle gave it to her.If my mother acted like that, I wouldn't be taking her out to lunch.
The lights went back on in the bookstore, and I got back to work, setting the pavers.This was the part I enjoyed.I could see the project come to life exactly how I'd pictured it.It would be a space that many in town would enjoy for years to come.
In addition to the town center where the Christmas tree stood, this would become another hub for activity.It was a smart decision to add it.
After we finished for the day, I cleaned off my boots and grabbed a change of clothes I'd brought with me from the truck.I knocked on the front door.It was locked for the day, but I could see Belle stocking books on shelves.
She opened the door for me, locking it behind me.She seemed drained.There were dark circles under her eyes.I wondered if it was her mother's presence or our late nights catching up with her.
"You want to hang out tonight?"
"Of course," she said, but she sounded tired.
"What did your mother want?"I asked, following her to the shelf she was working on.
Belle sighed as she put more books on the shelf."To see the store."
"What did she think of it?"
"She sees it as a minor distraction, a hiccup on my road to academia.She wanted to make sure that I knew my old professors were willing to mentor me whenever I was ready."
I frowned."You don't plan on keeping the store?"
"I do.But Mom has other ideas."
I wondered how influential her mother was in her life.I was fully independent from my parents.I enjoyed their company, but they had no say in my life.I didn't like that Belle's parents still had a say in hers."You listen to her?"
"I mean, I'm not rude.I took her out to lunch.I heard what she had to say.It doesn't mean I'mlisteningto her."
"Then why go out with her at all?"I asked, irritation coursing through me.If Belle closed the store, what would it mean for my project?Would it be left unfinished?Even if it was from no fault of my own, that could be a huge issue for our business.People would speculate that it was my fault that we didn't finish the work.It wouldn't be good for my reputation.
Belle glanced at me before shelving the next book."She's my mother."
I clenched my teeth."You don't owe her anything."
"I'm not going to be rude to her."
"I'm not saying that you should be."
Belle sighed."Then what are you saying?"
I rubbed my neck."I didn't like that she was on my job site in unsafe clothes."
"I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."Belle sighed, and I wondered if I was one more stressor in her already long day.
"You want to head upstairs?"I could usually get her to relax with my hands and mouth.
