Chapter 48: Just Work
The hum of Chloe’s car filled the air as it rolled to a stop in front of the house. Bella leaned back against the seat, watching the quiet neighborhood glow under the soft hues of evening. She barely had time to open her door before a small figure shot out from the porch.
"Mommy!"
Timothy’s voice rang out, full of energy, his brown curly hair bouncing as he ran. Bella barely had a chance to crouch before he barreled into her arms.
She laughed, holding him close and inhaling the faint scent of crayons and sunshine clinging to his hair. "Oh, my baby boy. How was your first day in school, baby?"
Timothy leaned back, his face lit up with excitement. "It was sooo good! Mommy, the teacher’s nice. She even gave me a pencil when mine broke. And—and I made a new friend, Liam. I let him have half of my sandwich ’cause he forgot his in his mommy’s car."
Bella chuckled, brushing his hair back from his forehead. "You’re such a nice little man. I’m so glad you’re doing good, baby."
Chloe came around the car, grinning as she watched the scene. "Sounds like someone already stole the spotlight in class."
Timothy puffed his chest proudly. "Of course! I was the fastest in tag today. Nobody could catch me." Then, as if remembering something important, he tugged Bella’s hand. "And guess what, Mommy? After school, Aunt Rachel took me to Mr. Camden’s house!"
Bella raised a brow, glancing at Rachel who had just stepped out the door to welcome them. "Oh? I see you’ve already got acquainted with him. What do you think of Mr. Camden?"
Timothy lowered his voice like he was telling a secret. "He’s grumpy."
Rachel groaned, throwing her hands up. "See? Even Timothy noticed!"
Timothy nodded seriously. "He kept saying, ’I can do it myself’ when Aunt Rachel tried to help. But..." He paused, thinking hard. "When he thought nobody was looking, he smiled a little. Not big like Uncle jokes, but a tiny smile. I saw it."
Bella’s lips curved as she glanced at her sister. "A tiny smile, huh? Sounds like he’s not as scary as you think, Rachel."
Rachel rolled her eyes, plopping onto the porch steps. "Don’t let that fool you. The man is stubborn as a stone wall."
Chloe laughed, shaking her head. "I told you. That tough act is just a mask. Underneath, he’s soft as jelly. You’ll crack him, Rachel. Just give it time. I’m sure he’s just not used to all that care."
Bella and Chloe exchanged a look, and both burst into laughter at Rachel’s indignant groan. "If that’s softness, I’d hate to see hardness," Rachel muttered, which only made them laugh harder.
Inside, dinner was waiting—Rachel’s handiwork, still warm on the stove. They gathered at the table, the room filled with chatter.
Timothy animatedly told more stories about his day: the color of the classroom walls, the big playground slide, and how one boy tried to scare everyone with a fake spider.
Bella listened, her heart swelling at every detail. She reached across the table, brushing her fingers over Timothy’s small hand. "I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. Starting at a new school isn’t easy, but you were so brave and even helped out a friend."
Timothy’s grin widened, his little chest puffing again. "I just wanted you to be proud, Mommy."
The words hit her straight in the heart. She pulled him into a hug right there at the table, her voice thick. "I’ll always be proud of you, darling. Always."
Rachel smiled softly, watching them, while Chloe pretended to wipe a tear dramatically, earning a playful swat from Bella.
The evening wound down with Timothy tucked into bed, clutching his stuffed bear and whispering a sleepy "goodnight, Mommy."
Bella lingered by his door, watching the rise and fall of his tiny chest, before slipping quietly back into the living room.
She had just barely had time to relax when her phone buzzed against the glass coffee table. The name flashing across the screen froze her in place.
Jake Stones. Why would he be calling her at this time? What did he want? Was this like his brother had done the other day? Was he also calling to call her out to talk?
Her stomach tightened. The last thing she wanted tonight was his voice. She wanted to ignore the call but her instinct and the fact that he was her boss pushed her thumb to the green button.
He could be calling for work.
"Mr. Stones," she said, her voice clipped, and professional.
Silence hung for a moment, then his voice came low, softer than usual. "Back to treating me like a stranger, I guess," he said and chuckled softly. "It’s fine. I know it’s late and I probably shouldn’t be calling now. But I need to ask something of you. It’s important."
Her shoulders slumped. "Of course. What is it?"
"The board’s quarterly report," he said. "I was going through it and it needed some adjustments. I wanted to let you adjust them but It slipped my mind earlier. I need it by morning. Could you help me adjust it tonight? I have other things to do."
Bella closed her eyes briefly. The report wasn’t light work, but since it was just to make adjustments.... then if she stayed up late, it would be possible.
"Yes," she said at last. "I’ll handle it."
He exhaled, not quite a sigh. "Thank you. And... I’m sorry, Bella. I should have mentioned it earlier. It wasn’t fair of me to call at this hour."
Her chest tightened at the sound of her name on his tongue. She fought to keep her tone even. "It’s fine. It’s my job."
"No," he said quickly. "Your job is to assist me during the day not at night. I shouldn’t have forgotten."
She froze, startled by the uncharacteristic note of regret in his voice. But she forced herself not to soften. Not with him.
"If you send me the document and all I need to adjust now, I’ll be able to email it back to you before midnight."
"All right. I’ll send it now." His voice dropped, caring a tender note. "And, Bella... thank you. I mean it."
Her throat went dry when she heard the affection and for a split second,what Chloe had asked her crossed her mind.
She cleared it quickly. "Goodnight, Mr. Stones."
"Goodnight, Isabella."
The line clicked off, leaving Bella staring at her phone, unsettled.
He had no right to sound like that. No right to slip through her guard with a simple apology and a "thank you." Yet here she was, dragging her laptop out, ready to sacrifice her night for him.
"Just work," she muttered under her breath, powering on her laptop. "That’s all this is."
That was what she told herself but as she began typing after receiving the document, she couldn’t shake the echo of his softened voice that lingered in her head.