Bed & Breakfast

Ch. 29 Focus on What Matters

*** Andie's POV ***

I practically bounced down the stairs, energized by my very sexy performance and excited to celebrate Christmas with family in this house again. I paused at the picture of my grandma and grandpa near the bottom of the stairs. I tenderly touched the image. They might not have understood this strange dynamic I had with Lou and the kids, but I know they would be thrilled that I was happy and had found someone who I saw as a true partner.

"Merry Christmas." I whispered to them and turned to the task at hand. I had just pressed the button when I heard a knock at the door. Oh right, Paula.

I hurried to the door and was surprised to see Bennett in front of me. "You're early."

"I uh, offered to make a special delivery." He scratched the back of his head and looked back to his car. I peeked around him to see Paula sitting in the front seat.

"Paula. Why is she with you?" I gasped.

"She totaled her car last night. Wade was on the call." Bennett shared.

"Oh my God. Is she okay? Is Wilson?" I asked frantically.

"They are. They were both checked out. She has some minor bumps and bruises. She is obviously shaken by the whole thing." Bennett explained.

"But why...why didn't they call? Did they call her parents?" I questioned.

"That's part of the reason why I brought her here. She told the folks at the hospital that there was no one to call." Bennett explained, making me frown. "The only reason I showed up at the hospital is because Wade knew who she was and called me."

"So she hit her head? She has amnesia?" I wasn't understanding why she would say that.

"No. Not quite." Bennett stepped closer and dropped his voice even though we were the only two. "When I arrived and the doctor's claimed she had no next of kin, I thought the same thing. But when I asked her, she said she can't afford another slip up with her parents. She said Lou and the kids wouldn't care if she was dead or alive."

I held my hand over my mouth. Was that really how she felt? When we left, she was getting along fine with the kids. Bennett's blue eyes held questions. He was waiting for me to say something. "I don't think that's true. She...she was headed here to spend Christmas with us." Then a dark thought hit me. "You don't think...it wasn't on purpose, was it?"

"I don't believe. The roads were really nasty and her car wasn't in the best shape for winter travel. At least that's what Wade observed." Bennett shared.

I took a deep breath still trying to process everything. Bennett reached out and gripped my shoulder. "I didn't mean to spoil your Christmas."

I looked up at him and smiled gently. "Not your fault. If anything, I'm grateful you stepped in. Obviously this whole situation is unresolved."

"Is it really your issue?" He asked sympathetically.

"Yes." I answered sharply and then further explained. "They're my family now."

Bennett nodded. "Right. Well I probably shouldn't intrude any longer."

"Nonsense. You're still coming later, right?" I asked. He tilted his head back as if running through his options. "Bennett, don't be silly. You can't spend it alone."

"Yeah. I'll be here." He finally agreed. "Do you still need me to notarize that document?"

Shoot. As if there wasn't enough drama already. "Yeah. Bring your stamp. Just in case."