A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber Page 0,96
desirable step was to approach my shop landlord. The property owner lived in Spokane, and I knew Lewis Johnson and his wife depended on the rent money for their retirement. Making that phone call was even more difficult than approaching the bank for a loan had been.
“Willa,” Lewis said, answering the phone. “Julie and I are so sorry to hear about your sister.” Then, getting right to the point, he asked, “What do you need?”
My mouth was dry. “With everything that’s happened, I want you to know I won’t have the rent money come December…I’ve gone to the bank and asked for a loan, but—”
“Willa, stop. Your December rent has already been paid, but you should know I wouldn’t have hounded you for the money either way. You’re a good tenant and I don’t intend to lose you.”
Stunned, I found myself unable to speak. “Who…Who made the payment?” The question squeaked out of the tightness in my throat.
“They asked to remain anonymous.”
It could only have been Sean.
“You don’t have a thing to worry about. There are a lot of people who want to support you.”
“Thank you,” I said, stumbling over the words before we disconnected.
While relieved that I had one less worry, I was angry that Sean felt he could step in at the last minute and play hero. Clearly he was looking to absolve his regret and rescue me. If he assumed he could buy his way back into my life, he had another think coming. I wouldn’t stand for it. I may not have much, but I wasn’t about to forfeit my pride.
Before I could even consider what I intended to say, I leaped into my car and drove out to Sean’s place. I slammed the car into park so hard I jerked forward until the seatbelt snapped across my upper body.
I marched up to his front door and pounded against the wood. It didn’t take him long to answer. The moment he saw me, he broke into a wide, warm, welcoming smile.
No doubt he’d been expecting me to rush to his side weepy and grateful. Well, that wasn’t happening.
“Willa, I’m so glad you’re here.”
He brought me into the house, and Bandit, who was curled up in front of the fireplace, came to me, his tail wagging with welcome.
“Why would you do that?” I demanded. Then, because I found it impossible to contain my anger, I paced his living area.
“I’m sorry?” He looked confused. He was a good actor.
“Don’t play games with me, Sean. I know you were the one who paid my December rent for Bean There.”
His eyes narrowed. “I didn’t.”
“Don’t lie to me…You’re the only one I told, and I immediately regretted it. I regret it even more now.”
“Willa, please, listen to me. You can be as angry as you want, but I’m telling you the truth.” His gaze dared me to defy him. “The truth is I considered it, but I had no way of knowing who your landlord is or how to get in touch. Besides, I knew you wouldn’t want that from me.”
He sounded sincere. I blinked, unsure what to believe.
“I want to help. I do. And I would if I didn’t believe you’d think I was looking for a way to buy back your favor.”
That was exactly what I’d thought.
We stood, staring at each other. “Okay, fine, but if it wasn’t you, then who was it?”
Sean’s look grew thoughtful. “You may have mentioned it to me in passing, but your family must have known. The shop hasn’t been open in nearly a month. It wouldn’t take much for someone in town to put two and two together.”
Dad knew my circumstances. I remembered him telling me he’d put a bit of money aside. Dad was friends with Lewis Johnson, my landlord. It could only have been my father. Lucas and Chantelle might have contributed, too.
The awareness must have shown in my eyes, because Sean took hold of both of my shoulders and held me at arm’s length. “Don’t you have any idea of how much you’re loved? Bean There is part of the fabric of this community. No one wants you to lose your business, least of all me.”
I snickered. “You don’t even like coffee.”
“True, but I’m crazy about the woman who brews it.”
That was the last thing I wanted to hear, especially from him.
As if he could read my mind, Sean added, “Give me another chance, Willa. Let me show you how important you are to me. I’ve been heartsick