Belle wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. She leaned on the broom she’d been using to scrub the concrete floor while Raphael threw buckets of hot, soapy water in front of her.
The pink-tinged mess flowed to the six-inch-wide grate in the middle of the floor that ran the length of the shed, then led to a drain tank outside. She scrunched up her nose. It still stunk to high heaven.
Raph saw her face. “Not particularly pleasant, is it?”
She shook her head. He’d been such a wonderful help. The Casellatis had hung around yesterday, helping out with what they could, while the forensic team did their thing. Dante had been the most helpful—for her at least—keeping her company and sending her smiles and small touches when she most needed them.
Even something as simple as a squeeze on her arm when he walked past had bolstered her spirit.
He’d come over with Raph and Leo again this morning, but had to leave soon after. Her heart had sunk as she’d watched him walk down the driveway, loneliness and a stark melancholy overtaking her as his figure disappeared around the slight bend.
She glanced over at Mr C, who was talking with her father. He’d brought a basket of food, ranging from Angel’s amazing baked offerings to sandwiches and cold drinks.
A wave of love for the old man washed over her. He’d treated them all like family ever since she and Dante had been friends. Jack had hung around with Leo and Raph occasionally, but had been closer to the O’Brien boys than the Casellatis. Still, they felt like extended family.
Others had shown up, too. Cat had brought cupcakes, and Darby from the bakery had arrived to drop off supplies of bread and rolls, with offers to bring out anything they needed. She’d lost count of the messages of support and offers of help she, her father, and Jack had received between them.
It was one reason she loved living in the Crossing. When bad or good things happened, people showed up in droves to help.
Raph came back with another bucket and put it down. He held out his hand for the broom.
“Give it here. I’ll have a go at the scrubbing for a while if you like.”
Belle considered arguing, then handed it over. Who was she to refuse help on the physical stuff?
She looked past Raph at her brother, still grim-faced and quiet after the events of the past two days. Sadness at his loss threatened to drown her. He looked so unhappy. He’d worked on the award blend for so long. It was his pet project, much like Dante with his naked wine that he’d been nursing along.
Jack hosed behind them with the pressure washer, the intensity of the spray mixed with her scrubbing and the soapy water solution removing any colour from the concrete, and all trace of what had occurred.
Three years of work, literally down the drain.
The rumble of their tractor engine brought Belle’s head around. A motorbike followed close behind. The O’Brien twins—Gerry and Joe Junior—walked into the shed. Gerry took off his hat and shoved a hand through his hair.
“Slashing is done. Joe Junior here”—he motioned to his twin brother—“set the pump timers and added the fertiliser like your dad wanted. It’s all done, buddy.”
Jack nodded and tried to smile. “Thanks, guys.”
“There’s food in the office if you’re hungry,” Belle added. “We’ve had quite a few people stop by with stuff, so help yourselves. We’re going to be buried in egg and lettuce sandwiches!”
They grinned at her, their smiles almost identical. The usually sombre Joe Junior had perked up, his attempts at cheering Jack up noticeable.
Jack turned off the pressure washer and followed his friends into the office, which also acted at times as a staff room. Raph came up behind her.
“I know the timing is dreadful, but would you like to grab dinner with me sometime? Or, if not dinner, even a coffee somewhere that’s not home?” he added after seeing her surprise.
Belle picked up the bucket and sloshed the hot soapy water over the next section. Raph took the hint and started to scrub.
“That’s a really nice offer.”
“Oh?”
“And I’m truly flattered you would ask. I mean, you’re extremely good-looking and seem to be a really nice guy and I’m sure it would be loads of fun.”
Raph grinned at her. “But?”
“But I don’t think it would be a good idea.”
“Because?” He stopped sweeping and held his arms out wide. “Hit me with it. I have broad shoulders. I can take it.”
His joke worked. She laughed.
“Fine. Because you’re the wrong Casellati.”
Raph leaned his chin on his hand on top of the broom. “I see. And you think the other one might object if you start dating me?”
Belle laughed. “I should hope so, because I slept with him two nights ago.”
Raph straightened, eyes widening.
So, he doesn’t know.
A strange mixture of defeat and smug satisfaction rippled over his face.
“Well now, what do you know! Took you guys long enough.”
Belle hugged the bucket to herself and shrugged. She hated to admit it, but she refused to be dishonest with him. “It’s not like we’re dating or anything.”
“Yet.”
Belle had to smile at Raph’s continued optimism—in everything. Since he’d come over, all he’d done was be positive and bolster their spirits to the point where it was difficult to be completely miserable, even considering what had happened only the day before.
“You have an inflated opinion of my allure, Raphael. Dante’s never been falling over himself to date me.”
Or anyone else, come to think of it. Sure, he dated on and off, but nothing serious, and nothing that lasted a long time.
She put the bucket down near a rolling stainless steel bench.
“Not that I’m asking him to. We had a thing. It might be a one-off, it might not. I’m not going to get myself all wound up about it.”
Biggest lie of the century, but she wasn’t about to admit to Dante’s brother that if he didn’t follow up on his parting comments the previous morning, that she’d be more than wound up.
She’d be devastated.
Raph leaned the broom against the bench and lifted her chin. It was distinctly uncomfortable, him being so close and being so familiar, since they didn’t know each other all that well anymore.
“While I appreciate the honesty, I think you severely underestimate your appeal.”
He stepped back and Belle took a steadying breath. It was if he looked into her soul. She didn’t want him to see what she was trying to hide from herself.
That if she wasn’t careful, she might just end up falling in love with Dante Casellati.
She let the breath out in a burst and blew her fringe out of her face. She had the distinct impression that she might be too late.