Page 23 of Finding Love

CHAPTEREIGHT

Brook felt her nerves building the closer it got to quitting time. Both her mother and aunt seemed to notice and kept her busy with cleaning and prepping the dough for the following morning.

Even though their doors closed at one each day, the work kept her busy until past two.

About half an hour before closing time, Ellen Rodgers came in and started whispering to Brook’s mother. Then her mother pulled her aunt into the conversation and all three of the women stopped talking and glanced over at her.

“What?” she asked as she stopped sweeping. “What’s the latest gossip now?”

Everyone in town new that Ellen Rodgers was one of the biggest gossipers in town. Her and Patty O’Neil.

“Ellen was just telling us that she’s signed a contract for the big house on Ocean View,” her mother said.

Brook’s heart sank. Of course, she knew that someone would come along and purchase her castle. Her dream home. After all, the home had sat empty for years.

“Oh?” Brook sighed heavily as the dream of one day living there fluttered just out of her reach.

Ellen turned towards her. “Yes, I didn’t know we had a celebrity staying in town.”

Brook frowned. “A… celebrity?”

“Well, he might as well be. In the past few years, the man has been all over the tabloids. Growing up the son of one of the wealthiest men in the world instantly makes you a star. I think he even starred in a few movies. Then, a few years ago his father died, and a year ago he disappeared. Everyone assumed he’d married and settled down and finally quit his jet-set life.” Ellen clapped her hands together. “I honestly didn’t recognize him at first, what with the beard and long hair and that dog…”

The rest of Ellen’s words were drowned out by a high-pitched noise in her head. She sat down in the booth she’d been standing next to, and her mother rushed over to her and took her by the shoulders.

“Brook?” Just hearing the worry in her mother’s voice had her shaking it off.

Of course, Ellen was talking about Ryder. Hadn’t she wondered why he’d looked so familiar to her that first night?

He’d said he was an investor of sorts. She supposed the “of sorts” was the key part there. If he’d been born with more money than god, what was there left for him to do to make a living but push his money around?

She’d been such a fool.

Then Ellen’s words finally sunk in, and she suddenly stood up as the anger grew.

“He bought the big house on Ocean View?” She practically growled it.

Ellen frowned. “Well, yes, I mean, he put in an offer at least. I’m sure the current owners will accept it since it is for asking price.”

Brook’s eyes moved to the windows, and she wondered where Ryder was at that moment. How dare he. She’d spilled her heart out to him about that place.

What gave him the right to snatch up her dream house? Obviously, he had no plans to live there. After all, now she remembered exactly who James Gallant was. She kicked herself for not remembering who he was when Eva mentioned his real name.

James Gallant was a playboy. When he’d hit Hollywood years back, he’d slept with every star he could, taking a different woman to events each week. There were plenty of rumors about his personal life, which claimed that he’d been engaged at one point. Engaged to… She shook her head, trying to remember.

“Go.” Her mother nudged her shoulder, breaking into her thoughts. “We can finish cleaning up.”

“Are you sure?” She could see the worry in both her mother’s and aunt’s eyes.

“Yes, go.” Her mother nudged her towards the door.

Brook stormed out the door, determined to hunt Ryder down and confront him. Her mind raced through reason after reason for why he would purchase her dream home.

She made it to her car only to realize that she hadn’t even grabbed her purse and keys. Her anger fueled her as she marched past her car, intent on heading all the way to her place, but she stopped short when she spotted Ryder’s van parked across the street outside of Baked.

Ryder was sitting in a front booth eating a pizza while Willy snored at his feet.

“You bought my dream home?” she accused him, her hands on her hips as she glared down at him.