Page 56 of Building What's Meant to Be

“As I understand it, Louella Belle’s aunt who raised her passed away, but she didn’t find out until months later. She’d been traveling abroad and her brother neglected to inform her. He also tried to take her inheritance, but that’s another story. Rhondy got worried when she wasn’t at the funeral. Once back here and living in the Flora & Fawn van, Louella Belle got desperate and applied for the show.”

“What about the others?” My heart aches for Louella Belle’s loss and the way she found out about her aunt.

“Christina was a social media personality with her @DomesticDiva brand, so it makes sense she’d want to level up. Mae was in a slump and living on Bess’s couch. So while Mae was sleeping Bess sent in the contest application.”

I laugh. “Seriously?”

Aiden nods with a smile.

“If my sister did something like that...” I trail off. But she wouldn’t. I can’t remember the last time we even spoke.

“As for Camellia, I’m not sure other than she was a widow and wanted change.”

“How’d Louella Belle become Mrs. Fix-It?”

“She didn’t. They all lost. But she and Bo did fall in love. There was a lot of drama. Some of which involved a toilet. You’ll have to ask her.”

“I’m afraid to. They intimidate me,” I confess.

Aiden tucks his chin. “They intimidate you? I’d think it would be the other way around.”

“They’re successful women in life and love.”

“It wasn’t always that way. Remember what I said about Louella Belle coming back to Butterbury with her tail between her legs? She lived in a van. She and Bo didn’t get along at first. And Christina and Buck straight-up hated each other. It didn’t look like the estate was going to get done. They even fell through a ceiling.”

I gasp. “I must’ve missed that episode.”

“I don’t think it’s been easy for any of them.”

Guilt creeps in like a poison vine when I think about how I nearly ruined Mae and Taylor’s relationship.

“I guess you could say they had a choice when they all lost the contest. They could return to their lives and never look back or take a risk on friendship. They did and now have their own show buying, remodeling, and donating to charitable organizations.”

“It’s not just that, they have an empire, Aiden. The boutique and sweetshop with merchandise and food.”

“Don’t forget the farm tours. And Bess has her show which she’ll start filming soon.”

“Exactly.” I gaze at my hands. And what do I have? I’m successful at being a failure.

“Do you have dreams of running a home makeover show, boutique, bakery, or a farm?”

I shake my head. “No, no, no, and no.”

“What are your dreams?” Aiden asks as he starts the bike.

“That’s just it. I don’t know.” I get on the back and wrap my arms around him. Tingles rush through me and I fail to answer the question about my dream by the time we pull into a parking lot that’s more dirt than gravel.

I glance up at a low brown building with white trim and a flat roof. Several picnic tables sit haphazardly in the front and off to the side. Grass grows around them along with a red, hand-painted sign that saysBBQ.

“It’s a little early for lunch, no?”

“This is Bubba’s. Bubba’s BBQ.”

“Oh. Do you think Officer Henley included a hazmat suit with the work gear?” I pull it out of the saddle bag.

Aiden laughs. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”

“Please don’t say it’s worse.”

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