“Don’t you feel better about your life now? You get to go home and drink good coffee and eat something delicious. Things are looking up, right?” she smiled and Ben couldn’t stop his own smile from appearing.
“Clever girl.” Hannah smiled happily at him.
“On a completely different topic, I was out at the mall with Tina yesterday having lunch when I was approached by Wendy’s attorney.”
“How did he find you at the mall?” Hannah asked.
“He followed us from the neighborhood and waited until we were in a public place with lots of witnesses before he approached. He basically told me that Wendy was going to do a televised interview about me unless I settled. I spoke to Walter, my attorney, who’s going to sue Peeps magazine for libel. He’s hopeful that will make the studios think twice about speaking with her.”
“Hopefully but they may decide to risk it as you’re a hot story right now,” Hannah said in concern. “The TV studios have teams of lawyers and deep pockets.”
Ben frowned at her and she shrugged. “Brutal honesty.”
“Right. Well… damn.” He shook his head. “I’m not going to worry about it.”
“Did you find out why she’s doing this? Aside from greed?” Hannah asked.
Ben nodded and looked at her bleakly. “Her lawyer said she’s broke and has large medical bills because she’s very, very ill.”
“Playing on your sympathies. She’s probably fine!” Hannah growled.
Ben expression remained glum.
“What?”
“I spoke with the family doctor shortly before her mother passed away. Wendy has the same genetic markers for the disease that took her mother. It isn’t a pleasant way to go and it’s a lingering death. Wendy was in denial about it. The lawyer’s story may be just a trick but it might also be based on her having to go through the same treatments her mother did,” he explained.
Hannah looked at Ben and saw the pain there. “Ben, you were there for her all the way and she left you. You owe her nothing!”
Ben looked away and nodded absently. “I- I just thought you should know. You might be seeing her on TV someday soon, saying some not so pleasant, or true, things about me.”
Hannah sighed as she saw Ben’s evasion. She wished Gabriella was here to talk sense into him. Speaking of the woman, she touched Ben’s arm. “When do you go to visit Gabriella?”
“I’m flying out tonight with Miriam and Daniel.”
“Right! I wish I was there to see her expression when she sees her kids,” Hannah smiled.
“I’ll try to remember to record it.”
“Yes please!” Hannah said and looked at her watch. “Oh geez! I have to go as I have a status meeting in two minutes! Have a lovely trip and take care! Say hello to Gabriella for me!” She jumped from her chair and with a final wave hustled off to the elevators.
Ben dumped his ‘reality check snack’ and made his way back out to his truck. The drive home was quick and he began packing. Apparently it was going to be chilly in Milan but very comfortable in Melbourne and Sydney. Ben packed light as he didn’t want to be carrying too much. He had his computer bag as well as the duffle with the prototype so a heavy suitcase wasn’t an option.
It was lunch time and walking through the living room Ben spotted a gourmet food truck parked in front of his newly renovated house. He turned to Tina. “Would you like some spicy fish tacos?”
“Yes please!” she said beaming a smile at him, her eyes twinkling with her love. She was especially affectionate this morning. Ben had woken to her kissing his cheek. She liked her present.
As he pulled on his coat and slipped on his boots he recalled Lucy’s hug and kiss this morning was more… intense than usual. She must have liked her present as well.
The guys picking up their orders at the truck greeted Ben with a cheer as he walked up. He smiled and waved to them. He got in line behind Dominic and was about to greet the man when his cell rang so he answered it.
“Ben? It’s Shelly.”
“Hi Shelly!”
“Do you think you could swing by the office today? I have documents for you to sign. Should you wish to bring along the check, that would be fine with me as well,” she giggled.
Ben looked at the time. “Yeah, I can probably swing that. I’ll be out of town for a little over a week so better I get the purchase of the house out of the way before I go.” He noticed Dominic waving at him. “Uh, hang on a minute Shelly.”
“Sure,” she said. He put the phone against his chest.
“Is this about number 9?” Dominic asked.
“Yup. You still interested?”
“Yes. My wife is ecstatic! I drove her through the neighborhood and walked her through the renovations we’ve done to your place and she’s onboard. We can swing the full amount as she’s willing to contribute from some of her inheritance. The woman has money tucked away in accounts I have no clue about!”
“So maybe I should just let you finish the transaction. Saves me the commission fee.” Ben said and Dominic nodded. Ben brought the phone back up to his ear.
“Sorry about that. I’m going to put you on the phone with my friend Dominic Selleni. It turns out he’s the one who will be buying the home. Same price. Same everything. That cool with you?”
“Oh! Yeah, that’s no problem. I’ll just get his details and update the documents to reflect the new owner,” Shelly agreed.
“Great! Here he is,” Ben said and handed the phone to Dominic. They made their way closer to the front of the line, Dominic answering Shelly’s questions and once they were done he handed Ben his phone back.
“Thanks very much Ben. That was the easiest home purchase I’ve ever made and the most expensive,” the big man said with a grin.
Ben returned the smile then it was their turn to order. When Ben gave his the truck owner recognized him and shook his hand. Ben’s business had really helped them through a tough summer. This would be their last visit of the year. They were heading south to visit family in Monterray, Mexico.
Once his order was ready he headed home and ate with Tina in the kitchen.
“Dominic and his wife Sofia will be moving into Joanne White’s place,” he said. “I’ve asked Shelly to complete the transaction with him. Saves me some commission money.”
She nodded as she enjoyed another mouthful of the spicy food.
They finished up in a comfortable silence, just enjoying each other’s company. Ben began to think about all the stuff that had to be done before his daughters could move into the house and worry lines appeared on his forehead.
“Ben, we have this. You can go to see Gabriella and Margaux without worrying about us. I have a plan and I have Catherine, Trish, and Lucy to help me see it through. We will make all the preparations to get the girls into the home. I can also reach you on your phone. Please, just enjoy your time with them and come back safe and sound to us.”
He looked at Tina and felt his tension draining away. He nodded. “Thank you Tina for reminding me how amazing you are. I’m so lucky to have you here. I love you so much!”
She smiled in return. “I love you too Ben!”
He kissed her knuckles.
“When do you pick up Miriam and Daniel?” she asked.
Ben glanced at the clock. “In two hours. I sent them texts and they both replied they were ready.” He grinned. “They were probably packed the night I asked them to join me.”
Tina nodded with a grin of her own.
He cleaned up and Tina made her way back into the living room. She had begun working on some online courses to prepare herself for the accounting course she intended to take.
Ben went to his office in the basement and reviewed the plans for his security door one last time then sent the package to the milling tech at the shop to get his opinion on the feasibility and cost of building it. That done he tidied up and realized he had nothing left to do before his flight.
He collected his baggage including the duffle with the prototype and put them in his truck. He’d be leaving it in long term parking at the airport as no one here needed it during his absence. He thought about asking Tina and Lucy if they were planning on getting their driver’s license.
He looked at the clock and saw it was time. He found Tina, gave her a big kiss and asked her to pass it along to Lucy and to give a hug to the girls. Then he drove over to Gabriella’s place. Miriam and Daniel were immediately out the door. Miriam locked up and joined Daniel in the truck. Both were smiling excitedly.
“Ready to go?” Ben asked needlessly.
“YES!” they both cried in unison.
With a chuckle Ben got them on their way.
“How was Catherine this morning?” he asked, glancing over at Miriam as she’d be more likely to pick up the other woman’s state of mind.