Yep, absolutely delicious.
Russell rolled his eyes. “If you’re here hoping to change my mind, you might as well start the tantrum now. I’ve got business to handle.”
Not anymore. Noah smiled. “For the record, you were wrong.”
“Doubtful.” Russell reached past Noah for the door handle. “If you’ll excuse me…”
Noah kept talking. “The balance owed on the mortgage wasn’t thirty grand. It was twenty-eight five.” He offered a casual shrug. “I was given change.”
Russell’s hand dropped from the door and he stared at Noah. “What are you talking about?”
“Told you I was going to beat you here.” Noah stepped forward, pulling the paperwork from his pocket. He tapped Russell on the shoulder with it. “You lose.”
Russell scoffed. “That’s ridiculous. You can’t just assume ownership of a property by paying?—”
“When there’s a will stating otherwise, I can. Worst case, it’ll come down to a judge. The Hebert name might not be golden in this town, but that’s because ofyou.” He tapped him again. “Not me. So I think I know which way the judge would lean.”
Russell shoved the paperwork away and squared his shoulders. “There’s no way I’m going to let?—”
“Also, Grandpa’s lawyer knows a probate attorney in the next parish over who owes him a favor. The guy already said he’d be happy to take the case if you want to start a suit to stop me.” Noah grinned. “But I’ve heard that’s expensive.”
Russell’s eyes narrowed to slits. “This isn’t over.”
“You’re right.” Noah tucked the document back into his pocket and crossed his arms. “It’s not over—but it can be different.” He gentled his tone. “Better.”
“What are you talking about?” Russell glanced over his shoulder at a sudden din of voices drifting toward them down the sidewalk.
“I’m talking about giving you another chance. You can stay in town if you want, help me out at the inn for awhile.” The idea had hit him about ten minutes ago while signing the papers with Owen, and it still surprised him. But it was the right thing to do.Faith. Family. Forgiveness.The last part didn’t come naturally, but if Grandpa could do it, so could Noah.
“You’re delusional if you think I’m going to work for you. Don’t you know what I do for a living?” Russell spat on the sidewalk, then looked behind him again as the rush of voices grew louder. “What the heck?”
Noah followed Russell’s stare to the crowd heading their way down the sidewalk. Was that—he blinked. Yep, it was Elisa, beaming, as she walked beside Mama D, who moved her walker with surprising speed. Half the waitstaff from the diner paraded around them, still wearing aprons.
They drew closer. Sheriff Rubart was with them, too,notscowling for once. And Linc, who was. Cade, wearing an electric blue tie that could be seen a mile away. Then there was Zoey, who toted a pastry box from her shop, walking beside Pastor Dubois and Isaac Bergeron. Even Farmer Branson ambled along, a bacon strip poking out of his front pocket.
They all came to a stop, surrounding Noah. He took in all their faces, an overwhelming sense of belonging welling in his chest. “What are you guys doing?”
Elisa slipped her arm through his. “I wasn’t sure how this meeting was going to go, so Mama D and I brought backup.”
“We’re here for you.” Delia scooted her walker closer to Noah. “You’re one of us, you know. Always have been.”
His throat knotted. Noah wrapped his arm around Elisa and pulled her in close. “You got everyone here—for me?”
“Of course.” She smiled up at him before twisting her head toward Russell, who had been forced back toward the curb. “Lucky for you, we didn’t have time to grab pitchforks.” She glared.
Zoey popped her head out from behind Farmer Branson. “For the record, I saw what was going on between you and Elisa before Elisa did.” She grinned and held out her pastry box. “Beignet?”
Farmer Branson immediately turned to take one.
“So you’re staying, right?” Cade pushed his way through the group. “You got the deed? Ohhh, beignets.” He helped himself.
Russell glared. “This town is crazy.” He cursed under his breath. “I’ll take my chances in California. But I said what I said—this isn’t over.”
“I’m pretty sure it is.” Sheriff rose to his full height as he started toward Russell. “You can join up and shape up, or you can get lost. Choice is yours.”
“Fine.” Russell lifted both hands as he eased toward his car. “I don’t want that money pit of an inn, anyway. Keep it.” Then he got in and peeled off, tires squealing. The group around him cheered.
Noah watched his father leave, until the only evidence he’d ever been there was the tread marks on the road. He looked down at Elisa and clutched her a little tighter. “I guess some things never change.”