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As always these fine ladies help keep us readable, but we accept blame for all mistakes as our own.

** NOTE: This chapter has only been through two people on our beta team. The last person to read this doesn't always see her mistakes, so there will likely be some. **

Caledonia - Chapter 20

Edward POV

It doesn't take long for us to pull up outside of Renney's Soul. Even with the fact that I still have my key, I still stand there waiting for them to go in first, before heading in myself.

"Aren't ye goin' in?" Jimmy asks.

"After you," I say and he laughs as he opens the door.

"Ye naw scare of wee Bella or ye?"

I shake my head. "No, I'm not."

He looks at me from over his shoulder as he carries on walking in. I look around to see the restaurant has been cleaned, but looks the same way as it has for the last few weeks now. Somehow, though, the atmosphere feels different.

"Hey," Bella says and I look her way.

Seemingly she looks as if she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. It's clear, even without the dark rings around her eyes, that she didn't sleep well last night. With no thought, I walk over and wrap my arms around her.

"I'm so sorry," she says with a sob.

I pull back only a little and look down at her with a frown.

"Shouldn't that be me who is saying that?"

"Charlie may have ruined your cooking career."

I shake my head at her. "He hasn't," I tell her.

She pulls back just enough, so she can look at my face. "Have you seen what he has put on Google?"

I hold back my snort. I knew that he would put something on the internet. He is too predictable to not do something like that.

"No one knows me from Adam, and the people that know my name already thought I was a waste of space, and was running this place into the ground. But, you, he ..." she stops ranting and shakes her head at me, "You should just leave the restaurant now, and tell them it wasn't you. It's not like you were down on my books as my head chef, nor being paid as a chef here. Distance yourself from Renney's Soul."

I look at her, feeling a little taken aback that she is trying to save my name. Her restaurant is going down the toilet, and she's trying to save me?

"I knew that he would put something on Google, and I don't care. I have other things more important to deal with. No, I am not going to distance myself from the restaurant or you. We are in this together, and we'll get through it."

"This could ruin you, Edward. You may never work in a kitchen again."

"It was a rat, I didn't poison anyone, nor did I kill anyone. And more to the point, the rat was planted."

"I know that; but still, who will believe us?"

"I know many people that owe me a favor or two. Don't worry about me, we need to get the restaurant open."

"It's done and dusted. I can't reopen Renney's Soul, it is done. I will not let him destroy my mom's name anymore."

I frown, unsure of what she means. "Renney's Soul wis named fer her mother. Bella's mother wis Renee."

I nod at Vicky, but she carries on talking.

"Den we rename it. Ye ge a fresh star' maybe its wat is needed."

Bella just huffs sounding tired, but there are too many people in here for me to have a frank talk with her.

"Do you all mind if I talk to Bella privately?" I ask, looking at Bella as it's really her choice.

"I have been making cakes, you can help me."

I walk with her to the kitchen, and we both wash our hands in silence.

"I know Aro, through my father. He also went to school with both my mother and Charlie. My father usually uses Aro when he's buying a restaurant. Aro is also the one that dealt with my home. He hired the guy that fixed it up for me, and was the mediator between us, until I arrived here. Anyway, when I came back—as you know—my plan was to buy my own restaurant. It was the one thing I wanted to do on my own, without the aid of my father's name. I had built up my alias as Anthony Masen. I went to Aro and told him what I wanted. It became clear why I had bought my home under the name of Anthony, when I told him I wanted my own restaurant under my alias. He then talked to me about Renney's Soul, and how it was struggling. He said that he didn't think you were coming back, because of things Charlie had said." I stop, taking in a breath. "I came here and was shocked at how bad it was. It was after I was here—that same night, in fact—that I was asked to help you out and were told that you were coming back. After talking to Jasper and Alice, they told me you hadn't been here for eight years. I also learned that Charlie was never around. I became angry at how I assumed you had treated the restaurant, and how you had denied Jasper. I know now that I didn't give you a fair chance that first week," I shake my head over how badly I had treated her. "Truth be told I didn't want to help, not really. I felt obliged to help because my father and Jasper both asked me to. I only agreed to help because of Jasper. So, yes those first days, it looked like you were out of your depth. And it was still in the forefront of my mind to buy the restaurant if you closed up.

"The day that I came here as a customer, was the same day my home was to be completed and signed off on. It disappointed me that I would have to wait, and if there were any problems, I would have to deal with them right away. Then I was asked to review Renney's Soul, and I thought I could kill two birds with one stone."

"If you had told me, I would have told you to take the day and night off. I wouldn't have minded. I wouldn't have minded if you said you were reviewing the restaurant either. I would've asked you to come back when we sorted everything out for a second review, after the changes."

I walk to Bella, placing my hands on her face. "I know," I say as I look down. "That day as I was leaving, I overheard you talking to Alice. You said you thought Jasper would hurt her, that you didn't trust him."

She opens her mouth so say something, but I press my thumb on her lips gently to stop her from responding.

"I understand now why you said it, but at the time I was angry at you, at the way he was being cast aside. That's why I wrote what I did, and I am so very sorry for that. It was unprofessional of me, in more ways than one. When I saw you crying, and then found out it was because of my blog, it almost killed me. But not as much as reading what I had written. I felt ashamed of myself. I didn't tell you because we had become closer, and I knew both you and Renney's Soul still needed help. To be honest, I was worried that you wouldn't let me help if you knew it was me." I shake my head. "Then things got in the way, redecorating the restaurant, Jasper, Charlie ... I was going to tell you, and should have before I took you to bed with more than lust, before I brought you home," I stop again. "I don't know what else to say other than I am sorry."

"So, you don't want to buy the restaurant anymore?"

I shake my head no. "No, this is your place, but I would like to be your head chef if the offer is still on the table. I even applied for the position before our last service; the application was on the desk in the office."

"I know, I have already seen it, but what about your dreams of running your own restaurant?"

"I still want that ... let me show you. Come with me," I say, pulling her with me.

Everyone looks at us as I walk out of Renney's Soul.

"Where are we going?" she asks.

I don't say anything as I keep walking, going next door. "This is what I am buying, and soon it will be set in stone. Hopefully, by the end of the week," I say, looking as Bella looks at the storefront with an open mouth.

"It's tiny in there," she says.

"It's actually not that small, and there is room for seating around thirty people."

"Edward, this is not what you dreamed of. You wanted a restaurant, not a small cafe."

"It will not be a small cafe. It will be a bakery."

Bella frowns at me.

"Well, a bakery with a twist, it will serve cakes, tarts, rolls, jams, finger foods, tea, coffee, and hold a high tea. I was thinking about having it be—if you're agreeable, that is—an extension of Renney's Soul. I hoped that we could join the two spaces through the kitchen wall."

"Wait what?" Bella says. "This is a bit much to make up to me, it wasn't that horrible of a thing you did, and as you said, it's not like you killed someone I loved."

"Buying this place wasn't about making anything up to you. It is about seeing a vision in my head come to fruition. Seeing you making and selling your cakes. That's what you have passion in, not running a restaurant."

"I am grateful, but—" she starts, but I cut her off.

"I am competitive, I want the best restaurant. With the fact that my dad has a few restaurants and then —Renney's Soul—there was a little too much competition."

I move my lips closer to her ear.

"Between you and me ... I think Renney's Soul will make it to the top." I pull back to where I was and talk in a normal level voice. "And this is the restaurant I see myself working in. But I still wanted someplace of my own. I saw this space when we parked here during the remodel, and my brain just clicked and said it needs to be a bakery. Even without fact checking I can tell you that there's no place nearby that holds a high tea. There is also the fact that with your abilities in baking cakes, and this space," I say pointing around. "It will be the best bakery there is, with no problems."

"But, that's not your dream."

"It is," I tell her.

"No, you're changing it because of me."

"You are wrong, honey, I'm not changing my dream. I am rebuilding it, so I can incorporate you into my dream, as you are now a large part of the future I want. I want to work in the kitchen at Renney's Soul, and not just because in my eyes it's the best restaurant; but because of you. Seeing the look, you give me when you're eating my food, or when we are cooking together, or even when I watch you bake, it lights me up inside. It makes me want to aim higher and achieve more. You have given me my dream, by showing me what I was missing in my life. Let me return it by giving you one of your dreams. Between us, we can make both places work and be something the likes of has never been seen and done before."

Bella shakes her head at me. "Not under the name Renney's Soul, there is too much bad blood for it to bounce back. I can't keep—" She stops and looks at me. "When he attacks this place, it feels as if it is attacking my mom. Grandma Liz named the restaurant after her, but I can't keep doing this."

"Then we'll rename the restaurant, something that has meaning to you, and your grandmother. Something that Charlie may not know about."

Bella just looks at me. "What about the decor?"

I look down, feeling ashamed. "Is it what I had envisioned when I wanted to buy the restaurant? Yes, but when I was talking to you, showing you an idea, it wasn't my intention, or at least I didn't do it on purpose, not consciously. We ... no, I'll pay to have it redone, we'll make it the way you want it. We'll give it a look to suit its new name. We can do this."

Bella looks down a little. "What if he comes back and does something worse?"

"You have Alice, Jake, James, Jasper, Jimmy, and Vicky, my family and me," I snort as I say Vicky's name. "Part of me thinks you would only need Vicky."

Bella just hums a little. "She's gunning for him to come back, but I'm scared. I'm scared of what he will do, not just to me, but to the people I care about."

I swallow, hating Charlie so much. Her eyes go to my face and I see her looking at my chin. She reaches her hand up and covers the bruises, and I cup my hand over hers.

"It doesn't hurt, Jasper was just upset and angry," I tell her.

"I know, but it's still not a reason to hit you."

"I know that, and believe me, he knows that too. Don't hold it against him. I should have told him about us, I should have told him that ..." I swallow, "I love you." I say, looking right at her. "I'm not sure when it happened, but I have fallen in love with you. Give me a chance to show that I have learned from my mistakes, and that we can do this. We can be so great together."

Bella closes her eyes and opens them again. "I love you, too, Edward."

I pull her to me, holding her close.

"I swear to you, on heaven and earth, we'll get through this."

"I don't feel so sure, but I am willing to try."

I look in her eyes for a few seconds before leaning forward, kissing her lips. I smile just a little as she kisses me back.

~Caledonia~

"Come on, I'll update you on the information that Jessica gave me last night."

It only takes a little time to take them all through what Jessica told Alice and me. Bella looks very hurt by the end.

"Mike wis an employee?" Vicky asks and I nod at her.

"Da ye still have his address?"

I again nod at her. "Okay, Edward, take me ta him."

I open and close my mouth, but nothing comes out. The look Vicky gives me makes me gulp. "Okay," I say stand up knowing she is not asking this of me.

"You still have Esme's number?" I ask Bella, and she nods at me. "If I get arrested, call her first."

"Don't be a fanny, ye naw gonna get arrested," Vicky states, making me just look her way.

Her words do little to ease my worries.

"I'm no gettin' any younger here, let's go!"

We walk out, rather she does, and I follow like a puppy. I open the car door for Vicky and she gets in. Walking around the car, I get into the driver's seat. Vicky stays quiet until we are on the main road.

"A would like ta say, that I like ye. Thin ye gid ta Bella, and huff helped her oot."

"But?" I say, wondering what is coming.

"Naw but's."

I just look at her, knowing she wants to say something.

"Bath James and Bella read ye blogs. As Edward Cullen, and as Anthony Masen. I've read some ta. Ye can sometime come across as a twat in bath hav them, but naw any worse than that Gordan stupid face Ramsey. I hid a feelin' dat it wis ye ... dat ye were Anthony Masen."

I keep my eyes on the road, feeling ashamed. "I can't apologize enough for that."

"We all make mistakes, dats why rereadin things is crucial."

"I know, and normally I do. Normally I wait at least an entire day before rereading and posting it online."

"Don't da it again," she says.

"I'm not going to, and I intend to give up Anthony's blog, anyway." I smile a little. "I want to be in the kitchen, showing off my skills, not at a table tasting other people's food."

"Don' get me wrang, Edward. De blog held truth in it, naw like ye lie'. Just de par aboot Bella. Anyone readin' coold tell it wa' personal. I woold thin some may hav though dat ye were a couple, and bro' up."

"Is that how it sounded?" I ask.

"Ah little, it soun' like she ha scorned ye in some wey."

I pull up outside of Mike's apartment, and we seem to be in luck as he's walking out of the door.

"That's Mike," I say pointing at him.

Vicky doesn't wait until I have come to a complete stop, before she is out the door and moving quickly to him.

I quickly put the car in park and get out to follow after her.

"Haw, you!" she yells. "Blondy."

I see Mike turn around with a frown looking at her.

"I want a word with you," she says this time sounding as if she only has a small amount of Scottish lilt in her voice.

"Who are you?" he asks with a sneer seeing me join her.

"This is Vicky," I say.

Mike's eyes go to mine. "You say that like that is supposed to mean something to me."

"Oh it will mean something to you, mark my words," Vicky states.

"She looked after Bella when she was living in Scotland."

"Yay, more Scottish people, it's like a freaking invasion," Mike snarks.

Vicky just chuckles smiling away, suddenly her face goes flat and she moves toward Mike. "I am not sure what swamp pool you crawled out of, but you're gonna wish you stayed there," she hisses, again clearly toning down her Scottish slang. "Do you have any idea what kind of trouble that you are in, for stealing keys? Not to mention entering a building without permission. Taking and moving items as well as messing around with the food," she turns and looks at me. "Ya know, I hear that some of these things can get you a lengthy sentence in prison here in the States. I mean I haven't lived here since I was a wee babe, but they have pretty stringent laws, don't they?"

I nod my head but keep my eyes on Mike who looks worried but is trying hard not to show it.

"Whatever you think I have done, I haven't," he says with a roll of his eyes as he moves to pass Vicky but she pushes him back.

"Haw, feck face, I'm no done!" she yells reverting back to her Scottish lilt. "See herein lies your problem, we have the police at Renney's Soul going through our CCTV footage. They're also finger printing the full area, more so upstairs, since it looks as if someone's been up there too." She turns again and looks at me. "Looks as if they masturbated, and forgot to clean up," her eyes return to Mike.

"It wasn't me, so I have no problems or worries."

"Oh, but you do. I have reason to believe that you have a copy of the new key, and if you do then you are in a shit heap of trouble. It's just a matter of whether I get to you first or the police. You should pray for the police; at least you have a chance to negotiate with them." She shrugs. "You see I don't give a flyin fuck. I already know you don't have the brains for any of this, and Charlie will get his due. If you cooperate, then you might just get your hand slapped. If you don't, well then I'll make sure you get everything he gets with the word accessory attached to the charges."

Mike moves back, now showing signs of fear. "I only took a copy of the key, and gave it Charlie. He said that Isabella and he had a falling out. He told me she was trying to cut him out of his share of the restaurant," Mike says quickly. "I swear I wasn't there, ever."

"And your little friend that works at Renney's Soul?"

"Charlie said he'd give me thirty grand if I would help him get even with Isabella. He said she wasn't talking to him, and playing the victim." Mike swallows "I got my friend Joe to work there, so he could cancel tables that were booked, and give substandard service." His eyes shift to me. "You didn't hire my friend that was going to work in the kitchen. I started to make Google reviews, book tables, and not show up. Charlie asked if I could get a key as Bella had changed the locks on him. He said he owns the restaurant too and it takes too long to go through the court system. He said he'd help me buy it from her. I wanted to get one over on her and on you. I just gave him a copy of the key, I haven't been back."

"The inspector?"

Mike shakes his head. "That was all Charlie's idea, he said it would close the place for a few days, and that would help him get access quicker. Joe breeds the rats for his snake. Joe is the one that put it in the kitchen, not me. I only found out afterward when he showed me the video."

I look at Vicky as he says video. This could help us out.

"You better get to the police station and make a full confession of everything you have just told us," I say and Vicky just looks at me.

"Do ye trust, dat he will go telt dem?"

"I trust he will go, because I highly doubt he wants to go to prison, and this may be his only chance at not facing prison time for his part in this whole situation."

"The police station is only a twenty-minute drive from here!" Vicky shouts in Mike's face. "You've got a half hour, to get there. I'll be checking, and you don't want to fuck with me!"

Mike moves quickly past her but she catches his arm. "No calls, or texts understood?"

He nods his head at her and runs quickly away.

"Let's go see Joe."

I extend my arm and walk her to my car.

As I drive to Joe's, Vicky calls and fills Jimmy in on what we found out. Jimmy in turn says he will call the person that he has been in contact with at the police station to fill him in. It is clear that she is expecting Mike to face charges, and will move heaven and hell if he does not.

It takes us a little longer to track Joe down, and when we do he is in a bar drinking.

"Joe," I say, making him turn my way. "This is Vicky, she would like a word with you."

Joe's eyes move to Vicky and he smirks at her. "Hey, sexy lady," he says with a small slur to his voice making Vicky chuckle as she sits down next to him.

"I hear you have snakes?" she says looking at him almost sounding sweet.

"I do, I even got one in here," he says grabbing at his crotch. "Would you like to see him, and feel him?"

Vicky's eyes drop and then look back up at him. "I'll pass, not sure you have much in there that I could see never mind feel."

"Bitch, you'd feel me," he says, grabbing her arm.

I can't do anything, In the blink of an eye, Vicky has done some kung-foo shit that has not only made him let her go, but she's also slammed his head on to the bar in front of him.

My eyes go to him seeing that he's holding his nose as blood pours out of it.

"No touching," she says as the bartender just looks on. "He needs some tissues," she tells him.

"I want no trouble here," he says as he puts down the phone.

"There will be none, I was just teaching Joe here not to touch without permission."

The bartender nods and hands over the tissues, and once Joe seems to be more with it Vicky starts to speak to him. "You breed rats to feed those snakes, don't cha?"

He just nods his head at her.

"Why did you take one of the rats in ta my daughter's restaurant?"

"What?" he mutters just looking at her.

"Stop wasting me time. I ken 'hat you di. If ye try to tell me otherwise, I will feck ye over," she states her Scottish temper and lilt coming out. Her eyes move up and down him. "You're the kind of bully-wimp that I like hurting. Ye ken, the ones that I know for sure dat me will 'ave em bumblin' like a baby in no time flat. So I ask you once again, why did you take a rat into Renney's Soul?"

"Mr. Swan wanted the place closed down, he said to put a rat in there, or to start a fire to burn it down. I thought the rat wouldn't hurt anyone, physically that is."

Vicky nods her head just a little. "Do ye have that on video too?"

"Mr. Swan asked me to record it for him, yes."

Vicky's eyes shift to me, but she flicks quickly back to him.

"I never do a contract without making sure I have some proof, so I can get paid."

"Aren't you smart. What about placing the rat and droppings in the kitchen?"

"I got that too," he says sounding almost smug.

"I'll need that and any other videos that you have, on what you and Mike have done at Renney's Soul."

He nods his head pulling out his cell phone. Vicky takes it from him.

"Can I get two beers," she says to the bartender, but stops and looks at me. "Whit are ye wanting?" she asks this time sounding Scottish.

"I'll have a whiskey."

The bartender gets the drinks as Vicky and me looking over her shoulder, watch the video, on Joe's cell. During the first part the bartender puts down the drinks, and Vicky passes one of the beers over to Joe.

"I'm going to need a copy of these," she says going back to sounding American.

"Send them to both Renney's Soul's email and my father's, that way he doesn't have any of your personal information," I say.

Vicky nods, and I rattle off the email addresses.

"I'm not in any trouble, am I? It was just a rat, and he was clean," Joe says. "I can't go to jail for something stupid like that. Who would watch Noodle and Porky?"

Both Vicky and I give him the same look before getting back to what we were doing. I quickly text both my dad and Jake, to tell them to check the email for the videos, and to text to say they had received them.

Vicky sits there just staring at Joe, who by the second becomes more and more uncomfortable as a result of her stare. My cell dings from my father who says he is watching the video now, and he's not happy. Not too long later Jake texts, saying they have the videos and are also watching them.

"They've been received," I say and Vicky stands up.

"Enjoy your beer, it needs to be your last for today, anyway. Get yourself to the police station downtown, and ask for Frank Packer, he's dealing with the case and is expecting you."

She turns to the bartender. "Thanks, keep the change," she says placing down a twenty.

"Where to now?" I ask, feeling a little worried.

"The King County Health Inspector's office."

I sigh, having expected her to say that.

"Okay, let's go," she demands.

"Can I ask why you are switching between a Scottish and an American speech pattern?"

"I don't want any miscommunication," she states, and I give her a small nod.

"Have you always been this scary?" I ask as I glance at her. "You sound like you should be in the mob," I joke.

"Haw," she chortles, "Dey wish, dey had me," she says with a smirk that leaves me unsure if she's speaking the truth or just winding me up.

"You know you can't threaten the health inspectors, they will call the police. Can I remind you that the police here carry guns?"

She rolls her eyes at me. "Doncha worry aboot dat, der will be no need to pull a gun."

I turn my head and look at her. "There are people who believe the police use more force than they should, is all I am saying."

"Eh, dey shoold be able ta ta' someone dow', an keep dat person down 'ntil dey oor in cuffs, widout leavin' a mark."

"It doesn't always work out like that," I say.

"Jimmy 'as been on de police force for almost forty years. He has never killed anyone, an hasn' needed ta take any of his prisoners ta de hospital … well not for somethin' dat he has done. Nor has he los' his temper ken tryin' ta arrest someone."

I smile a little. "Yes, Bella said he was an excellent officer."

"He's de best, 'cause he ken the laws, an will always deal with people with respect. He looks for de facts of de case," she lets out a snort. "That's how we met. He wis a rookie, and I was causin' mehame. He was sent ta arres' me," she wiggles her brows at me. "Eh, I just loved a man in uniform. Spent almost three months causin more mehame until he agreed to go on a da' wit me."

I just look at her, but I know by her face she is telling the truth. "You'll have to tell me some stories of what you got up too," I smirk.

"I have loads of good stories. I never set out to hurt anyone," she holds up her hand. "No … I telt ye a lie, I have set out to hurt someone before. But dat was cause he hur' Jimmy."

I hum, turning a little to glance at her.

"Jimmy had arressed him, and de feck hit him a few times. Jimmy remai' calm an did he job, he didn retailiate. Ken he pick' me up for oor date, me coold see his face was sore. Took so' time but I foond out who it was, an I pay him a visit."

I feel my mouth open but quickly close it.

"Jimmy wis upset wit' me, but did ask me to marry him that sa' night."

I shake my head at her. "So he's only been hurt once?"

"Naw a few times. But he ma' sure no win woold tell me any detail of who it wis."

I shake my head with a smile on my face.

"But I tell you, dat nothin' compare ts wit I am goin' ta inflic' on Charlie ken I get me hans on him. So ye don' 'ave to worry aboot me losin' it wit anyone els'. Me savin' it ell fir Charlie Swan."

"I knew I would like you," I say, pulling up outside the health department building. "I'm not sure they'll see us without an appointment."

As we walk inside, I call Aro hoping his brother-in-law is here and can see us. Feeling unsure as to how well Vicky will take getting sent away, I hope this helps.

Vicky and I only have to wait twenty minutes before someone walks our way.

"I'm Marcus, Aro said that you wanted to see me?" he says and I nod my head. We stand and follow him when he motions for us to do so.

As I start to open my mouth, he starts to talk again.

"Wait until we are in my office," he says as he walks a little in front of us. We enter an office, and he closes the door.

"Aro has filled me in on a little of what happened, but why don't you take me through it from the top, when you arrived, and started helping out at Renney's Soul."

I sigh but take him through everything. I make sure to add the lobster tail, just to show that Bella has skills in the kitchen. I also include Charlie's attack on her.

"We have a video of Joe planting the rat," I say as I push my cell over to him so he can see the video.

He watches it without saying anything. When he is done, he hands me back my cell.

"So now you can overturn what the twat put in place!" Vicky says sounding more like she is demanding it.

Marcus holds up his hand. "Let me fill you in a few things that haven't been and weren't passed on to you."

I hold back my gulp, knowing by his tone that this is not good.

"Renney's Soul was already on a warning and was told to clean the restaurant up at the start of the year—"

"It is clean," Vicky hisses, interrupting him.

I place my hand over hers, to try to calm her down.

"I am aware of that; however they didn't meet the deadlines. Mr. Swan and a Mr. Newton refused access to my staff. I had already obtained an official court order to close the place due to previous violations and revoke the business license. The fact that it's now under Miss Swan, is why closing the restaurant was halted, the correct owner's name had to be on the closure forms. That was an oversight by my department. Kenny said that the front of the house was extremely clean, and seemed in good order, but there were still other issues. There is some outside damage to the building, which makes it easy for rodents to enter the premises. There were other minor health code violations. There was a waste receptacle with a cracked lid. Kenny also viewed an employee … a Joe I believe … picking his nose and didn't wash his hands afterward. There were no other violations until he found the rat. Those issues, along with the issues from before, is the reason for the closing now. There's also the concern that most of the senior staff was outside fighting," he says looking at me. "However, with this new information, I will make it a partial closing. The issues with the structure of the building need to be addressed. Kenny also found holes in the kitchen, almost as if someone was trying to invite rodents into the place. Secure it over the next three weeks, and you can freely reopen."

"What?" Vicky yells but I shake my head at her, knowing this is the best outcome right now. There is no way we can cook or do business if there are holes in the walls, and I can also get the work done to join the two places.

"Bella, Miss Swan, is going to rename the restaurant, and file for new licensing. Is that going to be an issue?"

"The entire place will need to be inspected again, but I think that would be for the best to be honest. Currently, Renney's Soul doesn't have a good track record with us, and information that it is closed will run wild, quickly."

I nod at him in understanding.

"I have bought the place next door, and we will be joining the two spaces," I feel Vicky looking at me. "The place next door is going to be a bakery, and the only attachment of the two businesses will be a shared open wall in the kitchen area. As the bakery will be our main supplier of all the breads and desserts, and the new restaurant will sell and serve food."

He nods his head at "Call me when the work has been completed. I would advise that you keep Mr. Swan, Mike Newton, and this Joe gentleman away from both places."

He looks at us and Vicky and I both nod.

"I take it all of this information has been passed to the police?"

Again we nod.

"I will write up a report on our dealings with Mr. Charlie Swan, Mr. Mike Newton, and this Joe character."

He stands and holds his hand out and I stand and shake it.

"I will get a report written and, on the record to make sure people know that the rat found on the premises was planted, and the facility was clean. Good luck with the new restaurant and bakery."

"Thank you," I say with a smile and walk out with Vicky.

"Is that all we need to do for now?" I ask as we get back to my car.

"For now," she says with a smile. "Let's go back to Renney's Soul."

I nod before getting in and driving us there.

We both walk in and fill everyone in on everything that has taken place since we left.

Bella lets out a long breath. "So we're slowly getting there."

I nod at her and give her a small wink.

"Naw, ye just need ta thin of a name," Vicky says.

"I thought of a name already," Bella says, and I look at her along with everyone else.

"Well?" Vicky says.

"Caledonia," Bella says with a smile, making me smile too.

"That's Latin for Scotland, is it not?" I ask.

"It is," Vicky says as Bella nods.

"Perfect," I say with my mind already thinking of not just the menu but the look for both the restaurant and the staff. I pull my laptop from my bag sitting on the table behind me.

"With that in mind, what do you think about this?" I ask as I pull up the restaurant layout we made for the first remodel.

We all sit around my laptop, and the first thing that is decided are the new staff uniforms. Since this will have a Scottish theme, the girls will either wear a tartan skirt, black shirt, and black boots, or a tartan dress and black Mary Jane style shoes. The men will wear black shirts, with a tartan vest, black pants, and black shoes or boots. Jake has asked if he could wear his kilt on occasion, which we all agreed to, as it is his heritage. We are using a combination of both the MacLeod and MacBeth tartans to suit both sides of Bella's Scottish families.

We also agree that the tables and chairs can stay, but we'll get the chairs recovered with the tartan. We will also use more Scottish decorations to restyle the place a bit. Once that was done, Vicky, James, Bella, and I sat down and made the first draft of the new menu making it appear to have more of a Scottish influence.

Jimmy was in charge of beverages to see if he could get some Scottish alcohol-free lager called Hee-Haw delivered to us. By the end of the night everyone was tired, but it had been a productive day.

"Are you coming home with me?" I ask Bella, not hiding the hope in my voice.

She looks at me, so I start to speak again.

"You can ... if you choose ... sleep in the spare room, or I can. I just want to talk to you some more."

"Okay," she says.

"Okay, as in you're coming back home?"

She nods at me, and I don't stop myself from pulling her into my arms and hugging her close to me.

"Thank you," I say, feeling happy that she is coming back to our home.

A/N: Thoughts? What do you think will happen next? Do you think Charlie will show up again soon? Sorry for the delay in posting, real life sometimes kicks our behinds, and yesterday my (Kasi's) behind was kicked pretty hard. Suffice to say that I need a vacation, and the one I had planned just got cancelled because of Covid. YAY ME. Let Nikki and me know what you think of this so far, we love to hear what you have to say. Oh, if you get the chance search for the 2020 Golden Onion Awards, Caledonia is nominated for WIP Award, and this is our first and only nomination in the whole contest. We would appreciate your votes, and you can vote one time each day. Thank you in advance.