“I can help out with money too,” Caleb said. “No,” he added when it looked as if the women would turn down their offer. “Call it a loan. Both Ryan and I have seen what Julia’s done so far. Her ideas and the changes she’s made are good. She already has bookings. From my side of the fence the club seems an excellent investment.”
“Give me your bank account number,” Ryan said. “I’ll transfer the money today.”
Elise shot a quick glance at Janet before tipping a sachet of sugar into her coffee and giving it a vigorous stir. She tapped her spoon on the side of the cup and lifted her head. “Julia might argue. I know my daughter, and I can see you have problems with your marriage. I don’t want to land in the middle of a disagreement.”
“It’s true we’ve had issues. I won’t deny it.” Ryan said. “We’re working through them. Elise, I love your daughter, and I have no intention of walking away from her again.”
Janet and Elise exchanged another long look, doing heavy duty communication he didn’t understand. Ryan’s mouth dried while he waited for their decision. He’d do whatever he had to do, whether they approved or not.
“All right,” Janet said. “I suppose I could tell Julia the money came from me.”
“We’ll play it by ear,” Elise suggested and beamed at both men. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Maxwell.” The loan officer used a forefinger to push his spotlessly clean glasses up his nose. “I understand your account is now up to date, but your club has been losing money steadily during the past three years. You are closed at present, which doesn’t foster my confidence.”
“We have current budgets and cash forecasts for the next two years,” Susan said. “We intend to turn the club around.”
“A salient point, but I’m afraid it changes nothing. The bank requires you to repay the loan in full by the date stated in our letter. If you do not meet your obligations, we will take up our security and liquidate all assets.”
Julia scanned the man’s ruddy, determined face and realized nothing they said would make any difference. He’d decided and wasn’t about to change to their point of view. She stood and inclined her head in a polite manner while she fantasized about punching him in the nose. “Thank you for seeing us.”
Susan followed her out of the bank and grasped her elbow once they were outside. “Can we try to refinance?”
“That’s the only alternative we have.”
“I’ll do some research for you,” Susan said. “Tell you your options then we can make appointments for tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Susan.”
Susan gave a dismissive shrug. “I believe in the club. You will make it work. You deserve this chance, and I want to help you every way I can. We all want to help and see you succeed.”
Julia gave Susan a quick hug, the tingling warmth of her friend’s words helping cushion her disappointment as they headed back to the club. Music poured through the door when they entered. Ryan and Caleb were practicing again. Christina had stenciled the walls with gold paint and was instructing several helpers.
“The gold borders look fantastic,” Susan said.
“They do.” Julia did a slow turn and nodded approval. It was amazing what a difference a paintjob made to the cavernous room. “I’d better see Mum, tell her the bad news.”
Susan squeezed her arm and flashed a smile full of confidence. “Try not to worry. I’ll find a way to refinance, and we’ll be back in business in no time.”
Julia climbed the stairs to the flat, and on the threshold, she took a bracing breath and plastered a smile on her face. “How was the breakfast?”
“It was lovely getting out in the fresh air. Ryan and Caleb went with us. We were the envy of every woman in the vicinity,” her mother said, a sparkle in her eyes and a healthy blush of pleasure on her cheeks for a change. “I like your young man.”
“I like him too,” Julia said absently while she tried to work the angles. Why would Ryan and Caleb take two elderly women out for a jaunt?
“I should hope so,” her mother said tartly. “You married him. In secret, I might add. You still haven’t explained the why of your hurried wedding.”
Julia’s heart twisted, then the traitorous organ seemed to plunge as if she were falling down a cliff. She sucked in a hasty breath, knowing she owed her mother explanations. “I…I was scared,” she said. “And Ryan, he sort of snuck up on me. I wanted to spend every moment with him, and marriage seemed a good idea.”
“But you didn’t stay together.”
“No. There are things I can’t tell you. I promised.”
Elise nodded. “Why were you frightened?”
Yikes, straight for the throat. “Growing up, the kids at school teased me about the club. It embarrassed me. Every man I met who knew about the club treated me like a tramp. You know, the usual stuff. I thought Ryan might react the same way so I didn’t tell him.”
“But he knows now.” Janet exchanged a glance with Elise.
