But that was silliness.
Cal wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship. And neither was she. What they hadwasjust a fleeting affair. One that would probably end as soon as Cheyenne didn’t have rehearsals anymore. Jolene needed to remember that. She pushed thoughts of Cal away and tried to answer Emmawithout lying to her.
“Who wouldn’t smile when they walk into a bookstore? It’s like walking into Disneyland.”
Emma laughed. “It’s true. Everyday I have to pinch myself to make sure this isn’t a dream.”
“I feel the same way. I can’t believe Simple finally has a bookstore.” Jolene glanced around and felt her heart swell at the sight of all the books on the shelves. “It really is a dream come true.”
“One I hope keeps going,” Emma said sadly.
Jolene turned back to her friend with confusion. “What do you mean? I thought sales were good.”
“They have been good. But this is the holidays. Having spent most of my life working at the hardware store, I know sales slow down considerably in January. Books aren’t as much of a necessity as tools and toilet plungers. And if I can’t make enough to pay off the loan, we risk losing Boone’s grandparents’ house.”
Boone had gotten the loan from the bank using the small ranch he had inherited from his grandparents as collateral. At the time, he’d planned on selling the ranch and paying off the loan. But then he and Emma got married and decided to live in his grandparents’ house. Besides, not getting the money for the ranch, they had a wedding and house renovations to pay for. Jolene could understand why money was tight right now.
She reached out and rubbed Emma’s arm. “You aren’t going to lose the house. This bookstore is going to succeed. I can feel it. And if things are slow for a while, I’ll make sure the bank doesn’tpressure you for a payment. That’s a perk of being friends with the banker.”
Emma hugged her. “You are a good friend, Jolene. But I’m not going to let you get in trouble with your daddy.” She drew back. “Hopefully, I can sell the pink house soon. That will give us some extra money and be one less mortgage payment I have to make.”
Jolene hated the thought of Emma’s house being sold. It had become more than just her and Cal’s secret love nest. It had become a symbol of her independence. Every time she drove past it, she couldn’t help feeling proud and powerful. Jolene Applegate wasn’t just a boring conformist. She was a wild rebel.
“Although it might be a while before we can get the house on the market,” Emma continued. “According to Cal, there are still a lot of little jobs that need to be done. And he flat refuses to let Boone help him. He says it’s his wedding gift to us.” She sighed. “He’s such a good man.”
And a wee bit of a liar. Cal hadn’t done one thing in the house . . . except satisfy Jolene. Which made her feel a little guilty. Maybe she could help Cal get the house ready . . . in between satisfying each other.
She glanced at her watch. “I better get to work. My lunch break was over fifteen minutes ago.” She placed the books she’d picked out on the counter so Emma could ring them up.
“You already have this one.” Emma held up one of the books. “I saw it in your library.”
“It’s not for me. It’s a gift.”
Emma scanned the copy ofCharlie and the Chocolate Factory. “Excellent choice. Whoever gets it will love it.”
Once the books were bagged and paid for, Jolene gave Emma a hug and headed back to work. The cold front had left behind temperatures in the mid-seventies. The sweat collecting beneath her tweed jacket took away any hopes Jolene had of a white Christmas.
But even without snow, this was the best holiday season ever.
The First Bank of Simple was located on the corner right across from the town hall. It was an impressive building made out of pale Austin stone with tall arched windows that gleamed in the late afternoon sun.
The lobby was just as impressive with marble floors and deep maple wood furnishings. It was a beautiful bank. And Jolene had to admit that she might hate working for her stubborn father, but she loved her job. She loved helping people get a loan and realize their dreams. She just wished her father’s rules for approving loans weren’t so stringent.
Why did he have to be so unbendable?
He hadn’t always been that way. Before he had taken over as president of the bank, he had been much more easygoing. He’d laughed more and loved to be home and spend time with his family. He’d even played with her and Charlotte whenever they asked. Their favorite game had been Big Hibernating Bear. Her father would lie on the floor and pretend like he was sleeping andJolene and Charlotte would try to sneak past him without waking him up. But he always woke and caught them, then he’d tickle them until they cried.
Once he took over the bank from her grandfather, Big Bear never came out to play again. He was replaced by Grumpy Banker who didn’t have time for games. Or daughters.
“Where have you been?”
Her father’s voice caused Jolene to freeze in her tracks. Busted.
She pinned on a smile and turned to find him standing in the door of his office. “Sorry I’m late, Mr. Applegate.” It was one of his many rules. At the bank, she was to address him by his proper name. She held up the To the Moon shopping bag. “I needed to get some Christmas shopping done.”
“You need to do that on your time. Not the bank’s. Now come into my office. There’s something we need to discuss.”
Usually when he called her into his office, she felt like a guilty kid getting ready to go before the principal. But today, she was too happy to feel guilty. With the thoughts of Big Hibernating Bear still fresh in her mind, as soon as he closed the door, she did something she hadn’t done in a long time.
