Maybe she needed to start showing that loveright here and now.
She walked over and gave her father a hug. He stiffened, but he didn’t pull away. She took that as a good sign. “I love you, Dad.” She squeezed him tighter. “I’ll always love you. I’m sorry we got into an argument. But I’m not sorry for approving Cal’s loan . . . or that you kicked me out. It’s time I got on with my life.”
He drew back. “So I guess this means you’re quitting and going to leave town like your sister did.”
“No. I love Simple too much to leave.” She hesitated. “And I love you. I just think there needs to be some changes.”
He scowled. “Changes? What are you talking about?”
She hadn’t planned to have this conversation on Christmas Eve. But it was too late to back out now. Besides, it might be nice to start the New Year with everything out on the table.
“Well, to start with, I don’t see why we can’t put up some holiday decorations in the lobby of the bank.”
“Decorations aren’t professional.”
“Maybe not, but they’re fun and welcoming. And why do our employees have to talk in soft voices like this is a library or museum and dress in somber colors like we’re attending a funeral? Why can’t they joyfully greet our customers and wear colorful business attire?”
“Because that’s not the way we do things,” her father said.
“You mean it’s not the way my grandfather andgreat-grandfathers did things. They all thought any frivolity took away from the professionalism of a banking institution. But I think they’re wrong. Banks can be professional and still be friendly and welcoming. And since my grandfathers are all gone, why can’t we change things to suit us and our customers?”
Her father seemed too stunned to speak so she continued.
“I know that you felt like you had to prove yourself when you took over the bank. You worked hard to prove to Grandpa that he could trust you to run the family business the way it had been run for generations. But sometimes releasing antiquated ideas and trying some new ones is good for a business. It helps it to grow with the changing times.”
Her father’s eyebrows lowered. “Exactly what kind of antiquated ideas are we talking about? Giving loans to people with bad credit?”
She nodded. “Yes. If we know the circumstances. We’re not a big cooperate bank. We’re a small community bank. While we can’t break all the rules and still stay in business, we can bend some of them. The people of this town aren’t just our customers. They’re our friends. For years, I didn’t try to make any friends because of our family belief that if we made friends, they’d only expect us to give them loans. But isn’t that our job—to help people out with loans when they need it? I know we can’t just hand out money and not expect it to be repaid. But when our neighbors who we’ve known for years arestruggling, we can hold out a helping hand and say ‘No worries. We got you.’”
“That’s sheer craziness,” her father snapped. “That’s how banks go under.”
She shook her head. “No, Daddy, that’s how banks build trust.” It was the first time she’d called him Daddy since she was little. She didn’t know if that’s what caused his eyes to soften. Or if it was the truth of her words. They stared at each other for a long moment before he sighed.
“You always have been a good debater, Jolene Elizabeth. And you might be right. It might be time to make a few changes.” When she smiled triumphantly, he held up a finger. “A few. We’ll have a meeting after the first of the year with your sister and discuss it. When she called, she said she want to play a more active role in bank decisions.”
Jolene was stunned. “You talked with Charlotte?”
“She called me to let me know that she’s getting married.”
“I hope you were nice, Dad.”
He snorted. “Charlotte never gives me a chance to be nice. She’s too stubborn and controlling.”
“Just like someone else I know.” Jolene thought he would argue. Instead, he only nodded.
“You probably have a point.” He hesitated. “She asked me to keep a close eye on you, but she wouldn’t tell me why. Is everything okay? Are you sick?”
Just sick at heart. But she’d get over it.
“I’m fine.”
He studied her for a long moment before he moved on. “I’m assuming you’re coming to Christmas dinner tomorrow. Hanna made prime rib and I don’t have a clue how to heat it up.”
Jolene laughed. “Is that only reason you want me to come?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I want to spend Christmas with my daughter.” He hesitated. “And you need to move back home. Hanna misses you.”
It was her father’s way of saying that he missed her. She gave him another hug. “I miss you too.” She drew back. “But like I said, it was time. Besides, I like living in my little pink house.”
