He’s not wrong. It’s everything we ever wanted for the business. But that’s not the point.
“What worries me is what’s going to happen when whoever paid it wants payback.”
“They can’t do that, though,” Mia says. “Can they? Once a loan is paid, they can’t ask for the money back.”
I shake my head. “No. But they can ask for something else.” Bile rises in my throat. “Oh, Jesus. Cyrus Kelly.”
“What does Kenna’s ex have to do with this?” Dax asks.
“I don’t know. But this smells of his crap. And I’m going to get to the bottom of it.” I stand and walk out of the room, phone in hand.
I know I leave them in a state of confusion, but I have to find out.
Jonah answers on the first ring. “I know you’re eager, Carter, but you have to give it time.”
“You said he had a lot of debt. Is it more than two-hundred-fifty thousand?”
“Hold on.” He comes back a minute later. “Yes.”
“Shit.”
“Why? What is it?”
“Someone paid off the shop loan anonymously.”
He laughs quietly. “Carter, I highly doubt it was this guy. Not with his track record of gambling. I don’t see him paying offanythingif he has an extra quarter-mil lying around. Guys like him would take it straight to the horse track to try and double it.Besides, what would be in it for him if he gotyourbusiness out of debt?”
“I don’t know exactly. But the guy is an attorney. I assume that means he knows a lot more about how things work legally than any of us do.”
“I think you’re barking up the wrong tree. You have a lot of wealthy friends and relatives. Wouldn’t that seem to be the more likely case?”
“You’d think.” Another thought comes to me, an open thread maybe he can also help with. “Ah, hey, Jonah? Can you ask one more favor of your PI friend? I’m willing to pay for this one.”
I give him the details of the loan and the cashier’s check hoping his contact can find out who’s behind it.
Then, since it’s Friday, and there’s not a single goddamn thing that could keep me away—not family squabbles, mystery loan payoffs, or maniacal ex-husbands—I say goodbye to Christian, head out to my car, and drive north. Every mile sheds a little more stress knowing I’m going to see her. Smell her. Touch her.
But then I find myself holding my breath when I turn into the driveway, wondering if this will be the day I find the cabin deserted and the love of my life long fucking gone.
Chapter Thirty-nine
Kenna
Amelia knows he’s coming and has insisted we wait outside on the front porch since it’s been seasonably warmer this week. Spring officially arrives tomorrow. The small lake is still frozen over, but short of a few piles that still dot the landscape, most of the snow has melted.
“How much longer?” she asks, fidgeting on the stoop.
I don’t even get a chance to answer as Carter’s car pulls into view.
He parks. Our eyes connect. And through the front windshield, I can see him visibly sigh. Then he closes his eyes and his forehead briefly meets the top of the steering wheel.
“Carter!” Amelia hops off the front steps and races over, jumping into his arms as soon as he’s out of the car.
They hug, both squeezing each other tightly, smiles on each of their faces.
Every time I see them interact like this, my heart melts. She loves him. Maybe she even loves him as much as I love him.
Tears come to my eyes when I think about the future. Because now I know there actually might be a future for us. All of us.Together.
