Small Town Glamour Girl Christmas by Stephanie Queen

Author:Stephanie Queen [Queen, Stephanie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2013-11-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

The heat of the ovens welcomed her into the Inn’s kitchen every morning that week, until she couldn’t tell which day it was. Julie loved the holidays, but full-fledged enjoyment eluded her. At the back of her mind and all around the edges, the vision of dollar signs drew her into an anxious state.

Gliding the rolling pin over pastry dough, she stopped. “That’s it.” She tore her apron off and turned to her mother.

“What’s it, hon?” Her mother looked into a pot of stew.

“I’m going to the bank.”

Her mother looked up at her. “Why? Have you heard about the loan?” The pinch between Nora’s eyes furrowed deeply and she lost some of the rosy glow she always got from cooking—or maybe it was the heat of the kitchen. Either way, her mother looked anxious.

“No. And that’s the point. I’m done waiting for Neil to make up his mind.”

“You know it’s not only up to Neil. They have a process…”

“I know all about it. Brad told Tammy that Neil has more control at the bank than anyone now—more than Jack.”

“You can’t be serious, but I thought—”

“Lots of other people have a vote—the new board is bigger than before, but Neil has sway. He’s always had sway. I’m going down there now—appointment or no appointment—and finding out what the holdup is about.” She threw her apron down on the table and looked at the partially rolled dough. “Can you stick this dough in the fridge for me? I’ll be back later. I don’t expect it’ll take long.” She turned and headed for the door to go to her room to change when her mother spoke.

“You don’t suppose Neil’s delay in making the decision on the loan has anything to do with your delay in making a decision about his proposal….” She didn’t look anxious or worried. She looked wise and motherly. Now it was Julie’s turn to be anxious. The sudden sweat was not from the ovens.

“I’m going to change.” She’d make sure she looked her best for this one. At the edge of her mind she’d contemplated the same question her mother posed. But just because she was going down to the bank to ask about the loan did not mean she was blinking first. He was a professional and he needed to act like one. She—she was just a girl. A girl not so much in love with Neil. A girl not jumping up and down with excitement at the prospect of marrying him. But a girl who was afraid to let him go.

She’d have to make him understand. As she rushed into her room and tugged off her work jeans, she figured she could make him understand better in a nice cashmere sweater and a short skirt.

The bank was all decked out in colorful lights and garland. All of Main Street looked festive with sparkly bells and angels strung across the street and greenery festooning lampposts. Julie’s mood lifted in spite of the edge of anticipation as she pushed open the glass doors and strode into the bank.

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