Wedding Presence by ReGina Welling

Author:ReGina Welling [Welling, ReGina & Lynn, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-24T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

I PROBABLY SHOULD have made an appointment, but I realized it was too late as I slammed my car door. Stepping into the real estate office, I was greeted by the scent of freshly brewed coffee. Owner and agent Maryann Payne looked up from her desk, her warm smile inviting me in. As usual, I couldn’t help comparing her to a bulldog in a business suit, but at least she knew better than to try selling me a house. I’d come to discuss Bill Cavanaugh’s death and had no intention of letting her pull my focus from that task.

“Well, hello. What brings you in today?” she asked, her pen poised over a stack of paperwork. I wondered if Bill had stopped by to mess with her filing system.

Nah, he probably didn’t dare.

“I know I probably should have called ahead, but I was hoping to get your insight on something,” I began, lowering myself into the chair opposite her as Maryann waved my protest aside. “You see, I’ve been trying to piece together some information about Bill Cavanaugh. I noticed you didn’t attend his funeral. Given his position as a loan officer at the bank, I would have thought you knew each other.”

Maryann’s expression softened, a hint of sadness shadowing her features. “I did. Yes. Bill was a good man. Such a sad loss.”

And yet, I noticed she didn’t explain her absence the day before.

“We worked together quite a bit. You know what it’s like in small towns. Bill always went the extra mile. If it weren’t for his in-depth understanding of the first-time buyer’s program, I’d have probably gone under during the lean years. I can’t tell you how often he worked his magic to make a dream home a reality for our clients.”

“Extra mile?” I’d picked up an odd emphasis on the phrase. “What does that mean?”

Maryann leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “Bill Cavanaugh wasn’t your typical loan officer. He had a talent for seeing the potential in people, even when the numbers didn’t quite add up on paper. A way of understanding their circumstances, their struggles, and genuinely wanting to help them achieve their dreams of homeownership.”

Why did everything she said sound like ad copy? I furrowed my brow, intrigued by Maryann’s words. “Are you saying Bill took risks on borrowers that other banks wouldn’t?”

Maryann nodded slowly. “Mooselick River Bank and Trust is locally owned and operated, but all banks must follow state and federal lending laws. I’m not saying Bill broke any laws, but if you ask me, he may have blurred the lines now and again.”

“How so?”

“It’s no secret that Bill offered credit counseling to borrowers who needed to increase their credit scores. A few points can make a big difference when it comes to getting a decent interest rate or even getting a loan approved at all.” She gestured toward the coffee maker. “Want a cup?”

“Sure. Sweet and light, please.”

“Some people just don’t look good on paper,” she said over her shoulder as she poured a cup for herself and then one for me.

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