Austin spent four hours preparing the contract that he and Jasper planned out in hopes of helping Claire‟s family. He hoped that they could go over the board members‟ vote by discussing the situation rationally with Matthew who would be in his office on Tuesday.

He and jasper waited in the lobby of the bank a little before nine for Claire‟s arrival.

Jasper chuckled next to him.

“What‟s so funny?” he asked. He didn‟t see what was so comical about a business meeting.

“Did you hear what Miss Lewisville did to Mr. Wilkins?”

He shook his head.

“On Saturday, she went over to Mr. Wilkins‟ house and threatened to lasso his buggy and hang it by the barn rafters unless he paid her father the money he rightfully owed him. When he refused to listen to her, she lassoed the front wheel and used a horse she borrowed to pull it to his barn. He realized she was serious, so he made the proper restitution. Then she thanked him as if nothing was wrong and went her way.”

Austin stared at him. “Did she really do that?”

He nodded. “Now whenever Mr. Wilkins sees her, he makes the sign of the cross and runs the other way. His wife apologized to her and gave her a little more money for the

injustice her husband did to her father. What‟s even funnier is that his wife now adores her because he doesn‟t get away with lying to anyone anymore.”

He laughed and shook his head. Good for her. “Apparently, she‟s a force to be reckoned with.”

“My wife and kids adore her. They attend the library children‟s story hour that she‟s in charge of. Personally, I‟d hate

to get on her bad side. There‟s no telling what she‟d do.”

“Well, Jackson is anxious about today. I just hope Matthew will veto the board vote.”

Claire walked into the bank. He hid his disappointment at the sight of her. She had her hair pulled back into that obnoxious

bun again. After seeing her with her hair down, he wanted to pull those pins out so her hair would fall softly over her shoulders

again. She was beautiful but seemed determined not to show it.

He forced his observation aside and followed Jasper and her into Matthew‟s office. He couldn‟t help but note the gentle sway of her hips. The green dress was old and faded with time, but it didn‟t hide her figure.

She sat in the chair across from Matthew and properly greeted him. Jasper stood to the side of the room so he could hear the presentation. Her posture remained rigid. He didn‟t realize she was so tense. She‟s scared.

Jasper sat in the chair next to her while Austin stood and presented the contract to Matthew, outlining the plan for getting

her father‟s debt reduced to an amount that could get his finances back on track.

“We can teach him what we know about handling finances so he won‟t fall into more debt, and once he is out of debt, he

won‟t go back into it,” Austin concluded.

He waited for Matthew to speak. Surely, his boss would show her the compassion she needed. To his horror, Matthew turned to his son.

“What do you think, Jackson?” his father asked.

“I oppose it. It‟s too risky,” Jackson argued. “There‟s no guarantee her father will follow the contract to the letter. He‟s already breaking the ones he signed. We‟ll make more money if we foreclose and sell his property to someone else.”

Austin cringed at Claire‟s gasp. “Sir,” he told his boss, “let‟s think this through. Money is important, I grant you that, but it

isn‟t the only thing to consider here. We are talking about people who live in this house and farm this land. There are children still

living there.”

Matthew took a deep breath. “I can‟t run this bank forever.

It is time I hand over the hard decisions to my son. We will go with Jackson‟s plan.”

“I would advise against that. People in the community will see how you treat the Lewisville family, and I guarantee you that

they will not like it. Sometimes it is best to do what will bring in more clients.”

“We are the only bank in this city,” Jackson protested.

“Perhaps, but people can go to the next city if they want.

This is the perfect opportunity to keep them here.”

“This is just one family. It won‟t make a difference with our wealthy customers.”

“But it will make a difference to our consciences. We can‟t afford to throw people out of their homes.”

“That‟s enough, Austin,” Matthew barked. “I already made my decision. Jackson is old enough to take over the bank. As of

next month, I will be retiring.”

“I will say one thing, Mr. Lancelot,” Claire spoke up.

Austin recognized the anger bubbling beneath the surface of her cool exterior.

“People will find out about this,” she continued. “I work at the library, and I have access to many of the citizens of the city.

They will know what you decided today.” She stood up and stiffly walked out of the office.

Austin ran after her. “Claire, we might be able to figure out something else.”

She stopped and looked at him. “I appreciate what you and Mr. Moore did today. You are not cold hearted, but I do see how your hands are tied. I will make it clear that you and Mr. Moore did your best to help. I know what my option is at this point, and I will accept it.”

He knew she meant that she would marry someone old enough to be her grandfather in order to save her family‟s property. “There has to be another way.”

She shook her head. “Thanks anyway.”

He watched her as she left.

Jasper walked over to him. “I hope you do open your own bank. I don‟t care to work here anymore either.

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