by Sophie Kaye
Chapter Twenty-three
Jessica straightened out her pants for the seventh time. Her palms were sweaty and her stomach was full of butterflies.
“It'll just be a few more minutes, I think.” The receptionist smiled at her.
“Thank you,” Jessica said and tried smiling back.
“You know my dad lives in Bellfrey.”
“Oh?” Jessica tried to focus on her words.
“Yes, he moved there a few years back. I've visited a few times. It seems like a nice place.”
“It is. That's why we're hoping to keep the bank open. A bank is important for these small-towns.”
“I know. I tried teaching my dad how to do the banking online, but he still prefers going to the real bank so he can talk to a person, he says.”
Jessica smiled. “That's exactly why we're trying to save it.”
“Let me go check again if they're ready for you.”
The receptionist walked down the hall and gave Jessica a brief smile before she opened the door to the meeting room.
It was strange being in her mom's workplace on a matter of business. Especially since she knew Priscilla was behind that door, waiting to see her.
Jessica took out her phone. She had texted Maggie earlier but not heard anything back. She had almost expected Maggie to be here, ready to barricade herself in an office until they voted to keep the bank.
She looked at her watch. It was almost time. With a few calming breaths she looked at the door to the elevator. She'd have to do this herself. The minutes ticked slowly on as she waited.
She kept looking at the elevator, the door to the meeting, and her watch. Her palms grabbed tighter to the notecards she had prepared. She had to do this. For Bellfrey.
The door to the meeting room opened.
“They're ready for you.” The receptionist smiled.
Jessica got to her feet. She could do this.
With a final deep breath, she entered the room.
Priscilla and Cory sat at the head of a giant table. The giant window behind them made the skyline of Hertford an impressive backdrop.
On either side of the table, men and women in strict business suits sat looking at her expectantly. Jessica froze.
“Good luck,” the receptionist whispered.
Priscilla smiled at her. Cory was avoiding her.
“Is it over here?” Maggie's voice sounded through the closing door as the receptionist was leaving.
“Can I help you?” The receptionist closed the door.
Mumbled voices bled through. Maggie and someone else were arguing with the receptionist.
“That's what I thought.” Maggie opened the door. “There you are.” She came up to Jessica.
“Finally,” Hailey said. “We've been searching this building for thirty minutes.” She stood on the other side of Jessica and gave her arm a quick squeeze.
“You need to put up more signs,” Maggie said to the board.
Priscilla hid a smile.
“The reason we don't have more signs,” a woman in a strict, black suit said, “is that we don't particularly enjoy our meetings being interrupted.”
“Of course,” Jessica said before Maggie could speak. “We're grateful that you agreed to see us and we'll be as quick as possible.”
Jessica looked down at her notecards. Were they good enough? She eyed the people around the table and smiled.
“My name is Jessica Sangold.”
A few faces turned to Priscilla with furrowed eyebrows. Did they know who she was?
“And I'm a resident of Bellfrey. Bellfrey is an old-fashioned small-town. We may lead simple lives, but we appreciate the things that matter. Not only do we help our neighbors, but we care about keeping our community thriving. We are loyal to the businesses in our town and we depend on many of them.” Jessica took a breath.
“This is where you come in. The Bellfrey Bank is vital to our residents. It's more than just a bank to us. It's a meeting point, a local institution that we have been able to rely on for over a hundred years. It's part of us and we are part of it.”
Hailey was nodding next to her.
“Without the bank, part of Bellfrey would be missing. Part of Bellfrey would be dead. We are ready to fight to keep it alive. I have a petition with me.” Jessica handed the folder to Hailey, who walked over and gave it to Priscilla.
“You'll find that the majority of the residents in Bellfrey have signed it. All in the hope of keeping the bank alive. We care about our community and we ask that you respect that and let us keep the bank. Our fate is in your hands. We are asking that you give us a chance. Thank you.”
Cory cleared his throat.
“If what you say is true, and Bellfrey cares so much about the bank, how come it's only you three here?”
Jessica froze under his grin.
“Oh, don't you worry about that,” Maggie said and turned to the door. She opened it and stuck her head out. “Hey, guys.” She waved at someone.
There was a commotion outside and people started pouring into the meeting room.
“You didn't think we'd abandon you?” Herb asked and winked at Jessica.
“I had to close the diner for this,” Jenna said and stood up against a wall with her arms crossed.
Sam came in and gave Hailey a quick kiss. One after the other, the citizens of Bellfrey squeezed into the room.
“We could only get two buses,” Hailey spoke loudly to drown out the chitchat and shuffling about. “There were a lot more people that wanted to come. Bellfrey is important to us, and each and every person in this room has an account at the bank.”
“This is insane,” Cory said and stood up. “This is a place of business, not a circus. I say we take a break and clear some people out of here.”
Chapter Twenty-four
“How did you get everyone here?” Jessica turned to Maggie and Hailey.
“Jessica.” Cory stood in front of her. “Can I talk to you?” He pushed past the people and left the room without waiting for an answer.
Jessica sighed. “I guess I should follow.”
She smiled at her neighbors as they stood bewildered in the hallway.
“Is it over?”
“Did they vote?”
“Not yet,” Jessica said. “They're taking a break.”
“Jessica?” Cory stood at the door to an office, waiting for her.
Without looking at him, she made her way inside. He closed the door. She could still see the people in the hallway through the glass walls, but the voices were almost completely muted.
“Sit.” He indicated a sitting area.
Jessica sank down on the black leather sofa. Cory started pacing the room.
The focal point of the office were large windows with the same view of the skyline as the meeting room.
“Things got out of hand, didn't they?” Cory stopped and smiled at her. “I mean, over the last few weeks.” He sat down next to her. “Don't you wish we could go back to that first date and start over?”
“Cory.” Jessica leaned away from him.
“No, I know. I know.” He held up a hand. “You say you don't want to date me. But I know we would be great together.”
“Cory, I don't think-”
“Listen. I would do almost anything for you. If you were my wife, I'd give you the damn bank if I could.”
Jessica shook her head.
Cory leaned in closer. “Our future is at stake here. And I don't want to lose that. I know the bank is important to you, and it's important to me too. Don't you want to save it?”
He reached out a hand and stroked a lock of hair out of her face.
“Cory, don't.” She shuffled away.
“You know we're made for each other. We both want things, we can both have them.”
Jessica shook her head. “Cory, I can't.”
Tears rose to her eyes. He was giving her a way to save Bellfrey. A way she couldn't accept.
“You know you'll lose the
vote.” His voice was matter-of-factly. “Without me, there's no way you can win.” Tears threatened to flood Jessica's eyes. A movement caught her eye. No, a feeling. She looked through the glass wall.
Michael was standing there, watching them. Fists clenched and knuckles white.
“I'm sorry, Cory. There's no way I could accept your offer.” She got up.
“Jessica, are you sure about this? This is the last time I'll ask. I know you women like to play hard to get, but this is getting ridiculous.”
Jessica shook her head and walked to the door. “I've never been so sure about anything. I love Bellfrey, I'd do so much to save it, but not this. Never this.”
“Then you've doomed it. The bank will close, the town will fade away and you'll have to live with the knowledge that you could have saved it.”
Jessica closed her eyes. “Goodbye, Cory.”
Michael was still there. Jessica's heart was pounding out of her chest as she stopped in front of him.
“You came.” Everything around her disappeared except for his eyes.
He cleared his throat. “Well. I had some time to think. You were right. Cory offered me a high-paying job in Langford. It would have doubled my salary. He also promised generous severance packages to Maggie and Rita. If we stopped trying to save the bank.”
“Why would he do that?” Jessica wrinkled her forehead.
“I think I finally figured it out.” He was staring at her face.
“Ms. Sangold?” It was the smiling receptionist. “You're invited to watch the vote.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
“Only a few of you though. The rest can wait in the cafeteria downstairs.”
“You heard the lady.” Jessica flinched as Maggie raised her voice. “To the cafeteria. We'll let you know as soon as they've voted.”
People grumbled and started lining up to get on the elevators.
“Is Rita here?” Jessica asked.
“No,” Maggie said. “She doesn't do events like this. But she made me promise to call her immediately I knew anything.”
Jessica nodded. Maggie, Hailey, Michael, and Jessica entered the voting room. The suits were coming back from the break.
“Good luck, honey,” Priscilla said and gave Jessica a quick hug as she walked past.
Cory walked to his seat without a glance.
“Am I late?” Jessica turned.
“Dad? What are you doing here?”
She glanced at Priscilla and saw her eyes go wide as she saw her husband.
“I'm here for you, of course,” Frederick said.
“But, you never come here. Didn't you say you wouldn't be caught dead in a large corporation?”
“Well, things change sometimes.” He put an arm around her. “Sometimes you find other things that are more important than old ideals and promises.”
Jessica wrinkled her forehead at him.
“Let's vote,” Cory said. “As you all know we need to consolidate Davenport-Higgs. Since my father's passing there has been some changes, changes that will lead us to a brighter future. I ask you to stand by me today and give this company the best chance it can have at a successful future.”
“And I ask you to remember,” Priscilla said. “Remember that this company started in a small office in a small town, and sometimes the best thing we can do for our future is to hold on to the past and give others the same chance.”
The man closest to Priscilla spoke. “All in favor of keeping the Bellfrey office open, raise your hand.” He counted.
Jessica held her breath. Her mom's hand was up, so were several others. Cory's was down. Priscilla eyed each of the board members one by one, they raised their hands. All but two.
“All those opposed,” the man said.
Cory's hand flew up, and he grinned at Jessica. The man next to him raised his hand. And another woman.
Frederick sighed loudly beside her. Jessica's heart sank. Tears welled up in her eyes and she heard Maggie swear under her breath.
The man made some notes. “If all present shareholders have made their will clear the desci-”
“No.” Frederick took a step forward.
Priscilla smiled shakily at him.
“Excuse me?” The man adjusted his glasses and peered at Frederick.
“All present shareholders have not made their will clear.” Frederick's voice was shaking.
Priscilla turned to the man next to her. “I believe you'll find that my husband has a rather large share in the company.”
“Your husband? But he's never voted before.”
“You've never held an important vote before,” Frederick said. “And I promised Grant I'd never use my vote against him. So there was never any need for me to vote before.”
“What is going on?” Cory put his hands on the table and stood up. “You have shares? You've never even been into this office before.”
“Your father gave me part of the company for a wedding present. Just like I was the best man at his wedding, he was at mine. He knew I didn't like taking Priscilla's money while we were starting out, so he gave me enough that I could continue writing. Of course, I don't need that money anymore, as Priscilla and I have come to terms with our financial situation and my books pay for themselves. But I still have the shares.”
“If you promised not to vote against my father, then you can't vote against me. I've taken his place.” Cory grinned.
“It doesn't work that way. The promise I made was a personal one.”
“That doesn't matter.” Cory was waving his arms. “If you vote against me, I'll have every lawyer in the state suing you for breach of contract.”
Frederick shook his head. “Oh, son. It never worked like that. The shares were a gift. There was no written contract. Your father trusted me.”
“I refuse to believe this.” Cory pointed a finger at Frederick. “You can't-”
“Sit down.” Priscilla's voice boomed out over the room. All eyes turned on her.
She glared at Cory until he sank down in his chair.
“Continue,” she said to the man next to her.
“Right.” He cleared his throat. “And, Mr. Sangold, your vote? I do need to remind you that it will be the deciding factor.”
Frederick took a breath. “I vote to keep the Bellfrey Bank open.”
A smile spread across Jessica's face and tears started streaming down her cheeks.
“We won,” Maggie whispered.
“The bank remains open.” The man made some more notes. “Meeting adjourned.”
“Oh, dad.” Jessica hugged her dad tightly. “I didn't know you owned part of the company.”
Frederick hugged her back.
“I can honestly say this is the first time I'm glad I do,” he said. “But I think that's enough businessing for me. At least for the next twenty-odd years.”
Frederick smiled at the others.
“Oh, thank you, Jessica's dad,” Maggie said and hugged him.
“Oopf, you're welcome.”
“Yes, thank you, sir,” Michael said and stretched out a hand.
“You're Michael?” Frederick slowly took the hand.
“Yes.” Michael glanced at Jessica.
Frederick raised an eyebrow at Jessica. “I should go find my wife.” He squeezed Jessica's shoulder and walked past the bewildered board members to Priscilla.
“I need to call Rita.” Maggie had her phone out and was walking into the hallway.
“I should tell the others,” Hailey said and gave Jessica a look before she disappeared.
“Seems your dad saved the day,” Michael said.
Jessica nodded.
“I should go. Make sure I still have a job.” Michael turned.
“Wait.” Jessica took a step after him.
“Yes?” He turned back so fast she almost bumped into him.
“Cory proposed. Again. Sort of.”
His jaws clenched.
“I said no. It's never been Cory.”
T
heir eyes locked and the murmurs in the room grew distant.
“Well, well. If it isn't the small-fry of Bellfrey.” Cory stood next to them, eyeing up Michael. “The man who could have made something of himself, but chose not to.”
Michael stood silent.
“Well, you may not be fired yet, but trust me, you make one mistake and I will make sure your days at Davenport-Higgs are numbered.”
He turned to Jessica. “As for you, well, you missed out on an opportunity of a lifetime. Remember that when things start going downhill for you. Because, trust me, they will.”
He snorted at them and left.
Michael scowled. “One day, I hope I get a chance to punch him in the face.”
Jessica smiled.
Michael took a step closer.
“So, it was never Cory?”
Jessica inhaled. “Never.”
Around them, the room was emptying. Neither noticed.
“Was it ever me?”
He was holding his breath, waiting for her answer.
She put a hand on his chest. When had they gotten so close to each other?
His eyes sparkled with hope.
“Always.”
Their lips met. Jessica's crutches fell to the floor as Priscilla and Frederick pulled the door closed behind them.
Jessica's hands made their way up to Michael's hair. His hands supported her waist.
“Now do you believe me?” Jessica smiled at him.
He caught his breath. “Oh, yeah.”
Jessica let her fingers run across his jawline as he held her tight.
Chapter Twenty-five
“So, which cookie won?” Jessica asked as she approached Hailey.
The town square around the gazebo was transforming into a Valentine's wonderland. Booths were being set up with red heart garlands, and the smell of warm apple cider was starting to spread.
“Ruby chocolate with pistachios.” Hailey held up a package with two big heart-shaped cookies.
“Nice. If I don't have time to stop by, will you put some away for me?”
“Already did.” Hailey smiled.
“Is everything in order for your booth?” Jessica checked that there were extension chords and enough room.
“Yup. Myra even promised to watch it later so I can walk around with Sam.”
