“Ellis Bank. Susan Sanders. How may I help you?”
“Susan, it’s me. I need your help.”
“Amanda Bailey, you are not coming back to Helena until you’ve replaced Catherine for the entire duration of her maternity leave.” Susan sounded annoyed.
“Don’t worry. I’m staying. But so much has happened since I arrived. You have no idea. Both on a personal level and professional.” Amanda paused to sip her coffee. “The reason I’m calling regards the professional matter.”
“Okay. What’s the problem?”
“Susan, someone at this bank is a thief.” Amanda held her breath.
“Are you joking?”
“I wish I was.” Amanda related everything she’d suspected and everything she’d learned.
Susan remained silent on the other end of the line for a minute and then whispered, “I can’t believe this. Who would do such a thing? Do you have any suspects?”
Together, Amanda and Susan reviewed every employee except the janitor who worked at the bank. They decided the most likely suspect was the young clerk hired around the time the first bogus loan was processed.
“Would this young guy have the know-how to pull this off?” Susan sounded skeptical.
“I don’t know. Kids today are extremely computer savvy, but this paperwork was handled in house. The amounts are minimal and the approval signatures were obtained from an overworked, pregnant, distracted manager. The thief timed this stunt perfectly. Catherine’s not aware of any of this. She’s only been home from the hospital for a couple of weeks. She’s on mat leave. I’m reluctant to drop this in her lap until we discover the guilty party.” Amanda sighed. “Do I sound like I’m covering for her? She’s become a good friend.”
“She’s my friend, too. So you don’t suspect Catherine is the thief?”
“Good heavens, no.” Amanda straightened in her chair. That possibility hadn’t even crossed her mind. “The woman is married to the elder son of a very well-to-do family. Why would she abscond with a measly ten thousand dollars?”
“To prove it could be done? Just for fun? She’s stressed out? Her twin personality talked her into it? I don’t know.”
Amanda blew out her breath. “There’s no way Catherine is guilty, or even aware of this nasty business or she would have reported it herself.”
“You’ve always been a good judge of people, so I’ll trust you on this.” Susan sounded somewhat convinced.
“What should I do? I don’t want to alert the board of directors just yet. And I certainly don’t want to tip off the thief that I’m on to them.”
“Keep your eyes open, wait for someone to slip up, and keep me posted if any more bogus loans cross your desk. Today’s March 21. I’m coming to Bandit Creek in person. I forced you into that snake pit. Together, we’ll get to the bottom of this! I’m spending Easter weekend with friends in Missoula. I’ll see you on April 9th.”
“Thank you, Susan. I knew you’d help. See you soon. Bye.” Amanda cut the connection and breathed a sigh of relief. Help was on the way.
****
Jeremy paced his father’s study. His father, brother and sister returned from the auction with the trailer filled with antique furniture last night, and Jeremy requested time alone with Arthur after dinner. Finally, his father wandered into the study and poured himself a drink.
“Want anything, son?”
“No. What I’ve got to say is best related sober.” Jeremy sat on the leather sofa across from his father’s favorite recliner. “I’ve got a girl pregnant.”
“Dammit, son. You’re thirty-one years old. What is she a college freshman, high school senior?” Arthur shouted at a volume guaranteed to rattle the study’s windows.
“No! Hell, no!” Jeremy leapt off the sofa. “Jesus, Dad. What do you take me for? She’s around my age, maybe a year or so younger. Her name’s Amanda. She’s the interim banker replacing Catherine.”
“That’s no girl. That’s a woman for Pete’s sake.” Arthur slammed his drink down on the side table. “Why didn’t you say so in the first place?”
“What’s all the commotion about?” asked David, as he and Catherine rushed into the room.
“None of your business,” answered Arthur and Jeremy in unison.
David and Catherine took a step back and exchanged puzzled glances.
Jeremy dragged his hands through his hair. “You might as well stay. You’re going to hear about this soon enough.” He repeated his confession to his brother and sister-in-law. “Amanda doesn’t want anything to do with me. Said she’d handle things herself. I don’t know if she’s getting an abortion or giving the kid up for adoption. I’m so pissed off I could spit. She never even asked what I wanted.”
“I can’t believe this. Amanda was told she would never conceive.” Catherine hugged her husband and turned to meet Jeremy’s eyes. “This is an absolute miracle.”
“What do you want to do, son?” Arthur peered over his eyeglasses at Jeremy, expectantly.
“We hooked up one night. We don’t even know each other. But she’s a lot of fun, she’s kind, she’s a damn good banker according to Catherine.” Jeremy wouldn’t mention she’d knocked his socks off in bed, and he couldn’t get the hazel-eyed, brunette with the radiant smile, slim nose, and kissable lips out of his mind. Those details fell under the heading of none of their damn business. In fact he’d never experienced such a strong attraction to a woman before. And it scared the hell out of him. He’d picked up the phone to call her a hundred times and hung up without dialing like a damn teenager with his first crush. Just thinking about the woman muddled his brain. He’d almost fallen off his horse yesterday, distracted by thoughts of her body beneath him. He shook himself out of his musings. “All I know is she’s carrying my kid.”
“You’re sure?” Arthur sounded skeptical. “She’s the interim bank manager, son. She knows your bank account balances down to the penny.”
Catherine jumped to her new friend’s defense. “She’s a classy, professional career woman, Arthur. She drives a BMW, and I’d wager she comes from money herself. And we discussed babies when she visited me in the hospital. She’d never have an abortion or put that baby up for adoption. I’m certain she intends to raise the baby alone when she returns to the city.”
Jeremy slumped back onto the sofa. “Amanda’s actions have nothing to do with money. She essentially dismissed me and my bank accounts from her life. But of one thing I’m certain, that is my baby.”
“Then that child is a Branigan, and he or she should be raised as a Branigan. Start courting that woman and get her in front of a preacher as soon as possible, son.” Arthur waved off Jeremy’s attempted protest. “I don’t want to hear it. If she’s that wonderful I want to meet her. Invite my future daughter-in-law for supper tomorrow night.”
****
Late Saturday afternoon, Amanda navigated the long paved lane leading to the main house on the Lazy B Ranch. She had to admit the scenery on the drive out from town exceeded her expectations. Tall bare-branched trees, majestic snow-covered mountains, and a wide open sky the bluest of blues almost took her breath away.
Amanda had accepted Jeremy’s invitation, reluctantly, after the way they’d parted when she’d informed him she was pregnant. He’d assured her he was sorry about his reaction, and Catherine had badgered him to invite her out to see the twins. Anticipating a visit with the babies had shattered her resistance, and she’d finally agreed to come to dinner. Jeremy offered to send someone to fetch her, but she insisted on driving herself. He provided directions to the Lazy B Ranch, and he must know she drove a BMW because he assured her the road and driveway was paved right to the door.
Amanda pulled her car up to the white painted fence surrounding the Branigan home and turned off the ignition. Jeremy stepped off the veranda and opened her car door for her.
“Hi,” he offered as a greeting. He wore the familiar black Stetson, cowboy boots, and a lined denim jean jacket. “I’m glad
you accepted my invitation, especially considering the way our last encounter ended. I’d like to apologize for my inexcusable behavior; my temper gets the best of me sometimes.”
“Apology accepted.” She offered him a smile. She wasn’t the type of person inclined to hold a grudge, and no doubt she’d shocked him with her news two weeks ago. Now, just looking at him sent her heartbeat racing. For the life of her, she couldn’t explain this strong attraction toward him. “I enjoyed the scenic drive out here.”
“One of the reasons the Branigan clan loves this ranch so much. Nice car.” He smiled back, helped her out of her BMW, and closed the door.
“Thank you.” She slipped her purse strap over her shoulder. Black wool dress slacks and a black cashmere sweater were hidden under her coat, and she teetered on the paved driveway in her three-inch heeled designer boots. For a moment she considered the possibility she’d overdressed. Perhaps jeans and cowboy boots would have been more appropriate.
“We won’t be sitting down to dinner for an hour. Let me take you on a tour.” Jeremy reached for her hand and led her toward his truck. Glancing at the oversized tires on the vehicle and the height of the running board, he smiled. “Those heels might pose a problem. Let me help you up.” Jeremy swept her up into his arms and deposited her on the passenger seat.
For the next forty minutes Jeremy drove over hills, across grassy valleys, and down gravel roads cleared of snow. Together, they observed cattle and horses while Jeremy explained different breeds and different brands. The entire lesson in ranching sailed right over Amanda’s head. She couldn’t concentrate on anything but Jeremy. She remembered what those strong tanned hands had done to her body. She recalled the feel of his kiss on her lips. Remembered how his moustache tickled her tummy the night their baby was conceived.
Their baby? Since learning about the pregnancy she’d always considered the child, her baby. When had she started thinking in terms of their baby? Suddenly, she heard Jeremy mention something about history, and she turned her attention to her traveling companion.
“My great great grandfather, Robert Branigan, made his fortune during the gold rush in the 1870’s. He loved the area so much he started up this ranch, and every generation has lived here since. David and Catherine’s boys are the sixth generation to call this ranch home.” Jeremy met her eyes. “Our baby is sixth generation, too.”
Amanda couldn’t find her voice. Sixth generation. Was that code for ‘I want to be included in this baby’s life’? When she’d told him she was pregnant, he hadn’t demanded visitation or offered to assist with the cost of raising the child. He’d just stormed off, and she assumed he was angry that she’d decided to handle the situation alone. She’d come here prepared to offer him visitation rights, perhaps even shared custody in time. She adored her own father, and she wouldn’t keep Jeremy out of her child’s life. But where did he stand on the whole matter?
“Is that a helicopter?” Amanda stretched her neck, spotted a white helicopter parked on a helipad as they returned to the main house. How had she missed that when she drove onto the ranch?
“Yep. Dad flies everywhere. I see he just returned from Missoula. He’s seventy, healthy as a thirty-year-old according to his doctor, and proudly still holds a pilot’s license. David flies, too. They airlift emergency cases for the hospital and fly guest ranch tourists around in the summer. It helps defray the cost to operate the bird.” Jeremy grinned at her, resembling a kid with a secret. “I prefer to travel in my pickup or my SUV. It makes stopping for bathroom breaks a lot easier.”
Amanda smiled. “Maybe David would take me up for a ride someday. I’ve never flown in a chopper, just commercial airliners.”
Jeremy parked the truck in the sprawling homestead’s driveway beside her BMW. He released his seatbelt and glanced over at her. “I should warn you, the entire family will be joining us for dinner. My father, David and Catherine and the twins, myself, and our housekeeper live under this one roof. Mind you it’s one big roof, but still there’s not a lot of privacy some days. My sister Shannon and her husband Mark Rogers built a house beside the guest ranch main lodge. And there’s a bunkhouse for the single ranch hands, and two log cabins house the foreman and his wife, and the couple that work for Shannon.”
Amanda reached for the door handle. “I live alone in an apartment in Helena. My parents retired to a condo, and my sister and her husband live near them. My brothers live on the other side of the city. That’s close enough proximity to everyone for me. I can’t imagine having all those people underfoot every day.”
“Well, brace yourself.” Jeremy grinned. “You’re about to meet the family.”
Amanda adored Catherine, but a shiver of apprehension raced up her spine at the prospect of meeting the rest of the Branigan clan. Had Jeremy informed them of her pregnancy? She felt her face redden in embarrassment. Would they think less of her? She had no one but herself to blame for so willingly believing the doctors. But Jeremy used a condom and taking birth control pills had been the last thing she’d considered necessary. The conception was nothing less than a miracle, and despite the embarrassing circumstances she had no regrets.
They approached the magnificent home and Amanda held her head high, prepared for anything. Jeremy escorted her up the wide wooden stairs and across the veranda. He slipped his arm around her waist, and they entered together through a set of heavy carved pine doors. No one came to greet them.
“My goodness, something smells delicious.” Amanda breathed deeply and slipped her coat off. The aroma of home-cooking wafted throughout the house, welcoming her like an old friend.
“Roast beef is my favorite.” Jeremy wiped his boots on the enormous entryway rug, and Amanda followed suit. He hung her coat in the hallway closet beside his own.
Amanda decided she could fit half of her apartment inside the entryway. A winding staircase led to the second floor where she assumed the bedrooms were located. The open concept living room led to the dining room and beyond that to the kitchen. Her eyes immediately gravitated to the open-beamed ceiling which matched the wood paneled floors. Tasteful neutrals with Mexican-inspired accents in multi-colored blankets, bold-striped rugs in primary colors, pottery, carvings, and photography decorated the entire main floor. The house looked, smelled, and felt like a real home.
“I love this room.” Amanda whispered to Jeremy as they walked through the living room. The day’s last rays of light streamed through the wall of windows facing west. Her stomach grumbled. She’d been too nervous to eat anything all day, stressing over the invitation to the ranch.
“My mother’s Mexican heritage influenced the decor. She passed away three years ago. We all loved her, but her death really broke Dad’s heart.” Jeremy led her through the dining room toward the kitchen from where muffled conversation could be heard.
“I’m sorry she never lived to see those new grandsons.” Amanda smiled up at Jeremy who towered over her even in her heeled boots. She experienced a moment of guilt, realizing his family would never see Jeremy’s child if she kept them apart. Was inviting her to dinner the family’s way of offering her an olive branch? Did they hope she and the baby would be a part of their lives? Allowing visitation would be a wise choice for everyone involved. Her baby would grow up knowing his or her cousins, aunts and uncles, and another grandfather.
“Dad’s spoiling those babies enough for both of them.”
Jeremy and Amanda stepped into the kitchen. “We’re here,” he announced.
Amanda stood at his side. Could he feel her knees trembling? Her expression probably resembled a deer in the headlights.
The room’s décor screamed ‘country kitchen’, exactly what Amanda expected on a ranch: wooden cabinets painted white with see-through glass inserts and a round pine kitchen table surrounded by eight matching chairs. The stainless appliances were top-of-the-line, of course. A row of windows were covered with red and white gingham curtains, and the bay window’s bench seat was upholstered in a matching
red cotton blend material.
“Amanda! Did you enjoy the grand tour of the ranch?” Catherine hugged her while being careful not to spill the drink in her hand. “Would you like some orange juice, straight up? I can’t wait until I finish breast feeding, so I can sneak some vodka in here again. But for now, my little guys come first.”
“Sure, that would be lovely, Catherine.” Amanda tucked her purse under her arm, breathed a little easier having another familiar face by her side. “And I loved the grand tour.”
“Amanda, this is my husband David.” Catherine handed her a crystal glass tumbler of chilled orange juice.
“Nice to finally meet you, David. We missed each other the entire time Catherine stayed in the hospital.” Amanda shook his hand. He resembled Jeremy but with light brown hair and no moustache.
“Nice to meet you, too.” David towered over her, tall as his younger brother.
“Come see the babies. They’ve just been fed and changed, and they’re sleeping like angels,” exclaimed Catherine.
Amanda peeked into the two bassinets in the far corner of the kitchen. “Catherine, look at how much they’ve grown.”
“I know! And thank you for the lovely gifts. The sleepers almost fit them already, and I love the stuffed toys and blankets.” Catherine smiled.
“You’re quite welcome.” Amanda touched Robert’s blanket, lovingly. And then she met her friend’s eyes. “How are you doing, Catherine?”
“Losing sleep and I’ve never done so much laundry in my life! But our housekeeper, Rosalie Little Child, helps with the babies a lot and I nap every afternoon. I’d be lost without her.” Catherine pointed to the lady stirring a pan of gravy at the stove. “Rosalie, this is Amanda.”
“Hello, Amanda. I’m happy to meet you.” The plump Native woman’s salt-and-pepper hair hung down her back in one long braid, and a yellow apron covered her short-sleeved blue blouse and matching dress pants. She waved and then returned to her work.
“Happy to meet you, Rosalie, and dinner smells wonderful! You’ve got my tummy grumbling.” Amanda laughed and then sipped her orange juice.
A Bandit Creek Miracle Page 6
