Home is Where the Heart is(56)

Cassie combed her fingers through her hair, bunching it together as she used one hand to wrap it around into a tight bun and then secured it with an elastic band.

Jordan couldn’t help but stare at her beauty, but tried not to be obvious in doing so. His eyes quickly darted to a spot on the kitchen counter when she glanced at him, and he skimmed over a piece of paper left lying out. He couldn’t see the whole document, but the words ‘Application for Loan’ were formally typed in big, bold, printed letters and instantly got his attention.

“You’re applying for a loan?” Jordan blurted out then wished he hadn’t when Cassie gave him a look like he was invading her privacy. Had he said the wrong thing?

Cassie shook her head. “No, I was considering it, but it’s just not the right timing for me at the moment.”

“So what was it for anyway?”

“Joyce is selling the bakery so that she can see her grandchildren more often. They don’t live in Yellow Valley. She knew I was interested in owning my own bakery one day, so she offered me the opportunity to buy it, but it’s just not really an option for me right now. I can’t afford it.”

“Why not?” Jordan asked while watching Jake pour a handful of chocolate chips on top of his pancakes. Cassie quickly took the bag from her son, placing it back into the kitchen pantry and leaving him with a slight frown on his face.

Cassie replaced the chocolate chips back into the pantry, her flat shoes making no sound on the tiled floor.

Then she turned back to Jordan, ready to answer his question with dignity, even if it killed her to tell him about her money woes. She didn’t need his pity, especially when he got everything he ever wanted. All she had to show for was a job as a pastry chef in a bakery and her child, not that she’d ever regret having Jake and becoming a mother, though it would have been nice if she was a little more prepared in life before she became a mother.

“And you can’t apply for a loan? Did the bank reject your application?”

“I didn’t meet with the bank. I was only considering my choices when I realized I couldn’t afford to buy a bakery. Why try if they’re only going to say no? I’m not going to put myself through the misery of meeting with the bank, when I already know the answer they’ll tell me. I’m a single mother with a mortgage.” She splayed her hands in the air. “This house is enough without adding another payment to the mix.”

Jordan rested one arm on the counter. “What if I gave you the money?” He knew it was a long shot, but he had to at least try.

Cassie shook her head, her eyes almost jumping out of her head. “No, I can’t take your money. While it’s kind of you to offer, I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking money from you. I would feel like I owed you something every time I saw you.”

Jordan didn’t press the matter any further. He knew when she had made up her mind to keep his mouth shut. Case closed.

“I’m just going to have to wait and see who buys the bakery and hope they keep it as it is. That’s all I can really do.”

Cassie didn’t have much of a choice, but she wasn’t going to dwell on it either. She didn’t like to go on and on about something, and even if she did, she would be late for work, which she couldn’t afford to do. She had a busy day and week ahead of her. Cakes needed to be baked and prepared for upcoming functions.

“Thanks for looking after Jake today. I don’t know what I would have done if you couldn’t look after him; Nick was busy today.”

Jordan took a mouthful of food. “It’s no trouble. He’s my son too. What would you normally do when you’re working and he’s not in school?”

“I would usually arrange for a play date with Caleb or one of his other friends.” Cassie glanced over at the digital clock flashing on the stainless steel microwave. “I’ve got to go now so I’m not late.”

She quickly left the kitchen, leaving Jordan and Jake where they were as they both dove into the pancakes she made. When she returned with her black leather handbag on her shoulder and a little bit of make-up applied to her face, she wrapped her arms around Jake to give him a goodbye cuddle.

“Goodbye, Mommy.”

“Be good for Daddy,” she whispered into Jake’s ear.

Cassie looked over at Jordan with a wary expression on her face. “If there are any problems, you have my number. Give me a call.”

“We’ll be fine,” Jordan reassured her.

“Okay, bye.”

“Have a great day and don’t worry; we’ll be fine here and on our best behavior.”