“Dad!” Ari came bounding back, running fast and hard. He stopped just before careening into Jace. “Can I get my own horse?”
Jace turned and looked at Kelly. “Maybe,” he said.
CHAPTER FOUR
WINDSOR HEIGHTS WASN’T exactly on the cutting edge of the twenty-first century, though as Jason drove into town he noticed how different the place looked. Because he had often been away for long periods of time with boarding school, college and working, Jace’s trips back to the Kendall made him more able to see the changes as sweeping rather than subtle. First, the number of cars on the street alone could cause a traffic jam. As far as he knew, there had never been a traffic jam in Windsor Heights. There were new stores along Main Street. He saw that the old dress shop had had a facelift. The bookstore was gone, replaced by an office supply store. The bank, however, was in the same place and while it was five years older, it appeared as new as it had been when it was built.
Jace opened its heavy door and walked through. Nothing here was different. The loan office was in the same place and Jace went directly toward it.
“Jason! Jason Kendall.” Someone called his name. “Is that you? I can’t believe it. I haven’t seen you in years.”
A man behind a glass wall stood up and came out, his hand outstretched. Jace took it, recognizing him only after he was already pumping his hand.
“Kurt Mallard,” Jace said, grateful to find someone he’d once known. “Who would have thought?”
“Come on in and sit down a minute. Tell me what brings you back to Windsor Heights?”
Jace noticed his door had Kurt Mallard, Loan Officer printed on it in small black letters.
“My home,” he said. Jace took a seat. “I’m here about the Kendall.”
Kurt frowned. “It’s a shame about that.” Then his face cleared and the frown was replaced with a smile.
“But it seems the new owner is working miracles restoring it. Have you met her yet?”
Jace didn’t get to answer.
Kurt continued, “She’s a beauty. Got flaming red hair. When she’s in here and the sun shines through that window...” He pointed to a window outside the office “It’s like fire.”
“I’ve met her,” Jace cut in.
Kurt chuckled and cleared away some papers on his desk.
“So you’re the loan officer,” Jace pointed out.
“Never thought I’d make it, did you?”
Kurt had been the other bad boy of Windsor Heights. While the two of them rarely cut up together, Jace knew of him, his antics and the gang he ran around with. None of them were people Jace cared to be associated with. Kurt was on the school’s football team and many people looked the other way at the things he did for that reason. Jace was the prep school kid, the rich kid, the one who lived in the big house. He wasn’t welcome by even the bullies of the area. After that Jace lost track of Kurt. But now Kurt worked at the bank and Jace’s family no longer owned the big house. That privilege was held by a determined redhead unafraid to get her hands dirty.
“Kurt, I’m here for a loan,” Jace said, opting for the cold, hard truth.
Kurt shifted in his chair. “Okay,” he said. “What’s the loan for?”
“I want to buy the Kendall.”
Kurt smiled warmly. “This is great. I’m glad Ms. Ashton is willing to sell it back to you. After all, the Kendall should be owned by a Kendall.” He laughed a hearty sound.
“Well, there’s a slight issue there.”
“What’s the problem?”
“I only got back into town last night. I have a little money, but I’d need a big mortgage.”
Kurt leaned forward. “So far, that seems like something we might be able to work out.” He reached sideways and pulled a packet of documents out of a vertical file stand.
“The only collateral I have is my name.”
Jace watched him visibly recoil.
“Has Ms. Ashton agreed to allow you to take over the mortgage?”
Jace shook his head.
“Does she even know you’re here?”
Again he shook his head.
“I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to help you, Jason. Besides having no collateral and no agreement from the owner to sell, currently you’re unemployed, I assume. The bank requires at least that you have a job in order for me to approve a loan. I’m afraid even filling out the paperwork will be of no use.” He looked at the packet on his desk.
“I do have a job,” Jace said.
“Where?”
“It’s at the Kendall.”
“You have a job at the Kendall?” The eyebrows went up.
Jace nodded.