Page 84 of Outcast
“Mm-hmm.”
Riverton High School had the cornjerker as its mascot, named for the laborers who used to pull the corn out in the fields back in the 1920s. Anyone who lived here knew that, but we let Brenda talk.
“We missed those old days. Maybe we were nostalgic fools.” She sighed. “Most everyone goes to Sauced after games now.”
“Jerkers is a hot lunch spot, though,” Allison said. “Emory is probably there every week.”
Brenda laughed. “Just about. I appreciate the local business community showing up for us.”
I lifted the carton. “And your MoonShakes. We don’t eat at Jerkers out of charity, Brenda.”
“Emory’s right. People love the diner,” Allison said. “Don’t sell yourself short.”
Brenda patted our hands. “You’re both so sweet. No wonder everyone thinks you make such a great couple.”
“Oh, we’re not together,” Allison said.
“Just work partners,” I added.
“Oh.” She glanced between us, a wrinkle of confusion in her brow. “I’m sorry. I just thought…”
Allison waved it away. “A common mistake because we’re friends.”
It still bothered me that people saw wedding bells whenever they looked at us—small-town gossip was tough to combat—but it didn’t make my insides squirm with discomfort as it once had.
Maybe because I had someone else now. No amount of rumors would get me down the aisle with Allison. Not when Gray was waiting for me, all sexy and inviting with dirty words and deeds.
It wouldn’t have before either, not when Allison was in love with Matteo. But the fact I hadn’t been with anyone else—hadn’t even explored my attraction to men—had made it feel as if people’s predictions were going to crush my resistance.
As if, by will alone, they’d put me on that altar, a sacrifice to expectation.
Gray would never cave to others’ expectations, though, and maybe being with him gave me more courage as well. I had something to fight for, even if no one else knew it.
Allison gave Brenda an overview of the grant the foundation was offering, and then I went over the impact on their loan and future payment plan.
“This digs us out of a big hole,” Brenda said. “It gives us a chance. Thank you.”
“It’s not enough, though,” Allison said.
Brenda hesitated, glancing at me. “Well…”
“Don’t worry about admitting it in front of me,” I said. “We’re trying to find solutions here, not cast blame.”
She nodded. “Things are tight, but it’s improving. We had some unexpected repairs in our first few weeks. A mix-up with supplies too. We took some losses that were tough to recover from. But right now, we’re running at a profit. It’s just…there’s not a lot of room for error.”
“That’s why I’m working on some state and federal grant applications for you too,” Allison said. “If there’s a way we can preserve your historic building—and alleviate some of your debt at the same time—we’ll find it.”
“Oh, gosh, thank you so much,” Brenda said.
I unwrapped my burger and took a big bite, listening as Allison went over her research with Brenda. I was so relieved I’d asked for her input after discovering Jerkers’ financial problems. The bank alone couldn’t help people through these hardships. We could give out loans, but eventually, we had to pay the piper, and that meant taking away resources when people needed them the most.
I hated that part of the job. I knew Allison also had to reject some applicants. It wasn’t easy deciding who got help and who didn’t. If I never had to give anyone that kind of bad news again, it would be too damn soon.
At least with Allison’s help, I’d managed to avoid it with the Morrisons.
And thanks to this new home equity loan, Gray and his brothers had a chance too.
My dad might not like it—and that bothered me more than I’d ever tell anyone—but I couldn’t regret it. Especially now that I saw how damn hard they were working to make it happen.
