Page 5 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
Determination. That had to count for something. She also wanted to apologize. She’d been a little unnerved by Lawson the last time she’d been here. Allison may not have a job for her, but Julie wanted her to wish that she did.
“Hi, Julie,” Allison said from the front desk as she walked in.
Julie squared her shoulders and flashed her best smile. This wasn’t an interview, so there was no need to stress out. “Hi. I came to bring you a fresh copy of my proposal.”
Allison’s gaze fell to the folder. “Oh, thank you. I really wish we could okay it right now. It sounds like a great idea, Julie. Something that would really benefit our veterans.”
“Really?” Well, that was something.
“Really.” Allison stood up and took it from her hands. “Our Marines need all the support we can offer.”
“You can say that again,” a bellowing voice said coming up behind them.
Both women turned.
“Mr. Banks,” Allison said to an older man. “How are you?”
“Ah. That heart episode last week was nothing. I survived two wars. A whole year as a POW. A little heart attack is minor in comparison.” He waved a dismissive hand.
“Glad to hear that.” Allison gestured toward Julie. “Julie, this is Mr. Banks, the owner of our center. Mr. Banks,” she said, turning to the older gentleman, “I’d like for you to meet Julie Chandler.”
The large-statured man turned toward Julie. Even at his age, he was built and carried himself proudly, with an upright back and lifted chin. And, if Julie wasn’t mistaken, there was mischief sparkling in his gray eyes. “What is this you’re proposing to help our Marines?”
“Oh.” A flash of heat tore through her. “It’s just…Well.” She felt all kinds of silly now. This was a man who probably still lifted hundred-pound dumbbells. He probably ran several miles a day.
“Julie wants to do yoga with our Marines,” Allison offered. “For stress reduction.”
Mr. Banks’s face distorted. Julie was beginning to get used to that reaction.
“There have been programs like this at other military bases. I looked them up after you left yesterday morning, Julie,” Allison continued.
Julie’s mouth fell open. “You did?”
“Uh-huh. I was very impressed with your proposal, watermarks and all. And from what I’ve read, there’s been a lot of success. I even spoke to my mother about it. She’s a naval psychologist at Camp Leon.”
“I remember.” Julie nodded.
“She thought it was a great idea, actually.”
“She did?” Julie asked, stunned. She didn’t know why she was so surprised. It was her idea. And it was a good one.
Mr. Banks chuckled. “Marines doing yoga, huh? Sounds like hogwash to me.”
Julie swallowed, forcing away memories of her ex saying the same about her passion. “I assure you, Mr. Banks, yoga is not hogwash. I have a lot of research and experience backing up my proposal.” She held up her folder. “I have testimonials of people whose lives have changed due to this valuable exercise program specifically aimed at stress reduction.” Pride surged through her. She was strong, she reminded herself. Words were just that. Words. She wouldn’t let them hurt her anymore.
Mr. Banks stared at her. He was a retired Marine and that was a bit intimidating, but she didn’t blink as he watched her. Then he pointed at the folder in her hand. “Not happening here,” he said. “Marines don’t do yoga. Sorry, Ms. Chandler.”
Julie watched him turn and walk away, feeling like she’d just been in a boxing match and lost. Feeling the way she used to after every interaction with Daren. “Well, that’s that,” she said shakily, trying not to let Allison see how destroyed she was.
“No, that’s not that.” Allison put her hands on her hips and looked after Mr. Banks as he walked away. “I think I can get him to change his mind.”
“What?” Julie looked up. Allison had a little grin on her face, and her green eyes had a gleam to them. “How?”
“Just don’t count the Veterans’ Center out quite yet, okay? You have a great program and I’m sure you could get it up and running somewhere else. I want it here, though. So let me see what I can do.”
Julie sucked in a breath. “Okay.” She didn’t have a choice but to wait anyway. Allison was wrong; there weren’t any other businesses lining up to let her do this program. It was Veterans’ Center or bust. And if Mr. Banks had a say about it, the proposal was a bust.
She walked to her car on shaky legs and started driving toward the beach a few miles away. The salt and the sand always shifted her mood, along with a few calming poses and deep breaths. Her phone rang beside her in the passenger seat as she drove. She hesitated before reaching for it. No way could answering be any worse for her mood.
