Page 196 of A Curse On Black Lake
There are photos of the Greer family all over the house, except for my parents. For Grams, it was too hard to look at them for a while, but I guess that changed. The photo is of me when I was little. My heart twists as I take in my mom and dad. I still remember them, but their faces fade in and out of my memory. I got to a point where I didn’t even want to look at photos of them because I hated myself for not being able to recall every detail, Mom’s crooked smile, Dad’s green eyes. It feels like I’m betraying them because of it. We’re smiling in the photo, and my dad holds his arm around Mom’s waist like he can’t stand any distance between them. My mom holds me close, and I smile while resting my cheek on her shoulder.
I flip the frame over and slip the photo out, tucking it in my pocket. I may not remember every single detail of them, but I will never forgetthem.
Locking up my house, I head to the ranch to see what Killian has stashed away. I doubt it’s four hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars in cash, but maybe he’s really good with finances. Which would be fair since I can’t even say I love you. Not that I would love him for his money.
Shaking my head to clear the spiraling thoughts, I focus on the road ahead of me. I don’t need to wreck this truck because I’m distracted.
When I get to the ranch, the dogs rush me, and I love on each of them equally and trudge into the house in search of the safe. It’s not on the main level, so I run upstairs to his room.
Opening the door, sure enough, the large safe takes up more space in his closet than his clothes. I turn the combination and find a small stack of cash.
I count it and count it again. We have fifteen thousand dollars.Dammit.
Unknown
She’samazing.
She fell asleep waiting for me.
I’m overwhelmed that she chose me — us. I understand why she’s helping Killian. She’s a good woman. Eliana knows he didn’t do anything they claim he did, so she wants to help him. And she’s right because Killian didn’t do any of those things. I did. But she’s trying to help him nonetheless, and as much as I hate Killian, I respect her for it. She needs a little more pushing. There are still a few more steps in my plan, and then we can finally be together. What was written so many years ago will finally come to fruition, and our eternity together will finally begin. And Killian’s fate will no longer matter.
Chapter fifty-nine
Eliana
Wedon’thavethemoney. I swipe the frustrated tears from my cheeks and take a deep breath.
The bank — I can go to the bank and beg them to give me a personal loan. I’ll worry about paying it later when he’s out.
Heading back into town, I go straight to the only bank in Black Lake. There’s one person at the counter, and to my right is a man sitting behind a desk typing into a computer.
There’s a sign next to his desk that says,Ask me about a personal loan.
Here goes nothing.
“Excuse me, I am interested in a personal loan.”
He looks up from his screen and inspects me like I’m an annoying child.
I have to be nice. If I piss someone off, that could mean I don’t get the money.
I smile softly, and he huffs, gesturing for me to sit.
Forcing myself not to roll my eyes, I sit down in front of him.
“What can I help you with?”
“I was interested in securing a personal loan,” I repeat.
“Great, and do you have a healthy credit score?” he asks.
“No, I don’t have a credit card,” I tell him.
“I see, and how much would you like to apply for?”
“Four hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars.”
His eyes widen, and he bursts into laughter. “Without a credit score or anything to use as collateral, we won’t be able to provide that amount of money,” he says.
