“It’s my fault,” she cried. “I should have told them. We shouldn’t have hidden what I am.”
Sarah’s heart plummeted. “It’s not, Darce,” she said. “Please … calm down before you …”
Mack cleared his throat behind them. “If you need a few minutes …”
Sarah squared her shoulders. “We’re fine.” She stared at Darcey. “Sweetie, you’re fine. Everything’s going to be just fine. Shh …” She leaned down. “I love you, no matter what. Sisters forever, okay?”
That seemed to work as Darcey went limp. “I’m … fine,” she whispered. “She’s fine. She’s not going to come out.”
“Good.” Satisfied, she gently led Darcey back down to her chair, then turned to face Mack. Damned prejudiced sons of bitches, she cursed silently. She’d protected Darcey all these years, and she wasn’t going to stop now. “Now, you were about to explain, Mr. Mack?”
The loan officer’s nostrils flared. “I was. Take a seat—”
“Just say what it is that we ‘failed to disclose.’” Let us know what bigots you guys are. “Because as far as I know, there wasn’t a question on your loan application whether we’re human or shifters.”
Mack’s jaw practically dropped to the ground. “E-excuse me?”
“That’s what is it, right?” she accused. “You found out Darcey’s a shifter, and you’re denying our loan because of that?”
“What?” Mack slammed his palms on the desk in indignation. “Ms. Mendez, we at National Bank do not discriminate against shifters. Why, we don’t even ask that in any of our paperwork. The ACLU would have our heads.”
“Then why did you deny the application?”
“Because, Ms. Mendez”—he opened the file sitting on top of his desk and flipped it over to her, pointing at the top of the first page—“you wrote here that you were single. But, upon further investigation, we found out that that was simply untrue.”
“What? Of course it’s true. I think I would remember if I was married,” she scoffed.
“When our investigators did a search, your name came up in the civil registry.” He rifled through the papers and took out another sheet. “There. See? That’s your name and signature, on this marriage certificate dated three months ago.”
Her gaze dropped down the paper. Oh. Fuck. There it was. Sarah Mendez of Nevada. And that was definitely her signature at the bottom. “But there has to be—” Fuck! The date on the certificate made her stomach sink. Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh no.
“Sarah?” Darcey asked. “Is it true? Did you get married?”
“I … uh …” Satan’s balls, what did she get herself into? “I … can explain.” Kind of. “But why does it matter if I’m married? This is a business loan and I’m not asking my—” she gulped, “husband to co-sign. Surely, lots of people who are married get loans by themselves?”
“Ms. Mendez, Nevada is a community property state. Even if your husband has no plans to co-sign or give you money, or even be involved in your business, you still have to disclose your civil status. Now,” he leaned back in his chair. “Seeing as you seem to be … surprised at this development, and let’s be honest, this is Las Vegas,” he said with a knowing grin, “I won’t recommend pressing charges.”
“That’s one load off my mind,” she said, plopping back on the chair. “But our loan? What’s going to happen? Can I just resubmit the paperwork?”
“Not with us, I’m afraid,” he said. “But I could recommend another bank. I have a colleague down by First Federal that could help you. You already have copies of the paperwork, that’ll give you a head start.”
“Thank you.” It wasn’t what she wanted, but at least all was not lost, except maybe some time.
“You’re welcome. But, before you do proceed, seeing as I mentioned Nevada being community property, might I suggest a speedy divorce or annulment so you can get things in order? Uncontested, you can have it done in a matter of days.”
“Sounds good,” she said. Now the only thing she needed to do was figure out who her husband was. “I’ll get on it. Thank you, Mr. Mack. Would you mind if I, uh, borrow this?” He nodded, and she swiped the marriage certificate. “Let’s go, Darcey.”
Spinning on her heel, she marched out of the office, walking past the tellers and customers, then breezed through the glass doors and headed out into the early morning heat of the desert. Numbness flowed through her, thankfully, as it kept all the emotions she was holding inside at bay.
“Sarah?” came Darcey’s quiet voice. “Are you okay?”
Snapping out of her trance, she jerked back. “Yeah. I mean. I guess? Fuck!” she cursed, crumpling the paper in her hand. “Shit. Goddammit!”
Darcey, bless her heart, placed an arm around her shoulder and hugged her close. “It’ll be all right, Sarah,” she soothed. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out. But how are you feeling?”
And this was the reason why she loved Darcey more than life itself. She never judged, never berated or belittled anyone. Her heart was big enough to contain the world. “I’m … I just …” Tears burned at her throat. She just wanted something to go her way for once, damn it! All she wanted to do was provide a better life for Darcey, Adam, and herself.
Well, Sarah didn’t know the meaning of giving up. Ever since she’d been abandoned by her parents at the age of four, she’d been fighting for everything she had, and she was damn well going to keep fighting if that’s what it took. “I’ll figure this out, Darce. Don’t you worry.”
“Mr. Mack said he’d help us and that we could just submit the same paperwork,” Darcey said. “Which means we’re just going to be delayed by a little bit.”
“A week at most,” Sarah estimated. “Three days if we work our butts off.”
“Let’s get to work then,” Darcey suggested. “I can reprint the business plan at the library and change the cover page. Let me go and ask Mr. Mack for
