heart. But Rachel?”
Rachel looked at her.
“—I don’t want to have to worry that every time Kevin and I are in the same room you’re going to think something’s up.”
“I’m only concerned about the fucking,” Rachel said.
“Then you’ve got nothing to worry about,” Beth said.
Rachel threw her arms around Beth and said, “I love you, Beth. And you’ll see, I’m going to be the best waitress you ever had!”
Beth looked at me wide-eyed and mouthed the words, “Is she crazy?”
I mouthed back, “She loves you.”
Chapter 8
BOB POCKET WAS a normal-sized man with an enormous round belly. Sitting in his high-backed banker’s chair, it looked like he was trying to hide a basketball under his shirt. He drummed his fingers on it, and I wondered if it was as solid as it appeared. It was truly amazing, and I couldn’t wait to tell Rachel about it.
“Excuse me?” he said. “You’re the what?”
“Chief cook and handyman.”
“Well, Mr.—”
“Creed.”
“Creed.” He started to sneer, then caught himself and turned it into a broad smile. “It’s wonderful to have you here, you’re going to love our little town. All the people are amazing, the weather’s amazing, the beach is wonderful, and like I say, the people are—”
“—Amazing,” I said. “I get it.”
Bob Pocket seemed about to frown, but again, he found a way to show me a pleasant, though unconvincing, smile. “I’m really not at liberty to discuss Ms. Daniels’ financial affairs with her employees. I hope you can try to understand that.”
I passed him a notarized power of attorney. He studied it carefully before saying, “She’s way behind, but we haven’t begun the foreclosure proceedings yet.”
“Why not?”
“Well, this is hard to explain to an outsider, but our little town has a way of attracting good luck. Good things happen here, things that can’t be explained. We’re just trusting that something wonderful will happen, and Beth won’t have to lose her special inn. Wait, why are you laughing?”
“You’ll have to excuse me,” I said. “I’ve never encountered a benevolent banker before.”
Bob Pocket chuckled. “Benevolent banker,” he repeated. “I like that. I guess we are a trusting bank, with an optimistic board of directors. But after you’ve been here awhile it will make more sense to you. This community has been blessed, and it’s astounding how much good fortune we’ve attracted lately.”
“The luck of St. Alban’s?”
“You’ve heard about it?”
“Dr. Carstairs used the phrase.”
Pocket nodded. “Good man. We’re fortunate to have him with us.”
“He’s new to the town?”
“Came here a year ago, out of the blue, right when we needed him the most.”
“Uh huh. So you’re what, hoping another miracle will occur, and this time Beth’s B&B will be saved?”
“I wouldn’t say miracle, but yes, I suppose we tend to rely on some sort of cosmic balance. We’ve had bad times in the past, and now it’s time for a rebirth. All the signs are pointing to a happy, prosperous community. Beth has had her troubles, but she’s due for some good fortune. She’s an asset to the community and she’s got a charming little business, and we’re just hoping for the best. Maybe your arrival has signaled the start of her good fortune.”
“How much time does she have?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Board meeting’s next Tuesday.” He paused, and broke into a wide-faced grin. “But even if something wonderful doesn’t happen by then, I’m sure Beth will recover. Things have a way of working out in our wonderful town. Beth will be happy and prosperous again, you’ll see.”
“How much does she owe?”
“The total note is a million-six,” he said, “give or take.”
Beth had an interest-only note that ran about eight thousand a month. I knew she and Charles hadn’t made any principal payments in more than a year. I also knew she was six months behind on her note.
Bob Pocket looked over the top of his reading glasses. “Perhaps you should consider finding employment elsewhere until things work out for Beth. There are golden opportunities everywhere, within the city limits.”
I handed him a check for sixty thousand dollars.
“This should catch Beth up and take care of next month’s payment,” I said.
He studied the check as if it held a secret code. “This any good?” he asked.
“Call it in.”
