Hometown Princess. Lenora Worth

And we talked this over good and thorough and we both agree you won’t let us down.”

      Before Cari could form another protest, the handshake agreement was in place and the paperwork was being drawn up.

      “You can all meet back here in a few days to sign the papers,” Mr. Phillips said, smiling at last. He reached out a hand to Rick. “Good doing business with you.”

      Rick pointed to Cari. “You’re doing business with this woman, Mr. Phillips. She’s the boss. Don’t forget that.”

      Cari appreciated the way he’d shifted the power back to her. But she wanted to have a long talk with him when she could find her pulse again.

      “Thank you, Mr. Phillips,” she finally said. “I’ll be in touch.”

      The old man nodded and gave her a grudging smile. “You must be a lot like your father, Cari. He always had champions, friends willing to vouch for him no matter what. That’s how he formed such a solid business.” He glanced down at his desk and mumbled, “Too bad his current wife can’t be the same way.” Looking embarrassed, he quickly amended that. “But it seems you have two very high-up champions of your own. Not a bad way to start out, let me tell you.”

      Jolena pointed a finger toward the ceiling. “She has one very, very high-up champion—the Lord wants Cari to grow and prosper. I think that’s why He brought her home.”

      “I can’t fight that kind of power,” Mr. Phillips replied with a grin. “Now, if y’all don’t mind, I do have some scheduled appointments today.”

      Cari waited until they walked out onto the sidewalk before she turned on them. “I can’t believe you two. You steamrolled me into this. Now I not only owe the bank, but I owe both of you, too.”

      “A simple thank-you would be nice,” Jolena said, giving her a stern look.

      “Thank you,” she said, letting out a long breath. “But honestly, I don’t know how to thank you. I feel like a charity case.”

      “You are no such thing,” Rick replied. “Jolena and I had a long talk and decided this would be a good business decision. Doreen purposely let that house go to ruin. This is our way of taking care of business. So don’t go all noble and self-righteous on us. We intend to see a return on our investment, let me tell you.”

      Jolena chimed in. “Yeah. Our best hope is that we never have to take over that loan, honey. While we’d love to own rental property on First Street, we’d rather just sign off and be done with it when push comes to shove.”

      “No pressure there,” Cari said, wondering how she’d managed to get herself in this fix. “But I am grateful. I can’t begin to tell you what this means to me.”

      Jolena gave her a quick hug. “I’ve got work to do.” Then she leaned close. “Your parents gave me a start twenty years ago. They sold me the diner at a rock-bottom price and even did owner financing for me. I owe them both, honey. This is my way of paying back a grateful debt.”

      A grateful debt. Cari liked that concept. And she was grateful. “I’ll work hard to make sure I do the same, then.”

      She watched as Jolena pranced down the flower-lined street toward the diner. Then Cari turned to Rick. “Okay, I get why Jolena helped me. She’s obligated since she’s my godmother. But you, Rick? I don’t understand that part. You barely know me. Care to explain why you just put your neck on the line for me?”