Page 42 of Easton

"Quit procrastinating, Cat, and get this over with," I mutter to myself. Then, grabbing my purse from the passenger seat, I sling it over my shoulder and hop down from the truck.

As I make my way inside the bank, I'm immediately greeted by Mr. Dixon. "Hi, Miss Callaghan. How are you?" Mr. Dixon is a sixty-something-year-old man and has been doing business with my grandfather for years and is one of the kindest people I know.

"Hi, Mr. Dixon. Thanks for agreeing to meet with me."

"Of course, of course. How is your grandfather doing? I heard about the fire. Such a shame, but I am happy nobody was hurt." Mr. Dixon leads me into his office, and I take a seat in a chair across from his desk.

"Thanks. And that's actually what I came to talk to you about. I know we still owe quite a bit on the loan we already have, but I was hoping you'd be able to help me out with another."

"I see." Mr. Dixon leans forward, bracing his elbows on the desk.

"I understand it's a lot to ask considering, but without a loan, we won't be able to have another barn built," I plead. "And I know we are a couple weeks behind on our current loan, but I promise to have that payment to you by the end of the week."

"Miss Callaghan, I'm a little confused. You're not late on any payment. In fact, that loan has been paid off in full."

Not understanding what I'm hearing, I ask, "What?"

"The loan has been paid." Now Mr. Dixon looks confused. "I'm sorry, I thought you were aware."

"No, my grandfather didn't tell me. I wasn't even aware he had the money to pay it off."

"Oh, it wasn't your grandfather who paid for it. Instead, I got a call from a man representing…" Mr. Dixon pauses then taps on the keyboard to his computer. "Here it is. It was paid off by Mr. Evans."

Stunned, I ask, "Did you say, Evans? Easton Evans?"

Mr. Dixon nods. "Yes, that was his name. Is there a problem, Miss Callaghan?"

In a trance, I unglue myself from the chair. "Thanks for seeing me, Mr. Dixon, but I have to go."

"Yes, of course, Miss Callaghan. Anytime."

On the drive home, I go from being shocked to angry. How dare he insert himself into my financial business? I mean, the last thing I need is to be accused of being a gold digger. And I specifically said I wasn't interested in his money. Then, he turns around and pulls this stunt. So I will not be attached to that label. And to prove my point, I fully intend to pay Easton back. It might take me a few years, because one hundred and seventy thousand dollars is a lot of money, but I'll make it work.

A ringing drags me from my thoughts, and I reach into my purse to retrieve my phone. Carter's name lights up the screen. "Hey," I answer.

"Cat, shit. Is everything alright? I just got a call from my mom. She told me what happened."

"Yeah, Carter, everything is fine. Unfortunately, we lost the barn but were able to save the horses."

"Damn. Is there anything I can do?"

I smile. "No, I'm figuring it out. Thanks for asking, though. What about you? You make it back home?"

Carter left two weeks ago, but we talk at least twice a week. Easton is not crazy about it, but he deals.

"Yeah, training starts next week. I'm still holding you to your word that you'll come to one of my games."

I laugh. "I promised I would."

Carter's following words are drowned out by a loud popping noise coming from under the truck's hood, followed by a jerking movement before the engine goes dead. "Shit." I maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road.

"What happened?" Carter asks, his voice filled with concern.

"Oh, nothing. Just my truck decided to die on me." I sigh. "I'm going to let you go so I can see what's up. I might have to call someone to come get me."

"Yeah, yeah. You do what you got to do and be careful."

"I will. I'll talk to you later."