Page 67 of Just for Tonight

“I know you can do this, Candace. It’s different but it’s not that hard. You’ll see.”

“Okay.” She gulps a great choking sob. “Okay, Jacob. Thank you.”

I still feel like a jerk when I hang up, but maybe a bit less of one than before. I book the Rhodes townhouse for Thursday and Friday night. The code does work, but that doesn’t feel celebratory when there’s no chance of seeing Mackenzie.

A handsome, rich, fit vintner who is looking to get married and has been cleared for landing by Mackenzie’s own mom.

I don’t even know his name and I hate him already.

Despite all predictions and intentions to the contrary, I am back in Empire in less than a week. I pick up Candace at the house, as planned on Friday morning, and can’t hide my surprise. She looks fabulous. Elegant, expensive and probably ten years younger than I know she has to be.

She’s watching me when I come around to open the passenger door. “Is it all right?”

“It’s perfect, Candace. Absolutely perfect. You look great.” I am not shitting her. I am blown away.

“You look nice, too, Jacob.”

She smiles in relief and gets in, her agitation clear as I drive to the bank. The bank manager, Mr. Innes, proves to be an older man. Whatever magic Candace has, it works for him. He fusses over her, offers his condolences, straightens her chair and ensures she has her coffee exactly how she wants it. I know he’s married because of the ring on his finger, but Candace flutters in a very feminine and fragile way, and Mr. Innes rushes to her defense. Instinctively. It’s impressive to watch. Before we even have the account open, he’s practically eating out of her hand.

Bank policy is the only thing that will stop him cold and it does. I transfer the money over and we fill out the forms, then he hesitates, obviously dreading the delivery of bad news.

I hear Mackenzie reminding me to be kind.

“I know that it’s uncommon to offer credit to someone who doesn’t have a regular paycheque or access to cash reserves,” I say smoothly. Candace looks up at me, clearly wondering. “I will, of course, be the guarantor on my stepmother’s new account.” Candace’s expression is briefly awed, while Mr. Innes beams with delight.

“That is very generous of you, Mr. Cavendish. I’m sure that’s all the assurance that we need.” He happily completes the paperwork. He’s thrilled that he could do what she wanted, and I’m just the great facilitator.

Maybe the kind one.

“I won’t let you down, Jacob,” Candace says.

“Of course, you won’t. You’ll keep your balance under the threshold and you’ll pay it on time every month. You could even visit Mr. Innes to do that.”

“I would be delighted to assist you in any way possible, Mrs. Cavendish.”

In an Austen book, he would declare himself to be her servant, but that’s a bit much to ask in these days.

“Jacob!” she says when we’re in the car again. She seizes my arm in her delight. “You did it. Thank you!”

“It’s a pretty low threshold, Candace, but maybe they’ll increase it soon if you do everything right.”

“I won’t use it at all.”

“No. You have to use it. You have to charge between four and five hundred dollars every month, then you have to pay it off on time. All the bills for the house are coming to me now. You’ll only get this one, and you’ll pay it out of your chequing account.”

“But what happens when there’s no money in it?”

“I’ll make sure there is. That’s why Mr. Innes made your account joint with me. I can add funds, if necessary.”

She blinks back tears and catches her breath. “I’ll do it right, Jacob. I will.”

“Then maybe ask Mr. Innes to raise the threshold for your Christmas shopping.”

“Oh, Jacob, I’m so excited.” She’s clutching her new credit card, which is a temporary one. I can’t imagine how thrilled she’ll be when the one with her name arrives in the mail. “I could never have done this without you.”

“Come on. It wasn’t hard.”

“But I wouldn’t have known what to ask. Thank you!”