Read Online Forever and Always by Leigh Greenwood - Free Book Online Page B

me. I have to be honest and say I would never have considered this for one minute if I weren’t desperate.”
    She did need someone to explain the mysteries of all those figures that filled so many books, but maybe “desperate” wasn’t the right word. Maybe she was fearful she would fail on her own. Maybe she just needed to feel that she wasn’t facing this battle alone. Maybe it was the feeling there was more to this man than met the eye, and she was curious to find out what it might be.
    â€œI understand,” Logan said. “If I do anything to upset you or cause you to question my honesty or my work, just tell me, and I’ll leave.”
    â€œThat goes without saying. Now about your wages.”
    â€œI don’t want to be paid.”
    That was completely unexpected. “Why not?”
    â€œI have enough money for the time I’m going to be here.”
    â€œYou’re already planning to leave?”
    He took a moment to answer. “Let’s say I’m not planning to leave but expecting it.”
    â€œI would feel better paying you.”
    â€œWhy don’t we wait to see if I’m worth being paid?”
    That seemed a reasonable, if unexpected, request. “I have to tell you the bank isn’t doing a lot of business. My husband was a very arrogant man. He offended so many people they opened a new bank so people wouldn’t have to endure his rudeness any longer.”
    â€œI’m sure things will change now that you’re in charge. I need to ask one favor. Don’t tell anyone I’m the one who shot the robbers.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI don’t want people staring at me. I—” An abrupt change came over him. He looked uncomfortable, maybe even unwell. He got to his feet. “I need to be going, but I’ll be here first thing in the morning. I know accepting the help of a stranger is a big gamble for you. I promise you will not regret it.”
    With that, he turned and left her office with quicker steps than he had entered it. He could have hardly gone through the front door when Cassie knocked and entered without waiting to be invited.
    â€œWhat did he want? Did he ask for a reward? How much did you promise to give him?”
    â€œHe didn’t ask for a reward, and he refused one when I offered.”
    â€œWhy? He looks sick, not crazy.”
    â€œHe says he has experience in business. He has offered to help me learn how to manage the bank.”
    â€œYou didn’t believe him, did you? I bet the closest he’s been to any business is begging for handouts.”
    Sibyl picked up the money Holstock had given her and handed it to Cassie. “He was coming to the bank to open an account the other morning. Here’s the money he wants to deposit.”
    Cassie counted the money in half the time it had taken Sibyl. The total caused her eyes to grow wide. “What’d he do? Rob a bank?”
    â€œI doubt he would foil a robbery if he were a thief himself. I don’t know how he came by the money, but there’s more to that man than meets the eye. You only have to talk with him a few minutes to realize he hasn’t always looked like he’s living hand-to-mouth.”
    Cassie was more blunt. “He looks like a bum.”
    â€œBum or not, he’ll be starting work here tomorrow morning.”
    â€œYou can’t do that. He’ll scare away the customers.”
    â€œHe’ll be working in the office with me.”
    â€œDoes Naomi know about this?”
    Even Cassie didn’t believe she knew enough to make decisions for herself. “I have great respect for my cousin’s intelligence and ability to judge people, but if I’m going to learn to run this bank, I have to start making decisions on my own.”
    â€œI can help. I’ve been here five years.”
    â€œNorman didn’t tell you any more than he told me. There’s more here than either of