Read Online House Divided by Jennifer Peel - Free Book Online Page A

chance?”
    She shook her head warily, but complied.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, I don’t see you as a signer on her account.”
    I tried to remain sweet and calm. This
wasn’t her fault, and it wasn’t her fault that my aunt was such a pain in the
you-know-what.
    “Is there, by chance, a manager here I can
speak to?”
    She looked a little annoyed, but she went
to get her manager.
    Unfortunately, it was an old-timer, and
she recognized me. “Well, Ella Lu Eaton, I didn’t know you banked here.”
    I didn’t appreciate her undertones. “As of
yesterday I do, when I signed all the necessary paperwork. Is there any way you
could look that up for me so I can transact my business?”
    She sneered at me. “Who did you sign this
so called paperwork with?”
    “Brady Jackson.”
    Her eyes widened.
    I hated this town.
    “Well, Mr. Jackson isn’t in on Saturdays,
you will have to come back on Monday.”
    That’s it! The nice gloves were coming
off. “I would appreciate it if you would call Mr. Jackson to clear this up. I
have a lot to do today, and I will not be leaving here until this is settled.”
    Her face turned a few shades of red, and I
could tell she had a rebuttal on the tip of her tongue, but my aunt was their
biggest account holder, and I’m sure she knew better than to push it too far.
She picked up the phone and dialed. “Mr. Jackson, I’m sorry to bother you on a
Saturday, but Ella Lu Eaton is here and she says she signed paperwork with you
yesterday placing her on Luanne Eaton’s accounts, is that correct?”
    I saw her face turn a darker shade of red.
I’m sure she thought I was lying. Why did I keep feeling like I was a child?
    “Yes, Mr. Jackson. Of course, Mr.
Jackson.”
    She hung up, and I couldn’t help but
smirk. Yes, that was childish.
    “I’m sorry for the confusion, Ms. Eaton.” She
turned to the teller. “Please give Ms. Eaton anything she requires.”
    I told her what I needed: an account
number and twenty hundred dollar bills, new.
    As the teller was taking care of me, I
heard my name being called by the sweetest little voice, “Miss Ellie!”
    I turned to see Caroline walking, hand-in-hand,
with her uncle toward me. Why Brady, why? I smiled at Caroline and I
grimaced at Brady. He just winked. As they neared, Caroline let go of Brady and
ran to me.
    I knelt down and hugged her briefly then looked
up at her uncle. “What are you doing here?”
    “I heard someone was making trouble at my
bank, so I came to see what I could do.”
    I rolled my eyes at him, but I couldn’t
help but smile.
    The cranky bank manager came out in a
tizzy. “Mr. Jackson, I didn’t mean for you to have to come down here.”
    “It’s alright, Margaret. It was my fault
the paperwork wasn’t put in the system. I was in town anyway, and I just wanted
to make sure Ms. Eaton was taken care of.” He looked down at me and smiled sweetly.
    I stood up, but Caroline kept a hold of my
hand. It was adorable.
    Unfortunately, Margaret was looking at me
unpleasantly. She would probably be reporting this whole situation to his
daddy.
    The nice teller handed me my receipt and
the envelope of cash. “Have a nice day, Ms. Eaton.”
    I thanked her kindly. I looked down at my
little admirer. “Thank you for helping me last night, my Auburn tree has never
looked so pretty.”
    She beamed up at me. “You’re welcome, Miss
Ellie.”
    “So what are you doing today besides
causing trouble?” Brady asked.
    “Well, according to my aunt, I’m Christmas
shopping and dress shopping,” I answered not sure why he cared.
    He grinned broadly. “Well what a
coincidence, Caroline was just telling me she wanted to go Christmas shopping
and to see Santa.”
    “Uncle Brady no, I ...” Caroline began to
say.
    Brady quickly scooped her up and whispered
in her ear.
    She turned toward me while still in his
arms. “Miss Ellie, will you please go shopping with us and to see Santa?”
    I looked at Brady with exasperation. He
was not