Page 20 of When Love Is Lost and Found

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At the bank, a man in his late twenties or early thirties, whose name tag reads Patrick Lewis, Loan Officer, approaches us as soon as we walk in.

"Miss Hansen?" he says, giving me a firm handshake. "Hi, I'm Patrick. Mrs. Betancourt called to let me know you'd be coming in, but I thought she said you'd be here tomorrow."

"Our schedule opened up today," says Jon, taking a noticeable step closer to me. "So here we are."

"Perfect," says Patrick. "Let's take a seat over here."

He leads us to a cubicle with a spotless desk, a computer, and a short file cabinet with multiple cubbies on top, each holding stacks of forms. He sits behind the desk and motions us to sit in the two chairs across from him.

"What can I do for you, Miss Hansen?" Patrick asks, sitting forward in his chair. I notice his bright blue eyes twinkle when he talks, immediately putting me at ease. I can tell he enjoys his job.

"I just moved here from California," I begin. "I need to open a bank account here in town. I have a cashier's check from my old bank and a check from an insurance company that I'd like to deposit."

"Okay," he says, reaching into several cubbies and pulling out a few forms. "I'll be happy to help you with that. Let me see here. You'll need to complete this application, front and back, and provide two forms of identification." He hands me the forms before excusing himself and walking out of the cubicle.

Jon pulls his chair closer to mine, and we begin filling out the forms together using my new address, which I didn't know until this very moment. As Jon recites the phone number, I write it down, inhaling deeply, enjoying the warm, spicy scent of his cologne.

"Are you okay?" he asks. "That was a deep breath you took there."

I didn't realize he'd notice. I smile, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Don't worry," he continues, "we'll have these forms filled out in no time."

"Thanks," I say, glad he thinks I'm just stressed and not completely distracted by his nearness.

"I was just reminded that I still have to call Mom and Betty to let them know I made it here safely."

"You can call them when we get back to the house."

When Patrick returns, he gives the completed forms a once-over and then starts typing the information into the computer.

"Okay," he says. Your checking and savings accounts are all set. Did you say you have some checks to deposit today?"

"Yes," I say, handing him the checks.

When he looks at the amounts on the checks, I see surprise register on his face, but he never lets his professional demeanor slip.

"Where would you like these deposited?"

"Please put the cashier's check into my checking and the other one into my savings account."

"Perfect," he says, filling out two deposit slips. "You should receive your checkbook and deposit slips in seven to ten days. Do you need to make a withdrawal from either account before you go?"

"No, thank you."

He hands me the deposit slips for my signature before asking, "Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

"No, thank you," I say, handing the deposit slips back to him before shaking his hand.

"Just one question," says Jon as we stand to leave. "How did you know this was Sharon when we walked in if you weren't expecting her until tomorrow?"

"Oh, that's easy," Patrick says, widening his perfectly white smile. "Mrs. Betancourt said I should look for the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen. I must say, she was right."

"Thank you," I say, smiling.

When the door to the bank closes behind us, Jon looks over at me.

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