Page 101 of No Place Like Home
“You’re telling me Cade was right?” Rosalyn stared at her parents across the table at Chug a Mug the next morning, the scent of Dad’s black coffee mingling with the lemon scone on Mom’s plate.
Rosalyn had tossed and turned all night after Cade’s cryptic comment. Was he saying that to get back at her for her own hurtful comment? Or was he serious? How could she even find out? Financials were beyond her—she’d never had to deal with money. There’d always been plenty of it—until recently, anyway—and someone else managing it for her.
She’d finally landed on the only option she had left.
Ask for help.
Dad adjusted his glasses, turned the laptop to show her. They’d secured a booth in the corner of the coffee shop for privacy, and she’d never been so glad to have her back to a wall. Or so surprised at her parents’ eagerness to help when she’d approached them at home an hour ago, still in their robes, and asked if they could talk.
“Yep. This guy’s been moving your money around. Taking liberties you didn’t know about.” Dad pointed to the screen. “Looks like there’s been some investments made too. That’s where a lot of your money has been tied up.”
Her stomach rolled. “That’s horrible.” Mom’s manicured nails drummed a rhythm next to her plate, a concerned frown marring her otherwise youthful face. “Are you certain?”
“Very.” Dad tapped a few more keys, pulled up a different account. “The good news is you’re not nearly as broke as you assumed.” He shrugged as he peered over the top of his glasses. “Looks like a lot of it has been moved to a different account, but still in your name.”
“I don’t have the log-in info for anything else.” Rosalyn groaned. “I’ll have to get that from him, somehow.” That would be interesting. Then she hesitated, almost afraid to ask. “Do I have enough to repay my loan?”
Dad tilted his head, squinted. His mustache had gone full gray over the last few years, giving him an even more distinguished look. “How much do you owe?”
She told him and his gaze darted about the screen, mouth moving silently as he did the math in his head.
This was too much. Rosalyn pressed her fingertips against her flushed cheeks. She wasn’t broke…which was good news. And Cade was right…which was bad news. Blaine had lied aboutwaymore than the loan.
And she’d all but defended him.
No wonder Cade had been so upset last night. He’d seen them kiss—twice—and knew all this about her finances, while she sat there annoyed and said right to his face that Blaine wasn’t a monster.
She’d be suspicious at that point too.
Dad finished counting and picked up his coffee cup. “Looks like it’ll be close. Maybe some of those investments will come back lucrative.” He leveled her with his gaze. “But if it’s important, I can make up the difference. Consider it an interest-free loan until you’re set up again.”
Interest was not the problem. “I couldn’t let you do that.” Although, granted, neither could she remain in debt to the Mafia. A detail her parents still didn’t know. Nor did they know about the marriage complication.
“We don’t mind.” Mom took a bite of her scone, wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Though I’m sure the bank would be accommodating, especially if you’re making a lump payment against the rest.”
In a traditional situation, sure. But she couldn’t give the rest of those details. Mom was handling all of this well, but it was only scratching the surface of the whole situation.
She’d already taken a career path her mother didn’t like and had to listen to her say she was disappointed that day with her cousins.
The whole truth today would feel like three strikes.
“What do I do?” Rosalyn pointed to the laptop. “How do I stop Blaine from taking more money? Do I call the police?”
“Cade put a block on the account, restricting Blaine’s access. I think for now, you should focus on the circus—you’ve got two shows left. We’ll handle the legal side after that.” Dad pulled the laptop toward him, signing out of her accounts one by one. “Who knows? Maybe your manager will come forward, do the right thing.”
And maybe those dancing poodles would learn to fly. “Honey.” Her father tapped her arm. “The bigger question is, why didn’t you come to me with this sooner? I’m anaccountant.”
She shrugged. “I thought it was pretty clear-cut. I was in debt from leaving the world tour early.” And hadn’t realized Blaine had lied about more than simplywhoshe was in debt to.
Her parents watched her. She had to give them more. “And I was embarrassed.” That was the truth.
Dad shook his head. “No reason to feel that way. You trusted your manager—that’s not unreasonable.”
But she should have had the red flags sooner. Cade saw them immediately. Rosalyn swallowed. “I guess not.”
“We’re proud of you.” Mom patted her arm next. “You’re handling this bump with a lot of grace, and look—it’s not even as bad you thought!” Her face was all sunshine and roses.
While Rosalyn sat there with her secret stash of rainclouds and thorns.
