Soaring with Fallon (Big Sky 4)

“You don’t have to do that,” I say, shaking my head. “Like I said, it’s a dream for later. For today, I want to focus on this building.”

“Would you still hold classes at the Lodge on the lake?” he asks. “I’m just trying to get a sense for your plan.”

“Yes, I would. And I may work with Nina Wolfe in the future, as well. I guess I’d have to think about adding a couple of employees so I don’t spread myself too thin.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” he says with a nod.

“You do?”

“Of course. You’re excellent at what you do, and expanding your business means you really are staying. For the long haul.”

“For the long haul,” I agree. “So, do you know someone?”

“I do. Evan Waters, Sam’s brother. He’s a mortgage broker. His office is just around the corner. We can walk over and see him.”

“I love this small town,” I say with excitement. “Everyone knowing each other pays off. Although, I shouldn’t get too excited. I might not qualify.”

“But you might, and you should at least find out.”

“You’re right.” I finish my wrap. “You don’t know if you don’t try. I want to try.”

“You’re going to be great,” Mrs. Blakely says. “It always makes me so happy to see new, exciting businesses come to town.”

“You should come to a class,” I reply. “I think you’d like it.”

Mrs. Blakely smiles softly. “Oh, I’m an old woman.”

“You’re wonderful, and you might be surprised.”

She wipes the counter down with her wet towel and then nods. “That sounds like fun. I’ll come to a class.”

“Wonderful.” I reach down into my bag for one of my fliers that has the class times on it and pass it to her. “Choose any of the times on there. On me.”

“Oh, no, I’ll pay you.”

“Not for your first class,” I insist. “If you enjoy it and you want to keep coming, we’ll take it from there.”

“You have yourself a deal, young lady.”

“See? You’re a natural businesswoman. Let’s go get you that loan.” Noah pays for our lunch, takes my hand, and escorts me out of the deli and down the block. We turn right at the end of the street and, sure enough, Evan Waters’ office is right there.

“Hi, Noah,” the receptionist says with a smile. “How can I help you?”

“Is Evan in? We don’t have an appointment.”

“I sure am,” Evan calls from his office. “Come on back.”

“Hey, man,” Noah says, offering his hand for Evan to shake. “We’re here for my girlfriend, Fallon McCarthy.”

“That would be me,” I say with a smile and shake Evan’s hand. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re Sam’s twin.”

“He’s a year younger than me,” Evan says, laughing. “And I’m the better-looking one. So, tell me what’s up.”

“Rick Sheels owns the building that houses my yoga business. I just received a call from him today that he’s going to sell it, and I’d like to buy it.”

“Really?” Evan’s eyebrows climb in surprise. “Do you have an appraisal?”

“He was going to email it to me.” I open my inbox on my phone and smile. “Yep, here it is.”

I check it out and feel my eyes just about bug out of my head at the price.

“Holy shit.”

“How much?” Evan asks. I tell him, and he whistles. “Well, it’s in downtown, and real estate is at a premium down here. It’s not cheap. Do you think you can afford this?”

“It depends on what the mortgage would be.”

He crunches some numbers on the computer and turns it to me. The figure is a bit intimidating, but not outside the realm of possibility, especially in the busier months.

“I can do this,” I say with confidence. “What do you need from me?”

“A lot,” he says with a laugh. “Let’s start with…”

* * * *

“Are you freaking kidding me?” I ask two weeks later, stunned as Evan just smiles from across his desk. “I’m approved?”

“That’s not all,” he says. “I was able to get the loan for fifty thousand more than the asking price, so you can do the upgrades you want. It didn’t move your mortgage amount by much, and it gives you a lot of wiggle room. The business plan you wrote up was incredible, Fallon. You did a great job.”

“Holy shit,” I whisper, my hands covering my mouth. “It’s mine.”

“Well, in forty days it will officially be yours,” he says. “That gives you time to get everything ready to go.”

“But I don’t have to move out. I can continue my classes.”

“Absolutely.”

“If I wasn’t madly in love with Noah, I would kiss you on the mouth right now.”

Evan laughs as he stands from his desk and shakes my hand.

“Congratulations. I’ll call you when we’re ready to close, and I have all of the paperwork for you. That’s when you sign your life away.”

“I can’t wait.” I do a little happy dance as I leave the office and call Noah.