Chapter 4

"I need to speak to Peter Morley." George had both palms down flat on the small desk in front of him. As he spoke, the woman behind it was frantically dialing and redialing Morley's office extension.

Relief washed over her face as he apparently picked up. "Mr. Morley, George Brenner's here to see you." She listened for a moment. "No, I don't know… he only wants to -"

George yanked the phone out of her hand. "Get your fucking ass out here!" He shoved it back into her hands and she slowly moved to hang it up.

Peter Morley leaned out from his office, a general concern on his uptight features. "George, this is between Victoria and the bank. You can't solve her financial problems."

George stared at the young woman, his back to Peter.

"Mr. Morley," She started with a hesitancy. "I think you should come out."

"Don't worry about him, Lydia, he won't hurt you. And, if he does, we'll have reason to put him away."

George turned just his head and stared toward the hallway, but not at Peter. "I'm here to take out a loan… Mr. Morley." George's voice was laced with contempt aimed solely at the man hiding down the hall.

"You have no credit, no pull with the bank, nothing for collateral. Get out of here Brenner."

George pulled his social security card and his driver's license out and held it between to fingers, now facing Peter. "Run it. Find reason to delay this, or not put it through, I will own you."

Peter disappeared back into his office.

George turned back to Lydia, whose hands were still shaking. "I didn't mean to get you upset, I know his games."

She nodded and than pointed at Peter who'd returned and was this time coming into the bank lobby.

He looked at Morley who was oozing with confidence and holding a red loan portfolio. "You have nothing to your name, Mr. Brenner."

"Maggie's estate."

Peter's jaw dropped. She had been a wealthy woman who's financials were tied into fixed folios, CDs, big city corporations, the works. Not physical assets, but enough to put up as collateral to any personal loan.

It took George only a few moments to fill in the necessary information on the forms, including which account the funds would be transferred into; $40,000 to Victoria E. Riddler, Fremont Bank, account 50832-334.

"You can't do this." Peter was shaking his head, his hands in his pockets.

"Oh no?" George raised his head and stared Morley down. "I think I can. Do it, or I file suit."

Peter's eyes were wide now. He knew the law wasn't on his side, and George was making his dealings with Victoria difficult. He was why she didn't want him.

George returned his attention to the signature portion of the paperwork. He signed it and than pushed his face close to Morley's. "It says 8-10 days. If I don't have confirmation of this processed into her account I'll take a road trip to Bloomington Court House where I will have your ass for abuse of the system."

"Assuming your eligible." Morley was hushed now, knowing he was.

George leaned closer still. "I know I'm eligible. Continue holding this shit over Victoria I will kill you myself." He pulled back slowly and glanced at Lydia. "Have a good day, Lydia."

"You too, Mr. Brenner." She mumbled.

He had a smirk on his face as he strolled casually across the street and into the diner. "Hey, Verne."

"Hello, George. Coffee?" Verne wiped his hands on his apron as he got out a mug to pour a cup, not waiting for George to respond. "How's Elias doing? What a miracle, ey? God is good."

"I'm thinking." George smiled as he perched on a stool at the counter. "If anyone deserves a miracle, it's him and Victoria."

"You bet." He slid the milk and sugar over before concerning himself with cooking.

Victoria leaned her shoulder against the side of the shed near the barn as she slid her hands under the water spout, letting the cool water soothe the burning calluses. She'd been in the barn since noon, working on replacing wall boards as that were rotting away. She tried keeping her mind off what was happening at the bank, but she couldn't deny her worry. After all, George didn't even tell her what his plan was. She dried her hands on her jeans and walked toward the house, stopping near the porch and placing both hands on her hips. She could see Elias running around in the field. She felt the recently familiar hot sting of tears behind her eyes and her nose was burning, but still she smiled, not taking her eyes off of him. She'd devoted every single second of her life to this child and now he could do and be everything she always wanted for him. She sniffed hard and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her plaid over-shirt. As she settled her hand back on her hip she caught a glimpse of George's truck.

He pulled up behind her little red Ford and was shocked when he realized she was crying. "I told you not to worry." He smiled as he dropped down to the ground and slammed the truck door.

"I can't say I wasn't worried, but that's not it." She pointed at Elias and than crossed her arms tight over her chest as she managed another smile. "For that, I'd die a thousand times, George."

"To see him walking… running? Yeah, so would I." He rubbed at the little bit of growth on his chin before facing Victoria again. "Verne asked about him. Everyone's so grateful this happened."

She held her arms out to him, almost like a child as she stood still.

He pulled off his hat and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him. "Are you okay otherwise?"

"Concerned, of course, but better than okay." She turned her face up to him. "You were gone for almost five hours… I missed you."

"Yeah." He blushed slightly, not an easy thing for a man with such a dark tan. "I had lunch at the diner and than I went shopping."

"Shopping?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"You deserve this done right." He pushed her back an arm's length before digging around in his back pocket for his wallet. He pulled it out and fished through the bill fold. Finally, he slid out a tiny ring with a small stone nested in the center. It sparkled as the light hit it and he knelt down to one knee, setting his wallet and his hat down. "Victoria, will you be my wife?"

"George, you didn't have to." She breathed out quietly.

"That a yes, than?"

She covered her mouth and nodded, tears dripping down to wet her fingers as he slid the ring on her left hand.

He let her stand there in tears and speechless for a moment before scooping her into his arms and spinning her around.

She managed to get a "yes" out before throwing her arms around his neck and catching him in a deep kiss.

He grinned, a lopsided, country one before angling his head toward the field. "Elias!"

Elias had been sitting on the rail between the far end of the cattle range and the near end of the east-facing field. He looked up and saw George holding his mother cradled in his arms. He gave George a thumbs up before jumping down and running back towards them.

As content as Victoria was to stay in George's arms, she smacked his hand away. "Okay, put me down!"

He grinned again and kissed her neck hard before dropping her legs gently to the ground and steadying her upright. He held onto her waist tight as they both watched Elias get closer.

"You're back, finally." Elias spoke loud. He slowed to a stop in front of them and gasped to catch his breath.

"Yeah, had to get her something."

Victoria was blushing now as she held her hand out to show Elias the pretty engagement ring.

Elias took her hand and studied it close. "Bit of class there, ey George?"

"Just a smidge." George responded, earning him a big smile from Elias.

Elias dropped his mother's hand and hugged her tight. "This is great." He pulled back a little and grinned from ear to ear. "Absolutely perfect!"