And love
Chap 47 Seal the deal
SADDLE ROCK RANCH
Palmer, Deborah and family are having lunch all together. They try to do this at least once a week.
"Gramps, have you heard that the Reagan's are moving in to that drug lord's old place," Tim brings up.
Carroll's daughter Marlys speaks, "I heard at school that they can't afford that house. Mr. Reagan is only a cop. They are going to turn it into a Motel-6!"
"No, sweetie. Jamie told me that the whole family is helping them." Palmer clarifies. "And George & Priscilla mentioned it to me also," Palmer adds.
"The lawyers?" Carroll voices. "Is Mrs. Reagan doing paralegal for them? They were desperate for help."
"Yes, she talked with me at their last riding lesson," Deborah fills in. "Priscilla is so grateful for Eddie's help. She sounded 10 years younger the last time I talked with her."
"Dad, I've got an idea. The only person riding Joseph is Mary Rose Reagan." Carroll pipes up.
"Hm, that's true. So?" Palmer muses. He suspects that something is afoot.
"Well, I heard that the community is going to do a house-warming," Charlene (Carroll's wife) brings up.
"Ah, I smell a conspiracy," Tim smirks.
"Wouldn't Joseph be a great house-warming gift," Deborah gets in on the act. She smiles broadly.
Palmer looks around, from one family member to another. They are all nodding their heads in assent.
"I'll think about it," he mutters.
They all know what that means.
Carroll and Tim leave the lunch and start to prep Joseph. First task is to get access to the stall barn on the property and evaluate what condition everything is in. The two men think this is a great idea. Everyone has fallen in love with Mary Rose; they can hardly wait to see her face! And hear her scream!
"I'd pay to see that!" Tim exclaims.
"Don't worry, we'll be there," his dad tells him.
Project Mary and Joseph
Step 1: get permission and barn key from Jamie or Eddie. Step 2: make sure 1 stall is ready for Joseph; repair if needed. Step 3: provide a minimum amount of straw for the floor and feed for Joseph. Step 4: make sure the barn water supply is working.
Headed down the home stretch.
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CHASE NATIONAL BANK
Henry is accompanying Jamie and Eddie as they make a visit to secure a mortgage for the Long Island property. They are sitting before Dan Baker, a senior vice president. Mr. Baker and Henry go way back. He was a detective 1st grade when Henry was PC. They worked together to clean out a nest of corruption in 2 Queens precincts. He and Pops regularly play poker once a month. That long-term relationship should be helpful.
"Henry, great to see you," Dan rises from his chair to shake his friend's hand. "And you brought family?"
"Yes, this is my grandson Jameson, and his wife Edit. Jamie is an NYPD Lieutenant; Eddie is a paralegal."
After greetings and handshakes, they make themselves comfortable around a mid-sized conference table.
A secretary enters and offers everyone a beverage; then they get down to business.
"Jamie and Edit, I've reviewed all the documents. Everything looks good. Henry, I see that you and Frank have agreed to sign as guarantors, correct?"
"That's correct, Dan. And my lovely grand daughter-in-law prefers Eddie. Edit is Serbian."
"Ah, Eddie it is. This is a beautiful property, Jamie and Eddie."
Jamie speaks, "Indeed. We are grateful for the family assistance n acquiring if. Our 3 girls will be ecstatic!"
"They haven't seen it yet, then?"
"No," Eddie answers. "We couldn't let that happen until all the paperwork was done, and the property was really ours. A last-minute snag would break a few hearts."
"I'm sure, I'm Sure. Well, we just need the final underwriter's approval. She is in the office right now. If you can wait 15-20 minutes, I can give you a final answer."
They all nod, yes.
Dan leaves with a promise of return.
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20" later Dan Baker returns with a tall, stern looking woman.
"Mrs. Adams, we have here Henry, Jamie and Eddie Reagan."
After handshakes, she joins them at the table. She asks some questions:
"Mrs. Reagan, you are a paralegal? Why not a lawyer?"
Eddie looks to Jamie; he smiles and she answers. "I was on track to join the NYPD. But with 2 girls at home, now 3, I decided to stay in the law enforcement / justice system. But in a safer capacity."
"But, as I asked, why not a lawyer?" Mrs. Adams frowns at the non-answer.
Eddie is trembling. Jamie takes her hand. Mrs. Adams notices.
"I decided that the time required to earn my JD degree was more than I could devote while caring for our family."
"Are you doing paralegal out on the island?"
"Yes, I have one firm that I am working for. And I am pursuing others. I still have my contract with a two-lawyer firm here in Manhattan."
"Will you maintain that contract?"
"I am hoping to shift all my work to Long Island. That will be a gradual process, I am sure."
"And is there space in the property for an office for you?"
'Geez, hasn't she looked at the floor plan?" Jamie thinks.
"Yes, plenty of room. Jamie and I have already designated a potential home office."
"Very good. Can you show me, please?" Mrs. Adams brings out a floor plan. She goes over it with Jamie & Eddie. She appears pleased with their thinking and foresight. She rolls up the floor plan, and turns to Jamie.
"Jameson, you are an NYPD Lieutenant; correct?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Any plans for promotion?"
Henry studies Jamie intently.
"The captain's test will be offered in 12 months. I plan on studying and taking it."
"And with your record of 1st in class at Harvard and the NYPD academy, you should do well. Is there than any reason that you wouldn't be promoted?"
Jamie looks at Henry. Mrs. Adams waits. Does she know of Frank's aversion to promoting his kids? Does all this hinge on that? What to say?
"Truthfully-
"Always, Jamie!" Mrs. Adams says, s sly smile on her face.
"The PC, currently my father, hesitates to promote his children." Jamie hangs his head. Eddie grasps his hand and lightly squeezes.
A slow smile appears on Mrs. Adams face. "I like formal names. So, congratulations Jameson and Edit. Your mortgage was approved before I walked into this room. The only things that would have put this in jeopardy were if you had obfuscated, been devious or less than truthful. You were none of those things. You are gaining a lovely property; I am sure your family will enjoy it for many years to come. It has been my pleasure to meet you and assist in your business. Dan, you may wrap things up." She shakes hands and exits.
Eddie collapses in Jamie's arms. She's exhausted.
Henry looks at Dan. "What the hell? Did you know that?"
"Henry. If I did, I couldn't say anything. You know that."
Henry shows a wry smile. "Now what, Dan?"
"We need your and Frank's notarized signatures, 1st month's mortgage payment, and we are ready to go. After that, Jamie and Eddie get keys. Congrats, kids!"
"Pops, how soon can you and dad take care of this?"
"Tomorrows, I think."
"If we could have the keys Sunday, we could take the girls out after dinner," Jamie muses.
"Wait! Pops, could we do an indoor picnic at our new house?" Eddie exclaims.
"Babe, we'll never get Mary Rose out of the barn!" Jamie stresses.
"Yeah, there is that. What if we had the picnic in the barn? There are no animals there, so it is clean." Eddie posits, hopping up and down heels-toes!
Pops is just standing there, smiling. "Leave it to me, ok?"
"Ok," Jamie and Eddie agree.
They hug and shake hands with Dan. Then they are off, excitement HIGH!
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TBC