Naomi gave them both a grateful smile. She’d had panic attacks and since coming back to Autre had been able to manage them, but she was very strict about staying out of the spotlight.
Donovan and Griffin returned to the table with more drinks and as they talked, Jordan had to agree that while Donovan and Naomi had a lot of interesting things in common with their experiences with wild animals—though the animals Naomi had worked with had been highly trained and very safe—Donovan really was not at all what Naomi would want or need in her life. He was charming, funny, and extroverted to the nth degree. And clearly loved any chance to be the center of attention. Naomi was absolutely the opposite of all of that.
However, her friend continued to watch, listen, and laugh at the stories the hot animal expert shared as they all drank and talked.
It was so nice of Donovan to jump in with ideas about how they could raise money for the petting zoo. And for him to volunteer to be a part of it. And what he’d said about Jason…
She reached over and grabbed Zeke’s forearm as a thought hit her.
“Oh my God,” she said. “Fletcher is going to call Jason.”
Zeke looked at her, confused. “What are you talking about?”
She nodded furiously, her heart hammering. “Fletcher is going to want to save the program. He will be willing to do whatever it takes to fix this. Just like he ended up calling Jason for advice about my migraine when he didn’t know what to do, Fletcher is going to call Jason and ask him for money.”
Zeke frowned and shook his head. “I don’t know about that, Jordan. I mean, it’s one thing for him to call Jason when you’re sick, but that would take a lot for him to let Jason be the big hero here. He would have to really swallow his pride to do something like that.”
Jordan shook her head. “I know, but he would do anything for me. He believes so much in this program, and he wants to do what he can to make me and all the kids happy.”
She felt a strange mix of panic, frustration, and love at this realization.
Fletcher had thought he was helping with the big finale when he’d written the grant proposal for the final funding they needed. But now that it hadn’t worked, he would still want to come in and save the day. Zeke was right thinking that Fletcher would just need some time to work through it all and to come up with another plan.
But he would do whatever it took.
“I can’t let him do that,” she said. “Jason shouldn’t get to save the day on this. This program is mine and Fletcher’s.” She glanced at Charlie. “I mean, it’s all ours of course.” She reached into her purse and dug her phone out. “But it’s ours. We can work on this. We can make this happen.”
“Who’re you calling?” Zeke asked.
“I have to fix this.” She listened to the phone ring.
A male voice answered almost immediately. “Jordan?”
“Hi, Jason.”
21
Everyone at her table stopped talking and turned to look at her with wide eyes.
“What’s going on? Are you all right?”
She appreciated that this was Jason’s first question. “I’m fine. But you can’t give Fletcher the money.”
“Fletcher? What money?”
“The money Fletcher called and asked you for. For the program that we’re putting together.”
“The program with the animals and the kids? I saw a write up in the local paper about the alpaca and the little girl who lost her dad. That was really cool,” Jason said. “I’m really proud of you. And really happy for you. Do you need money?”
She shook her head, then remembered they were on the phone. “No. I mean, yes, we got turned down for the grant we applied for. But we don’t need your money. Fletcher is going to ask you for money to fund it and we have to work for it ourselves. We are going to have to put together… something.”
“Fletcher hasn’t called me, Jordan. Last I talked to him, it was about your headaches.”
She frowned. “Are you sure you don’t have a missed call?”
“Completely sure. By the way, I’d answer his call.”
Okay, that was nice. “I appreciate that. Well, maybe he’s still going to call. But you have to say no when he does.”
“Why? Why not let me give the money?”
“I don’t want your money, Jason. This isn’t about you.”
“Okay, but all the stuff you did for me, all the time you gave me, all the support, that wasn’t about you.” Jason sighed. “Come on, Jordan. I owe you. You were behind me all that time. I know you gave up a ton for me. Ask me for the money. I’d love to give it to you. Hey, it’s even a local program, it makes sense. I can support the kids and a local business back home.”
“I’m not going to let you use this program to boost your image,” she said. “Sorry. I did do a lot for you. And I don’t regret it. I’m happy for you and proud of you. You’re making all your dreams come true. At the time in my life when I was with you, that was what I wanted to do. But this program is what I want to do now and I want to do it with Fletcher. Not with you.”
“Okay. I get it. But I would give you the money without anyone having to know. I can transfer the money into your account right now. I still have your bank account information connected to mine. I don’t even have to tell my manager or anyone. It can come from my personal account.”
Jordan hesitated. She pressed her lips together and thought about what he was saying. She kind of wished she hadn’t drank so much blue raspberry stuff.
Jason had the money that they needed. She could have it tonight. He wanted to give it to her. And, frankly, he wasn’t wrong about owing her. Not that she would ever consider demanding anything or reminding him of that. She couldn’t put a price tag on the things she’d done for him. But if Jason anonymously donated the money, the program would be fully funded within ten minutes.
Was she stupid to turn that down?
Finally, she said, “Let me think about it. I need to talk to Fletcher. But I’ll let you know.”
“Okay. You know where to find me. I’m happy to do it.”
And she believed him. “Okay, we’ll talk soon. Bye.” She disconnected and looked around the table.
“What did he say?” Charlie asked.
“He wants to give us the money.”
“Nice!” Donovan lifted his glass. But a moment later he set it back down. “We’re not happy about this?”
“I need to talk to Fletcher,” Jordan told Zeke. “We need to get back to Autre.”
Everyone in Ellie’s turned as one as the front door banged open, and Jordan yelled, “Don’t call Jason!”
Fletcher watched his wife find him across the room and stomp toward him. She got up close, nearly on his toes. She tipped her head back and looked up at him and repeated, “Do not call Jason.”
God, he loved her. “Why would I call Jason?”
“Because he has money. And guilt. And he’s actually a good guy. And we need money. And you’ll do anything to make this program work. And anything for me.”