A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

Pam arrived ten minutes early for her meeting with Filia, but the other woman was already there. Pam took one look at Filia’s anguished face and knew the news wasn’t good. Before she could say anything, she noticed Filia’s ten-year-old daughter sitting next to her.

Filia rose. “I’m sorry. Marta asked to come with me and I didn’t want to refuse her. I like that she’s interested in my business. She won’t be any trouble. I hope that’s all right.”

“Of course it is,” Pam told her gently. “There’s a conference room next to my office. She can sit in there and be perfectly safe while we’re talking.”

It only took a few minutes to get Marta settled. Pam led Filia next door and positioned her chair so Filia could see her daughter through the glass walls of the conference room. Pam sat at her desk.

“Tell me,” she said, knowing Filia had set up meetings while Pam was gone.

“The banks turned me down. The second one wouldn’t even make an appointment with me. They said I didn’t qualify.” Color stained her cheeks. “I work hard. Sometimes I work seven days a week. I know what I’m doing. I’m a good risk. I started with nothing and I built my business into what it is today. I don’t understand. Is it because I’m a woman? That I wasn’t born in this country? What is it?”

“I don’t know,” Pam said honestly. “I’m sorry you went through this and I’m really sorry I wasn’t here.” Not every client got every loan they applied for, but they usually got a meeting and some consideration. “I’m not giving up. I hope you feel the same way.”

“I’m not. I’m determined. I—”

“Good morning, Pamela.”

Pam looked up and saw Miguel in the open doorway to her office. He was so unexpected and he looked so good. Her heart fluttered, her mouth went dry. She knew she couldn’t speak, so it was for the best that he glanced from her to Filia and shook his head.

“My apologies. I didn’t know you were with someone. I’ll come back.”

She hadn’t seen him since before the cruise. She didn’t know why he was here now, but she wanted to make sure she had a chance to talk to him.

“Should I leave?” Filia asked.

“No,” Pam and Miguel said together.

Miguel nodded. “I’ll wait, if that’s all right?”

“It is.” Pam waited until he was gone before turning back to Filia. She gave herself a single heartbeat to hope that his appearance meant he hadn’t completely given up on her, then pushed him from her mind so that she could focus on her meeting. “I’m so sorry for the interruption.”

Filia smiled. “Your friend is a very handsome man. I feel as if I’ve seen him before.”

“He gets that a lot. Now about your determination.”

“I’m very determined. I’m worried about getting a loan, but I’m not giving up. So many people have told me I can’t over and over again. That I couldn’t come to America. That I couldn’t start a business. That I couldn’t make it successful. All my life I was told I dream too big. But I was raised to be strong and to believe in myself. I’m going to make this happen.”

“I know you are,” Pam told her, impressed by Filia’s resolve. “Those banks were just the first round. We have many more options. I want to try the Mischief Bay Credit Union next. They like to make loans in the community.” There were also grants and the angel funds, but Pam had to make sure that conventional funding had been attempted first.

“Now that I’m back, I’ll come with you to your meetings.”

“I’d appreciate having you there,” Filia told her. “Thank you so much. As soon as you get me the information, I’ll set up the appointment.”

“Give me two minutes. I’ll go pull the forms right now.”

She walked back to the file room where they kept the information on banks and credit unions. Pam found the files on the one she wanted. As she walked back to her office, she saw Miguel talking to Filia’s daughter. No, not talking, she realized with a start. He was letting the girl paint his fingernails.

The sight of the strong, handsome man of the world with the little girl melted her heart. It also gave her hope. Hope she hadn’t realized she’d been wishing for. Not that she was ready to get involved with Miguel romantically. Only she did want to see him and talk to him, and well, if he kissed her again, that might be all right, too.

She returned to Filia and they went over the various forms. While Filia would submit them online, Pam wanted to make sure she understood everything the credit union was looking for. Thirty minutes later, Pam hugged Filia.

“I’m with you,” she promised. “However long this takes, I’ll be with you and we’ll make this happen.”

“Thank you.”

They went through to the conference room. Pam smiled when she saw that Marta had used some kind of glitter polish on Miguel’s nails.

“Oh, no!” Filia sounded mortified. “I’m so sorry. You’re going to need nail polish remover to get that off. I don’t have any with me, but I can certainly pay for some.”

Miguel winked at her. “I like it,” he said, his voice teasing. “Don’t worry. I have a daughter, too. I can handle this.”

Filia left with her daughter. Pam waited until they were gone before ushering Miguel into her office.

“I have nail polish remover at home,” she said, trying not to focus on the incongruity of the broad-shouldered man with the pink, glittery nail polish.

“So do I,” he told her. “Actually I have some acetone in the garage, which is about the same thing. Don’t worry about it.” He glanced toward the door. “Is she all right?”

While Pam appreciated his concern about Filia, she couldn’t discuss a client. “She’s fine. Um, how are you?” A statement more polite than the “I wasn’t sure I ever expected to see you again,” which was what she was really thinking. Along with, “Wow, I missed you so much more than I thought I would.”

“I’m good. You had a nice cruise?”

“Yes. The weather was perfect and my friends and I enjoyed seeing the sights.”