I reach for the documents she needs, do a quick review of the key points, then hand them to her. “File it at four o’clock. I don’t want the bank to have time to get someone to the winery before we end up in court.”
“Can you get an emergency hearing tomorrow? Because the Nichols family is coming in at ten and you know—”
“How they are. Yes. I do. Plan on Thursday.”
“Got it,” she says. “Is Faith prepared for court? She’ll need something to wear.”
“Fuck. Yes, she will, and no she isn’t.”
“I can order her some clothes, but I have no idea on shoe size.”
“Negative. If I just order her a wardrobe, she’s going to be pissed.”
She arches a brow, her hands settling at the waist of her navy dress. “Really? Most women would love for a man to buy them clothes. Interesting. Ilikeher already. Did you say, or did I overhear, that she’s working at a gallery here locally?”
“Allure Gallery.”
“I’ll put your black card on file at several boutiques nearby.” She pulls her phone from her pocket and tabs to the Gallery. “Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana are two blocks away. I’ll get it done right away.” She glances at me. “When do I meet her?”
“Go file the paperwork and eat a damn donut,” I say.
She smiles and walks toward the door.
She’s barely had time to get there, before I’ve sent a text to Beck with the details. Next up, I dial Faith. “Forty million, Faith.”
She breathes out. “Oh, thank God. It’s lower than I expected but still good and I can’t believe the bank really thought that I’d come in under that.”
“I suspect they would have come in with a much different number than our person came in with. Whatever the case, it’s done. We beat them to the punch.”
“So now what?”
“I work my magic and you’re not only out of probate, my bank owns your note by the time we return to Sonoma. But I need a complete ledger of all your vendors and outstanding accounts payable.”
“You’re going to pay off the bills, aren’t you?”
“We talked about this, sweetheart.”
“Yes. I know.”
“And?”
“And I’ll have Kasey and Rita connect. Does that work?”
“Yes. It does. This is good, Faith. If all goes as planned, we’ll be going to court Thursday.” I decide a conversation about money and shopping is better saved for in person, but she goes there on her own.
“I need to be in court?”
“Yes.” I say. “You do.”
“I have nothing to wear here. I have to go buy something.”
“About that—”
“No. You’re paying off my debt. I will not use your money to go shopping. End of subject.”
“Faith—”
“No.”