After Austin turned his resignation in, who was actually at work that day to announce his retirement, Jackson cornered him in his office.

“What can I do for you, Jackson?” Austin asked as he put his belongings into an empty box. He didn‟t wish to waste another

moment in the bank.

Jackson shut the door.

Austin immediately stopped and carefully watched him. Was Claire right? Was there venom in his bite? He waited for jackson to

speak.

“I hear you‟ve come into a large inheritance and plan to open your own bank,” jackson politely stated as he walked around Austin‟s desk and examined the contents on it with an interest that bothered Austin.

“I don‟t see that it is any of your business,” Austin replied, still watching him.

He shrugged. “One might suggest that you and Claire Lewisville got together to make this plan work.”

“Plan? What plan?”

“You‟re a good businessman and an even better liar.”

Austin put his hands on the table and leaned toward jackson.

“If you have something to say, then say it. Otherwise, leave my office.”

“It‟s more than a coincidence that claire shows up at this bank and complains about her family‟s debt. Then suddenly, your

father dies and the only way to save her family‟s farm is to marry her, which just so happens to be the only way you can receive

your inheritance. That almost sounds like something two people could get together and plan.”

Austin understood what he was saying.

“That‟s not what happened. I have been straightforward about the situation.

Everyone knows about it.”

“Yes. Both of you walk away wealthy. One almost has to wonder what else is going on.”

“Since we are being so candid with one another, I will tell you something. You have poor customer service skills. If you

would treat your customers with half the care you treat your mistress, then I wouldn‟t have to open my own bank to give people fair treatment.

However, since you refuse to listen to

reason, you will lose customers. I warned you that if you mistreated Claire, then you would lose business. If you wish to be my true competitor, you would heed my advice. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to finish packing.”

“This isn‟t over.”

“Oh good. I do so love our chats,” he sarcastically replied.

“Let me know in advance next time so I can include Claire in the discussion, since you‟re so sure we‟re in this scheme together.”

Jackson narrowed his eyes at him before he opened the door and left the office.He closed his eyes and forced himself to relax.

He didn‟t appreciate being treated like he was conniving.

Jasper knocked on his door.

He opened his eyes and waved him in.

“It‟s official,” Jasper said. “I‟m out of job here. You better keep your word and make me vice president of your bank or my kids will go hungry this year.”

He chuckled, relieved to let go of the tension in his shoulders. “Don‟t I always keep my word? You are due to report or work next Monday.

In the meantime, I have to get things ready

for my debut as owner. Finally, I‟ll get to run the show instead of taking orders.”

“It wasn‟t bad when Matthew was in charge.”

“No, it wasn‟t. But his son leaves a lot to be desired.”

“Maybe we should put him in a room with Claire.

He was always scared of her. Remember how he didn‟t want to deal with her when she came in here ranting and raving about her family‟s debt?”

He grinned. “That was classic.”

“I kind of like her. My wife takes our kids to the library to hear Claire give them story time.”

“I saw claire do one of those stories. She was presenting

Jack and the Beanstalk. She was pretty good.”

“Anyway, mind if I ask what Jackson wanted?”

“Oh you know jackson. He thinks everyone is out to destroy him. It was one of those moments.”

“He gave me one of those before he talked to you.”

Austin raised an eyebrow. “What did he tell you?”

“Apparently, you, me and Claire came together late one night to develop a plan to draw customers away from his bank.

Matthew‟s not even retired yet, and jackson has already taken over it in his mind.”

“It was already his. We were too blind to notice.”“Anyway, you‟d better get your bank open because I took a big risk in quitting today.”

“You have nothing to worry about. Just show up next Monday at 8:30. We open at nine.”

Jasper nodded and left.

Austin finished putting his things in the box and walked out.

He refused to let jackson ruin his day. He had business to take care of and he needed a clear head to do it.

“Where to?” Williams asked him when he reached the buggy.

“My new bank. I want to start setting up my office.”

************************************

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