“Right?”
Bailey’s chuckle broke through the poignancy of the moment, and he again sensed the depth of affection between these two.
“So, anyway, when she died, two months after Granddad, she left me her car and some money. It was earmarked for further study or to start a dance studio, so that’s what I did.”
“And this was all while your brother is getting engaged and brother-in-law was going to jail, huh?”
She nodded. “I think part of the reason Cindy gets annoyed with me is because she thought our family was wealthier than we are, and then a big chunk of my grandmother’s estate came to me instead of them.”
“Your brother wasn’t annoyed?”
“He’s the most lovely, generous man, and understood why Gran did what she did.”
“He seemed that way,” Luc agreed. Wanting to hush over strain and keep the peace, a lot like Bailey did too.
Poppy sipped her tea. “It’s always been a mystery to me how those two paired up.”
“Opposites can attract, I’ve heard.” Luc kissed Bailey’s hand, as Poppy snickered.
Bailey’s smile grew wistful. “I’m so grateful for my family, and the fact they’ve supported me with my dancing, and with going overseas. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without them, and definitely couldn’t have started the studio without Gran’s money. Nor without Poppy’s contribution.”
“See, that’s what I wanted to ask.” He turned to Poppy. “So you put in money too?”
“I put in five grand from my savings, so I was always the minority partner.”
“And now the debt is paid we can repay you soon too,” Bailey said.
“One day, no rush.” Poppy’s head tilted. “But why all the questions about money?”
Because he wanted to know how much Bailey’s dad had been involved in setting it up. “I, um, just wondered, as I wasn’t sure who was the financial brains behind the business. And I haven’t heard either of you say you’ve studied that kind of thing.”
“Mom used to have a studio, and Dad advised her,” Bailey said. “Now he advises me. He’s a member of the finance board at church, and has always been willing to help with financial things.”
Luc kept his lips clamped as he nodded. Just as he suspected.
“Then your mom’s studio closed.” Poppy stared at him. “Right Bailey?”
Bailey nodded, but Poppy’s unsettling stare at Luc kneaded fresh concern. “Can I ask why?”
Bailey shrugged. “It was before I was born, but Mom always said it was because she wanted to concentrate on us kids when we were young.”
Clearly a question he should ask Bailey’s mom. Delicately, perhaps.
“But I don’t really want to talk about that. It’s all okay. I’ve paid off the debt except what’s owed to Poppy so we’re now nearly up-to-date. So, who wants another tea or coffee?”
He and Poppy declined, which saw Bailey move to the kitchen.
As soon as Bailey exited, he murmured, “Do you have some concerns about it?”
“Look, Wayne might be ultra straitlaced about a bunch of things, but he is a nice guy, and I don’t want to speak badly about him,” Poppy said in a low voice.
“But?”
She sighed. “But, let’s just say he’s not as clever as he thinks he is. I think the reason Bailey’s grandmother left the money directly to Bailey was to make sure Wayne didn’t get his hands on it. He might not be too smart with money, but Bailey just adores him.”
He knew that. Bailey might be independent in some ways, but in others she still seemed like Daddy’s little girl. And while he loved that they were a close family, he also could understand some of Cindy’s frustrations in trying to break into such a close-knit unit.
“So why haven’t you said something, especially if you’ve invested five grand of your own money?”
“Do you know how hard it is to even remotely criticize her family?”
He was getting a fairly good idea.
“What are you two talking about?” Bailey asked on her return.
He might be all about honesty, but now didn’t feel the right time to deep dive into financial questions. “I was about to tell you both that I’ve got a lead on a website designer who’s prepared to offer a significant discount.” Well, it would seem so, because Luc would subsidize it.
“Are you serious?”
When he nodded, Bailey clapped her hands, her action so reminiscent of her mother’s it made him smile again. “Oh my goodness! That’s awesome. When can we meet him?”
“It’s a her, actually. She lives in Ontario, and does a lot of work remotely, but is excellent. And she’s a Christian, so I think she understands the need to keep things affordable for your students.”
He gave the name, and Bailey kissed his cheek. “I really appreciate that. Thank you.”
Poppy nodded. “You’re really proving yourself as excellent boyfriend material, aren’t you?”
“Hashtag grateful and blessed,” he deadpanned.
