Changes of Heart Read Online Free Page A

facilities—and he’d never felt quite so helpless in his life.
    Maggie was his and Janice’s only child, and they’d raised her with perhaps too many things and too much money, but despite that, the girl had a flinty foundation of independence. Maggie had babysat as a kid and had worked a few hours a day at a local bakery all through high school. She agreed to borrow two thousand dollars from Brad when she was fifteen to buy her first horse, although she’d been riding since she was seven. She paid the loan back in weekly increments over three years, without missing a single payment. He’d accepted Maggie’s payments each week with more than a little pride in his child’s spirit.
    That was one of the reasons Rich’s almost frantic call ten days ago continued to trouble Brad. “I can’t tell Maggie, Brad—I can’t,” Rich had said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “But this plane I’m going to fly in a week is powered by a brand-new fuel that’s going to revolutionize jet air travel. I mean it—and there was an opportunity to buy into the fuel provider. It’s not insider stuff—it’s all legal and aboveboard, and lots of my friends are buying the stock. It’s a way for Maggie and me to get out from under ourmortgage and pay off the barn and have more operating capital for Maggie’s horse operation. It can’t miss, Brad—I give you my word on that.”
    “The ones that can’t miss are the ones that bury people, son. You know that. There’s no such thing as a sure thing in the market.”
    There was a pause, and then Rich’s voice became a tad louder and more assertive. “Brad,” he said, “I wouldn’t tell you how to run your stores. I know jet engines and flying as well as you know auto repair. This will be a short-term loan—after I fly that plane with the new fuel, the aviation market is going to go berserk. I know this, sir. I know it.”
    “How deep are you in, Rich? You must’ve taken a big bite if you need money for basic operating expenses.”
    “Well... yeah. I’m in up to my ears.”
    “How much, son?”
    “I... I’d rather not give you a number. The thing is, I refinanced the house and barn, used our savings, sold what little stock we had—the whole smash. I even borrowed against the value of the insurance policy the Air Force carries on me. It amounts to nothing until I pay back the loan.”
    Brad struggled to bite off his quick reply. After a moment, he said, “And you did all this without Maggie knowing? Do you feel right about that?”
    “Yeah, Brad, I do. This is going to surprise her. It’ll be the biggest surprise of her life. I came into our marriage with next to nothing. It took me years to pay off my mom’s hospital bills. But now, with this opportunity, Maggie can buy more horses, buy the six-stall trailer for when she’scampaigning her stock, and buy whatever else she needs. I owe this to Maggie. I really do—and I’m going to see that it happens for her, no matter what.”
    “Rich... you’ve got to understand that I’m not questioning what you want to do for Maggie—and it’s not the money, either. I have it and you and Maggie will end up with it anyway, after Jan and I are gone. But I can’t do this behind my daughter’s back. She’s got to know about the loan, and approve of it. I’m sorry, but I can’t do a thing unless we agree to that condition.”
    Again, Rich’s words were rapid. “The only way this thing can get messed up is if I drive the X-417 straight into the ground—and that’s not going to happen. I know that aircraft like Maggie knows her horses—better, probably. Animals can get nutsy, but machines can’t.”
    “I’m not doubting your skills, son. I know you’ll make that plane do precisely what you want it to—just as you have with the other ones. That’s not the point. It’s just that I can’t do this behind... Look—can you hold out until Christmas Day? Jan and I’ll be there midday at the latest. Can we talk