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“Right,” Knox said, taking Jana’s side. He’d brought up the same thing, about inviting her parents, but Jana had seemed extremely reluctant, so he’d dropped it without questioning her. “You know small towns. Especially since I don’t live there, I don’t want Jana hounded with questions. Or anyone else in our family.”
“Makes sense,” Evie said.
A short silence fell amongst the group, and Knox was pretty sure everyone was thinking of the questions that might be asked of Macie, Holt, and even Ruby.
Still… they all knew, and Holt had practically given Knox his blessing. Not that Knox needed it from anyone. But it had been nice, of course.
When the lava cake came, everyone dug in, even Evie.
“When are you heading back?” Evie asked Jana. “We can meet for breakfast in the morning, although it will have to be early. I have to be in the office by eight.”
“I’ll plan my next trip out here for longer,” Jana said. “I’ve got to fill orders tomorrow, so I’m leaving around six.”
“Okay, no problem,” Evie said, then stifled a yawn. “We’d better head out.”
Knox stood and hugged his sister goodbye, then shook Carson’s hand. When he turned, Jana had stood as well.
“I think I’d better get to the hotel,” she said. “Early morning.”
Knox knew this night wouldn’t last forever, but reality was hitting fast. “Okay, I’ll take you to your car back at the arena. Are you sure you don’t want to stay in a room at my hotel?”
She smiled. “I’m sure.”
“Okay…” Knox paid the bill, then walked out of the restaurant with her, hand in hand. On the drive back to arena, he knew now was the time. He’d promised Holt, and timing might be important here. “Hey, I need to ask you something, and I want you to know that it’s just a business question.”
Jana looked at him in surprise.
He explained how Holt had secured grant money to fund the horse rehabilitations, and now that grant would be divided.
Jana said nothing as she listened, until he got to the email part that listed the company who’d claimed to have a volunteer vet. “There’s only one vet in Prosper, unless they’re bringing in another one, but who would do that much volunteering? Maybe a retired vet?” she said.
“Maybe,” Knox said as he pulled into the arena parking lot and headed to where she’d parked. “But Holt and I looked into the equestrian company more and found that one of Prosper’s local citizens is on the board of directors.”
Jana’s brows shot up. “Oh, wow. So they’re going in through a back door? Piggybacking on the grant work that Holt already did?”
Knox parked next to Jana’s SUV. “That’s Holt’s theory, and maybe mine, too. But I wanted to talk to you about it first.”
Jana’s brow creased. “I’m not an expert in business organizations.”
He released a breath, then turned to face her more fully. “Your dad is, though, and I found his name listed on the board of directors for RD & Associates.”
“Really?” Jana said, her eyes widening.
Knox nodded to confirm.
Jana blinked. “Wow. I had no idea. I mean, I don’t really track my dad’s business.” She pulled out her phone and looked up the name of the company he’d told her.
He couldn’t explain the relief he felt that Jana had no knowledge of RD & Associates applying for the grant. He’d known it in his heart, but to have it verbally confirmed was even better. Jana had the board of directors page pulled up, and she read through the list of names.
“I still don’t get why they’re doing this—on top of the one that’s already established at Prosperity Ranch,” Jana said. “You’d think they’d just apply for a grant in another location so they didn’t have to split it.”
“I don’t understand it, either,” Knox said. “But I need to help Holt find out, so when we saw your dad’s name…” He didn’t finish, because he didn’t have to.
“I’m calling him right now,” Jana said, pulling up her contacts.
“It’s late—” Knox started, but she was already on the phone.
When her dad didn’t answer, Jana sighed. “He must have his phone off.”
