of it, but the women would never accept such a gift. They’re too proud. Once I gave them a pair of old tennis shoes and they gave me a beautiful hand-woven shawl. How could they reciprocate if someone gave them a truck?”
He stood and crossed his arms. “They wouldn’t have to reciprocate. I can’t believe they’re too proud to accept something they need so badly.”
She nodded firmly. “The worst thing for a Mamara Indian is to feel destitute, and that’s what charity does to them. It sends a message that they can’t provide for themselves. They begin to lose their self-esteem. The people here are proud, and I have no intention of seeing their pride destroyed by some well-meaning charity. As much as they need a truck, they need their self-respect more. So thanks but no thanks.” She stood and glanced around as if she were looking for a place to escape his misguided attempt at philanthropy.
Josh couldn’t move. He felt as if he’d had the wind knocked out of him. He was angry. If he’d acted wrongly, it was because he was trying to help. She had no right to make him feel guilty. What right did this do-gooder have to give him a lesson in psychology?
“Wait just a minute,” he said, getting out of his chair.
She looked startled, as if a statue had spoken. She obviously thought the conversation was over, but Josh was having none of it. He took her arm to keep her from walking away.
“Look, Ms. Logan, you may be the world’s potato expert, and I’ll grant you you’ve been here longer than I have, but I don’t think you have a lock on the ethics of the Mamara Indians. I came to Aruaca not only because they requested some help straightening out things at the bank, but because I was interested in the country and the people. It’s not an easy job because of the economic problems and the poverty and the inflation, but I’m doing my best.”
Her dark eyes widened, her lips pressed together tightly. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking. He didn’t tell her he’d been requested by banks in Panama and Colombia, but that he’d held out for Aruaca in order to look for a lost silver mine. He hadn’t told anyone. They’d think he’d lost his mind. Maybe he had.
“Don’t worry,” he continued. “I’m not going to bore you with the facts again. I know you think your case is different. Everybody does. Maybe you can grow enough potatoes to pay back your loan. But I don’t think so. And over the years I’ve gotten pretty good at predicting.”
“So that’s why you’re here. Because you’re good at saying no.”
He dropped his hand from her arm. “That’s not the only reason. I’ve been thinking about coming here long before I was even a banker.”
She gave him a thoughtful look from under her dark lashes. “Have you ever made a mistake?”
“Of course I’ve made mistakes. Bankers are human, too.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’ve never heard one admit it before.”
“What did bankers ever do to you?” he asked, surprised at the bitterness in her voice. “Was it your farm they foreclosed on?”
“That’s ancient history,” she said brusquely. “Getting back to the loan, before you make your final decision—”
“I have made my final decision. No farm loans this year.”
She continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “You should really come to the valley. If you could see what we do with so little, I’m sure you’d agree—”
He shook his head and smiled in spite of himself at her determination. “You never give up, do you? Sit down and I’ll get you a hot dog and some more champagne.”
He waited to see if she really would sit down before made his way to the grill where he speared two hot dogs, put than in buns and covered them with relish, onions, mustard and catsup. He wouldn’t mind going to the valley. In fact, he’d love the chance to get out of the city, but he had no intention of loaning this idealistic Peace Corps volunteer a cent. What would they say back in Boston? What they were already saying here. The altitude’s got you, Bentley. Or is it the woman, Bentley? The one who looks like a picture out of the National Geographic one day with her pink cheeks and four layers of clothes and the next day she’s Miss America in a T-shirt and hip-hugging skirt.
That wouldn’t be why you’re considering going to the valley,