Page 64 of Lakehouse Promises

“I’m glad I could help,” her voice was small and distant.

“A storm is coming through in two days. You need that roof on so I better get started.” He stood and looked at her. “What are you going to do about your ex-mother-in-law? Any legal action?”

“I’ve already contacted my attorney. He’s trying to get in touch with Janice. He thinks she should pay the money back.”

“You think she will?”

“I think she will if the attorney gets involved. She would be horrified if this all got out to her country-club friends.”

“Ah, I see.”

Carolina shook her head. “She never did like me. She never thought I was good enough for Chris.”

He studied the lake in front of him. “You know I knew a lady like her once.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. She had only one son. And when that son got married, she didn’t like the daughter-in-law. But if you had known the mother-in-law’s history you would know why.”

That got her full attention.

“You see, the mother didn’t get any kind of attention from the husband. He was successful and he was always at work. So, she poured all her attention and affection into her son. And when her son got married, she felt threatened. So she automatically didn’t like the daughter-in-law.”

“That’s pretty sad.”

“It is, once you see the whole picture.” He looked into her eyes. “Did Janice ever bad-mouth her husband?”

“He had died when I came into the picture. But now that I think about it, yes. She did make little comments here and there about him.”

“There you go. I guarantee with your ex-husband marrying this young girl, that’s going to be a powder keg. Just imagine what Christmas will be like with that crew.” He shuddered.

She laughed. “Thanks for cheering me up.”

“Anytime. I need to get back to work.”

She nodded and headed back inside.

She sank into the couch and sighed. It didn’t look like there was much of a way out of this.

Her gaze landed on her mother’s Bible on the coffee table.

She picked it up and thumbed through it. Her mother always told her the answers to all of life’s problems could be found between these pages.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” ~James 1:5

She sighed. “I’m trying God. I’m trying to hear what I’m supposed to do.” She closed the Bible and reached for her purse. She pulled out her trusty pen and pad.

She wrote down her upcoming bills which included the electric and water. If needed, she could get by a week or two without groceries. She had a large box of oatmeal for breakfast and some frozen veggies that she could make a large pot of soup that would last a few days. She might have to do without creamer for her coffee but she could make it. The house was paid off so fortunately she wouldn’t have a house payment.

Suddenly, an idea formed. The perfect solution to her inability to pay Thomas.

She twisted the wedding ring on her finger. She could sell her ring. Surely that would be enough money to pay for the rest of the roof.

She tugged the wedding band and ring off and set it on her Bible.

A twinge of grief washed over her. She was officially putting that large part of her life behind her, never to go back.

It had to be done. She had no other options.

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