Page 26 of There I Find Patience

“That’s a little out of your normal area of expertise.”

“I know. But these jobs always pay crazy money. And they’re really not that hard.”

“Just takes manpower.”

“Exactly. I have Chip and Stan, but I could really use you too. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to get it done today, but with you, I know I can.” He gave her an engaging grin, and she was glad that she volunteered.

Even though she had a ton of work that she could be doing at the inn, there wasn’t any great time crunch on that. And she enjoyed spending time with Mark. He always made things fun, and it made her feel good to help him. He’d been such a huge help to her over the years, with her girls, with the issues that she was having with school, and now, marrying her to help her get her inheritance.

“I owe you.”

His nose wrinkled up as he dug another thermos out of his cupboard. “I don’t like to hear that. I don’t feel like you do.”

“After yesterday.” She went to his refrigerator and pulled the creamer out; he always bought the caramel creamer she loved, and she also pulled the plain creamer out for him.

“That should help me just as much as it helps you. If I don’t have to put up with Stacy this summer, it will be a huge benefit. I think what I’d owe you would actually be worth more than however much money you’re inheriting from your mom.”

“I suppose you could be right. With all that Stacy did the last time, I can’t believe your sister’s even thinking that you would be interested in having her again.”

They’d already talked about that, but it just was one of those things that Pam figured she’d never understand.

She poured caramel creamer into the thermos that he just filled up before she put a few drops of the regular creamer in his.

He hated cold coffee, and while he enjoyed creamer, he never put much in because it made his coffee too cold.

He threw two spoonfuls of sugar into her coffee and then screwed the lid on while she put the creamer back in the refrigerator.

“My sister’s pretty determined. I think she sees Stacy and I getting together, and thankfully what you and I did yesterday will put a big wrench into those plans. Because Stacy and I were never getting together.” He spoke as he closed the doors to his cupboards and reached up to grab the bread from the back of his counter.

She opened the refrigerator door and grabbed the mayonnaise and mustard that sat on the shelf. “I’m actually glad that we’re doing this. I laid awake last night thinking about the inn and trying to figure out what in the world I can do. I mean, the money issues are almost out of my mind. Although, knowing my mom, she’ll find a way not to give it to me.”

“I know you don’t want to hire a lawyer—”

“No. I can’t sue my mom.”

They talked about that a lot before. Mark had gently nudged her in that direction, but she absolutely refused. She would rather not have the money than have a lawsuit among family members.

He pulled two pieces of bread out of the bag and held them in his hand while he turned to look at her. “You know, I really admire you for that.”

“I thought I was just really dumb,” she said, setting the mustard and mayonnaise down and grabbing a knife from the drawer.

“No. You believe that God wants you to get along with people. I mean, I think all Christians believe that. But we also want to say to ourselves that God doesn’t want us to be a doormat. But you can’t find that verse in the Bible.”

“I know. I think that’s more about pride than anything. But it definitely appeals to our human nature.”

“It appeals to mine. I don’t want people walking all over me. And I want to make sure I get what’s coming to me. I think everybody does.”

“I do.” She sure did. She’d been upset at her mom more than once. But her mom had been resistant, and Pam just couldn’t hire a lawyer and go through the legal channels that she knew were available to her to get the money. As much as it pained her for her mom to continue to keep it.

“And it amazes me how you’re always thinking the best about her.”

“Well, that’s another command.”

“I know. But it’s a command that we don’t follow. Like, I want to think that she’s spent the money secretly, or doesn’t want you to have it, or is just being manipulative. But you always say that she cares about you, and you say she thinks she’s doing the right thing, actually thinks she’s helping you by not giving you the money. I just... I love how you always look at things in a positive manner. No matter how obvious it might be to the rest of the world that it couldn’t possibly be the real reason she’s not giving you the money.”

“I think if I find out that it’s something else, I’ll have a real hard time continuing to have a relationship with her, you know?”

“I know. But also, you do it because you know it’s the right thing to do.”

---