She headed into the kitchen and pulled the coffee from the cabinet. She made quick work of getting the coffee started. She glanced up and saw the dog standing by the back door.
“I’m coming.” She grabbed the coverlet and wrapped it around herself before opening the back door and facing the chilly air.
The dog bolted out onto the deck and down the steps into the backyard, where he promptly relieved himself by the large oak tree.
She followed him out onto the deck and looked at the sun rising over the lake.
The wind was cool but it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.
She stayed outside long enough for the coffee to finish brewing and then whistled for the dog.
The dog looked up from sniffing something in a clump of dead grass.
“Are you coming inside or not?”
The dog lowered his head.
“Suit yourself.”
She turned and headed straight for the kitchen to fix her coffee. After grabbing her broken mug she sat down on the couch and reached for her phone. She pulled up the weather forecast.
It was clear for the next few days but next week’s forecast included a forty-percent chance of rain.
She had to make a decision about a roofer… and soon. But before that, she needed to figure out how she was going to pay for it.
She checked her email for a message from her attorney.
Nothing.
Worry settled in the pit of her stomach. It was early but she had to get some answers one way or another. She needed to make a decision quick.
She fired off a quick text to her attorney regarding the desperate need for a roof and the impending bad weather.
After sending the message she put the phone on the coffee table, curled her legs underneath her, and sipped on her coffee.
Carolina supposed she could see if the bank would lend her money to repair the roof. With the amount of her alimony payments, and the little bit of savings, she could pay the loan back over time.
Even without a job, she had enough to live on for a few months, maybe more if she budgeted well.
Getting off the couch she went to the foyer where the leak had sprung. It was no longer leaking but there was a large dark stain on the ceiling.
She had two options for roofers. While the first guy was more agreeable and had gone out of his way to cover her roof with a tarp, her mind kept drifting back to Thomas.
From the look of his clothes, to the calloused hands, he appeared to be a hard worker.
Then again, looks could be deceiving. Her ex-husband appeared to be a nice guy and look what happened.
Carolina sighed heavily. First things first. She had to go to the bank.
Finishing her coffee, she washed and dried her coffee cup. Carolina went to the back door to let the dog back in but he was nowhere in sight.
She was disappointed but didn’t have time to dwell on it. He probably went back to his owner. Convinced the dog was back at home, she headed back to the bathroom to get dressed for the day.
Chapter 14
Carolina had chosen a pair of tan slacks and a black button-up shirt from her closet. The weather was nice and she didn’t feel the need for a jacket so instead she had opted for a simple gold necklace and bracelet. It was the only jewelry she had left since it was what she’d worn on the last day she left her house.
As she walked to the front door of the bank she took a few deep cleansing breaths to calm her nerves.
