What had she gotten herself into?
Thomas slapped his work gloves against his pants. “Is there anything else or can we get back to work?”
“That’s all.” She said sheepishly. She watched as Thomas and Stanley returned to the task of unloading the back of his truck.
She headed inside to mind her own business.
Chapter 18
Carolina grabbed a cup of coffee and walked out onto her deck. The sunrise was beautiful as it rose over the lake. The air was chilly and she wrapped the throw she’d bought across her shoulders and settled into a chair. The black dog found his way out into the yard and was nose-down in the grass, exploring all the different smells.
Carolina contemplated the fact she had bills coming in and she would soon have to find employment. It was unlikely her alimony payments would cover everything. She would also have to go into town to sign the paperwork for the loan. Rebecca had called right as the bank was closing to tell her she needed to come in today.
Carolina stood and stretched, glad for a good night’s sleep in a real bed.
She quickly slipped on her shoes and headed out into the backyard. She walked down by the lake with the dog at her side. She stopped and looked back at her house.
Her gaze traveled over the roof where the blue tarp covered the part of the roof that didn’t have any shingles.
Thomas and Stanley had started taking the old roof off yesterday. They would throw off the old shingles in a pile on one side of the house. She wished he had brought some kind of dumpster instead of tossing it all on her lawn.
But he was the roofer and knew what he was doing so she didn’t say anything to him about it.
She drank the last of her coffee and headed back inside to shower.
After her shower she put on some black pants and a light-blue sweater. She pulled on her black boots and glanced at her reflection in the mirror. The days were getting colder and she needed to remember to take her jacket with her when she went to town.
Carolina glanced at the time. She had time for a quick bowl of oatmeal before heading to the bank.
She headed into the kitchen. Black dog was lying in front of the unlit fireplace.
“I need to get someone out here to check the fireplace. I keep forgetting.,” she muttered and pulled a pad and pencil out of the kitchen drawer and made a quick note. She also jotted down a reminder to buy some dog food. Perhaps she could ask around in town to see if anyone was missing a dog. Maybe Getty from the diner could help with that. She seemed to know everyone.
Carolina had finished her oatmeal when she heard pounding on the roof. She opened the back door to the deck and walked out and down the steps for a better view when something came flying at her.
She ducked just in time, barely missing a shingle coming for her head.
“Hey!” She yelled. “You almost hit me!”
“Are you crazy? Don’t walk out here when you know we’re working.” Thomas peered his head over the top of the ridge of the roof and glared at her.
She bit back a sharp reply and stormed inside the house. Black dog tried to follow but she shook her head. “No. You stay outside. I’m leaving and don’t want any accidents when I come back.”
Grabbing her purse and her jacket she headed for her jeep.
Chapter 19
“And here’s the last piece of paperwork to sign.” Rebecca slid the contract across the desk.
Carolina took the pen and scribbled her name in the designated spot. She prayed she’d be able to get the loan paid back on time.
“Did Thomas start working on your roof?” Rebecca gathered the paperwork and straightened them into a neat pile before putting them in a folder.
“He started yesterday.” Carolina pressed her lips into a thin line and then looked at her. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“How long has Stanley worked for Thomas?”
