“No. I was bluffing. And he fell for it.”
“That’s…amazing.” A big smile broke out across her face.
“I am sorry you had to sell your car.”
“Don’t be. A great family has it and I was glad to help them out. Besides being in such a small car makes me feel younger.” She laughed.
“Good. I’m glad something good came out of all of this.”
“Me too.” She sighed. “Now if you don’t mind, I have to be going to work. I’ve got to get busy creating a new life.”
She walked out of the bank feeling lighter than she had in years.
Chapter 45
“Here’s the rest of your money.” Carolina handed Thomas a check.
Thunder rolled in the back gound.
“You certainly have good timing.” She smiled and looked up at the darkening clouds.
“Call it a gift. Also your fireplace is good to go. Feel free to build a fire in it.” He smiled. “So what is your next project going to be?”
“I think the next thing on my list is to paint. I’m not a fan of the yellow and I want something cleaner, maybe a light gray.”
“I’ve got a list of painters if you want to use them.”
“Oh no.” She shook her head. “I’m going to have to paint it myself. To save some money.” She shrugged. “But if I take my time and work on it after work, I should be done by New Year’s Day.”
“You’ll have plenty of time. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet.”
“Oh, speaking of Thanksgiving I was going to invite you and Stanley over to Thanksgiving dinner. I think Hannah and Sarah and her brother are coming. Bernice is even coming, if you can believe it. She said she would eat lunch with us and drop by her daughter’s house afterwards. She says she’d rather miss all the drama that goes on over there. Getty has a family lunch but she’ll be over after. Jennifer and Rebecca already had plans.”
“What can I bring?”
“How about a side dish?”
“Green bean casserole?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
Chapter 46
Thanksgiving morning dawned bright and sunny. Outside Carolina’s kitchen windows, the trees were holding fast to the last of the autumn leaves and the air smelled of woodsmoke burning in the houses that surrounded the lake.
Inside her guests all gathered around the two fold-out tables that Carolina had found for a deal at a garage sale. She’d covered them with a pretty tablecloth she’d picked up from Jennifer’s shop and arranged some flowers in the middle.
She’d roasted the turkey and made dressing while everyone else brought side dishes and desserts. Honey corn, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, new potatoes, brusselsprouts, cranberry sauce, salad, and fresh homemade rolls lined the table. The kitchen island was laden with every kind of pie imaginable. Sweet potato pie, apple pie, chocolate chess pie, and lemon chiffon pie.
The fireplace was lit making the room feel warm and cozy.
“I’ve never seen so much food in my life.” Sarah’s brother Johnny’s eyes lit up. He had apologized for running her over with his bike the second he came into the house. Carolina could tell that he was a good kid, just one that was missing his parents.
“Well I hope everyone is hungry. Thomas would you mind saying a blessing?” Carolina clasped her hands together.
“Sure.”
Everyone bowed their heads as his deep voice echoed in the house while he thanked God for the food and the blessings of friendship. As he spoke, Carolina couldn’t help but tear up at his words. She was grateful for the blessing of friendship in this season of her life. When she needed true friends, God had provided them.
