“Yes. I want to go there with Kacey and start a life with her.”
“Have you told her this?”
“No, not yet. I want to get the job first.”
Garrett nodded. “And what if you don’t get the job?”
“Then I’ll have to think of something else.”
“Good,” Garrett said. “Oh, you had asked me about IT jobs with the school system. You have a friend who is looking for one, right?”
Drew nodded. “That’s right.”
“I have a lead for you.” Garrett handed him a piece of paper. “Have your friend call Rich Monroe. He has an opening.”
Drew took the paper. “Thank you. I’ll give Travis a call.”
***
“I can’t believe you convinced me to close the bakery today and go shopping with you,” Dani said Tuesday morning as she walked inside the small mall located a few miles from the town of Splendid Lake with Kacey and their mother. “You know I need to work.”
Kacey faced her sister, pulled a thick envelope out of her purse, and handed it to her. “Merry Christmas, sis.”
“What is this?” Dani asked, her blue eyes wide.
Kacey shared a smile with Mom and then looked at her sister again. “Just open it, Dani.”
Her sister opened the envelope and gasped at the bills stuffed inside. “I-I can’t take this.” With her eyes misting over, Dani pushed the envelope back toward Kacey.
“No, I insist. I was saving for a down payment on a condo, but my friend Jackie called me and said she’s looking for a roommate. So, I wanted to give you and Travis this money so you can buy the girls gifts and then use the rest for bills until something works out for Travis. Please take it. This is my Christmas gift for you.”
Dani’s lip trembled as she pulled Kacey in for a tight hug. “You’re the best sister on the planet, Kacey.”
“You know it,” Kacey teased, and they laughed.
Dani put the envelope into her purse. “Did you know Drew called Travis and gave him a lead on a job?”
“When?” Kacey asked.
“Yesterday. There’s an opening with the school system. Drew told him to reach out to someone for an interview.”
Kacey clapped. “That’s great!”
“I know. Travis called and it sounds like a great opportunity.”
“What a blessing,” Mom said.
Warmth filled Kacey’s chest. Drew was such a wonderful man.
“Let’s go shopping,” Dani said.
Kacey pointed toward a music store. “Let me go in here to find something for Drew and then we’ll head to the toy store for the girls.”
“What are you going to do about Drew when you go back to Charlotte?” Mom asked.
Kacey frowned. “I haven’t figured that out. He was offered a job in Newton.”
“Maybe you can try long distance?” Mom suggested.
