I stop and pull out my cell phone. “Sure, what day works best for you, and what time?”
He replies with a nervous chuckle. “We can work around your schedule, Rae.”
Giving him a puzzled look, I wonder why his schedule is suddenly so flexible when he couldn’t be bothered to bring his daughter to school or pick her up until a week ago. I mentally smack myself. Here I go again with my judgmental thoughts. “How about Friday at two? Kindergarten gets off at noon that day. We can meet here or at a coffee shop.”
He nods. “Let’s meet at the Sacred Grounds coffee shop.”
I suppress a giggle—the name sure seems fitting, considering our project. I agree and email him a calendar invite.
“You can bring Sofie along if you need to,” I add.
Noah smiles. “My sister can watch her. I think we need to focus on the plan without interruption from a five-year-old.”
I laugh. “True.”
We leave the church and walk to our respective cars. I have a spring in my step and a lightness in my heart. Is it because of the satisfaction of serving the church or because of the handsome man helping me? Maybe a little of both.
Chapter Five
Noah
SOME DAYS I PANIC WHEN I see a police car drive down my street, terrified that they’re here to arrest me. I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop and for Mr. Robertson to press charges against me.
Although I know I’m innocent, David may have been able to “cook the books” and make it look like I was the one embezzling the money. I feel helpless to do anything further since Mr. Robertson made it clear that blood is thicker than water when he “let me go.”
My blood still boils that he wouldn’t even allow me to show him the spreadsheet where I had found the discrepancy. Since Robertson Industries seized the laptop, I have no way to do any more research. I’ll just keep my lawyer on speed dial in case something develops.
After having a lot of time to ponder the situation, I’m convinced that David is the culprit. Whether he will ever be caught is another matter. Will I ever get closure?
I’d forgotten how tedious and confidence-destroying looking for a new job is. Longing to get my old life back—or at least the salary I once enjoyed—I enrolled in all the traditional job sites that post high-paying, corporate job opportunities, but there’s very few finance positions available in this area. If I want to commute to Denver every day, I have a lot to choose from. Driving over an hour each way is a hard pass for me, especially with Sofie to consider.
Now that my schedule is more flexible (let’s be honest, it’s wide-open every day), I take Sofie to school and pick her up afterwards. Ellie deserves a break. Her job at the used furniture store, Twice Again, doesn’t start until 9 o’clock, which gave her plenty of time for drop-off. It also allowed Ellie time to pick up Sofie in the afternoon because she could combine child pickup with an errand for the store. So, I focused on my job and let Ellie do child transportation duty.
The thing is, since being fired, I’ve loved getting to spend time with my daughter. I didn’t know what I was missing. When we drive to school, I hear Sofie talk excitedly about what Miss Dailey has planned for them and then at the end of the day I hear about how those activities went. Billy spilled milk on the story time rug. Angela hogged all the pretty crayons (this is a reoccurring theme). Liam got a bloody nose. Emma tripped and knocked over an easel, breaking off the leg. The minor catastrophes go on and on. I’ve come to appreciate Miss Dailey and agree that she must be a saint with a heart of gold.
Unfortunately, the urgency to get another job increases every day because of the house. The term “house rich, cash poor” perfectly describes my situation. When I purchased the four-bedroom, craftsman-style home, I knew the monthly mortgage payment would be a stretch. Then as I continued to move up the ladder at Robertson Industries, money became the driving motivator, turning me into a workaholic. But unfortunately, as my salary increased, so did my spending.
I bought a fancy SUV . . . A 75-inch TV . . . Hired a high-end construction company to remodel the kitchen. My debt piled up, but I was still able to make the monthly payments, and I never even considered that none of my salary was going towards savings. I just kept digging myself a deeper and deeper financial hole. Now all these possessions are like a heavy stone around my neck. Next month, I won’t be able to make the mortgage payments any longer.
My financial situation fuels my anger towards Robertson Industries, even though I’m trying to turn those negative thoughts into positive motivation.
Like a light bulb going on, a solution hits me. Feeling better for the first time in weeks, I walk into the kitchen where Ellie’s quietly sipping coffee and preparing for her day. I grin when I notice her long brown hair piled haphazardly on her head in a messy bun. Guess she’s not quite ready for her day.
With Sofie already dropped off at school, I have a little time to discuss my newly formed plan with my sister. Pouring myself a mug of perfectly brewed coffee, I sit across from Ellie. “I’m going to put the house on the market.”
She looks up from her cell phone, her brown eyes wide with surprise. “Is the financial situation that bad, Noah?”
I grimace in embarrassment at what I’m about to admit to my sister. “Unfortunately, it is. Next month I won’t be able to make the mortgage payment.”
“I can start paying rent—”
I hold up a hand to stop her. “That isn’t what I meant. This house is no longer affordable. We can downsize and still be comfortable. Who needs four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a great room, a living room, an office nook, and a butler’s pantry?”
We exchange grins as I rattle off a list of all the house’s amenities—perfect for a large family but features we don’t need.
“When you put it like that, I guess you can downsize. Margaret offered me the apartment over the store, and I think it would be a great option for me.”
My brows draw together in concern. “I don’t mean you have to move out; we can find something that fits all of us.”
Ellie smiles. “Noah, you don’t need me anymore. Sofie’s growing up. I’ll still be in town and can babysit and help. Living above the store gives me a lot more time to work on refinishing all the furniture that Margaret finds at estate sales. I love doing that!”
Her easy acceptance of a new living situation warms my heart. I wouldn’t want her to think I evicted her or that I don’t want her help anymore. “How did I get so lucky to have a sister like you?”
She shrugs and goes back to sipping her coffee.
I feel like a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders. I put a reminder in my phone to look up my next-door neighbor’s real estate agent. That seemed to be a quick, easy sale, and the neighbor was very satisfied.
~*~
The Sacred Grounds is surprisingly busy for a Friday afternoon. Looking around the cozy café, I see Rae sitting in a booth near the windows. She waves at me, and I meander around the tables scattered throughout the room to join her. Since we agreed last time to put our rocky first encounter at Sofie’s school behind us, I’ve been looking forward to this meetup all week. Am I attracted to the kindergarten teacher?
“I already ordered.” She nods towards the carafe sitting between us. “Is decaf alright? I don’t need caffeine this time of day.”
“Sounds good,” I say as I pour some coffee into the extra mug beside the carafe. Rae has her laptop open and the window sketch lying on the table.
“I’m so impressed with your spreadsheet,” I say between sips. The coffee has a delicious nutty flavor that I haven’t tried before.
A pink blush stains her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“That said, the number of repairs is rather overwhelming when you look at the list.” Rae nods her agreement. “My experience is that we’ll have to remove each section and lay it flat for the restoration work. That means we’ll have to cover that section so wind and rain don’t get in while we do the work.”
&
nbsp; She taps a finger on her enticing red lips. “The sections are quite large; are you worried about how we remove them so we don’t cause more damage?”
Rae just vocalized my exact worries. “Yeah, I’m definitely worried about that. I wonder if we should hire a restoration company to remove the sections. We might be able to handle restoring and repairing each section ourselves, but some additional expertise on this project sure would help.”
I chuckle internally as Rae avidly takes notes on her laptop. She’s one organized woman.
Looking up at me she says, “How much do you think just the window removal will cost? From what Pastor Tim said, sounds like restoration companies charge high rates.”
Drumming my fingers on the tabletop, I ponder how we solve the financial problem. “Do you think Pastor Tim would be willing to do a fundraiser? I’m just not confident that you or I can get those windows down without damaging them further.”
We gaze at each other for a few seconds, each thinking about the money dilemma. With my current financial situation, I can relate to having a tight budget.
Rae shrugs. “Let’s talk to Pastor Tim and get his ideas for how to raise money. Do you know any restoration companies we could approach? Maybe they would be willing to donate some of their time.”
I snap my fingers. “Actually, I do know someone! I met with him when I restored the windows by the entry. Frank’s a grumpy old guy, but very experienced. Would you be willing to go with me to meet with him?” Hope he’s still in business (and still alive).
A shy smile crosses Rae’s face. “Of course. Maybe between the two of us we can persuade him.”
I bark out a laugh. “I think you have a better chance than me.” She joins me in laughter.
We finish our coffee, and I feel confident in our start of a plan.
“Noah, may I ask why you’re doing this? Are you a member of the congregation?”
My eyes don’t quite meet hers. I’ve asked myself the same question. “No, I’m not a member.”
She nods, and her eyes encourage me to expound further.
“I love working with stained glass,” I say, not intending to explain myself any further. But Rae stares at me with such a supportive, open expression, my tongue is suddenly loosened. “When I was in college, I worked part-time for a stained-glass restoration company in Denver. During that stint, I helped with several small church window projects.”
“Why didn’t you continue doing restoration if you like it so much?”
How do I explain that life got in the way? I got married, took the high-paying job, focused on climbing the corporate ladder, and never looked back. “My job at Robertson Industries was too time consuming. But the truth is, I have a lot of time on my hands right now.” Why did I blurt out that little tidbit?
“Oh, how so?”
I shift on the suddenly hard bench seat. “Well, I was fired about a month ago.” I cringe at my honesty but am relieved I don’t have to dance around this issue any longer.
Rae’s mouth drops open. “So that’s why you drop off and pick up Sofie now,” she says in a low voice, as if she’s talking to herself. “Noah, I’m really sorry. I didn’t know you were going through a rough patch.”
I shrug. “There’s still hope I’ll find something, but jobs that I qualify for are few and far between here in Paradise Springs.”
She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “Have you considered starting your own business?”
Her suggestion takes me by surprise because of how obvious it is. “No, I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”
“Well, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here . . . I trust that God will show you the way.”
Her eyes brighten as she says the words, and her confidence in her faith instantly makes me feel better. I squeeze her hand back. Maybe she’s right. Maybe God hasn’t abandoned me. I just haven’t been listening.
Clearing my throat, I say, “I’ll get that meeting set up with the restoration guy. Does Saturday work for you? He lives about an hour away.”
“Yes, that’s perfect.” Rae collects her stuff and stands to leave.
“Thank you for the words of encouragement,” I say as we walk out of the café together. I’m surprised how quickly I opened my heart to friendship again. Rae seems like just the kind of friend I need in my life right now.
Chapter Six
Raelynn
NOAH’S SITUATION MAKES ME PONDER my own life. If I lost my job, would I be able to survive for long financially? Fortunately, I put down a large down payment on my little two-bedroom bungalow between the money I saved from teaching and a modest inheritance from my grandmother. Since my mortgage payments aren’t outrageous, I’d be okay for a while, but I wouldn’t be able to replace my ten-year-old sedan next year like I planned. Maybe I should start saving more.
I’ve been keeping Noah in my prayers and asking God to guide him through this difficult time. I’m encouraged that, as we work together, we’ll become friends. Could we even be more than friends? I bat that thought away as quick as it comes. Even though I yearn to start a family and Noah seems to have the same values I do, the “no dating” policy between teachers and parents that Principal Marshfield reviewed with me my first day on the job concerns me. I definitely can’t date Noah without violating that policy. But does a strong friendship violate the rules?
Saturday arrives for the outing with Noah, and I take special care in my appearance. I know it’s silly because he hasn’t hinted at anything other than working together on the stained-glass project. I’m the one foolishly hoping to form a friendship with him. So, I mess with my hair for the fourth time and consider changing shirts twice before he gets here. Would I look better in red?
Ding Dong!
I cringe. Too late, can’t change my outfit now.
Noah’s standing at the door in a pair of faded blue jeans and a black long-sleeve T-shirt that he fills out very nicely. He looks like the cute boy next door sporting a bad-boy outfit. Butterflies erupt in my stomach just at the sight of him. I take a fortifying breath and open the door wider.
“Ready?” Noah asks politely as he peeks over my shoulder, looking around my tiny living room for a few beats. His eyes swivel back to me. “Did you paint that picture?”
I turn towards the bright, colorful painting hanging on the far wall in the small room. “Actually, I did. Want a closer look?”
He nods and we walk over to the painting. It’s a scene featuring the river in Paradise Springs when the water rushes over the rocks during the spring thaw from the mountains. The brilliant blue, green, gray, and white tones portray God’s stunning creation. Noah clears his throat. “That’s amazing, Rae. You captured the movement of the water perfectly.” He turns more fully to me. “You’re extremely talented.”
A blush floods my cheeks. “It’s a fun hobby.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You could sell these.”
I laugh. “Thank you, but it’s still a hobby.” Quickly changing the subject, I point towards the kitchen, “Should I bring any bottled water?”
Noah laughs. “I brought a small cooler with water and some snacks.”
I smile. “Great minds think alike, I guess.” I grab a jacket since our November weather can be rather unpredictable. Come to think of it, Colorado weather can always be unpredictable.
Once we’re in his huge SUV, I notice all the fancy gadgets, leather seats, and luxurious interior. It makes my little sedan look like a dump. “Wow, this is a really nice vehicle,” I say as I sink into the plush seat.
He grunts. “I’m probably going to have to sell it. If the house sells quickly, I might be able to keep the car.”
I let out a small gasp. “You’re selling your house?” His financial situation must really be dire.
“Yep. Put it on the market this week and we’ve already had two showings. It’s much bigger than I really need, and I can’t afford it any longer.”
My heart sinks for him and Sofie. “Where w
ill you go?”
He shrugs. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
Laughing, I say, “My mom used to say that all the time.”
He gives me one of his knee-weakening smiles. “Mine too.”
We listen to the radio in companionable silence for several miles. When Noah turns off the main highway to a smaller secondary road, he says, “Frank lives out in the boonies. I hope I remember how to get there because the GPS won’t be able to help us.”
“I hope so too!” I would have worn different shoes if I thought I’d have to hoof it for any distance.
Noah clears his throat. “Don’t be put off by Frank. He’s kind of crotchety.”
“Does that mean he’s an old coot with no manners?” I tease.
“Pretty much.”
The SUV bonces on the rutted dirt road and silence falls between us again because the jarring makes it impossible to talk. After a few miles, a rundown house and a dilapidated barn come into view. Noah parks outside the house and we get out. The screen door makes a loud squeeeak as a white-haired man in shabby overalls shuffles out onto the porch.
“Hello, Frank! We talked on the phone about a stained-glass restoration project in Paradise Springs.”
The man grunts. “Come on inside.”
We follow him into the house that smells like dust and pets. My nose crinkles and I try not to sneeze. Frank sits in a battered recliner while Noah and I take seats on the couch.
“I’m Noah and this is Raelynn.”
Frank squints at us. “You two married?”
I only barely keep my jaw from dropping open. “No, we’re just working on this project together,” I rush to explain our relationship.
“I’d say you’re a lucky man, Noah. Having a pretty lady like this to work on the project with you.”
Noah gives me an embarrassed smile. “True,” he says while I blush and remain silent at the somewhat chauvinistic remark.
After a few awkward beats, Noah leans forward towards Frank. “We want to discuss dismantling the large window in the FaithBridge Church since Rae and I are going to be restoring each section.”
A Time for Faith Page 3