Protecting the Widow's Heart

“This is Jeb from Owens Automotive Repair.”

She struggled to find her voice. “What’s the verdict about my car?” As she listened to the man’s report, her knees buckled, sending her sinking onto the sofa. “Thank you. I’ll let you know what I decide to do.”

She hung up the phone and buried her face in her hands. Twenty-five hundred dollars. Where was she going to get that kind of money for a new transmission? It would take months to save it up, provided she had a job. Which she didn’t. Where would they go now? What would happen to them?

Standing, she anxiously paced around the room, her thoughts flying in a dozen directions. Maybe her mother could get a loan. She certainly couldn’t. She’d sold everything she’d had to pay off the last of John’s medical bills, and her credit rating was shameful.

The room grew stuffy. She needed air to breath. Hurrying out onto the deck, her gaze searched out her son playing contentedly under the trees, then to the lake moving gently against the wind. For a few short hours today, she’d found peace. A cozy cabin, a serene view, people who took care of her. But now it was all gone. She was alone and on her own again, struggling to survive.

Her knees buckled, and she sank into the rocker, scraping her fingertips along her scalp. Tears spilled onto her cheeks, and she was too overwhelmed to fight them. Drawing her knees against her chest, she lowered her head and cried.

She had only herself to blame. She’d tipped the first domino over ten years ago, and the long row had been falling at a steady pace ever since. One disaster after another. One scary event after the next. Her life was one big ball of fearful anticipation. She was tired and alone. No one to help. No one to count on. She’d pinned all her hopes on getting to her mom’s, and now that was lost, too.

Now another disaster. Debt and its inevitable consequences. The phone calls, the juggling of money, the worry, the stress. She’d sworn she would never go there again. But here she was. Trapped. Not only did she owe for car repairs, but she owed Ty for staying in his cabin. Plus the food they’d eaten, her new phone and whatever else he might want to charge her for.

Closing her eyes, she thought about her mother and how easily she’d forgiven her for the years she’d ignored her parents. Her sweet forgiveness and love had lifted a cloud from her mind. Her mom had told her God had brought them together again. In the four months since they’d reconnected, Ginger had found herself slowly turning back toward her faith.

But she still found it difficult to trust the Lord completely. She had nowhere else to turn. Oh, Lord. Please. I need help. I don’t think I can do this anymore.

* * *

Ty heard the sobbing the moment he set foot on the deck. He set the bag of groceries onto the patio table and hurried toward Ginger, who was huddled in the rocker, shoulders shaking with her weeping. He hunkered down beside her, uncertain whether to touch her or not. Her sobs were so heart-wrenching he had to risk it. He laid his hand on her arm. “What’s wrong? What happened? Are you all right? Did something happen to Elliot?” He glanced quickly around and saw the boy playing happily in the yard.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

Quickly he stood and pulled up the other rocker as close to Ginger as possible. He was at a loss to know how to proceed. He was trained to handle every kind of situation, but a weeping, incoherent female left him stumped. “Ginger. Please, tell me what happened. Maybe I can help.”

She shook her head, refusing to look at him. “No one can help.”

He stroked her hair, marveling at its softness and the way the waves curled around his fingers. “Okay, then. Tell me why no one can help, so I can cry with you.” That got a response. She lifted her head and met his gaze. Her green eyes were swollen and red, her cheeks puffy and wet, but she looked adorable, and he fought the urge to pull her to him.

“You? Cry? Right.” She lifted the edge of her long shirt, wiped at her eyes, then looked around.

“You might be surprised.” He figured she was looking for a tissue, so he hurried into the house and grabbed a paper towel. What would she say if he admitted that he’d shed enough tears these past few months to fill Shiloh Lake? “Here you go.”

“Thanks.”

He gave her a few minutes to collect herself. “So, care to tell me what’s wrong?”

She sniffed and dabbed at her nose. “They called about my car. It’s going to cost over two thousand dollars to fix.”

Ty exhaled a frustrated sigh. “They were supposed to call me first. I was hoping to avoid you hearing the news that way.”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t pay for it. I don’t have that kind of money.”

“I know. But I have a suggestion if you’ll hear me out.” She glanced at him, a wary look in her moist green eyes. “I talked to my mom, and we’d like to give you plane tickets to get to your mother’s.”

The wariness in her eyes changed instantly to lightning-laced fury. She bolted up from the chair. “No. Absolutely not.”

“Why? I thought you were anxious to get to Arizona.”

“I am. But not by going into debt.”

“You wouldn’t have to pay me back anytime soon. Never, actually.”

“No. I can take care of myself. It’s taken me two years to get out from under my husband’s medical bills— thousands of dollars.” She bit her lip. “I will never go into debt for anything or anyone again.”

She wrapped one arm across her waist. The other reached up to tug on the curl at her cheek. A habit he was coming to find endearing.

“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but, no, thank you. I’ll figure something out. I’ll get a job. Find a place to stay. It might take me a few months to pay for the repairs, though.”

“Okay.” She wasn’t thinking logically right now. “How do you plan on getting to and from this job if you find one?”

“I’ll get a place in town. Near my work so I can walk.”

“Ginger, those places are very expensive, even in a small town like Dover, and the ones close to town that you could afford aren’t in the best neighborhoods.”

“We’re used to that.” She turned and walked into the cabin, leaving him with more questions than answers. His detective instincts were raging. There was a lot more to Ginger’s story than she was telling, and he wanted to know everything. How could he help her if he didn’t know what he was dealing with?

He wanted to talk to her more, but maybe giving her a little space would be wiser. Remembering the groceries on the table, he went down to the car for the rest. She couldn’t turn away a man with arms full of food. He’d store her belongings later.

The door to the cabin was open, so he angled his body to allow for the bags in his hands, piling them onto the island. Ginger turned and leaned against the sink, her arms crossed over her chest. “That’s enough food for a year.”

“I’m a growing boy. I need to eat.” He pulled her new phone from his pocket. “I got you a new disposable. It was quicker. Plus this one has a few more gadgets on it. It’s already activated and ready to go.”

She took it slowly from his hand, as if reluctant to accept his gesture. “Thank you.”

“I also brought your belongings back here. I didn’t feel right leaving them in the car. We can store them in the shed below the cabin for now. That way you’ll have access to them whenever you need something.

She glanced up at him, her eyes moist, her lips folded together. “I stole your bread.”

“What?”

“I needed to fix Elliot lunch, so I went to your room and stole back the bread.”

The guilty look on her face was comical and sweet all at the same time. He burst out laughing. The reaction surprised him because it had been many months since he’d laughed. It felt good. “It wasn’t my bread. Technically, it belonged to Nels, but he gave it to you so...you’re good. No arrest warrant will be issued.”

A small smile moved her lips. “Thank you.” She reached into a grocery bag, pulling out the jar of peanut butter and placing it in the cupboard. Ty followed her lead. Silently they worked together, putting all the food away. When he felt she was calmer, he decided to approach her again about her future.

“Ginger, don’t give up hope. We’ll find a solution. My family knows everyone in Dover. If you’re serious about a job, we’ll find one. As for a place to live, you can stay here as long as you like. Rent-free.” She started to protest, but he held up his hand. “The place is paid for, and it sits empty most of the time. There’s always an answer to our problems. It’ll all work out.” The urge to hug her overwhelmed him. Time to put some distance between himself and his lovely tenant.

“I think I’ll go find Elliot and teach him how to fish. We’ll be down on the pier. Take some time to clear your head.” He smiled, hoping to give her some encouragement, then left the cabin. He had to find a solution, some way to help without stepping on her considerable pride. He wanted to know what had brought her to this desperate situation. But until she was ready to confide in him, there was little he could do but make himself available.

* * *

Ginger removed the chicken from the pan, placing the steamed pieces on the cutting board. With the wide variety of food Ty had purchased, she’d be able to prepare healthy meals for the next month. Tonight she’d chosen to make a simple chicken-and-noodle casserole. Quick, easy and filling. She wasn’t sure how Elliot would like it, but it was time he started to broaden his taste buds. He’d be eight in just a few weeks. He was growing up so fast. She and her mother had planned on giving Elliot a big birthday party. But that probably wouldn’t happen now.

Laughter and footsteps sounded at the door as Elliot and Ty entered. Elliot ran toward her, a happy smile on his face. “Mom. I caught five fish. And I caught Barney, too.”