Their Family Blessing Read online

  Mack grinned. “It’s only eight o’clock and there are only ten rooms. You never used to procrastinate. The Carly I remember used to jump in with both feet. Fearless.”

  “I was a child back then.” She turned to go inside, but he moved quickly and opened the door. It was nice to see her fire again. He just wished it was directed toward getting the lodge open and not digging in her heels and trying to avoid things.

  Thelma was seated near the fireplace, reading a book, and glanced up as they entered. “Oh, good. You’re back. Was it a good meeting?”

  Mack was curious about the answer, but Carly merely shrugged. “It was fine. Where’s Ella?”

  Thelma gestured toward the seating area facing the lake at the far end of the room. Ella and Lucy were huddled together watching the movie. Carly watched them a long moment before turning away.

  “Mack said you wanted to do a quick inventory of the rooms?”

  “Yes. We need to utilize every moment if we’re going to pull this off. Let me get my checklist and I’ll be right back.”

  Mack saw her shoulders tense, then ease as she turned her gaze toward her daughter again. He took a step closer, too close, the light scent of her floral perfume in the air. “Your daughter has been a real blessing to Lucy. Having a friend right now is helping her more than you can imagine. If nothing else comes from your time at the lodge, maybe you can take comfort knowing that Ella has helped Lucy.”

  “I’m glad. Ella has needed a friend, as well. She’s been through a lot.”

  He could sense there was something significant behind her words, but she looked away. Now was not the time. “Then coming home wasn’t a complete waste, was it?”

  Before she could answer, Thelma returned with a clipboard. “This shouldn’t take long. The lodge has been closed only a couple of months. There should only be small things to attend to.”

  Mack took the opportunity to inject his opinion. “We need to talk in the morning, Carly. I’ll go over the list of repairs on the property. Dwayne and I have made a preliminary list, but you need to look at it, too. We can save time if we’re all on the same page.”

  She nodded and walked away. Mack watched her go, wishing he could do something to ease her concern and wondering why the money was suddenly so important to her. She’d never been the type. He had to assume that her mother had converted her, and now that she’d seen what the big city had to offer she wasn’t content with the simple life at the lodge.

  Even as the thought formed, he couldn’t accept it. There was something missing. Something had happened that he didn’t know about. He prayed he could crack her shell before it was too late and she walked out of his life again.

  * * *

  Carly took the stairs to her room with a sense of relief. The inventory of the guest rooms had produced a short repair list. Two rooms needed holes repaired in the wall, the air-conditioning unit in another was not functioning, and two others required carpet cleaning. Overall, things were in good shape. Carly had hoped to freshen up the rooms with new bedding and curtains, but Thelma informed her that the bulk of the budget had to be used for the grounds.

  Carly unlocked her room and stepped inside. Turning on the light, she was struck by how empty the room felt. Without Ella in the bed next to hers, the room was devoid of warmth and life. When the movie had ended, Lucy had asked Ella to sleep over in her room tonight. Carly had started to say no, but the look of bright hope in her daughter’s eyes changed her mind. She couldn’t deny her the excitement of a sleepover with a new friend. Ella had spent too many nights in a hospital bed with no one to comfort her but a nurse. After all, she’d still be under the same roof, only a few rooms down the hallway.

  After Mack’s comments about the closeness the girls had developed, she didn’t want to deny either of them special times together. This trip might be difficult for her, but it didn’t have to be for Ella.

  Her cell phone rang just as she was climbing into bed. The name on the screen caused her heart to race. Her mother. These conversations never went well and, Lord forgive her, she was thankful that her mom rarely called. “Hi, Mom. Everything all right up there in Maine?” She tried to keep her voice pleasant and friendly.

  “It rained today. I hate rain. But Sanford took me to the ballet tonight, so that was lovely. I had a new gown to wear.”

  “That’s nice, Mom. I’m happy for you.”

  “Where are you, Carly Anne? That woman you work for wouldn’t tell me.”

  Carly took a second to calm herself. Her mother insisted on calling Carly’s boss, Jessie Duncan, ‘that woman.’ “I’m in Hastings, Mom, at the lodge.”

  “Why are you there? You have no reason to visit that backwoods hut.”

  “Dad left it to me in his will.”

  “Why would he do that? He knew you wanted no part of that debacle.”

  “I’m his only heir.” No need to mention the complication of Mack’s involvement. “I have to settle the estate.”

  “I suggest you deal with it quickly and get home. No good can come from you hanging around the lake again. Honestly, none of this would have happened if Richard had been where he was supposed to.”

  Carly frowned. “Who’s Richard?”

  “Who?”

  “You said Richard.”

  “I most certainly did not. I said Wade. We were talking about your father.”

  Carly pressed her lips together. Ever since her mother had suffered a fall last year that had resulted in a severe concussion, her memory was spotty and often times she’d make statements that made no sense at all. “I need to go, Mom. It’s late and I want to get to bed. There’s a lot to do here.”

  “Of course, dear. Just get done quickly. Give Ella a hug for me.”

  “I will.”

  Carly ended the call and plugged in her phone to charge, laying it on the nightstand. It would take her a while to fall to sleep now. Her mother’s call had dredged up silt from the past and the residue would float around in her mind for hours. Tonight she would be sorting through her memories for someone named Richard. Who was he and what did he have to do with her family?

  * * *

  The morning sun woke Carly early, streaming across the covers and warming the room. She rose and went to the window. The lake was beautiful. Ripples on the water sparkled in the sunlight. The view from this room was the best in the lodge. But there was another that was equally spectacular—the view from her parents’ room in the apartment.

  She turned away from the window. It was time to face a few realities. If they were going to open the lodge, then she couldn’t take up space in the best room. Like it or not, she and Ella would have to move into her parents’ apartment. As much as she hated to admit it, it was best for Ella to have a home to stay in instead of a hotel room.

  She’d speak with Thelma this morning and move in as soon as possible. After getting dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, she hurried downstairs, anxious to be there when Ella and Lucy appeared.

  They padded into the kitchen just as she was pouring a cup of coffee. They looked so cute in their oversize T-shirts and tousled hair. Ella came to her for a hug and Lucy sought out Thelma.

  “Did you have fun at your sleepover?”

  Ella nodded a big smile. “Can Lucy stay in our room tonight?”

  “We’ll see. I have a lot to do today.”

  “Can we walk on the trail? Lucy said there is a cool one here.”

  Lucy’s eyes lit up. “It’s really awesome. It has steps and a creek, and there’s a bridge, too.”

  Carly recognized the description. It was the Piney Woods Trail. “Sure. That would be fun. Lucy can come, too.”

  Thelma smiled, scooped two cinnamon rolls onto plates and set them in front of the girls.

  Carly couldn’t miss the joy on the woman’s face. “I think you like playing grandma.”

 
Thelma nodded. “I do. They are both so sweet and so much fun.”

  Mack strode into the kitchen. “I thought I smelled Thelma’s cinnamon rolls.” He smiled at Carly. “Thank you for letting Ella spend the night with Lucy.”

  “I hope they didn’t keep you up.”

  He shook his head. “A few fits of giggles but nothing I couldn’t handle.”

  Thelma handed him a plate with two large rolls. “Dwayne ran into the marina for some supplies. He said we could meet as soon as he gets back. Or you can fill Carly in to save time.”

  Mack nodded and took a seat at the counter. “Okay. Most of this you already know. The short version is we have five canoes needing repairs. Two of the cabins are in good shape and just need cleaning. The other three need various repairs like plumbing, electrical and a new roof.” He took a sip of his coffee, avoiding her gaze. “And as you saw, the big cabin needs major repairs.”

  Her mind leaped ahead to other areas needing work. “What about the camper lots and the RV pads?”

  “Minor attention needed, mainly turning on power. The pool and snack bar need cleaning and inspections.”

  “How long will that take?”

  “Several days, depending on when we can get the help.”

  “What about the trails?”

  “They’re littered with limbs and debris, but we need to get the cabin repairs underway first.”

  Carly’s hope began to rise. She’d been dejected when the first week had passed with very little being accomplished. Between settling in and adjusting to being back at the lodge, she’d avoided getting drawn into the projects. From here on, she’d make sure things got done. There was very little about running the lodge and campgrounds she didn’t know. She’d roll up her sleeves and tackle whatever needed to be done. No more delays.

  “Great. Then I’ll see what I can do to help with the cabins and tackle the trails after that.”

  Mack looked at her over the rim of his cup. “Can’t wait to get your hands dirty, huh?”

  Carly took a sip of her coffee. “Can’t wait to put up a for-sale sign.”

  Thelma waved them off. “Y’all go ahead. I’ll watch the girls. Most of what I have to do is over the phone or on the computer.”

  Mack stood. “I’ll be out front with the golf cart in five. If you’re not there, you’ll have to walk to the cabins.”

  Carly bit her bottom lip. Why had she said that? She knew it would upset him. She glanced at Thelma, who was looking at her with raised brows. “I know. I shouldn’t have said that about the sale, but he wants me to feel something here and I just can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t? I understand why you feel the way you do. Those last years were painful, but before that you were happy here. Every day you would bounce into this kitchen full of excitement about what you were going to do around the grounds. Can’t you try and remember those times and not the others?”

  “I’ll try. And I’ll start by moving our things into the apartment. I don’t want to tie up a guest room that could be used for paying visitors.”

  “You and Mack think alike. He and Lucy are moving in with us for the same reason. With our place just up the way he’ll be close enough to help out, but not take up space at the lodge.”

  The statement brought back an old memory from before her parents’ divorce. There were times when she and Mack would read each other’s thoughts. They were both so attuned to the campground and what needed to be done that they often meet up each morning with the same tasks in mind. Apparently, that hadn’t changed.

  Chapter Five

  Mack was ready to pull away from the lodge when Carly came out of the door. She hurried toward him, bringing a smile to his face he didn’t bother to hide. She looked like she did years ago in shorts, a cotton shirt and her hair pulled into a ponytail. A much shorter one than when she was a teen but still cute and sassy.

  She swung into the cart and propped one foot on the dash, tossing him a challenging look. “You waiting for an invitation?”

  He offered a quick salute and drove off.

  “What’s on the work schedule today?”

  “New roof on cabin two. Contrary to what you might think, Dwayne and I have removed the old shingles and installed half of the new ones. Just need to finish that, then we can move on to the next task on the list.”

  “Which is?”

  “Hire contractors to do the electrical and plumbing repairs.”

  “I thought Dwayne was a licensed contractor?”

  “He is but only for carpentry work. He has to subcontract out the electrical and plumbing. They’ll start work tomorrow.”

  “Good. Sounds like things are finally moving forward.”

  “That should make you very happy.” He pulled to a stop near the middle cabin and got out. He had no idea why Carly was here unless it was to supervise his work and make sure he kept up a steady clip. He put on his nail apron and tool belt, then walked to the stack of shingles and hoisted one onto his shoulder. When he turned around, Carly was topping the ladder and stepping onto the roof.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Helping.”

  “You’re going to nail shingles?”

  “It won’t be the first time.”

  Mack had a flashback to the Carly he remembered. She’d never backed away from hard work, and she’d often matched her dad job for job even as a teen. “Fine. But you might want to go back and change those shorts for a pair of jeans. Your knees won’t last ten minutes.”

  She leaned slightly forward and scanned the ground. “Toss me those knee pads, then I’ll be good to go.”

  One thing he hadn’t forgotten about his old friend was that once she made up her mind, you might as well go along. Dumping the shingle bundle back onto the stack, he tossed the knee pads up, then picked up Dwayne’s nail apron and a hammer before hoisting the bundle again and starting up the ladder.

  Carly quickly took the apron, pads and hammer, and fitted herself for work. Mack placed the shingles between them. “You have a utility knife in that apron?”

  She grinned and held it up. “Where do I start?”

  “Continue with the lower course. I’ll pick up the row in the middle and you can start the next row. That way we won’t get in each other’s way.”

  Carly pulled several shingles from the pile and carried them to the side of the roof, laying them out and reaching for her hammer and a handful of roofing nails.

  “Be sure and line up the rain slots properly.”

  She gave him a long, icy glare. “I know how to do this.”

  He raised his hands in submission, grinning inwardly. “I wasn’t sure you’d remember how. You seem to have forgotten most of what you learned here.” He wanted to bite his tongue as soon as the words were spoken.

  “I might be a little rusty, but it’ll come back to me. Just like riding a bike.”

  They worked silently as the courses of shingles slowly moved up the roof.

  Carly took a break, sitting on the roof and taking a swig of water. “I would have thought Dwayne would have a nail gun for this kind of job.”

  Mack swung his hammer again and wiped his brow. “He does. It’s being repaired so we’re doing this the old-fashioned way.”

  “Dad always talked about putting tin roofs on the cabins. He thought it would be a nice touch for the guests. Guess he changed his mind.”

  “No. He just didn’t have the money after the divorce.”

  “What do you mean? He always found money for the campgrounds.”

  Mack sat back on his heels, wishing he’d learn to measure his words before he spoke. “He could barely keep the place afloat after the divorce settlement. He nearly lost the business at one point.”

  “I don’t understand. Mom always complained that he wasn’t paying his share, that he was always behind on suppor
t payments. We didn’t have enough to live on.”

  She met his gaze and he could see the doubts and questions swirling in her brown eyes. Was it possible that she didn’t know how much Wade had to fork over each month to his ex?

  “Did he discuss family matters with you?”

  Mack shook his head. “No. Never. Though he said things here and there, and it was obvious that the upgrades he normally did each year weren’t happening. It was three years before he could get back on track.”

  Carly stared off into the distance. “That’s when my mom remarried,” she muttered softly.

  “And the alimony stopped.” Once again Mack wished he’d held his tongue. Carly turned away and went back to work finishing the top course of shingles, pounding in each nail with more force than necessary. He was usually so good at keeping his thoughts to himself, but now being around Carly loosened his tongue and widened the gap between them. Mack set to work putting the ridge cap on the top of the cabin. He hated the notion that Carly believed her dad was a deadbeat.

  With the roofing complete, Mack slid his hammer into his tool belt and dropped the excess shingle scraps onto the ground before looking at Carly. She’d sat down on the roof again and was staring out at the lake. “Another job crossed off the list.”

  She nodded and stood before carefully approaching the ladder. “A drop in the bucket.”

  Mack stepped ahead of her and swung around onto the first rung. “I’ll go first. Just in case.”

  She gave him a frosty glare. “I know how to go down a ladder.”

  Safely on the ground, Mack held the side of the metal ladder while Carly made her way down. On the next to the last step, her foot slipped, dropping her to the ground. He caught her around the waist, his heart pounding. “You all right?”

  She nodded before turning to look at him. Her fawn-colored eyes were wide with alarm. “I misjudged the rung.”

  “It happens. That’s why I was here, to catch you in case you fell.” It’s where he always wanted to be, but he’d have to accept the fact that it would never happen. He told himself to step away and let her move off, but he liked the sensation of her being in his arms.