Page 41 of Lakehouse Promises

Someone behind her cleared their throat. “Can I help you?”

Carolina smiled and turned. “Yes I am…” Her heart lurched. Her smile faded.

The air left her lungs.

She may have handled her former mother-in-law but standing before her was the neighbor that hated her.

“You.” Bernice narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“I …um...” She clasped her hands together and fought for words.

Carolina cleared her throat from the lump that had appeared. Now was not the time to back down. She was out of options.

“I’m here because Getty at the diner said you were looking for help.”

Bernice looked shocked.

“You? You’re looking to work here?” She blinked.

“Well, yes. I don’t have professional experience but I have personally redone our flowerbeds at our… I mean at my old home many times before. And I’m good with houseplants.”

Bernice snorted. “Well, you need to do something about the flowerbeds at the lake house.”

“I know. And I will. Once I get some money coming in.” She lifted her head, determined not to waver in her determination.

Bernice shook her head and walked over to the wheelbarrow. She began loading pumpkins.

Carolina swallowed her pride and began helping her.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to get a job.”

Bernice stopped what she was doing and straightened. “Why do you want this job so badly?”

“Because it’s the only thing I’m good at.”

“What did you do before?”

“I was a housewife. And apparently not very good at that either since my husband dumped me.” She looked away embarrassed by her verbal diarrhea.

Bernice snorted. “I wouldn’t give much credence to what a man thought about me.” She bent and picked up a Cinderella pumpkin.

Carolina swallowed and looked at the woman.

“It’s manual work. You’ll ruin your manicure.” She glanced at Carolina’s hands.

“I don’t care.”

“I pay twenty-five an hour. I am closed on Sunday and Mondays. And only open half a day on Thursday. Work hours are eight to five, except on Saturdays and we are open until six.”

She nodded. “Okay. So does that mean I have the job?”

“It means I’ll give you a trial period.”

“Thank you. I can start tomorrow.”

“You better. You still need to pay for my vet bill.”