A Love Discovered by Jennifer Johnson

Author:Jennifer Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Maggie covered her face with both hands. She couldn’t pay the bills and buy groceries. It was one or the other. Through Christmas and New Year’s, she’d been glad they hadn’t heard from Carl Pearson with an offer on the house and store. Now she didn’t know what they would do to keep from going under.

The consignment store had a bit of business from Thanksgiving to Christmas, enough that she bought a few presents for Pete and made a few items for her mom, sister and Aunt Jane. Her cheeks warmed again when she thought about Ben giving her a spa package from one of the nicer department stores in the mall, as well as a certificate to get her hair cut and her nails done. She’d teased that he must think she looked a mess but she knew he was just offering her a bit of pampering. How many times had he told her she worked too hard?

She plopped the electric bill onto the table. Obviously, not hard enough.

“What’s the matter, dear?” Aunt Jane stood beside her, squinting at the computer screen. Her bright pink lipstick clashed with the orange-and-red sweater her aunt wore. She held a cup between both swollen hands, lifted it to her lips and took a sip, leaving a bright pink stain around the rim.

Maggie sighed. “Nothing. It’ll work out.”

“Bills again, huh?”

Maggie stared at the screen, wishing just once she’d see black instead of red. “I don’t know what to do.”

“It’s time to sell, Maggie. I know you’ve put up a good fight.”

She glanced up. The determined set in Aunt Jane’s jaw broke Maggie’s heart. Her aunt had lived her entire life in this house. The only real job the woman had had was running the consignment store. Maggie couldn’t take this away from her. Somehow she had to make it work. Had to come up with additional regular income. She wished she knew more about marketing. Getting people to want to visit the shop.

Unable to look her aunt in the eye, she closed the laptop and stood. “I’ll figure something out.”

“Maggie.”

“Aunt Jane, I will. I promise.”

She walked into her bedroom and picked up her cell phone from the dresser. After pushing her mom’s name, she tapped her fingers on the wood while she waited for Mom to pick up.

“Hello.”

“Mom, I need help.... I don’t know what to do.”

Maggie bit her bottom lip and blinked back tears. Her chest swelled with emotion. She hadn’t realized how deep-down fatigued she’d felt. Probably for far too long. Years, even.

“Maggie, what’s the matter?”

“I can’t do it, Mom. I’m working every chance I can, but the numbers won’t match up.” Her voice caught in the back of her throat, and she swallowed and swiped at her eyes with her free hand.

“Maggie, it’s time to let the place go. Even Aunt Jane thinks so. You heard her while you all were here over the holidays.”

Christmas at her mom’s house had been wonderful. More food than four women and one little boy could eat.

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