“What would I need to do?”
“Gather your current mortgage payoff and income verification. We’ll need to run your credit and appraise your home’s value. From there, we’ll start the process and see what options we have.”
“Do you have a card? I’m not ready to commit yet, but if I decide to, I’ll call you.”
“Sure thing.” Jeff pulled his wallet from his back pants pocket and withdrew a card. “Your mom told me you work at a homeless shelter. How did that come about?”
“It’s more than a homeless shelter. Hope House helps women pick up the pieces of their life when they’ve lost all hope, whether from abuse, drug addiction, tough luck, or any other reason.”
“I know Hope House. Your mom didn’t mention the name of the place.” His eyes widened, and he spoke with excitement. “The bank has worked with them often. We have a special program that offers compassion loans to those down on their luck. Several ladies from Hope House have gone on to get a car loan from us, and even a mortgage.”
“That’s fantastic.” The more they talked, the more Carl liked Jeff.
He could see why his mom was drawn to him. Jeff clearly had experienced success in his career, but he remained humble and passionate about helping people. His faith came up numerous times in conversation, and he spoke of his trust in God as naturally as he breathed.
Excusing himself, he slid into the kitchen in time to help his mom take the turkey from the oven. He set the roasting pan on a long rectangular trivet. “Smells delicious.”
“Hopefully it tastes as good as it smells.” She carried a bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes to the table. “What do you think of Jeff?”
“I like him. You did good.” He gave her a hug to emphasize his approval. “I’m really happy for you.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” She kissed his cheek. “Maybe next Thanksgiving, you’ll be the one bringing someone new.”
An image of Luna and the girls materialized. “Don’t count on it.”
“Give her time, my child. Love can erase many a hurt.”
Chapter Seven
“Mama, look shirt. It haz urkey.” Skye danced around her bed in her new outfit—a long-sleeved mocha t-shirt with a turkey applique and matching leggings with a tutu attached.
Mercy had an identical one in a smaller size, as did all the young girls at Hope House. A local church’s sewing group had made the outfits as a labor of love. They’d also made similar shirts for the boys. The men’s ministry from the same church had donated all the food for a massive Thanksgiving feast.
Luna was constantly awed by the generosity of the churches in the area. A week rarely went by without a donation from one. Whether giving their time to serve or bringing pallets of toilet paper or dropping vans full of food, the churches made sure Hope House and its residents never did without.
Communities coming together was a rare concept for her. She’d seen it in movies, but never experienced it herself until she’d come to the shelter. One day she’d leave, find a home of her own to start her new life in. Though she’d never considered staying in Mansboro and had planned to return to Baltimore, the idea of planting roots and raising the girls in this town had appeal.
“Mama.” Mercy woke up from her nap and stood in her portable crib with her arms raised. “Up.”
“Did you have a good nap, my sweet girl?” She lifted her youngest daughter out of the crib, kissed her rosy cheek, then laid her on the bed to change her diaper and dress her in the Thanksgiving outfit.
Skye tugged on her pant leg. “Eat yet?”
“Not yet, sweetheart.” It made her heart happy to see her daughter enthused. Goodness knew she hadn’t given Skye many reasons for excitement in her life, but she was trying.
“Mr. Carl there?” Brown pigtails bounced as Skye hopped in place.
The question threw her off balance, and she was glad she still sat on the bed. “I believe so. Why?”
“He nice. Not like Daddy.”
If Skye’s question had knocked her off kilter, her follow up statement was a punch in the gut. Luna pinched the bridge of her nose. Skye hadn’t mentioned her father in weeks, had hardly seen him in the last year. Oh, how she wished Skye’s memory wouldn’t hold any of the negative occurrences.
“Everyone here is nice and friendly,” she countered.
Had she spent too much time with Carl? They had lately because of Hope, but they’d managed to keep that a secret from the kids. She’d have to pay more attention. If Skye attached herself to Carl, that could only lead to heartache, and she wouldn’t allow more of that in her daughters’ lives.
Skye, blessedly, moved on to another topic, babbling in toddler speak and spinning around to see her tutu bob.
