Love in a Fix Read Online Free PDF

uncrossed her arms and wiped her hands on her pants. “This is difficult for me, embarrassing for anyone to know the severity of my predicament. Your offer was exceedingly generous.”
    “Is.” The hard edge left his face. “The offer still stands.”
    A wood railing circled the deck. Once upon a time, she and Mark had planned to build a bench into it, but they’d never gotten around to the task. She walked to it, rested her hands on the redwood stained rail.
    Memories of Mark lived everywhere on the property, so many precious moments she’d committed to her heart’s remembrance. Their life together began in this house—they’d shared countless firsts, within the walls and out. Her gaze drifted to the flat portion of the yard, to the area just before it dropped off. Even at night she could pinpoint the spot where they’d lain, stargazing, when she’d told him she was pregnant with Josh. 
    Could she walk away from all of it, simply because she wouldn’t accept help? Was that fair to Josh? But it wasn’t the money for heating or lights—this was much more. She couldn’t accept that much from Shep, no matter how good a friend he was. And not only because of the flimsy excuse she had tossed at him earlier.
    She’d never cared what others thought about her. Even if she did, she knew Shep would never let anyone know what he had done for her, if she let him give the money. He was the type of man who went behind the scenes for his good deeds, didn’t need the recognition.
    The deep down truth was, unless her income situation changed, she’d be in the same boat as now given another few months. The truth scared her, but better that she confronted it now.
    Still looking away from Shep, she took a deep breath, knowing what the answer had to be. “I want to, but I still can’t accept.”
    Heavy footsteps approached. “Why not?”
    Pivoting in slow-motion, she turned to face him. “You’ll never know how much I appreciate your selflessness by offering, but it would only be a temporary solution. I’ve cut out every expense I can, but there’s still more money going out than coming in.”
    “You don’t know what the next few months will bring.” Shep looked at her with optimistic determination. “Buy yourself some time.”
    “And if I still lose the house, I’ll feel even worse if you’re out that money for nothing.”
    “It wouldn’t be for nothing.” His jaw set in a firm line, ready for a showdown.
    “Please, Shep. I’ve thought about this for several weeks, and I was afraid to say it, but the best thing to do is sell the house before I completely lose it.” Dull pains bordered her heart now that she’d vocalized her idea. She balled her fists, digging her nails into her palms. “I can rent a small apartment at a fraction of my mortgage. Josh and I will get by.”
    “You shouldn’t have to ‘get by’.” He took another step closer to her, out of reach from the porch light’s glow. “Mark would want more than that for you. You deserve better.”
    Darkness provided a welcomed veil. In it, maybe Shep wouldn’t see the desperation and conflict she knew found their way to her eyes. If only there were a way to disguise it from her voice. “One day I’ll get back on my feet, but for now I need to think about the future, not the short term.”
    For a long time, Shep didn’t answer. At last he gave a resigned sigh. “There’s no expiration date on my offer. In the meantime, what can I do for you?”
    “I’ll call the bank and realtor tomorrow. Then I’ll have to start packing.” She glanced to the house, allowing her gaze to drift from the colonial blue board-n-battan shutters, through the dining room window to the farmhouse dining table which Mark and she had wanted to fill with children. Hours of love and dedication had gone into making the house a home. “I could use a friend to help.” For emotional support more than anything .
    Shep nodded. “Say the word and I’m here.”
    “Thank