Redemption Lake Read Online Free PDF Page A

fine. That would shut her up. But she’d have to be patient, just like he was.
    Her latest thing was to nag him about getting some marriage counseling. When she told him that their pastor at church had mentioned a marriage retreat in the mountains, he’d almost laughed in her face. They didn’t need marriage counseling; she just needed to give a brotha a break from all the nagging.
    And when she told him they’d have to pay a little over a thousand dollars to attend, he’d told her he didn’t have any money. But magically, Beryl had come up with the funds, and before he knew it, they were signed up to go.
    On numerous occasions she’d threatened to kick him out if he didn’t start pulling his weight around the house. But she’d never followed through on those threats, so he really wasn’t too worried. Travis knew this was just another ploy to try to push him into doing something he didn’t feel like doing. So to appease her, he decided to go along with her wishes for the retreat.
    The more he thought about it, he actually started liking the idea, thinking of it as a week long vacation. He’d put forth just enough effort to keep her from nagging him—for at least seven days.
    Phillip joined him on the porch. “Wow, it has gotten colder out here since we arrived.”
    Travis rubbed his hands together for warmth. “It has. And I didn’t bring a heavier jacket. Hopefully we won’t get snowed in or anything.”
    â€œI doubt it. Don’t quote me on this, but I really don’t think it snows this early in the fall. But then again, you know how unpredictable North Carolina can be with its weather; especially in late September.”
    Phillip gave him a pat on the back. “Try not to beat yourself up about everything that just happened in there. It’s all working out. My wife and I just happened to come up a day early, and you didn’t find an empty cabin.”
    Travis sighed. “It was a simple mistake. And she’s just blowing it all out of proportion. Thanks again, my brother, for rescuing me.”
    â€œJust try to relax. I’m sure she’ll calm down in a few minutes. Maybe she’s just a little tired from the long trip you took.” Phillip gave Travis another hearty pat on the back.
    This Phillip guy was nothing like what Travis expected. When Beryl first told him about the Christian Couples’ retreat, he immediately thought of some cult-like retreat in the mountains. He’d seen enough of the movies where the couples go get advice and counseling from a preacher and end up following the supposable man of God to the ends of the earth only to end up killing themselves in some sort of sacrifice.
    Phillip wasn’t a deranged looking old man. He actually looked like he was a couple of years younger than Travis. And the cabin, from what he’d seen of it so far, didn’t look like any of the cult camps he’d seen in the movies. And he’d seen just about every horror movie there was. One of his favorites was the Friday the 13th series.
    â€œMan, I wish that were true. I know she’s going to leave me. She says this retreat is my last chance. After this, if I can’t get it together, she’s going to leave.” Travis hung his head. After a minute or so, he raised it back up. “Well, there’s nothing I can really do. Guess I’ll let her do what she wants.”
    â€œLook, Travis. I’m sure you and your wife have probably tried to fix the problems you’ve been having yourselves, without someone neutral to intervene. You need someone with fresh eyes to help you see what’s going on. And that’s why you’re here.”
    Travis nodded his head saying, “Right, right.” What Phillip was saying did make a great deal of sense to him.
    â€œDon’t give up so easily. The next seven days may be the most crucial in your marriage. So you’ll need to be