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two rungs. He walked over to Paige. He picked up the newspaper, folded on the counter with a big red circle around the ad for a pharmacist at Centennial Hospital.
    “I didn’t think you wanted another job.”
    “We’re about to shut down for two weeks without pay, and finances are beyond tight for me right now. Centennial has a full-time position with a rather generous signing bonus. I could use that money.”
    “How much did you spend on that homeless man’s gift card?”
    Paige shrugged. “More than I probably should have, but he’s desperate, too. Maybe that’s why I wanted to help him.”
    “What if I offer a twenty-percent pay raise over what you’re making now and a signing bonus. What was the hospital offering?”
    “Three thousand dollars. Half on hiring, the other half after three months.”
    “Okay, I’ll offer five. Same deal. Half on hiring, half after three months.”
    This was a dream job, with better pay, at a critical time. It all seemed too good to be true. What was the catch? Paige knew the answer.
    Lee Richardson did not have all the facts.
    Paige knew she could open her mouth right now, and in less than a moment’s time, the job offer would be withdrawn. “Has your granddaughter been looking for someone else to hire?”
    “No, she’s working a lot of long hours, trying to do it all herself.” He smiled then, a smile of true pride. “Comes about that trait honest enough. And she’s doing well. I just think she needs a little more of what you’re so good at. Someone that takes the time to see her patients as real people, not just someone to help keep the bills paid. Know what I mean?”
    “Maybe she won’t agree.”
    “Maybe not at first, but it won’t take her long to come around. I started my own company over forty years ago, and gut instinct has never proved me wrong. Bringing you into that store is just what it needs. How soon can you start?”
    If Lee Richardson’s gut didn’t tell him to ask some more questions, there was no reason Paige should volunteer anything, especially given the unfairness of the situation. She didn’t want to leave the clinic, but if the ship was sinking she needed off. And Shoal Creek would be only minutes from her parents’ house. The signing bonus alone would make up a big chunk of what her mom needed, and her mom came first right now. After all, hadn’t she just been praying for an opportunity like this? “How’s Monday?”
    “Great. Here’s the address. I’ll meet you out front and take you in and introduce you to Clarissa.” He handed her a piece of paper with the address written on it. “I’ll see you Monday morning.”
    Paige could barely wait for him to walk out of the pharmacy before picking up the phone. “Dad, don’t you dare sell your things. You’re not going to believe what’s just happened.”

chapter seven
    Paige sat with her mother on their garden bench for one last time before they said good-bye.
    Her mother leaned her head over onto Paige’s shoulder. “What’s the pharmacy like? In Shoal Creek, I mean?”
    “I haven’t seen it yet, but I gather it’s a little independent set right on the square inside the renovated old movie theater.”
    “Oh, I’ve heard about that. Some construction company from Nashville bought up most of the square—restoring it into something beautiful, I hear.”
    “That’s right. You know, it’s pretty close to my dream come true. A quaint pharmacy in a small town, where I know my customers by name.”
    “ ‘Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.’ That’s from Psalms—somewhere. I wish I could remember references better. Anyway, point is, we trusted God through all this and He has provided.”
    “I wish I had your faith, Mom. And your memory for Bible verses.” Paige smiled, realizing how true it was. God had provided yet another job just when she needed it. She could count on Him to make everything else work out, too. Right?
    Her