4
The adjuster had left and Cari came to a decision on the drive to the shop. It didn’t matter what the insurance company would pay; she was going with Ray’s plan for the sunroom. Fortunately, Ben had provided for her and the kids, and the shop did a steady business. Cari wasn’t rich, but she had always lived on a budget and had more than enough tucked away to do whatever she wanted.
It felt odd walking into the shop midmorning. It was the first lull of the day when a few young mothers enjoyed quiet time while their little ones were in nursery school at a nearby church. Cari gave them a jaunty wave and stepped behind the counter. As usual, she tied her apron on, pulled her hair off her face, and went looking for Kate.
“Kate, I’m back,” she called out. “It didn’t take as long as I though
