The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love - By Beth Pattillo Page 0,9

way—their home, the country club fees, Alex’s education and loaning him a down payment for his first home. They’d even paid for their son’s wedding since his wife’s parents could never have afforded the kind of event necessary for people of Frank and Esther’s standing in Sweetgum.

“Esther, I hesitate to suggest this, but you may need to consider selling your home.”

Her head shot up at Alvin’s words. She couldn’t possibly part with her house. What else would she have left then of her life with Frank? “What about the condo at Sweetgum Lake? I can sell that immediately.”

Alvin sat back in his chair and shook his head. The movement caused a tight knot to form in Esther’s stomach.

“I think you should consider selling the house and living in the condo.” He crossed his arms over his thin chest. “Your expenses will be much less—utilities, insurance, upkeep, taxes.”

Live in the one-bedroom condo? He couldn’t possibly be serious. She might have lost her husband, but she refused to lose her dignity.

Fifteen years ago, developers had come in and tried to turn the lake into a resort area. She and Frank had purchased the condo for a song. But the development had never taken off. She and Frank had kept the condo only because they couldn’t sell it.

“I don’t think that will be necessary. I still have Frank’s interest in the law firm.”

Alvin nodded but looked unconvinced. “Of course. I’m sorry if I overstepped my bounds. I’m just concerned for you.”

Esther straightened her spine and smiled with all the graciousness she’d cultivated as Sweetgum’s social leader for the last thirty years. “I appreciate your concern. And I’ll take your advice into consideration, of course.” She didn’t add that she had no intention of following it.

“You know, Esther, you might also think about—”

“I might think about what?” She tried to keep the chill tone out of her voice, with little success.

“You might consider finding a job.”

Esther shrank back as if he’d slapped her. “I don’t think there will be any need for that.” She picked up her handbag from the floor beside her chair. “I appreciate your help, Alvin. If you’ll have your secretary send me another invoice for the premiums, I’ll pay them immediately.” Although how she would accomplish that, she had no idea. Her bank account was very low, and now that there would be no life insurance settlement coming in…

“Just pay them when you can,” he said, standing when she did. “That will be fine.”

And there it was. In his voice. In his expression. The thing she’d hated the most since the moment the paramedic had looked up at her from where he’d been crouched over Frank’s prone form on the eighteenth green.

Pity.

Esther Jackson had never been an object of pity in her life, and she wasn’t about to start now. Head high, she bid Alvin good-bye, secured her Louis Vuitton bag more firmly on her shoulder, and headed for the door.

The life insurance was merely a temporary setback. Surely she would realize all she needed from her interest in Frank’s law firm. She made her way from Alvin’s office to her Jaguar parked at the curb outside. Her next appointment was with Franks law partner, Lloyd Manning. Certainly he would have better news for her.

Matters simply could not be as dire as they seemed. Esther refused to allow it. Circumstances had never managed to thwart her before, and she wasn’t going to allow them to do so now.

Two hours later, Esther wasn’t feeling quite so positive. Lloyd Manning had broken the bad news that Frank had very little equity in the firm. He would be happy to buy out Esther’s share, but the small amount of money was a pittance compared to what she’d hoped for.

Too agitated to go home and too upset to be around other people, Esther pointed the car west. The afternoon sun, low and piercing, made her squint as she raced down Old Lake Road toward the condo on Sweetgum Lake. Even with her oversized Chanel sunglasses in place and the car’s visor pulled down, she could hardly see the two-lane highway for the glare. She and Frank had learned long ago not to set off for Memphis in the late afternoon to see their son because of that very problem. Now, though, the bright light was complicated by the tears that filled Esther’s eyes and streamed down her cheeks.

Dear Lord in heaven, what was she going to do? Fervent prayer had never been a part