Read Online Dakota Love by Rose Ross Zediker - Free Book Online Page B

the work Caroline put into it. After trying a few other links, he looked at Caroline. “It’s impressive, but do you think a fancy website makes your business venture less risky?”
    Caroline sighed. “No, but I think it will help draw in business. Jason, I have to earn a living somehow. Your dad didn’t want me to work, and now I have no job skills.”
    “Mom, Dad loved you. He wanted to provide for you. You act like he had a massive heart attack and left you alone on purpose. Stop being mad at him. It’s not his fault he died. You of all people should know that. To quote your favorite psalm, 139, ‘All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.’ ” Jason scanned the room and held his arms out. “You don’t even have one picture of him out anymore. It’s like he never even had any ordained days.”
    The computer screen saver kicked on, hiding Rodney’s hard work. There was no doubt Rodney believed in her ability to succeed. Why couldn’t her own son? Jason swiveled the office chair and left the den.
    Caroline hated that Jason was right. It wasn’t Ted’s fault he’d died. It was God’s fault, and the scripture Jason had quoted backed up that fact. As for the pictures, Caroline had tucked them in drawers. With her financial troubles, she didn’t need her once carefree life mocking her.
    Caroline found Jason in the kitchen, leaning on his hands and facing the cupboards. She walked up behind him and put her hands on his shoulders. “I’m not angry at your dad.”
I’m angry at God
. “I’m sorry if that is how it seems to you.”
    “I don’t want you to work, either. You wouldn’t have to if you’d invested the insurance money and not purchased that quilting machine.” Jason spat out the words.
    “Even if I hadn’t made that purchase, the money wouldn’t have lasted twelve years until I could draw Social Security.”
    Jason twisted his shoulders until she removed her hands. She leaned against the counter next to him. Her son had Ted’s personality traits and hair color, but he was his mother’s son in build, eye color, and disposition. They used to be on the same wavelength, but in the last few months, they’d spent their time together butting heads.
    “I need you to understand my situation. Can’t we talk this through?”
    Jason’s silence indicated his unwillingness to solve their problem. He shook his head as he pushed back from the counter. He grabbed his coat as he passed the chair on his way to the entryway. Caroline followed him and stood in the doorway, the ticking of the clock the only noise as Jason slipped on his coat and boots, then grabbed the doorknob. He met Caroline’s gaze.
    “Bye.” He turned and opened the door. As he started to leave, he looked over his shoulder. “I’m not happy about you dating, either.”
    The rattle of the door glass echoed through the kitchen.

    Anger more than hurt from Jason’s comments moistened Caroline’s eyes. She’d expected a negative reaction about Rodney but thought they could come to an agreement like they used to when they didn’t see eye to eye. But she and Jason hadn’t been able to overcome their disagreements in the last few months. After this confrontation, she’d make a lousy hostess tonight. Maybe she should cancel dinner? Caroline rubbed the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. The recipe called for fresh trout, which she’d bought yesterday. With her financial problems, she couldn’t afford to let food spoil because of a difficult son.
    Caroline marched down the stairs to her workshop, still fuming at Jason’s closed mind. The empty long arm machine proved Jason’s negative remarks right. The website hadn’t brought in any business. Would it? Or was her business venture a waste of money and time?
    With Mark’s Valentine quilt finished and delivered on time, she planned to make a practice block for the candy jar quilt to show Rodney, who’d had trouble visualizing