Redemption Lake Read Free

Shelby turned and gave Phillip a loving hug, and he embraced her in return with a tight squeeze.
    â€œI love you so much, sweetheart,” he said.
    â€œI love you too.”
    After looking around the cabin and checking each room to make sure everything was in order, Phillip said, “Let’s get the bags out of the car.”
    They retrieved their luggage as well as what felt like hundreds of bags of groceries that Shelby had packed that morning.
    Once all was unloaded, Phillip rummaged through a couple of the grocery bags on the kitchen cabinet. Picking up a bag of cheese doodles and a bag of pretzels, he said, “Uh, honey, did you forget something?”
    â€œLike what?” Shelby asked.
    â€œLike the real food. What are we going to do, snack the whole trip?” He held up a container of dip. “And what are we supposed to eat for breakfast?”
    â€œNow, Phillip, baby, you should know me better than that. I’ve got it all under control. You worry about the counseling and ministering of the couples, and I’ll take care of everything else.” Shelby smiled.
    â€œI know you are the hostess extraordinaire. But baby, the closest convenience store is at least ten miles away. And the closest grocery store is probably twenty miles away. Our schedule will be pretty tight. We won’t have time to run to a restaurant every day for food,” Phillip said.
    Shelby pointed to the bags on the floor. “What do you think is in all these bags?”
    Upon opening each one, Phillip’s eyes widened as he gazed at the rest of the food. The bags held juices, eggs, bread, breakfast meats, cheese, milk, coffee creamers, jams, jellies, condiments, fresh vegetables, and fruits.
    Then she led him to the deep freezer, and when Phillip opened it, he saw that it was filled with boxes of frozen entrees.
    Shelby looked at Phillip and said, “Do you think we have enough food, or do I need to make a quick run to the store before our guests arrive?”
    Phillip shook his head, finally understanding. “No baby, you’ve got this under control.”
    â€œYou should know I have your back.”
    â€œWhat’s the deal with all that food in the freezer?”
    â€œYou are not the only one who has been in contact with the Nelsons. I spoke with Mrs. Nelson, and she helped me coordinate ordering the meals for the week. Mrs. Nelson is so wonderful and so detailed that she gave me a sketch of where everything is kept in the kitchen. I told her what kinds of meals I was planning and what ingredients I’d need, and it looks like everything I need is accounted for. Plus she gave me a secret weapon.”
    â€œA secret weapon?” Phillip’s eyebrows rose with curiosity.
    â€œYep. I won’t have to slave over meals all week,” Shelby said.
    â€œWhat kind of secret weapon?” Phillip asked.
    â€œDon’t worry about that.” Shelby grinned.
    â€œYou are something else,” Phillip said.
    â€œI know. Now don’t concern yourself with trivial things like the food. And except in the matter of counseling, I’ll take care of everything.”
    â€œEverything?”
    â€œYes, everything,” she reiterated.
    Phillip looked toward the fireplace. His wife followed his eyes.
    â€œOkay, maybe not everything,” Shelby said.
    The previous winter, Shelby had tried to light the fire in their fireplace and had ended up almost burning down their house. It took months for the smell of smoke to finally dissipate.
    â€œYou can take care of a fire if we need one.” Shelby tapped the tip of Phillip’s nose with her index finger. “But I assure you if you need anything else, I’ll take care of it.”
    â€œI will probably need your help during some of the sessions,” Phillip said.
    Shelby pulled his head down and kissed his forehead and lips. “I’ve got you, baby.”
    Phillip sighed with more relief. “Now let’s