A Trusting Heart by Shannon Guymon

build a house, I’d build it on this lot. You’re going to love it, I guarantee it.”
    Cora followed Megan out of the house, and turned to lock the door. She studied the energetic girl as she strode towards the box that was Cora’s excuse for a garage. She liked her. She liked her a lot. She was obviously sweet, although a bit timid or shy, as if she had been hurt before. Her smile was lovely, so unassuming and genuine. She could see why her son liked her. Loved her, she hoped. She was beautiful in a very subtle, classic way that would appeal to her son. But what was it about Megan that was making him act so outrageously? It was a mystery.
    Megan directed Cora to drive past three lots in different areas that were nice, but not spectacular. Cora wouldn’t even get out of the car to walk around. But as Megan gave her directions to drive to the last subdivision, Cora’s face completely changed from politely bored to ecstatic as the elevation became steeper and steeper.
    “Oh I can’t believe this, Megan! This is wonderful, perfect. I can see the lake and the temple. Oh my heavens, it’s gorgeous! I never would have thought it possible. My grandkids are never going to want to go home! They’re going to love it here.”
    Megan felt a burst of pure joy as she watched Cora practically giggling in delight. She may never have a home with a view like this, but helping somebody else attain such beauty was a definite rush. Megan did grow a little concerned, however, when Cora ran up to the “For Sale” sign and started pulling it out of the ground.
    “Wait Cora! We haven’t bought this lot yet. We have to make an offer and close on it before we can take the sign down. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Besides, this is just the first lot we’ve seen in the subdivision; there are many other lots for sale. Why don’t we walk around and pick the very best one?”
    Cora scowled at the “For Sale” sign for a minute and then smiled good naturedly.
    “I do tend to go overboard on occasion. You’ll learn to put up with me, Megan.”
    Megan took Cora’s arm and steered her toward the other lots, noting the pros and cons of each one. But Cora kept looking over her shoulder at the first one she had seen. She had fallen in love. If anyone else even looked at it, she was going to have a fit. When a car pulled up into the subdivision ten minutes later, Cora sprinted the half-block back, in her high heels, to stand in front of the sign. Megan laughed and gave up.
    “Okay, Cora. You win. This is the one and I can’t blame you a bit. It is the best. You have to promise to invite me over one night so I can see a sunset from your back porch.”
    Cora stood in front of the “For Sale” sign while Megan used her cell phone to call the agent listed in the MLS. There had been an offer made on the lot already, but it had fallen through because of financing. Bad luck for them, perfect luck for Cora.
    “I set up an appointment for us tomorrow morning at ten to sign an earnest money agreement on this lot. You’ll have to put some money down to hold it until we can sell your house. Unless of course you’re able to buy it outright?”
    Megan glanced back at the Ford Excursion, having no idea what Cora’s financial situation was. She could probably buy the property outright.
    Cora smiled and relaxed her shoulders. Her lot would be safe. “I’ll have to talk to my son tonight, but I’m sure we’ll just buy it. I think we’ll go ahead and start construction, too. I can’t see myself waiting for my house to sell. That would be a waste of time, don’t you think?”
    Megan smiled, knowing that for most people waiting was the only way they could do it. The typical person didn’t have the money to float the construction of a new home, while making mortgage payments. That took a lot of money. Or faith.
    “Let’s call it a day then. I know you probably want to get home and call your son.”
    Cora glanced over at Megan as they drove