“That’s what big cities do to you,” Megan said with a grin. “Milwaukee was my downfall, but living in Sapphire Bay has made me more relaxed.”
John moved a pillow off one of the beds. “Talking about being relaxed, have either of you seen Brooke recently?”
“I saw her this morning,” Megan said. “Has something happened?”
“Someone from Wilson Enterprises called her. They like her fudge and want to sell it on the prestige website.”
Cassie’s eyes widened. “That’s wonderful. Is she excited?”
John nodded. “She is, and so am I. Brooke told them she wants to donate two dollars from each sale to the tiny home project. Wilson Enterprises have decided to match her donation up to thirty thousand dollars.”
Megan sat on a bed. “That’s amazing. Thirty thousand dollars will build three houses.”
“Only if Brooke sells that much candy,” John reminded them. “But I have a cunning plan to make that happen.”
Cassie laughed. “I thought you might. Tell us what you’re thinking.”
As they worked their way around the room, John told them about his simple idea. Everyone loved Brooke’s fudge. By tapping into the family and friends of the people of Sapphire Bay, they had a readymade market for her candy. Then if they multiplied that market with the number of social media friends each person had, they should be able to sell a huge amount of fudge. Combined with the extra publicity Wilson Enterprises was planning, everyone would be happy.
Megan smiled at John. “It’s the perfect win-win solution.”
“I hope so. I’ve got other ideas, too.”
Cassie laughed. “I thought you might.”
By the time John told them about his other plans, they’d finished the next room. After promising to email Cassie with an outline of each idea, he returned to the church for another meeting.
If she ever moved away from Sapphire Bay, she would miss the sense of family John had created in the church and the community. By working together, they were making a difference, building a brighter future for the whole town.
She didn’t know if she would ever find the same sense of fulfillment in New York City. But that might not matter. If she didn’t call Noah, she wouldn’t have to worry about going anywhere.
Noah wasin the middle of a meeting with his digital manager when his cell phone vibrated. He glanced at the caller display and frowned. His granddad wouldn’t contact him during work hours unless it were important.
“I’m sorry, Charles. I need to take this call.” His manager nodded and Noah walked out of the room. “I hope this isn’t about work, Granddad.”
“Can’t a man speak to his grandson when he feels like it?”
“Not when his grandson is the chief executive of the company he co-owns. How is your vacation?”
“Getting better each day. Did I tell you about the brown trout I caught?”
Noah smiled. “Only about ten times. I got the photo, too. Are you ready to tell me where you’re staying?” His grandfather had refused to tell him where he’d gone. The photo of the fish hadn’t helped pinpoint his location and neither had any of the other information he’d accidentally shared.
“You aren’t going to like it.”
“Is this a polite way of telling me you’re fishing naked off the coast of Costa Rica?”
“I’m eighty-one years old. If I were going to be naked, it wouldn’t be while I was fishing.”
Noah choked back a laugh. “Tell me where you are. I promise not to join you.”
“It’s funny you should say that. I was hoping you might do the opposite. We haven’t had a vacation together in years.”
“Are you at Mom and Dad’s cottage?”
“Nope. Not even close.”
Noah checked his watch. If he didn’t get back to the meeting, the issues with the prestige store’s website wouldn’t get fixed. “I’m too busy to take time off work.”
