He tapped his chest. “They come from my heart. We cannot love and not get hurt. When two people fall in love, it is a time of adjustment. Sometimes it is easy and, sometimes, it is more difficult. But always, there is love.”
As he moved around the workroom, Nick told her about his wife and the long marriage they’d shared. It must have been devastating when she died, but he’d carried on, making a happy life for himself and his granddaughter.
When he placed a tiny cup of coffee in front of her, she smiled. “It smells delicious.”
“It is Greek coffee,” Nick said with pride. “Today, we celebrate life. And on Saturday, it will be my privilege to celebrate you and your beautiful photographs.”
With a trembling hand, Willow tapped her cup against Nick’s. Each of her photos were special, but one would break her heart all over again.
Zac pickedup the nail gun and finished assembling the timber frame for one of the tiny homes. After spending the last two days with Patrick Devlin and the other volunteers, he was even more impressed with what they were doing.
The old steamboat museum was the perfect location to base the project. With its high ceiling, generous storage spaces, and easy access, the construction team was able to quickly assemble each house.
“If you ever want to change careers, you can join us permanently,” Patrick said half-jokingly to Zac.
“No, he can’t,” Pastor John said from behind them. “We need him in the medical clinic.”
Patrick grinned at Zac. “Everyone wants you to work with them.”
“I must be living in the right town, then.” He returned the nail gun to the workbench. “If you aren’t busy, John, you can help me lift this frame into place.”
As well as using John, Patrick tapped another volunteer on the shoulder. Together, the four men turned the frame on its end and nailed it into place.
Zac looked at the skeleton of the tiny home. “It’s going together quicker than I thought.”
“We’re getting faster,” Patrick murmured. “By the time the last house rolls out of here, we’ll be experts.”
“What will you do after the village is finished?” Zac asked John.
“I’m not sure, but we’ll think of something. Can I speak to you for a moment?”
Zac wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Sure. If we head across to the kitchen, we should have the room to ourselves.” He didn’t know what John wanted to talk about, but it couldn’t be too serious. “Did you receive a copy of the contract I sent through from the clinical director?”
John nodded. “What did you think of it?”
“It was reasonable. I’m pleased they were willing to set up a smaller clinic in The Welcome Center. It will save hauling lots of gear across town. The only concern I have is whether they’ll be able to provide a doctor to work in Sapphire Bay when I take a vacation.”
“They could always ask Doc Reilly to come out of retirement.”
“He’d like that. Coffee?”
“That would be great.” John took a carton of milk out of the refrigerator while Zac poured hot coffee into two mugs. “Have you spoken to Willow recently?”
Zac’s hand jerked and coffee spilled everywhere.
“I’ve got it.” John grabbed a dishcloth.
While he was wiping up the mess, Zac carefully placed the coffeepot on the stand. “Why did you ask me about Willow?”
“I thought she might have talked to you about the defibrillators.”
Zac shook his head. “It never came up in our conversation.”
“Ryan is paying for four defibrillators for the village. Would you be able to teach the residents how to use them?”
“Sure. I’d be happy to help.”
John rinsed the dishcloth. “Thanks. We would have shown everyone how to use them when we had our first aid training. But it seemed a little pointless when ours hadn’t arrived.”
