“I can’t promise that a relationship with me will be easy. But I’ll do everything I can to show you how much I love you.”
Willow took a deep, shuddering breath. “That sounds like a wonderful plan to me.”
Everyone around them started clapping.
Zac wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. “I love you.”
Her arms tightened around his shoulders. “I love you, too.”
When he looked over Willow’s shoulder, Megan was the first person he saw. He didn’t know if she was smiling because she was happy or relieved. But it wasn’t important.
Willow loved him, and that was all that mattered.
Two MonthsLater
Willow handedBarbara a basket of dishtowels, detergent, and other cleaning products. “Mabel Terry put this together for you.”
Barbara smiled. “I’ll thank her next time I see her. I still can’t believe Jesse and I have our own tiny home. I could never thank you enough for what you’ve done.”
“I didn’t do very much,” Willow admitted.
“Without the money from the fundraising concert and the sale of your canvases, we would have been waiting a lot longer for somewhere to live.” Barbara gave Willow a hug. “If you ever need somewhere to stay, come and see us. There’s always room for you here.”
Willow smiled. “Thank you. Is there anything else you need?”
Barbara looked around her home. “I think we’ve got everything.”
“In that case, I’ll leave you to enjoy your new home.” Willow waved to Jesse before walking through the front door.
Barbara had been thrilled when Pastor John told her she would be moving into the next available tiny home. She worked so hard that it was nice to see her happy.
In the last couple of months, a lot had been happening in the tiny home village. With the extra money they’d raised, six houses would be built over the coming months. But, even better, were the new volunteers who had stepped forward to help build the homes.
The construction teams were working seven days a week to keep up with the demand, but the waiting list kept growing.
“Willow!”
She held her hand above her eyes and squinted at the church. Emma was running across the parking lot, waving a piece of paper in the air.
She jogged toward her. “Is everything okay?”
Emma sucked in a lungful of air. “I really need to get more exercise. Pastor John wants you to take this home. It’s his latest fundraising ideas.”
Willow grinned. John had come up with some unusual ideas about how they could raise money for the tiny home village. “Is it safe to read?”
“It’s better than it was. He took your advice and removed the chili cook-off from the list.”
“What about the car-smashing extravaganza?”
“It’s still there.”
Willow glanced at the list and smiled. “He left the Miss America pageant on here.”
Emma smiled. “I’m not going to comment, except to say he’s a man.”
“Talking about men…” Willow checked her watch and groaned. “I promised Zac I’d meet him at the clinic fifteen minutes ago. I’d better go.”
“Do you want me to tell him you’re on your way?”
