Katie grinned and picked up the wand that had fallen on the floor. With a flourish, she waved it in the air and tapped the top of her sister’s head. “These two Cinderellas will definitely go to the ball.”
Barbara laughed. “We’re supposed to be Christmas bridesmaids, not Cinderellas.”
With one last twirl in front of the mirror, Katie sighed. “We can be whoever we want to be. I hope Diana likes the dresses we’ve found.”
“She will. Has she said anything about her dress?”
“Nothing. Has she told you about it?”
Barbara shook her head. “I’m hoping no news is good news. We’ll never find a Christmas-themed bridal gown in the next two weeks.”
Katie handed her sister the wand. “Who knows? With three sisters and her parents helping her, anything is possible.” And with a grin, she opened the curtain. When her parents and sisters saw them, their collective sigh made Katie glad they’d come here today.
Now all they had to do was make sure the bride had a dress and everyone would be happy.
* * *
By Thursday,Peter was happy with the progress he’d made with his trial report. To clear his head before he analyzed the next series of tests, he was driving into Sapphire Bay to speak to Pastor John.
The programs the local pastor was running were as good as any you’d find in a large city. But it was the man’s drive and determination that Peter admired above everything else. If John thought a program or event could change a person’s life, nothing stopped him from making that happen.
Today, regardless of what happened with the next phase of the trial, Peter wanted to make a difference, too.
Each time he visited Sapphire Bay, he’d noticed a growing number of young people and their parents living in the tiny home village. On his last visit, he’d spoken to John about what the families needed. With the community pitching in to provide household goods and groceries, their immediate needs were being met. It didn’t take long to realize that having a good education and providing more employment opportunities would give the families a better life. And, hopefully, a more secure future than they had at the moment.
Parking his truck outside the church, Peter made his way into the reception area. Looking around the brightly decorated room, it was hard to imagine what this building must have been like before John arrived. Running mostly on donations and funding grants, John had developed an educational program that was as good as anything Peter had seen.
Andrea greeted him at the front counter. “Hi, Peter.”
“Hi. I have an appointment with Pastor John. Is he still tutoring the hospitality class?”
“He is, but they should be finished soon. If you want to wait in the dining room, you’re more than welcome.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that.” With a grateful smile, he walked through a double set of doors. The dining room was sometimes used for hosting small events, but today it was almost empty. Sitting at a round table on the far side of the room was Shelley, John’s wife.
“Have you been banished from your office?”
“Not quite,” she replied. “I’m organizing some last-minute additions to the Christmas on Main Street events. It’s easier to do it here.”
An image of Katie’s sparkling blue eyes filled his mind. “I spoke to Katie Terry the other day. She told me about some of the events.”
“Did she ask if you want to help?”
Peter laughed. “She mentioned something about needing more Christmas elves. I’m fairly confident she won’t have a six foot three costume available.”
“You’d be surprised.”
Another set of doors opened and a group of about twenty young people walked into the dining room.
“You’d better see John while you have the chance,” Shelley said quickly. “Theo was here earlier wanting to interview him.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Don’t let an elf costume stop you from coming to the events. People join us from all over Montana to be part of our Christmas program.”
“Zac’s already convinced me that I need to go.”
“Good.” She pointed behind him. “There’s John.”
