“Bozeman isn’t too far away, but it can feel like you’re in a different country if you can’t get home.”
“What about you?”
“Me?”
John smiled. “I heard you’re staying in Sapphire Bay for six months. That’s a significant change.”
“It is for me. I’ve lived in New York for most of my life.” Peter wondered if there was any news that didn’t make its way around town. “How did you know I was staying?”
“Zac said something to Diana, she told Mabel, and now most of Sapphire Bay is looking forward to meeting you. Have you found somewhere to live?”
“Not yet. Katie said she’d help me look this weekend.”
“Well, if you get stuck, you can always stay with Shelley and me. We have plenty of spare bedrooms.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I should be okay. I’m heading back to New York to sort out some issues, so there’s no hurry.”
“It might be more difficult than you think to find accommodation. There aren’t many rental properties around the lake, and buying a house can be almost as difficult. Penny might have some ideas.”
“Katie said the same thing. Zac knows a realtor who might be able to help, too.”
“It sounds as though you’ve covered all your bases. Before you go, I’ve got something else to show you.” Reaching across his desk, he handed Peter a folder. “It’s a list of the programs the church will be providing because of your generous donation. Shelley’s in the process of documenting the objective of each program and how we’ll measure their success. I’ll send everything through to your office when it’s finished.”
Peter looked at the list. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about the programs the church runs, but I didn’t realize how many there are.”
“We focus on programs that enhance the educational, social, and emotional wellbeing of the community. For us, each activity is as important as the others. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the drop-in support group for veterans or the hospitality and catering class; each program gets what it needs to be effective.”
From what he’d seen, it had done more than that. Even Katie’s writing group did so much more than teach children how to write. She’d created a safe and nurturing environment for their growing minds to flourish. And if anyone thought that was easy, they hadn’t worked with children.
They both turned when someone tapped on Pastor John’s office door.
“Great, you’re still here.” Andrea handed Peter a slip of paper. “Katie asked me to give you this.”
“She was here?”
“About five minutes ago. She had to leave, but she said to text her if you want to see this house this afternoon. It’s available as a rental and won’t last long.”
He read the address and frowned. He had no idea where 15 Cherry Blossom Lane was but, if it was in town, he’d take almost anything. “Thanks, Andrea.”
“Good luck.” She smiled at Peter and John, then left the office.
“That was good timing.”
Peter slid the piece of paper into his pocket. “I’ll remember what you said about not having a lot of choice when I view the property.”
“Keep an open mind. It’s amazing what a coat of paint and new curtains can do for a house.”
Peter laughed. “You sound like Katie. She’s always adding new cushions or moving furniture around at the inn.”
“It must have something to do with her creative mind.”
“Or that she likes change.” He only hoped she didn’t want to change where she was living. Los Angeles might have bright lights and literary agents, but so did New York City. If Katie wanted to pursue a traditional publishing contract, she’d be better joining him in Manhattan.
But he’d already mentioned that to her and her answer was as determined as ever. She had her heart set on returning to California and nothing he said would change her mind.
* * *
Katie could hardly containher excitement. Cherry Blossom Lane was such a pretty street that people came here just to enjoy the wonderful old houses. When she’d heard the owners of her favorite home wanted someone to rent it, she’d immediately thought of Peter.
