“We are, but not today. We’re making some special Valentine’s Day flowers this afternoon.”
“I could give mine to Dad.” With an excited grin, Jack looked at Pastor John. “But don’t tell him. It’s a surprise.”
“Your secret’s safe with me.” John rested his hand on Jack’s shoulder and nudged him toward the kitchen. “Tell Mrs. Terry to save some cookies for Paris and me.”
“I will.” With a quick wave, he ran toward the kitchen.
Pastor John smiled. “If the rest of the class is as excited as Jack, they won’t want the program to end.”
“We had the same problem in December. I think that’s why Kylie asked me to run these sessions. She didn’t like turning people away because the class was full.”
“We could always run another program after this one’s finished?”
Paris laughed. John was always trying to find tutors for the church’s programs. “Nice try, but I’m already doing five sessions with the children, and the next adult class is full. Ask me again after The Flower Cottage opens.”
“I’ll do that.” John tapped on an open office door and smiled at his wife. “Is it okay if we interrupt?”
Shelley smiled. “Of course, it is. Hi, Paris. John’s not twisting your arm about tutoring more classes, is he?”
“Only a little. I’m hoping you’ll help me complete a business loan application. But, if you don’t have enough time, I understand.”
“I’m happy to help. How far along are you?”
“About halfway. I have to run a class in about twenty minutes, but I could come back another day.”
“Now that you’re here, why don’t you show me what you’ve done? After that, we’ll work out how much extra time it will take.”
John pulled a chair closer to Shelley’s desk. “While you’re talking, I’ll follow Jack into the kitchen. Mabel might need a hand with the cookies.”
“Don’t eat them all,” Shelley told him.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I’ll see you both later.”
Paris sat opposite Shelley. It would take more than a few minutes to show her what she’d done—and even longer to fill out the rest of the information. She just hoped Shelley didn’t think she was crazy to want to start her own business.
Opening her folder, she handed Shelley the application form and Kylie’s spreadsheet. “I feel like I’m sinking in quicksand. I understand most of the questions, but I don’t know how to estimate my income.”
“Everyone has the same problem. Don’t worry. We’ll work it out together.” After spending the next ten minutes reading what Paris had brought with her, Shelley sat back and smiled. “You’re farther ahead than you think. Why don’t I send you a list of additional information we’ll need? Once I have that, we should be able to complete the forms in about two hours. Does that work for you?”
Paris sighed. “It sounds perfect.”
Shelley laughed. “That’s one of the most enthusiastic responses I’ve had today.”
“It’s probably because I’m desperate.”
Sitting closer to her keyboard, Shelley started typing. “Once you know what you’re doing, you won’t be desperate anymore.”
She hoped Shelley was right. Regardless of how confident Paris felt, owning a business was a huge commitment. Especially to someone who’d never committed to anything in their life.
“You should have seen what Nora made, Dad. Her sunflower bouquet was amazing.”
From the moment Richard had collected Jack from The Welcome Center, he’d talked non-stop about what had happened in the flower decorating class. “What did you make?”
Jack grinned. “It’s a surprise.”
“Let me know if you want me to help you bring it home.”
“It’s okay. Paris said she’d help me.”
