“We can keep a secret when we need to.” She handed him a gift-wrapped box. “Nate made this for you. I hope you like it.”
“He didn’t have to do that.”
“He wants you to have something to remember all the good work you’re doing.”
Joseph looked around the room. “Nate didn’t come?”
Shona shook her head. “He’s finishing another project before he goes back to college tomorrow.”
Adele tugged the bottom of his shirt. “Can I cut the cake while you open your present?”
Carefully, he handed her the knife. “Make the pieces the same size as the others.”
“Okay.”
He glanced at Shona. “How do you feel about Nate leaving?”
“A little sad, but he’s enjoying his time at Montana State University. He has a good group of friends and great teachers. You can’t ask for more than that.”
Joseph wanted to say something that would take the sadness away from her eyes.
“I’m all right,” Shona said with a forced smile. “It takes me a day or two to readjust to not having him here.”
“If you ever need a dose of childhood drama, you could visit us.”
Adele looked at him and frowned.
Shona laughed. “Your daughter’s wonderful. I can’t imagine her having any drama in her life.”
“You’d be surprised.” Joseph unwrapped the gift Shona had given him. When he saw what was in the box, his eyes widened. The palm-sized wooden tiny home was a replica of the homes they made at the old steamboat museum. “This is fantastic. It must have taken Nate a long time to make it.”
“It did, but he enjoys making things for other people.”
“I have a small woodworking area in my garage, but this is far better than anything I could have made. Can I drop by after the party to say thanks?”
“He’d like that. If you and Adele don’t have other plans, why don’t you stay for dinner?”
Adele looked up from cutting the cake. “Say yes, Dad. We could take ice cream, just like last night.”
Joseph frowned. He didn’t want Shona to think he was interested in her in any way other than as friends. It would ruin their easy-going relationship and complicate their busy lives.
“If you have other plans, don’t worry about dinner.”
He felt like an idiot when he heard Shona’s softly spoken words. He was reading more into her invitation than she intended. “If you’re sure it won’t be too much bother, Adele and I would love to have dinner with you and Nate.”
“That’s great. Is six o’clock all right?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
Joseph watched her leave. It was a day of firsts. The first time he’d celebrated his birthday in years, and the first time he’d looked forward to spending time with another woman.
CHAPTER4
When the doorbell rang, Shona wiped her hands on a dishtowel and checked her watch. Joseph and Adele were on time.
Nate was busy outside, cooking the meat on the barbecue. She hoped their dinner guests liked the simple meal she’d prepared. It wasn’t a fancy birthday dinner but, hopefully, that didn’t matter.
She opened the door and smiled. Joseph had changed into a different shirt. Her heart gave a nervous flutter as she studied his clean-shaven face and amused eyes. Mabel often joked that he was the most handsome man in Sapphire Bay—and she wasn’t wrong.
