“Do you have a name for your store?”
Her eyes sparkled from a smile that must have come straight from her heart. “If I get the loan, I’ll call it The Cozy Quilt Shop.”
Joseph looked at the original fireplace, the wooden trims, and the pressed tin ceiling. Once the furniture and quilts were in place, it would be just as cozy as the store’s name suggested. “It’s a great name.”
“I thought so, too. Nate thought of it after we talked about what I’d like the store to become.” She pointed to the back of the room. “I'll show you the kitchen and bathroom next.”
As she led Joseph across the room, she told him about the work the construction crew had done to finish the back half of the cottage. If it weren't for Penny, he doubted the building would still be standing. Her crew had rebuilt the cottage from the ground up using materials that were sympathetic to its age. And that kind of remodeling was expensive.
Instead of the basic kitchen he was expecting, the cabinets and counter were similar to what you'd find in someone’s house. “This looks great. There’s enough space to cater for any events you might have in the store.”
“Nate suggested having coffee, cake, and quilting mornings. It would be a fun way for people to make new friends.”
Joseph smiled. “It sounds as though he should be your marketing manager.”
“I don't know what I'd do without him. Even when he isn’t here, he listens to my hare-brained ideas and gives me a different perspective on what's worrying me. He left early this morning, and I’m already counting the days until he returns.” Shona bit her bottom lip. “Sorry. That makes me sound like a desperate parent.”
“You don’t need to apologize. You love him. I’m not sure I ever want Adele to leave home, either.”
“I don't blame you. She’s an amazing little girl.”
As they walked into the hallway, Shona showed him the other original features the construction crew had kept. The decorative moldings, incredibly wide architraves, and original windows gave the cottage an old-world charm.
“That’s the grand tour finished,” Shona said with a smile. “If everything goes to plan, you’ll have to come back when the store opens. It will be completely different once the furniture and quilts arrive.”
“I’m looking forward to it already.”
Shona stepped onto the veranda and breathed in the sweet scent of freshly baked bread. “That’s one thing that won’t be hard to get used to. Andrea bakes the most delicious cakes and bread I’ve ever tasted.”
Joseph laughed. “I'd be hopeless working beside the café. I'd want to buy something to eat each day.”
“I’m hoping my nose will get used to the yummy smells and not notice them. Are you busy at the old steamboat museum?”
“We are. Orders for the tiny homes are coming in each day.”
“When are your next homes leaving the workshop?”
“Not until the end of the month. Two are going to Billings for emergency housing.”
Shona returned a woman’s wave as she walked past the cottage. “The ladies in my quilting group have made a few quilts for the tiny homes. I’ll ask them to drop a couple of them into you before then.”
“Thanks. Let me know what the bank says.”
“I will.”
Joseph took his keys out of his pocket. “And don’t worry. They’d be crazy not to help you.”
“I hope so. Enjoy your lunch.”
“I will. Bye.” With a quick nod, he left Shona standing on the veranda. Starting a new business was stressful for anyone, especially if you were doing it on your own. Luckily, she had a good group of friends. And now, she had him.
Opening the quilt store would change her life. And, regardless of the bank’s decision, he’d make sure her dream came true.
CHAPTER6
With a pounding heart, Shona knocked on the back door of The Starlight Café and walked into the kitchen. The last week had gone by in a blur. Between working with Shelley at The Connect Church and sewing quilts, she shouldn’t have had time to think about the loan application. But it had been there, lurking in the back of her mind. Each day brought a fresh wave of self-doubt—another reason why the bank would see her as too much of a risk.
The sound of laughter drifted into the room. Her friends would be as devastated as she was about the phone call she’d received.
