“It’s easier to talk to you in person instead of over the phone. I spoke to a woman living on a large property near here. She wants to buy four tiny homes for her extended family.”
“Did you tell her we have a nine-month wait time?”
John nodded. “She doesn’t mind. I’ll send her your contact details so you can talk to her about what she wants. The other reason I'm here is because of Shona.”
“Is she okay?”
“She's happier than she’s been in weeks. We've just signed the contract for the loan for her quilt store.” He handed Joseph a folder. “She has no idea you’re the person providing the money.”
“I appreciate whatever you had to do to make that happen.”
“I hope you do. I had to lie to a friend, and that doesn't sit easily on my shoulders. One day, you'll have to tell her where the money came from.”
Joseph leaned back in his chair. Hopefully, that day doesn't come anytime soon. “Once it’s paid off, it won’t matter.”
“Don’t be so sure. I know you’re worried about people knowing how wealthy you are but, sometimes, you have to put aside whatever happened in the past and trust people. Not everyone’s like your ex-wife.”
John didn’t realize how bad it had been. Hillary had only stayed married to him because of how much he earned. In her mind, Adele was an accident, a terrible twist of fate that kept her tied to him for more years than she’d wanted. He was just grateful their marriage had ended when it did.
“I appreciate your concern, but it’s better this way.”
“If you say so.”
Someone knocked on Joseph’s office door. “Hi, Harry. How can I help?”
“The order of drywall has arrived. Do you want one of the pallets left beside the tiny homes we started yesterday?”
“That would be great.”
“Okay.” Harry smiled at John. “Hi, Pastor John. Are you going to basketball practice tonight?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“I’ll be there, too. I’d better return to the factory before Patrick comes looking for me. See you later.”
“Bye.” John watched Harry leave. “If you need an example of someone who’s overcome almost impossible odds, you only need to look at Harry. If he can learn to trust people, so can you.”
Picking up a clipboard, Joseph followed John out of the office. It was easy for his friend to talk about trust. He had a great marriage and a family he could count on. After what had happened with his ex-wife, he was terrified of trusting anyone again.
“My life is less complicated than it’s ever been. I’m happy, and so is Adele.”
“There might be another reason you’re so happy, and it has nothing to do with money.”
Joseph frowned. An image of Shona talking to Adele filled his mind. Quickly, he pushed it to one side. He’d already been through one failed relationship, and he didn’t need another.
* * *
Shona slideight pre-cut shelves out of a box, then picked up the bag of screws that accompanied them. Andrea and Paris had arrived a few minutes ago to help build the first set of shelves for her quilting store. “Mabel can buy more of these shelving units if I need them. I thought making one set before I order any more would be a good idea.”
Paris picked up the instructions. “I should have done the same thing before I opened The Flower Cottage. Andrea and I spent ages trying to put the furniture together. Not having the right tools didn’t help, either.”
“If it weren’t for Richard, I don’t think you would’ve been able to open the store and provide the flowers for the wedding you’d booked,” Andrea said as she unpacked her tool belt. “Your fiancé was a huge help.”
“So was yours,” Paris said with a smile. “The Starlight Café was so busy on opening day that David spent as much time serving the customers as he did preparing the meals. For someone who hasn’t worked in a café, he was amazing.”
A dreamy expression settled on Andrea’s face. “He was, wasn’t he?”
Shona cleared her throat. She tried not to compare her life to her friends’. But it was hard watching them fall in love when the chance of that happening to her was practically zero. “I've been practicing my drilling technique,” she told them with a whirr of the drill. “Nate gave me good instructions.”
