Unfortunately, the success of her business had created a few issues. She loved working from home but, if she wanted to grow her business, she needed more space.
When she’d seen the cottages on Anchor Lane, she’d wondered if one of them could become a quilt shop. But with sagging verandas, blistered paint, and gutters overgrown with weeds, they were an eyesore she couldn’t afford to fix.
It wasn’t until Pastor John told her the first four cottages would be remodeled and leased to small business owners that she became excited. A flower shop had opened in the first cottage. The second was a café. The location was perfect. Even the pretty pastel-colored paint scheme gave the cottages an old-fashioned charm that drew customers to them.
Over the last six months, she’d saved every penny she could, but it might not be enough to open her own business.
She glanced at Nate, almost too scared to see his reaction. “What do you think?”
He took off his seatbelt. “It looks better than it did last week.”
The pale blue exterior walls and the white trim around the veranda made a big difference, but Nate’s lukewarm response worried her. “The contractors have almost finished. There are just a few touch-ups to do inside.”
“Are you sure you want to open a quilting store? Sapphire Bay isn’t that big, and you won’t be on Main Street.”
“Paris’ flower shop and Andrea’s café have increased the number of people visiting Anchor Lane. The county’s only allowing the first four cottages to be turned into small businesses. If I don’t take this one, I might miss out.”
And she didn’t want that to happen. The little cottage would be perfect for selling quilts, meeting clients, and teaching other people how to sew.
She climbed out of the truck and stood on the sidewalk. “I spoke to Penny Terry, the property developer who owns these cottages. She’ll give me a discount on the rent for the first twelve months.”
Nate’s frown deepened. “What if you don’t make enough money to cover the other expenses?”
Shona’s heart squeezed tight. If the trauma of losing his dad wasn’t enough, Nate had worked three part-time jobs while she’d recovered from an operation on her spine a few years later. They’d lived paycheck to paycheck, barely getting through each week.
Even though he was at college, she knew he still worried about her. “I won’t sign the lease if I can’t afford it. Andrea’s offered to help me fill out the forms for a start-up loan from the bank. Paris has been wonderful, too.”
Nate’s gaze traveled from her to the cottage she wanted to rent. “I guess I could have a look inside.”
That was good enough for Shona. With a reassuring smile, she opened the front gate. “Penny gave me a spare key this afternoon.” Nate hadn’t been inside the cottage, but she’d told him all about it.
She unlocked the front door with a soft click and pushed it open. “You go first.”
Nate walked into what used to be the entranceway. The contractors had removed the walls separating the hallway from the rest of the cottage. What was left was a large, open space that was more than big enough for what she needed.
Standing under the pressed tin ceilings, he turned in a slow circle. “It’s bigger and brighter than I thought.”
“Removing the walls makes it feel larger.” She stood in front of the original fireplace and opened her arms wide. “This is where I’ll set up the sewing machines for people to learn how to quilt. And over here”—she moved to the front of the room—“is where I’ll have tables of quilts I want to sell.”
Nate looked around a doorframe. “Everything in the kitchen looks new.”
“It is. I’ll find some lovely second-hand furniture for the retail area, and Mabel Terry will supply the sewing machines people can use.”
“What about your job at the church?”
“Once the store opens, Shelley will find someone else to work with her.” Shona looked at the polished wooden floor and the cornices that were as wide as two hands. Everything about the cottage seemed so right, so much of everything she’d always wanted. “This could be the start of something amazing,” she said softly.
Nate picked up an empty box and left it beside the fireplace. “I think so, too. If I wasn’t going back to college, I could give you a hand to get everything ready.”
“There isn’t that much to do.” It was a slight exaggeration, but she didn’t want Nate to worry about her. “Besides, I can’t do anything until I ask the bank for a start-up loan.”
“How long will that take?”
“Completing the forms shouldn’t take too long. Andrea only had to wait a couple of weeks for the bank’s decision. Hopefully, I’ll be the same.” She smiled and wrapped her hand around Nate’s arm. “I never thought I’d own my own business.”
“Dad would be proud of you.”
She looked at her beautiful son, and tears filled her eyes. With his dark brown hair and brown eyes, he was so much like Chris that her heart broke all over again. “I hope so.”
