Joseph was glad Mabel appreciated what they were doing. “It’s a great addition to the flower shop and the café.” He looked at the cottage on the left-hand side of Shona’s. With its freshly painted walls and new front door, it looked one hundred percent better than it used to. “Do you know if anyone’s renting the next cottage?”
Mabel shook her head. “Penny hasn’t mentioned anything. I’m sure it won’t take long for someone to see its potential. Especially with all the improvements the construction team is making.” She held her hand above her eyes, shading them from the mid-morning sun. “The flowers on Shona’s cottage are a nice touch.”
“She wanted her store to compliment what Paris has done with The Flower Cottage.”
“That’s what my daughter would call consistent branding.” Mabel’s gaze settled on the cottage next to Shona’s. “It would be lovely to have another craft store on the street, but I don't know anyone who wants to start a new business.”
John stepped off the ladder. “It doesn't have to be a new business. Someone might want to relocate to this area of town.”
“That’s true, but not many businesses could afford to move. Shona was lucky she managed to find funding. Do you know if the trust is locally owned and operated?”
Joseph was relieved Mabel directed her question to John. Before she realized how close she was to discovering who managed the trust, he kneeled on the sidewalk and added more flowers to another basket.
John moved the ladder farther along the veranda. “Sorry, Mabel. I can’t tell you anything about the trust. The trustees asked me to keep the details confidential.”
He sounded as cautious as Joseph was when Mabel asked pointed questions. As the town’s official Facebook administrator, she took pride in broadcasting any community news to her followers. She was getting better at choosing which stories to publish but, occasionally, her judgment left a lot to be desired.
“That's a shame. I was hoping to write a short article about the trust and their involvement with The Cozy Quilt Shop.”
John cleared his throat. “I’d suggest talking to Theo. He interviewed Shona last week about the store.”
Mabel smiled. “I'll do that. If I'm lucky, he'll still be at the radio station. Good luck with the rest of the work.” With a determined stride, she turned and headed into town.
“That was close,” John said.
Joseph handed him another basket. “Once the store opens, the trust’s details won’t matter. Another story will keep her occupied.”
“I wouldn't be so sure about that. When Mabel has unanswered questions, she usually finds someone who can fill in the blanks.”
“It's just as well you and Shelley are the only people who know the truth.”
John sighed. “That's never stopped Mabel before.”
Joseph hoped this time would be different. The only person who would care about the answer was Shona. And she wouldn't be happy about accepting his money, even if it was for the second most important thing in her life.
* * *
Paris cameout of the changing room wearing the last wedding gown she’d chosen. “What do you think?”
Andrea tilted her head to the side. “It looks lovely. The sweetheart neckline is lovely.”
“But is it better than the other dresses?”
It didn't take a rocket scientist to see that Paris wasn't in love with this gown. There was no reason why it shouldn't have looked amazing. With its full, satin skirt and lightly-beaded bodice, it was stunning. But if Paris was unsure, it wasn't the dress for her.
Tess stood beside Paris. “You don't seem sure about this one.”
“It's a gorgeous dress. I like the silver thread in the bodice and the beads. But something about it makes me think of an evening dress instead of a wedding gown.”
“It's not the dress for you, then. Do you want to try any of the other dresses again?”
Paris looked uncertainly at the three dresses she'd already tried. “I liked the first dress the most, but It didn't make me feel like a bride.”
“What would do that?”
“Something simple without being boring. I like sparkly beads and spaghetti straps. Chiffon instead of satin, and a long veil.”
Shona took her phone out of her bag and showed Tess the dress that had gone missing in the mail. “This is the gown Paris originally chose.”
