“In two hours, but if we’re finished sooner than that, I told him I’d call him. You have plenty of time to look at the other gowns.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this but, okay, I’ll look through the racks.”
Shona smiled at the delight on Andrea’s face. “If you find a beautiful dress, it might encourage David to be more flexible with your wedding date.”
“Or make an elopement plan even more attractive,” Paris added. “But if you go to Fiji, I want to be there, too.”
There was no way Shona could afford a trip to Fiji, but dreams were free. And the South Pacific nation, full of coconut trees, crystal clear water, and endless miles of white sand, was the perfect dream to get her through the next few weeks.
CHAPTER10
Shona smiled when Nate walked into the café Paris had recommended. With his windswept hair, blue jeans, and a baggy sweatshirt, he could have been anyone’s nineteen-year-old son. But he was hers, and she was so proud of him.
“Hi, Mom.” Wrapping his arms around her, Nate hugged her tightly.
“It’s good to see you. I’m sure you’ve grown another inch since I last saw you.”
“You always say that.”
Shona laughed. “Because it’s true.” She pulled out a chair for him. “What have you been doing this week?”
“The same stuff as usual. Lots of classes and assignments.”
“Did you finish the 3D model you were telling me about?”
“All done. I should know in a couple of weeks how I did.”
The sculpture and extended media degree Nate was doing had a large practical component. It took a long time to do some of the assignments, especially the ones that included a portfolio of design ideas.
“Tell me what you’re doing apart from your classes.”
“I joined the gym with my friends, and Marcus convinced me to join the chess club.”
Shona tried not to look surprised. Nate and his dad had loved playing chess together. But, after Chris died, he’d avoided it like the plague. “How did that feel?”
“Okay, I guess.”
There was a heaviness around his eyes that worried her. “How was your first game?”
“I won.”
The waitress came and took their order. By the time she left, Shona was even more worried about Nate.
“Is everything else okay?”
“As long as I keep up with my assignments, I’m fine. Some of my friends have missed deadlines, and it’s really hard to catch up.” Nate looked around the café. “Where’s Andrea and Paris? I thought they were coming with you.”
“They’re having lunch with a friend of Paris’.”
“That’s good.” Nate fidgeted with the glass of water the waitress had given him. “I’m sorry about what the bank said. They made the wrong decision.”
He looked so worried that she reached out and squeezed his hand. “How did you know about my loan application?”
“Ben ordered more carved ornaments for The Christmas Tree Farm. He said he was sorry to hear the bank had turned down your loan. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to worry.” Shona forced a smile. She had no idea how Ben knew what had happened, but it didn’t matter now. “It all worked out in the end. Pastor John sent my business plan to a trust that supports some of the church’s programs. It was the trust that loaned me some money to open my store.”
“I wish you’d told me.”
