“I will.” With a little wave, Mabel zigzagged around the people standing between her and Shona.
He smiled at Kathleen, the mother of one of Shona’s friends. She'd arrived with two other women from the church to help in the store. Without them, it could have been chaotic in the small cottage. But they were helping Jackie and Nate at the sales counter and moving around the store asking if anyone needed help.
Shona had wanted to create a warm and inviting store that showcased the best of what Sapphire Bay had to offer. What he hadn't anticipated was how much that dream would mean to the people who lived here.
Bringing families and friends together, celebrating success, and creating a brighter future for everyone was a concept other companies could learn from.
It was something he should have known before he came here. But it had taken a crystal clear lake, a pastor who never said no, and a big-hearted community to make him see what his life could be like.
And, now that he was here, he never wanted to leave.
CHAPTER12
Shona slipped off her shoes and walked across her home’s cool, wooden floor. The grand opening of The Cozy Quilt Shop was a huge success. She’d sold more quilts than she thought she would. The fabrics, thread, and embellishments were popular, and most of her customers had joined her online newsletter.
What was even better was the number of other items she’d sold. Jackie was over the moon. Her gorgeous baby clothes were as popular as Shona thought they would be. The items she’d displayed were snapped up by parents and grandparents, with orders placed for more.
It couldn’t have been a better day. But, now the store was closed, she felt like a deflated balloon. For the last few weeks, every spare minute of her life was consumed with thoughts of the store. She knew she’d still have to be one step ahead of her customers, but it wasn’t the same as anticipating the opening of the store.
Nate appeared in the living room doorway. “I’ve left my backpack in my room. Is it okay if I have a shower before we meet Joseph and Adele?”
“That’s fine. Let me know when you’ve finished. I’ll have one, too.”
“I can have my shower after you if that’s easier?”
Shona shook her head. “You go first. I have to check on something in my office.”
Nate smiled and walked down the hallway.
As she moved through the house, she lifted her arms above her head and pulled her spine straight. Her back was sore, even after months of rehabilitation and a fitness routine she never missed. She’d bent, pulled, lifted, and carried so much furniture and stock over the last few weeks that it was finally taking its toll.
She’d take some pain relief after she had a shower. That way, she could enjoy having dinner at the pizzeria instead of curling into a tired ball at home.
Her favorite room in the house was beckoning her, wanting her to see the changes that had taken place in this room, too.
Looking around her office was like seeing everything for the first time. The quilts she’d carefully stored had been taken into town and either sold or left on display until the next customers arrived.
The unopened baskets of new ribbon and boxes of thread were gone, along with most of the quilting books she’d collected over the years. It was amazing how much bigger the room appeared, even with her large sewing table under the window.
Walking across the room, she stopped in front of the dream board she‘d made with Nate so many weeks ago. There were pictures of quilts and photos of the cottage on Anchor Lane that she wanted to rent. They’d cut pages from old magazines and added them to the board. The images were full of color, joy, and a deep sense of community. It was everything she’d wanted her store to become, a dream she didn’t think would ever happen.
And now it had. Tears stung her eyes as she pinned the last piece on the board. Joseph had taken a photo of Shona and Nate this morning. They were standing in front of the cottage before they’d opened the store. Nate was holding a quilt, and she had the front door key in her hand. They looked excited, happy, and a little worried about the line of people standing on the other side of the gate.
As soon as Joseph had taken the photo, she’d turned the ‘Closed’ sign to ‘Open’ and welcomed their first customers.
The Cozy Quilt Shop was no longer a dream. She had a purpose, a reason to build an even better future in Sapphire Bay. She was blessed with a son she adored, and humbled that a little girl with pigtails and her handsome, gentle father wanted to share her life.
With a contended sigh, she picked up the quilt she was making as a wedding gift for Paris and Richard. Whatever the future held, it couldn’t get much better than this.
* * *
Joseph handedShona a glass of champagne. “Congratulations on opening your store.” Her smile of thanks made him glad they’d come back to his house for dinner. It had been a long day for everyone—and even longer for her.
“I have to pinch myself when I think of how much we had to do to open the store so quickly.”
“It looked incredible. You should be proud of what you’ve achieved.”
“I am, but I’m more proud of all the support I’ve been given.”
