“Iknowso.” Nate kissed her cheek. “I’m proud of you, too. You can do this, Mom.”
She looked at the white-painted walls, at the sunlight streaming through the windows. For a long time, she’d relied on other people to make her dreams come true. Now, for the first time in her life, she had the opportunity to do something for herself, for Nate, and for the community.
With a little help and lots of hard work, she hoped the cottage would become the most amazing quilting store in Montana.
CHAPTER2
Joseph opened the door to The Welcome Center and waited for Adele to go inside. The entrance was almost deserted, unlike the other times they’d come here. “Mabel said to meet the choir in the main meeting room.”
Adele frowned. “Is that the one with the blue door?”
“It is.”
With a smile, she skipped ahead, stopping at the front desk.
Shelley, Pastor John’s wife, looked up from her computer. “Hi, Adele.”
“Hi, Mrs. McDonald. Are you helping Pastor John tonight?”
“I am. One of the volunteers called in sick, so I’m looking after the front desk. It’s good to see you and your dad.”
“Dad’s listening to us sing. Mrs. Terry said it’s good practice for the Christmas carol competition. She said we sound awesome.”
Shelley smiled at Adele’s dimpled grin. “I’m sure you do.”
“Do you want Dad to come and get you before we start singing?”
“It’s okay. I’ll follow you when you go into the dining room.”
Joseph placed his hand on Adele’s shoulder. She was such a chatterbox, she’d keep talking if he didn’t remind her where they needed to be. “We’d better join the rest of the choir before we’re late.”
“Okay. Bye, Mrs. McDonald.”
“Bye, Adele.” Shelley grinned at Joseph. “Good luck. You have a very excited daughter.”
“She’s been looking forward to coming here. I’ll see you in the dining room.”
“Sounds good.”
Joseph followed Adele into the large meeting room. His daughter wasn’t the only excited person. Everyone in the choir was either talking or fixing last-minute issues with their costumes. Unsurprisingly, Mabel Terry, the choir director, was rushing around the room, making sure everyone was ready.
As soon as she saw Adele, she let out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness you’re here. The only person we’re waiting for is Nora.”
“Her mom was driving into the parking lot as we came into the center,” Joseph told her.
“That’s wonderful.” She pointed to a table close to where they were standing. “Go and see Mrs. Armstrong, Adele. She has your costume.”
Even though Christmas was still months away, Mabel wanted this to be a dress rehearsal for how the choir would perform in the carol competition. From what he could see, everyone was happy wearing the red T-shirts, sparkly headbands, and reindeer antlers.
Joseph smiled at some of Adele’s friends. They were just as excited as his daughter. “You’re doing a great job, Mabel.”
“I’m trying. When I offered to be the choir director, I didn’t know how much work it would be. But, as Allan says, I like to be busy.”
She was definitely busy. Mabel and her husband owned the general store and volunteered endlessly at the church and The Welcome Center. When he’d arrived in Sapphire Bay three years ago, they’d taken a jaded man under their wings. Over countless cups of coffee, they’d helped him see there were still good people left in the world.
“Would you do something for me?” Mabel asked.
“Of course. What do you need?”
