“I forgot to ask someone to take photos of the choir. If you brought your cell phone, could you take some while they’re singing?”
“Consider it done. I’ll email them to you after the performance.”
“Thank you. Everyone will enjoy seeing them on the community Facebook page.”
As Mabel turned to welcome Nora and her mom, he walked across to Adele. She was waiting behind some other choir members, talking to Gordon Jessop. Gordon was in charge of the community garden and had been in the choir since it started.
Gordon shook Joseph’s hand. “It’s good to see you. The latest tiny homes are looking great.”
“We’re trying a different design. So far, it’s working better than we imagined.”
“We need every home we can build. If you want to find a seat in the dining room, I’ll look after Adele.”
Joseph smiled at his daughter. He didn’t need to ask whether she was happy to stay with Gordon—her smile said it all. He was an honorary granddad to many children in Sapphire Bay. With a heart as big as the gardens he managed, he always had a kind word and infinite patience for anyone who needed it.
“Good luck,” Joseph said as he gave Adele a final hug.
“Mrs. Terry said we don’t need luck. We just need to sing from our hearts.”
Gordon winked. “And Mrs. Terry is always right.”
Joseph smiled. “She is. I’ll wait for you in the dining room after you’ve finished, Adele.”
“Okay. I’ll find you.”
He left his daughter with Gordon and made his way out of the room.
His ex-wife would laugh if she saw them now. Before he left Los Angeles, he was the chief financial officer at a multinational investment company, drove expensive cars, and ate at the finest restaurants. Adele was painfully shy, had a nervous stutter, and only saw him for an hour or two each day.
Now, he spent his days building tiny homes for people who couldn’t afford to live anywhere else, and he had full custody of Adele. She’d overcome her stutter and blossomed into an amazing eight-year-old.
Their lives had changed so much he sometimes forgot how far they’d come. But, on days like this, when he saw Adele’s happy smile, he could only feel thankful for the heartache that had brought them to Montana.
* * *
Shona carriedanother two chairs out of a small meeting room. It was just as well there was more than enough for everyone. All the guests who were staying at The Welcome Center must have come to hear the choir. Not that she could blame them. Last month, she’d listened when they were practicing in the church. Her breath had caught when she’d heard their perfect harmonies. For such a diverse group, they sang beautifully together.
“It looks as though you could do with a hand.” Joseph lifted the chairs out of her arms. “Are they going into the dining room?”
“They are. I can carry them.”
“I’m sure you can, but why do it if someone else can help?”
“Because I like doing things myself.” Her toes curled when Joseph grinned at her. Shona sighed. She was forty-two years old, not a giddy teenager who could be charmed by a man with deep blue eyes and a gorgeous smile.
“Being independent is important,” he said softly. “But so is allowing someone to help you. Besides, it’s almost time for the choir to start singing.”
She checked her watch. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I’d better see where Nate’s gone.”
Joseph looked around the room. “He’s to the right of the kitchen door.”
Looking across the room, she saw Nate carrying a stack of dirty plates into the kitchen.
“He’s as busy as you are.” Joseph left the chairs beside the others in the back row.
“He likes volunteering. As well as helping others, he’s made a lot of friends. I’ll tell him the choir will be here soon.”
“Would you like me to save two chairs for you?”
