“It took five years of intense therapy, two boys who needed me to be their rock, and a man who believes I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”
“David’s lucky he found you.”
“No. I’m the lucky one.” Andrea gave her another hug. “Six-thirty at my house. Remember the wine—we might need it.”
After she left, Shona picked up a box of handmade ornaments. Only time would tell whether Joseph would be a part of her future. Right now, she was more worried about Adele.
CHAPTER18
Joseph knocked on John’s office door. “Are you ready for our meeting?”
“Good grief. What’s happened to you?”
He looked down at his jacket, jeans, and work boots. “Nothing. Why?”
“You look like a raccoon that hasn't slept in weeks. Is Adele okay?”
Joseph walked into the office and sat opposite John's desk. “She started stuttering again. She's terrified it won't go away.”
“She was doing so well. Do you know what triggered it?”
“Me.”
John's eyebrows rose. “Would you care to elaborate, or do you want me to figure it out on my own?”
Joseph hadn't talked to anyone about what had happened. The only person he wanted to talk to was Shona, and she’d only replied to one of his messages.
John’s steady gaze didn't leave his face. “Adele was happy at Richard and Paris’ wedding, so whatever happened was after that. Judging by the circles under your eyes, you've had at least three nights without any decent sleep. That leaves us with a timeline from Sunday through to Wednesday.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Clearly not.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
John pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve had a difficult day. Spit out what’s happened or I’ll reschedule our meeting for another day. And just for the record, I don’t care about your money, either. But I do care about you.”
“Shona found out about the trust.” He waited for John to say, “I told you so.” When that didn't happen, he matched John’s frown. “She isn't interested in my money, either. And after our discussion on Sunday, she doesn’t want anything to do with me. I apologized for not telling her about the trust and for thinking she might only be interested in me because of my money, but it made no difference. She thinks I’m keeping secrets from her, which I’m not, at least not the kind of secrets she thinks I’m keeping.”
John’s frown deepened. “My brain hurts after that explanation. And don't tell me what secrets she thinks you're keeping. It will only confuse me. What are you doing to help Adele through the mess you've created?”
“I told her Shona and I had a disagreement, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be Shona’s friend.”
“Did it help?”
“A little.”
“And that’s why Shona’s teaching her how to quilt?”
Joseph nodded. He’d called the church to let them know Adele wouldn’t be coming to the after-school program today. “The only message Shona’s replied to is the one I sent about Adele. She heard her stutter before she left our house on Sunday. I wanted her to know the strategies we use when Adele feels anxious.”
“That was sensible.”
It was the most sensible thing he’d done all week. He gave John a folder. “I've created a spreadsheet summarizing the value of everything I own, the donations the trust has made over the last three years, and the programs the trust is funding over the next twelve months. I’ve also included a list of the jobs I’ve had since I left college. If Shona comes in on Friday, can you give it to her?”
“No.”
“You can’t say no. You’re a pastor.”
