“I’m a pastor who cares about his community. Handing Shona a blue folder with your personal details inside won’t change how she feels about you.”
Joseph leaned forward. “I don’t know what else to do. I’m giving her all the information she needs to trust me. She thinks I’m an ogre, but I’m not.”
“I doubt she thinks that.”
“You’d be surprised,” Joseph muttered.
John picked up a framed photo. “This is my beautiful, stubborn, and opinionated wife. When we first met, we disagreed about everything. She’s a cross the ‘t’ and dot the ‘i’ sort of person. I throw everything together and see what happens. Regardless of our differences, or maybe because of them, we organized the first Santa Express train ride around Flathead Lake. And, in the process, we fell in love.”
“Are you saying I should organize a Christmas event with Shona?”
“What I'm saying is the differences in your personalities could become your strengths as a couple. But only if you have lots of patience and keep an open mind. Shona doesn't trust you, so show her she can.”
Joseph took a deep breath. “I might need your help.”
John smiled. “As long as it doesn’t involve the blue folder, I’ll help you as much as possible.” He handed the folder to Joseph. “We’d better talk about The Christmas Wish Program, or my wife will move my secret stash of chocolate fudge.”
“Last time I checked, you had more than one secret stash.”
John held his finger against his lips. “Shh. Shelley might hear you.” And with a covert glance toward his office door, he pulled out a hidden compartment under his desk. “If we’re talking about fudge, we might as well enjoy some.”
He handed Joseph a small bag and opened another for himself. “I have some good news about the family we sent to Disneyland. They arrived back in Sapphire Bay yesterday.”
Joseph opened the card John handed to him.
“They made that for the trust to say thank you.”
Inside was a collage of photos showing all the things they’d done. The vacation hadn’t changed their mom’s prognosis, but it had given them something more valuable. A week away from home, filled with memories that would last a lifetime.
He looked at John. “I have an idea.”
“Should I be worried?”
“I know how to show Shona I can be trusted, but I’ll need your help.”
John popped another piece of fudge into his mouth. “You talk, I’ll listen.”
So he did. As quickly and succinctly as he could, Joseph explained his idea to John. It wasn’t something they could do in one night but, as long as they were careful, it could be done.
* * *
Shona showedGloria Goldfinch-Smythe around her store. “As you can see, we have a wide variety of quilts on display and for sale.”
“And the quilters are from around Flathead Lake?”
“Most of them are. I have a couple of quilters who live in Bozeman and Billings.”
“It must be satisfying seeing quilts made with so much skill.”
Shona nodded. “My customers appreciate seeing something different that they know will last many years.”
The photographer who’d come with Gloria took two more photos. “Can you move a little closer to each other?”
Shona stepped closer to Gloria. They must have walked around the store four times to get the perfect shots for the magazine. And that was on top of the hour she'd spent talking to Gloria about why she’d become a quilter and what she wanted to achieve.
The front door opened, and Mabel came bustling into the store. “Sorry, I’m late. Allan insisted we finish this month’s stocktake together.” She held out her hand toward Gloria. “I'm Mabel Terry. My daughters own The Lakeside Inn, and my husband and I manage the general store.”
“I'm delighted to meet you,” Gloria said sincerely. “The bouquet quilt that won this year’s competition is truly remarkable. Would you like to say anything about the quilt that we could include in our article?”
