“Better than my fiancé. Someone who’s everything you need in your life.”
Shona didn’t think that person existed. Unless you included a tall, broad-shouldered man with a wide smile, brown eyes, and who built tiny homes. “It’s not possible. Besides, even if I were attracted to someone, they’d have to be a saint to put up with the hours I’ll be working once the store opens.”
Andrea frowned. “Just remember to have a life. It’s too easy to bury yourself in your job and then realize the world has passed you by.”
Paris nodded. “I agree. It takes a lot of time and determination to start a business. But it’s only a job. Your physical and mental health is more important.”
“That’s why I’m happy on my own. A man won’t make my life easier. He’ll make it more difficult.”
“He could also be a nice distraction.” Andrea smiled and picked up a pen. “Let’s go over your projected budget. The bank will be happier if we can make it as realistic as possible.”
Shona opened the spreadsheet she’d been working on. She could talk about her budgets all night long. It was so much better than analyzing her non-existent love life.
CHAPTER3
The following afternoon, Joseph walked into The Connect Church. For the last couple of years, he’d donated money to a special project the church ran. The Christmas Wish Program was designed to provide life-changing and everyday gifts to the community. Whether it was a regular parcel of food, an electric wheelchair, or a scholarship for college, Pastor John and a group of friends were changing people’s lives.
He waved at Shelley, John’s wife. With her financial skills and John’s determination, they were a formidable force.
“John’s in his office,” Shelley told him from behind the reception desk. “He’ll be pleased to see you.”
Joseph knew it wasn’t because of the money he was donating.
The one thing John disliked more than anything was balancing a budget. When Shelley started working with him, she insisted he regularly go through each program to make sure they weren’t spending too much money. On the last day of each month, John would do anything if it meant not having to look at his project plans.
Joseph tapped lightly on John’s office door. He grinned at the relief on his friend’s face. “It can’t be that bad.”
“It’s always bad. I dream big and it gets me into trouble.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a little trouble.”
John sighed. “There is when your wife’s an accountant.” He turned off his computer and walked around his desk. “Come and have a seat over here. It feels less like a business meeting when we’re talking on the sofas.”
Joseph placed a folder on the coffee table. “I met the families who moved into the tiny homes we finished a few weeks ago. They love the new design.”
“It’s wonderful what a difference having a safe and welcoming home does for a person’s spirit. And, talking about lifting someone’s spirit, we have a special request from our Christmas wish mailbox.”
The range of requests never failed to amaze Joseph. Even though Sapphire Bay was a small town, the issues facing the community were no different than those in larger cities.
John walked across to his desk and picked up a blue folder. “We don’t usually discuss individual cases, but this one’s important. A woman who lives in Sapphire Bay has cancer. Even after treatment, her prognosis isn’t good. She’s always wanted to go to Disneyland, but her family doesn’t have a lot of money. Her husband wrote to The Christmas Wish Program, asking if we could pay for their family to fly to Los Angeles.”
A knot of grief tightened in Joseph’s chest. His mom had died from breast cancer when he was twenty-two. It changed his life and made him a different person. “Do they have children?”
“Two. A son who’s five and a daughter who’s eight. Usually, we’d help the family in a couple of months. But I don’t think we can wait until the next funding round for this wish.”
Joseph opened the folder John gave him and looked at the cost of the vacation. He didn’t need to think twice about helping the family. “I’ll transfer the money into the church’s account after the meeting. What about the accommodation and park entry?”
“The woman’s mom is paying for those.”
“She doesn’t need to. I’ll cover it. What’s next?”
Over the next half hour, they went through a list of the Christmas wishes Joseph’s last donation had made possible, and a few they’d be financing over the next couple of months. It humbled him to know he was making a difference in so many people’s lives.
After they’d finished, John sat back on the sofa. “You’ve helped a lot of people. There must be something I can do to thank you publicly.”
They’d discussed this when Joseph gave the church his first donation. “Absolutely not. One of the reasons Adele and I came to Sapphire Bay was to live a normal life. If people know I’m doing this, they’ll treat us differently. Adele doesn’t need that, and neither do I.”
“Fair enough, but we appreciate everything you’re doing. Without your support, The Christmas Wish Program would have ended months ago.”
