Jackie reached across the table, her hand warm on Daniella’s arm. “Have you considered one of the cottages on Anchor Lane? The first community house must almost be ready.”
“They’re for people who are almost homeless. I don’t want to take advantage if it’s meant for someone more... desperate.”
Jackie’s eyebrow arched playfully. “And you aren’t desperate?”
A laugh escaped Daniella despite her worries. “Okay, maybe a little,” she conceded. “But not enough to move into one of the cottages if someone else needs them.”
“You should talk to Pastor John. He’s organizing the tenancies and managing the properties. On second thought, talk to Shelley. Knowing Pastor John, his wife will be the person who’s organizing everything.”
Daniella smiled. Since Pastor John had met Shelley, everything was more organized at the church. She had the programs running like clockwork, and everyone knew what they were supposed to do. “If it wasn’t for Shelley,” Daniella told Jackie, “I don’t know if I would’ve been able to keep The Fairy Forest open. She kept me focused on the big picture and not on my mounting debt. I’ll go and see her this week.”
“While you’re there,” Jackie added, “Ask Pastor John about The Horseshoe Adventure Camp. He said something the other day about another activity he thinks will be good for the opening day.”
Daniella bit her lip to hold back a groan. From the moment John had heard about the camp, he wanted to help. He always had brilliant ideas, but finding the funding and the time to make them a reality made his ideas a little worrying.
“It doesn’t involve bringing more baby animals to the camp, does it?”
Jackie shook her head. “This time, it’s tractors, fire engines, and any other vehicle that makes a noise.”
“What’ll we do with him?” Daniella asked. “I told him last month we couldn’t add more activities to the program. The children already have a lot of things to keep them busy.”
Jackie grinned. “You know, John. He wants everyone to be happy.”
Daniella’s heart squeezed tight. She wished riding on a tractor or in a fire engine could make everyone happy.
“What’s wrong?” Jackie asked. “Has something happened at work?”
“Everything’s fine at The Fairy Forest. It’s my brother, Owen.”
Jackie’s gaze softened. “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Daniella shook her head. Owen was four years older than her. Until six months ago, he was a police officer in Detroit. It was a stressful career, but he enjoyed helping people and making the city safer. A mass shooting in a shopping mall changed everything.
He’d come back to Sapphire Bay with PTSD and a life that was as fragile as the glass bowls he sold at the local markets. “This Sunday is the third anniversary of our brother Marcus’ death. Owen’s having a hard time processing everything. I don’t think he’s ever really grieved for what we lost.”
“What about you?”
Jackie’s softly spoken question brought a sheen of tears to Daniella’s eyes. “I guess he isn’t the only one. At least Owen came back to spend time with Marcus before he died.”
Jackie reached out and took Daniella’s hand. “You stayed away because you didn’t know how to cope with what was happening. You’ve told me Marcus knew you loved him. Whether you returned to Sapphire Bay to look after him doesn’t make any difference to what happened.”
But it had at the time, and Daniella knew it. “Mom and Dad have never forgiven me for not coming home. I abandoned Marcus and everyone else in my family when I stayed away.”
Jackie squeezed her fingers. “I’ve met your parents, and I doubt they feel as though you abandoned them. Have you talked to your mom and dad about how you feel?”
Daniella wiped the tears off her face. “I don’t think it’d be helpful to bring it up.”
“So, you do what you always do and plaster a smile on your face and carry on?”
Daniella looked away from the kindness in her friend’s gaze. “Something like that. Tell me what’s happening in your store.”
Jackie sighed. “The old change the subject tactic won’t fix your broken heart.”
“It isn’t broken,” Daniella said without any conviction. “It’s slightly dented, that’s all.”
“Your brother’s death left a gaping wound in all your hearts. But, because I love you, I’ll tell you about A Stitch in Time. Who knows, you might even come to one of our knitting workshops one day.”
Daniella’s eyebrows rose. “You’d trust me with a pair of knitting needles?”
