Emma rushed into the meeting room at The Welcome Center. Pastor John and Willow were already there. “Sorry I’m late. My babysitter forgot she was looking after Molly and Dylan.”
“You could have brought the twins with you,” John said. “They would have been no trouble.”
Emma took off her jacket and grinned at John. The single, forty-two-year-old pastor was the sweetest, kindest man she’d ever met. But he had no idea how mischievous her six-year-old twins could be, especially Molly. Dylan would have sat quietly with his pencils and paper, but Molly would have wanted to be part of the meeting. Especially since they were talking about the tiny home village.
“It’s easier without Dylan and Molly. Have I missed anything?”
Willow shook her head. “We thought we’d wait until you arrived. Kylie can’t leave her flower shop—someone ordered a dozen flower arrangements for a birthday party tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll visit her after the meeting and let her know what we talked about.” Emma was pleased she wasn’t the only one who had trouble being here. Juggling her communications business, her volunteer work at The Welcome Center, and looking after the twins sometimes felt like a losing battle.
John handed Emma a folder. “Willow told me my list of fundraising ideas needed some work. So I sat down and came up with a different approach. What do you think?”
Emma glanced at Willow and tried not to smile. John’s last list included hosting the Miss America pageant. Although the boost in tourist numbers would be appreciated, she knew that wasn’t the reason he had included it.
She opened the folder and looked at the ideas. Ten months ago, Pastor John had decided to do something about the lack of affordable rental accommodation in Sapphire Bay. The small Montana town had the same problem as most cities and towns around the world. A growing number of people were living in their cars or with family and friends because they couldn’t afford to live anywhere else. Others suffered from mental health and addiction issues, making it almost impossible to live independently or convince a landlord to rent their homes to them.
After investigating different options, John had worked with a team of architectural students at Montana State University. They’d designed affordable, tiny homes that would provide subsidized rental accommodation. So far, six homes had been built in an old steamboat museum and transported to a plot of land opposite the church.
The community’s goal was to have twenty-five tiny homes built in the next twelve months. Raising the funds to build them was an ongoing project. And that’s what Emma, Willow, and their friends were doing.
Emma leaned her elbows on the table. “A lot of these ideas have a Christmas theme.”
Pastor John nodded. “It’s mid-July. If we don’t think about Christmas now, it will be too late to plan anything.”
One of the projects made Emma frown. “Isn’t the beginning of September a little early to have a Christmas parade on Main Street?”
John shrugged. “It’s never too early for Christmas. Besides, if we involve the entire community, people will come from all over Montana to enjoy our Christmas events.”
Willow sighed. “There’s only one problem. Zac and I are getting married soon. Between planning the wedding and making sure my next photographic collection is ready, I don’t have a lot of spare time.”
“Don’t worry,” Emma reassured her. “You’ve already done an incredible amount of fundraising. You can help us when your life is a little less hectic.”
John pulled out a sheet of paper from his folder. “I agree. You need to take care of yourself,” he said, handing the sheet to Emma.
“What’s this?”
“It’s my plan B. I had a feeling Willow would be too busy to help, so I mentioned the tiny home village to Bailey Jones yesterday. She’s talking to Zac about a job in his medical clinic.”
Willow frowned. “Is that Sam’s sister?”
John nodded. “She’s wanted to move here for a long time. But it wasn’t until she heard about Zac’s clinic that she was able to seriously consider it.”
“Why do you have a copy of her resumé?” Emma asked.
“If Bailey gets a job with Zac, she’s offered to help with the fundraising projects for the tiny home village. She gave me a copy of her resumé to see if her skills match what we need.”
Emma smiled. “I hope you told her we aren’t picky. As long as she’s happy to help, we’ll find something for her to do.” Her eyes widened when she read Bailey’s qualifications. “Why does she want to live in Sapphire Bay? She could work anywhere in the world.”
“It’s probably because of Sam,” Willow murmured. “They’re a close family.” She looked over Emma’s shoulder and released a low whistle. “I don’t know anything about being a family therapist, but having a degree from Harvard and working in the Mayo Clinic is impressive.”
“When would Bailey move here?” Emma asked John.
“It depends on Zac. If he wants her to start next week, she could.”
Emma’s mind was racing through the events on John’s list. They’d need all the help they could get if they were going to do half the things he’d planned. “Where is she staying while she’s here?”
“For now, she’s living with Sam and Caleb. If she gets the job with Zac, I’m not sure where she’ll live.” John looked at Emma and raised his eyebrows. “What do you think about a Christmas on Main Street event?”
“It sounds like fun,” Emma said cautiously. “But there’s too much on the list. We’ll have to take out some things.”
John looked at the list and sighed. “I guess that means the cross-country sleigh race and the pop-up North Pole village are out of the question?”
Emma laughed. “Maybe. You’ve given us the outline of what you’d like. How about I talk to Kylie? We’ll look at how much work is involved in each idea, then come back to you with a program that works for everyone.”
John sat back in his chair. “That sounds like a good plan. I can’t wait to hear what you come up with.”
Neither could Emma. Because regardless of what she’d said to John, Christmas was her favorite time of the year. Even if they were starting a little early.
Jack lifted his suitcase out of his brother’s truck and took a moment to enjoy the view from Acorn Cottage. The clear blue water of Flathead Lake sat like a polished jewel against the towering mountain range on the far side of the bay. Pine, spruce, and oak trees added color and texture to the sheer cliffs, sheltering the land from the worst of the weather that tore across the lake.
“Do you ever get tired of this view?” he asked his brother.
Noah smiled. “It hasn’t happened yet. Even in the middle of summer, each day is different. You could always live here, too.”
Jack rolled his suitcase toward Acorn Cottage. “I wouldn’t have enough work to do.” Five years ago, he’d started his own private investigation company. Lost and Found specialized in reconnecting family and friends who had, for one reason or another, lost contact with each other.
He couldn’t have grown the business into the success it was without the highly qualified team he’d recruited. Moving to the sleepy town of Sapphire Bay would be a huge stretch for any of them. Especially if they spent most of their time searching for missing cats and runaway children.
Noah opened the front door and handed Jack the key. “Cassie left some fresh milk and butter in the refrigerator. There’s bread and enough cereal for a few days in the pantry. I’m heading into town in half an hour. If you need anything else, let me know.”
“I stopped at the general store on my way through town and picked up a few groceries. If you and Cassie want to join me for dinner, I’ve got enough meat and salads for everyone.”
“What time are you eating?”
“Six o’clock.”
Noah nodded. “We’ll be here.”
“I’ll call Granddad and invite him, too. How are the plans going for your birthday?” Turning forty was a big deal, not that you’d know it if you spoke to Noah. Jack was surprised his brother was having a party. Even before he’d moved to Sapphire Bay, Noah did everything he could to keep his personal life as low-key as possible.
“Everything’s organized. When you see Granddad, remind him that he needs to be here by two o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Knowing him, he’ll get so involved in building the tiny homes that he’ll forget about the party.”
Jack frowned. “I don’t think that will happen.”
“You might be surprised.” Noah wrapped his arms around Jack and gave him a hug. “It’s good to see you little brother. Thanks for coming all this way.”
“You’re welcome. I wouldn’t have missed your birthday for anything.”
Noah looked away, but not before Jack saw the worry in his brother’s eyes. “What haven’t you told me?”
“Everything’s fine,” Noah assured him. “The thought of turning forty is stressing me out.”
Jack laughed. “You’d better get used to it. You’ve got one day left to enjoy being in your thirties. After that it’s all downhill.”
“I’d be careful what I said, if I were you. You’re only two years younger than me.” Noah checked his watch. “I need to get back to the cottage for a conference call. I’ll see you later this afternoon.”
Jack said goodbye and watched his brother walk across the yard. Thinking about getting older was the least of Jack’s worries. Over the last year, he’d started thinking there was something wrong with him. While all his friends were finding the love of their lives and settling into parenthood, he was still making the same mistakes.
None of his relationships lasted more than a couple of months. And once they ended, he never saw the woman again. If there was someone meant for him, he hadn’t met her. And the most depressing thought of all was that maybe he never would.
Emma opened the door to Blooming Lovely, Kylie’s flower shop. As soon as she walked inside, she inhaled the gorgeous scent of roses, lilies, and sweet peas.
Kylie stood behind the front counter, adding some delicate white flowers to a vase. “Hi, Emma. I’m sorry I couldn’t be at the meeting. How did it go?”
“Pastor John has some great fundraising ideas. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to do everything on his list, though.”
“That’s John for you.” Kylie turned the vase around. “What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful.”
“That’s seven down with five left to go.” Carefully, Kylie lifted the vase off the desk and headed toward the special refrigerator at the back of the store.
“I don’t know how you go home each night. Your store always smells so wonderful.”
“It’s one of the reasons I became a florist. The color, shape, and scent of the flowers makes me happy.”
Emma took Pastor John’s list out of her bag. “I have something else that might make you happy. This is the list of events John is thinking about for the Christmas fundraising program.”
While Kylie read through the list on the first sheet of paper, Emma placed another folder on the counter. “John photocopied a more detailed description of each program for both of us. I thought we could go through the ideas over the next day or two and decide which ones we can do.”
“That sounds like a good plan. What does Willow think of the ideas?”
“She was glad John reduced the number of activities, but she won’t be able to help us for a few months. She’s too busy planning her wedding and getting her photographs ready for an exhibition. Pastor John talked to someone else who might be happy to help. If I have enough time, I’ll visit her this afternoon before the babysitter goes home.”
“Do you want to come to my house in two days’ time for dinner? I’ll make something Molly and Dylan will enjoy. We can decide what programs we’ll start straight away and which ones will take more time to organize.”
“Sounds good. You look tired. Do you want me to make you a cup of coffee before I leave?”
Kylie leaned against the counter and nodded. “That would be awesome. I’ve got another big order I need to get ready before tomorrow morning.”
“Is there anything else I can do to help?”
“Not at the moment, but thanks for asking.”
As Emma made Kylie a cup of coffee, she looked around the workroom and sighed. If she hadn’t opened her website design and social media business, she would have loved being a florist. Instead of creating strategies that drove traffic to her clients’ businesses, she could have created amazing bouquets and floral arrangements.
Emma frowned. Until now, Pastor John hadn’t used social media to tell people about the tiny home village. What if they changed the way they communicated with the wider world? What if they created posts that were engaging and made people feel part of what they were doing?
Holding a hot cup of coffee, Emma walked back into the flower shop. Kylie was making another bouquet. “What if I design a Facebook post that asks everyone what events they want for Christmas? We could still look at John’s events, but it would give us a better idea of what the community wants.”
Kylie picked a yellow rose out of a container. “I think it’s a great idea. But do you have time to put something together?”
“I’ll make the time. If it generates enough interest, it will give us some ideas for when we get together again.”
For the first time today, Emma was feeling more positive about the events John had suggested. The programs they chose had to create the greatest impact and make the most amount of money for the tiny home village. And the only way they would do that was to give the community programs they were excited about.
Jack stood under the shade of an oak tree watching Noah’s friends enjoy the party.
A company from Polson had arrived early this morning to erect a large white marquee tent between Honeysuckle Cottage, where Noah and Cassie lived, and the vacation home where Jack was staying. Apart from the trees surrounding the property, the tent provided the only shelter from the late afternoon sun.
“Excuse me. Would you mind if I took this chair?”
He looked into an incredible pair of deep blue eyes. “Ah, sure. That’s fine. No one’s sitting…” He stopped talking, hoping she hadn’t noticed how tongue-tied he’d become.
“Thanks. If you need the chair later, I’d be happy to return it.”
“No, it’s okay. You keep it.” Jack was stunned by the woman’s beauty. With blond hair falling around her shoulders, and a gentle smile on her lips, she took his breath away.
She bent down to move the chair.
He stepped forward. “Let me carry it for you.”
“It’s okay. I can manage.” She picked up the chair, holding it close. “If you’re not here with anyone else, you could join us at our table.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m all right. I want to catch up with Noah before dinner.”
“Okay. But if you change your mind, we’re not far away.”
“I’ll remember. Enjoy the party.” Jack watched her walk across to her friends. As soon as she sat down, she lifted a young boy onto her lap.
He looked at the people around her, wondering if she was here with a boyfriend or partner. Most of the people at the table were women. He recognized Cassie’s friends, Megan and Willow.
He could ask Megan who—
“I thought you’d be behind the bar serving some of those fancy cocktails you enjoy.” Patrick, Jack’s eighty-one-year-old grandfather, stood beside him.
He pulled his attention away from the blond woman and smiled at his granddad. “I felt like taking a backseat today. Besides, the catering company Noah employed is doing a good job.”
Pulling a wooden seat closer to his grandson, Patrick sat down. “I haven’t seen Cassie. Do you know where she’s gone?”
Jack had been wondering the same thing. “I haven’t got a clue. I thought she might be inside the cottage.”
“I’ve already looked. She’s not there. It’s not like her to be late to Noah’s party.”
“I’ll see if I can get hold of her.” Jack took his phone out of his pocket. The call went straight to voicemail. “She must have turned off her phone.”
Patrick pulled himself out of the chair. “We should speak to Noah. He might know where she’s gone.”
Jack knew there was no point arguing with his grandfather. He loved Cassie as if she were his own daughter. If she were missing, he’d find her.
“There’s Noah.” Patrick pointed to a group of people standing in the marquee tent. “When did he change into a dinner suit?”
Jack followed his granddad across the backyard. “Beats me. The last time I saw him he was wearing a cotton shirt and trousers. I wonder if he realizes he’s a little overdressed.”
Patrick slowed his steps. “He looks so much like your father.”
Jack smiled. “I think he looks like you.”
“You need your eyes checked,” came the gruff reply. “If I looked half as good as you two boys, your grandma would have had to chase all the girls away.”
“I couldn’t see Grandma doing that,” Jack said with a sigh.
Patrick scanned the people inside the tent. “Don’t you believe it. Your grandma was a Southern lady, but she could be a lioness if someone was up to no good with the people she loved. Cassie isn’t here.”
Jack nodded toward his brother. “Let’s talk to Noah.”
They were halfway across the tent when his brother tapped a teaspoon on the edge of a wine glass and invited everyone to join them.
Patrick sent Jack a questioning look.
“I don’t know what he’s up to, either,” Jack whispered. Noah wouldn’t thank everyone for coming without Cassie being here. And as for giving a speech, his brother enjoyed that almost as much as he enjoyed turning forty.
While Noah waited for everyone to move into the tent, his gaze connected with Jack’s. Whatever he was about to do was anyone’s guess. But Jack knew one thing, his brother was more nervous than he’d ever seen him.
When most people were inside the tent, Noah cleared his throat. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming here tonight. The invitation you received was for my birthday, but we’ll be celebrating something else, too. Cassie and I have decided to get married. Tonight. And we’d like you to be part of the ceremony.”
For a few seconds, all the guests stood in stunned silence. Then everyone burst into applause.
Jack was shocked that his brother was getting married today. It wasn’t like him to keep it a secret, especially when everything in his life was planned at least six months in advance.
“Did you know about this?” Patrick asked.
“I didn’t have a clue.”
Noah walked across to his grandfather. “You must be surprised.”
“I am, but I’m also happy for you. I thought you were getting married in October?”
“We were, but Cassie has been invited to exhibit her jewelry in Milan at the same time. This was the only weekend when everyone would be together, so we decided to bring the wedding forward.”
The staff Noah had employed walked into the tent carrying foldaway chairs. In next to no time, straight rows of chairs began to appear. When the rest of their family and friends saw what was happening, they pitched in to help.
Noah looked anxiously around the tent. “I hope Cassie’s okay.”
“Where is she?” Jack asked.
“With one of her friends.” Noah checked his watch. “She should be here soon.”
Patrick wrapped his arm around his grandson’s shoulders. “She’ll be fine. I imagine she’s feeling exactly the same as you.”
Jack looked around the tent, then back at his brother. “We’d better help get everything ready. Otherwise, Cassie will be walking into chaos.”
Noah took a deep breath. “At least moving chairs will stop me from panicking.”
Jack wasn’t sure anything would do that. Noah was about to change his life forever, and he looked as though he was going to be sick.