Chapter 7
A fter work the next day, Joseph met John at The Welcome Center. He wanted to provide a start-up loan for Shona’s business. So far, everything looked as though it would work—as long as no one discovered who had invested in her store.
“Are you sure it has to be a confidential offer?” John asked. “It's hard enough not telling anyone about your donations to The Secret Santa Program. Shona will want to know who gave her the money.”
“It’s no different than borrowing money from the bank.”
“I disagree. It’s completely different. Besides not giving her any information about the trust providing the funding, you haven't asked for anything in return.”
“If Shona wants her store to be successful, she'll need to reinvest everything she makes into the business.” Joseph knew how difficult the first couple of years of opening a small business could be. Every extra dollar would be used to pay bills and build her customer base.
John rubbed his hand along his jaw. “What do you want me to tell her when she asks who provided the money?”
“Tell her the same thing you've told everyone else.”
“At some point, someone’s going to ask about the charitable trust I’m getting my funding from.”
John didn't like keeping things from his friends, but Joseph hadn't given him any choice. “Just think of all the good we’re doing.”
“That’s the only thing that helps me sleep at night. Do you remember what happened when you arrived in Sapphire Bay?”
Joseph smiled. “As soon as we stepped into The Welcome Center, Adele ran toward the cafeteria. You assumed she hadn't eaten anything in days and gave her a huge lunch.”
“Which she devoured. You both looked lost and lonely.”
“That’s because we were.” With his ex-wife living in Australia, there was no reason to stay in the city that had consumed every waking minute of his life. He’d needed a fresh start, and Adele needed to spend time with him. Sapphire Bay had saved his sanity and his relationship with his daughter. “You didn’t know who I was or where I was from, but you gave us somewhere to sleep and something to eat. I’ll never forget that.”
“While you were staying at The Welcome Center, you insisted on paying for your food and accommodation. You’ve always paid your own way in everything you’ve done. Shona’s the same. How will she feel if an anonymous funder gives her the money she needs and wants nothing in return?”
“I get your point, even though I don’t like it. If it makes her feel better, she can pay me two percent interest.”
John still looked worried. “We’re assuming she’ll ask me about finding a private investor. She might have other options.”
“If she does, that’s great. If not, the money from the trust will be enough to open her store.”
John picked up the proposal Joseph had given him. “Are you staying at the center for dinner?”
“Not tonight. After Adele’s writing group has finished, we’re going home. She wants to practice singing the Christmas carols for the competition.”
“Mabel will be thrilled.”
Joseph smiled. “That’s what Adele’s hoping. Along with most of the kids who stay at The Welcome Center, she’s adopted Mabel as an honorary grandma.”
John frowned. “Just be careful. If Mabel finds out you’re helping to fund Shona’s business, your cover will be blown.”
If that happened, Joseph knew Shona wouldn’t be happy. “We’ll have to be extra careful, then. Let me know if Shona comes to see you.”
“I will.” John moved around his desk. “I’ll head to the writing group with you.”
With his friend beside him, Joseph walked down the corridor. He had a lot to be grateful for, and living in a caring community was one of the most important.
Four days after speaking with the bank’s loan officer, Shona was sitting in Paris’ living room. “I spoke to Shelley and Pastor John. They’re sending my business plan to the funders they work with. Hopefully, one of them wants to be part of a quilting store.”
“What about the county?” Andrea asked. “Do they have a business team or some special funding you could use?”
“They do, but their next funding round is in three months. By the time they assess each application, it will be Christmas.”
Paris sighed. “And Penny will have found tenants for the last two cottages by then.”
“That’s what I thought, too.”
Andrea picked up their list of ideas for finding extra money. “What about starting a GoFundMe page?”
“Absolutely not,” Shona said firmly. “There are too many people needing money for life-saving treatments and surgeries. My business isn’t as important as staying alive.”
“A lot of people will want to help you.”
“I’m not doing it.”
Paris handed Andrea a pen. “Cross that idea off the list. What about the local business association? What did they say?”
“They can give me plenty of advice, but the county slashed their funding last year. They don’t have any extra money.” Shona picked up a copy of her business plan. “I looked at ways I can reduce my expenses. There aren’t many, but it made a small difference.”
“You can’t run a business on thin air,” Andrea said sadly. “You need some extra money in case your income isn’t as high as you’d budgeted or your expenses get out of control.”
Shona hadn’t seen her friend look so worried in ages. “Is everything all right with the café?”
“It’s fine. I just wish David wouldn’t work so hard. He’s spending a lot of time at the new BioTech offices, then doing my accounts at night. If he doesn’t slow down, he’ll have a heart attack before we get married.”
“He’s always worked long hours,” Paris reminded her. “David’s like an energizer bunny that never stops.”
“That wasn’t part of our plan when we got engaged. He wanted to enjoy life, not spend even more time behind a computer.”
Shona wrapped her arm around Andrea’s shoulders. “It will be better once the new building is finished.”
“I hope so. We’ve had so little time together that we haven’t even discussed our wedding.”
Shona put her business plan away. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I wish there was. I’m totally jealous of Paris’ wedding plans. I wish it were me getting married in a few weeks.”
“It’s not as great as you think it is.” Paris looked at each of her friends. “My dress has gone missing.”
Shona’s eyes widened. “What do you mean, missing?”
“As in no one knows where it is. It left the bridal company’s office nine days ago, and no one’s seen it since.”
“Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Andrea asked.
“I didn’t know it was missing until two days ago.”
Shona squeezed her friend’s arm. “What did the company say?”
“They’re doing everything they can to find it. If they can't, they don't have enough time to make another one. I'll have to choose a different design.”
“But that was the only one you liked in their catalog.”
“I'll have to be less picky. I don't know any bridal design company that could make a dress in three weeks.”
The optimistic look on Paris’ face was so forced that Shona hugged her. “It's just as well you know someone whose superpower is sewing. If you can't find a dress, I'll make you one.”
“That's so sweet, but you're busy. Making a wedding dress will take too much of your time.”
Andrea picked up her cell phone. “Penny’s sisters chose some pre-loved bridesmaids’ dresses from someone in Bozeman. I remember her saying there were racks of donated gowns to choose from.”
Paris frowned. “You might be right, but I don't need bridesmaids’ dresses.” She looked at Shona. “Andrea and my friend Jackie are my bridesmaids. We ordered their dresses three months ago, and they arrived two weeks later.”
“From the same company?”
Paris nodded. “That’s why I didn’t worry about ordering my dress from them. They assured me the dress would be delivered straightaway.”
Andrea frowned. “I'm almost positive the store in Bozeman also has pre-loved bridal gowns. I'll give Penny a call and find out.”
Shona collected their empty cups. “While you're doing that, I'll make everyone another cup of coffee.”
When she was in the kitchen, she added three more slices of cake to a plate, too. Goodness knows they needed it. For Paris’ dress to go missing so close to her wedding was a disaster.
Just as she was about to return to the living room, her cell phone rang. Leaving two of the coffee mugs on the counter, she pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Shona Milligan speaking.”
“Hi, Shona. It's Pastor John. Is it a good time to speak to you?”
“It's fine. Is everything all right?”
“It couldn't be better. I emailed your business case to a charitable trust I've used. They sent their response to me this afternoon. I'll forward it to you.”
Shona placed her hand over her heart. It was pounding so hard she could hardly breathe. “What did they say?”
“Read the email and call me tomorrow. We can work through the details in my office.”
“Thanks. I will.” With trembling hands, she ended the call and checked her emails. At the top of the list was the message from Pastor John. He wouldn't have called her unless it was good news, or that’s what she hoped.
Holding her breath, she tapped on the message and quickly read the first paragraph. Her eyes widened when she saw what the trust was offering. Taking another breath, she sat at the kitchen table and read the rest of the email.
Paris walked into the kitchen. “Do you need a hand with anything?” She took one look at Shona and sat beside her. “What's happened?”
Too stunned to speak, she handed Paris her phone.
After a few seconds, Paris grinned and threw her arms around her. “That's amazing! They’re lending you twenty thousand dollars for your business. You can open your store now!”
“I can't believe it. If it weren’t for Pastor John, this wouldn’t be happening.”
“Thank goodness you spoke to him. Did you see the interest you’ll be charged? That's half what the bank was willing to do. That alone will save you hundreds of dollars each year. I'm so happy for you.”
“So am I. Let's take the coffee through to the living room. Hopefully, Penny remembers the name of the bridal place. If she does, I won’t be the only person going to bed with a smile on her face.”
Paris picked up the plate of cake and one of the mugs. “I hope you're right. Otherwise, I’ll be walking down the aisle in a dress from my closet.”
Andrea smiled when Shona and Paris returned to the living room. “Guess what?”
Paris handed her a cup of coffee. “Please tell me Penny remembered the name of the business?”
“She did, but I have even better news. The Bridesmaids’ Club has an online catalog we can use to find the perfect dress. If you don't like any of the dresses, a store in Bozeman sells the most amazing gowns. Penny said they have a good selection of styles.”
“That's the best news I've heard all day.”
Andrea was still smiling. “And it's not over yet. If you find one you like, Penny said her mom will do any alterations you need.”
Paris sat on one of the big, comfy chairs and sighed. “I don’t know what to say except thank you. But that's not the only good news.” She looked at Shona and smiled. “You tell Andrea.”
“I can open my business! Pastor John contacted a trust that pays for some of the programs at the church. They looked at my business plan and want to lend me twenty thousand dollars.”
Andrea’s mouth dropped open. “That’s fantastic.”
“I can’t believe I’m opening my own store. I had to pinch myself after I read their email.”
“Believe it and enjoy it,” Paris said with a wide smile. “We’ll have to organize some electric drill lessons so you assemble your furniture.”
“That would be wonderful but, first, we need to find you a wedding dress.” Shona picked up her laptop and searched for a website for The Bridesmaids’ Club in Bozeman. Her eyes widened when she found it. The range of dresses they gave away was astounding.
“You have to look at this. It’s amazing.”
With Paris and Andrea looking over her shoulder, they scrolled through the dresses. Some were traditional Cinderella ball gowns, while others were slinky, satin sheaths.
Paris pointed to a dress that wouldn’t have looked out of place in The Great Gatsby . “That would make an amazing wedding dress. It’s simple but different.”
Shona enlarged the photo. The white 1920s-inspired gown with its sparkly fringe, heavy beading, and round neckline would look lovely on Paris. “It’s fabulous. I can't believe they don't charge people for these dresses.”
“Neither can I,” Andrea said. “Although, from what Penny said, most of the people who take the gowns give them to someone else after their wedding.”
Paris leaned closer when Shona clicked on another vintage gown. “That one’s beautiful, too.”
Shona handed her the laptop. “There’s a contact tab at the top of the website. Why don’t you book an appointment to see the dresses?”
“Jackie won’t be back from her vacation until next week. If I can book a time that suits you and Andrea before then, would you come with me?”
Andrea grinned. “I was hoping you’d ask. Of course, I will.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Shona smiled at the relieved expression on Paris’ face. Replacing the dress that had gone missing would be hard. But, if the pictures on the website were anything to go by, they might find a gown that was even better than the one Paris had ordered.