Chapter 22
F our weeks later Shona was rushing around The Cozy Quilt Shop, refilling the shelves before she left the store in Aimee and Jackie’s capable hands.
After months of counting down the days, it was finally time for the Christmas carol competition. Adele had gone to choir practice each afternoon this week. It was an intense last push to make sure everyone was ready for the big event.
Nate came out of the storage room holding a small box. “I found the headbands you were looking for.”
“That’s great. I’m surprised by how popular they are.” She took the box from him and hurried across the store. “Can you make sure the sales counter is tidy?”
“Sure.”
They both turned when someone knocked on the front door. Adele was grinning through the glass. Her reindeer antlers had slipped slightly, making her look even cuter than usual.
Nate opened the door and let her inside.
“Dad’s waiting in his truck,” she said with a smile. “Don’t forget the shortbread.”
“Thanks for reminding me.” Shona emptied the box of headbands and hurried into the kitchen. Her shortbread recipe was the best Mabel had ever tasted. As soon as the buttery circles of deliciousness passed her lips, she’d asked Shona to make three dozen pieces.
After she left the kitchen, Shona’s gaze skimmed across the shelves and display tables. Everything looked lovely, and more than ready for the people who were coming to see the store’s first quilting exhibition tomorrow.
“How are you feeling?” Nate asked Adele.
“A little nervous. Dad said nerves are good. What do you think?”
Shona handed her son his jacket and grabbed her own. “Nate can tell you what he thinks in the truck. Let’s go.”
Adele hurried outside with Nate beside her. Shona locked the door and followed them to Joseph’s truck. Aimee and Jackie would arrive in half an hour to open the store and look after their customers. With a little luck, it would be another great sales day.
As she opened the passenger door, Shona thought about the other choirs in the competition. A part of her hoped they weren’t as well-prepared as Adele’s. But, knowing how fiercely the choir directors coveted a win, she didn’t think anyone would be unprepared for today’s competition.
Joseph checked his cell phone for the tenth time in as many minutes. “Mabel just sent me an update. Her minivan has made it through the road construction area.”
“Thank goodness for that,” Shona said under her breath.
He glanced in his rearview mirror. Not long after they’d come to a complete standstill, Nate started playing “I Spy” with Adele. It had kept her entertained and given Shona a chance to contact the other vehicles driving in the convoy toward Polson.
Over the last four weeks, they’d all grown closer. As well as spending a couple of days in Sapphire Bay earlier in the month, Nate was traveling to Polson with them for the carol competition. Last weekend, Joseph had driven Shona and Adele to Bozeman to spend time with him. Anyone meeting them for the first time would think they were a regular family enjoying their time together.
Shona left her cell phone on her lap. “Gordon Jessop’s about six trucks ahead of us. He said the traffic looks as though it’s moving.”
Nate rolled down his window. “We should get to the competition on time.”
Joseph checked his watch. Thankfully, they’d left Sapphire Bay an hour before they’d needed to. With only one main road into Polson, they were at the mercy of the road crews. “We might even have time to grab a hot drink at the venue.”
When they finally started moving, Adele straightened her reindeer antlers and everyone let out a sigh of relief. They were on their way.
Shona shouldn’t have been surprised by the number of people in the Polson Town Hall for the carol competition, but she was. Last year’s event had drawn large crowds, but this year was off-the-charts popular.
As soon as they walked into the main hall, Adele’s eyes widened.
The noise from more than ten choirs, their families and friends, and the people who were here to enjoy the music, was extremely loud.
“There’s Mabel.” Shona pointed to a neon pink flag fluttering above the heads of the people on the far side of the room. The only issue was getting across to her.
“Follow me,” Joseph said. “I’ve just seen some of the other choir members. They’re taking a path along the outside of the room.”
Shona held Adele’s hand as they moved between people. She glanced down at her, hoping the press of bodies and volume of their conversation wasn’t too overwhelming for an eight-year-old.
Adele didn’t seem worried at all. If anything, she looked as though she was enjoying all the noise and activity. She smiled at strangers and happily walked beside Shona. Nate was behind them, taking all the commotion in his stride, too.
Shona sighed. She must have been living in Sapphire Bay for too long. If she had the choice, she’d rather be sitting on the shore of Flathead Lake enjoying a picnic with Joseph, Adele, and Nate.
Mabel placed her hand over her heart when she saw them. “You don’t know how relieved I am to see you.” She consulted her clipboard and ticked off Adele’s name. “We’re only waiting on six people now.”
Shona looked behind them and waved to some of Adele’s singing friends. Mabel would be even more relieved to see them arrive. Hopefully, once everyone was here, they’d be able to find their dressing room and do their vocal warmup exercises, check their costumes, and psych themselves up for the event they’d all been looking forward to.
Joseph stood behind Shona and wrapped his arms around her. “Adele’s in her element,” he said against her ear. “How do you feel?”
She turned in his arms and smiled. “Happy I’m here with everyone. Adele and the rest of the choir have worked so hard to be here.”
He brushed his thumb along his jaw. “They have. I love you, Shona.”
“I love you, too.” And with the words she’d never get tired of hearing ringing in her ears, she wrapped Joseph in a hug.
She treasured the time they spent together, and this event was more special than most. Adele and the rest of the choir had practiced so hard to give their best performance today. They’d all brought something delicious to share with the audience, they’d made sure their costumes were perfect and, if they’d followed Mabel’s instructions, everyone should have had a good night’s sleep.
All they had to do was sing from their hearts and enjoy every second of being on the stage.