Page 7 of Finding Forever

Natalie laughed. “I’ll remind you of that when we’re a few days away from opening the center. Do you want me to drive you to Owen’s studio? It might be quicker than trying to find two parking spaces.”

Beth looked down the street at the vehicles parked outside the stores. For a mid-week morning, it was busier than usual.

“I’ll be working from Owen’s studio with you,” Natalie added. “I’ll give you a ride back here when we’ve finished for the day.”

“In that case,” Beth said. “I’d love a ride.” As she followed Natalie to her truck, Beth sighed.

After visiting the old hardware building and speaking to Natalie and Dave, her new job felt a little less daunting than it had last night. And hopefully, each day would only get better.

Chapter 5

Beth stood on Maria’s veranda and rang the doorbell. The weekly potluck dinner with her friends was something Beth looked forward.

When Maria opened the door, Beth held up the dish. “I brought an apple pie in case anyone has room for dessert.”

“We always have room for dessert,” Maria said as she took the pie and ushered Beth inside.

The kitchen smelled like garlic and roasting chicken, and the windows had gone white with steam against the cold outside. Maria found a spot on the crowded counter for Beth’s dish. “Come and find a seat. Everyone’s already arguing about something, and it isn’t even seven o’clock.”

In the next room, Susan and Rachel were deep in a debate about whether the church’s heating system would last another winter. Laurel sat curled in the armchair nearest the fire, the calm center of whatever small storm the other two were stirring up.

“There she is.” Laurel abandoned her chair, crossing the room before Beth had her coat off. “Sit down and tell us everything about your first day at work. And don’t leave anything out.”

Beth laughed, surprised at how good it felt to have her friends interested in what she was doing.

She started at the beginning, telling everyone about the plans, the rooms that would hold different activities, and the dark stain spreading across the back wall where the roof had failed years ago.

“When does all the work need to be finished?” Maria asked, ladling some chicken casserole onto Beth’s plate.

“In twelve weeks,” Beth told her friends. “Natalie wants the doors open by the end of April.”

Everyone stared silently at her.

“Twelve weeks,” Laurel repeated, soft and disbelieving, “to finish an entire building?”

Beth placed some green beans on her plate. “And to win over the skeptics on the town council. Natalie thinks it’s enough time.”

“Well, then.” Maria set the serving spoon down with the finality of a woman closing an argument. “We’d better get moving.”

Beth looked up. “We?”

“Of course, we,” Maria said. “You didn’t think we’d let you do everything on your own. If you need help, we’re here for you.”

Beth opened her mouth to say something sensible about not wanting to put anyone out, but Rachel got there first.

“I know a lot of people who’d love to sign up for a class,” she said. “Once you have a list of the programs, I’ll post it on the Facebook groups I’ve joined. If Natalie said the council wants proof people will show up, I’ll get you proof.”

Beth’s eyes widened. “You’d really do that?”

Rachel grinned. “People are already excited. Mabel Terry posted something on the community Facebook page about the new arts center this afternoon. More than a hundred people left comments. They all thought it would be a great addition to the town.”

Something in Beth’s chest loosened, just slightly, the way a fist loosens once it remembers it doesn’t have to hold on.

Maria handed Laurel the garlic bread. “If you need food at the opening of the center, I can help.”

Beth smiled. “I’ll have to check with Natalie, but that sounds wonderful.”

Laurel leaned forward. “I could help you set up some spreadsheets for the course registrations. And even though Julie isn’t here, I know she’ll help with whatever needs doing.”