sisters, ten aunts and uncles and too many cousins to count, they were having to think creatively in order to limit the number of people at the wedding.
He glanced at Shelley. “You’re both busy. How are you managing with your full-time jobs?”
Shelley touched her sister’s shoulder. “We’re getting there, aren’t we, Bailey?”
“Most of the time.” Bailey reversed down the driveway and headed toward town.
John frowned. Before they’d started the Christmas wish program, everyone on the Santa’s Secret Helpers committee knew it would take a lot of time. But none of them realized just how much. Adding Shelley and his wedding into the mix was proving more time-consuming than anyone had realized.
“How many Christmas wishes are we trying to fund in the next month?” John asked.
Shelley opened a document on her cell phone. “Not including the food baskets, we have ten wishes we’re putting together.”
By anyone’s standards, that was a lot of work. Especially when everyone had other jobs they had to do. “Why don’t you let me organize the Christmas wishes? It will free up your time and keep me focused on something other than finding another housing development for the construction teams.”
“You’re busy, as well,” Shelley said. “Once this week is over, it won’t be so bad.”
Bailey turned right. “It will probably take a lot longer to do the finishing touches for the wedding than it will to organize some of the big items. I think we should accept John’s help.”
John squeezed Shelley’s hand. “I’ll ask Caleb and Steven if they can give me a hand.”
Bailey glanced in the rearview mirror at Shelley. “Remember your personal improvement plan. You don’t have to do everything.”
Shelley frowned. “That wasn’t on my personal improvement plan. I don’t have a problem letting other people help.”
John wasn’t giving his fiancée a chance to backtrack. “That’s settled then. I’ll talk to Caleb and Steven tomorrow and we’ll work our way through each wish.”
“If you need any help,” Shelley said. “Just ask us. When we finish all the last-minute details for our wedding, we can help with the Christmas wishes.”
Bailey stopped the truck outside Blooming Lovely, Kylie’s flower shop. “That sounds like a good plan to me. And after we’ve finalized the website for the flower fundraiser, we’re one step closer to having more money to pay for the wishes.”
Shelley took off her seatbelt and kissed John’s cheek. “Thank you for helping. I know how busy you are.”
“It doesn’t matter how busy I am. I’ll always be there for you.”
Bailey opened the driver’s door and a cold blast of air rushed into the truck. “Come on. You can tell each other how wonderful you are inside. It’s freezing out here.”
John held Shelley’s hand and they both hurried into Blooming Lovely.
He hoped she realized he’d meant what he said. No matter what happened, he would always be her number one supporter, her soft place to fall, and the man who did everything he could to make her happy.
Chapter 3
Shelley ignored the telephone that was ringing on her desk. When she’d opened her accounting business, she thought she would be reasonably busy. That, like all new businesses, it would take a few months to build a reasonable client list. What she didn’t realize was that nearly everyone in Sapphire Bay seemed to need an accountant.
Even the businesses that contracted their accounting needs to other firms were thrilled to know they could transfer their business to her. The level of community support was incredible, but organizing her meetings and trying to fit everyone into her schedule was taking too much time.
A bag of fudge appeared on her desk and Shelley looked up into the smiling face of her fiancé. “Thank goodness you’re here.”
John handed her a cup of coffee and sat in the chair opposite the desk. “I thought you might need something to get you through the rest of the afternoon.”
She opened the bag and inhaled the sweet, rich scent of chocolate fudge. “You’re right. It’s been a busy day.” The phone started ringing again and she frowned. “If it’s as busy as this in another couple of weeks, I’ll have to find someone to be my personal assistant.”
“Do you want me to answer the phone?” John asked.
“Let it go to voicemail. If I don’t have a break now, I won’t get one for the rest of the afternoon. How was your meeting with Daniella?”
“It was great. We reorganized a new table layout for the wedding reception and spoke to the caterers. I even called the rental company