A Match Made in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 9) Read online

  “Play nice,” Dan warned.

  His sister wrinkled her nose. “I like Lindsay and Owen.”

  “I’ve been hearing a lot about how talented you are,” Lindsay told Oaklee.

  A startled look crossed Oaklee’s face. “You have?”

  “Gladys showed me some of the unusual quilted place mats you made for her and her friends.” Lindsay studied the girl. “I loved the way the flowers popped out from the mats, so I showed them to Izzie and KT.”

  “Why?” Oaklee asked bluntly.

  “We’re partners. I do floral, while Izzie and KT do specialty gift items that are sold along with the flowers.” Lindsay’s tone turned businesslike. “Your designs are fresh and original. I believe we could sell them in our shop.”

  “Are you serious?”

  Lindsay pulled a card from her purse. “Call me. We can talk more.”

  “I will.” Oaklee’s expression turned serious. “Thanks.”

  “We’re going to do more walking and check out the silent-auction items.” Lindsay took her husband’s arm. “Lead the way.”

  Oaklee waited until they were out of earshot to shriek. “Did you hear that?”

  “It’s very exciting.” Katie Ruth gave the girl a hug.

  “What’s the good news?” Marigold asked.

  The youngest Bloom sister looked stunning and stylish in heeled boots and a tunic top. She’d recently added several streaks of violet to her tumbled mane of blond curls.

  “I’m going into business with Lindsay,” Oaklee announced.

  Marigold cast a look at Dan, who just shrugged.

  “The two of them are going to talk about carrying some of the items that Oaklee makes,” Katie Ruth clarified.

  “Your hair is super cool,” Oaklee told Marigold in a mercurial change of topic.

  “Thank you.” Marigold returned the girl’s smile. “Hair is my business. I love changing things up.”

  “I’m thinking of changing mine,” Oaklee told her.

  Dan cast a questioning glance in Katie Ruth’s direction, but she shrugged. It appeared, like him, this was the first she’d heard of these plans.

  “What are you considering?” Marigold asked.

  There was no judgment in the hair stylist’s voice, no disapproval of the pink that had obviously been self-applied.

  “Something like Cassie’s blond hair with the light blond highlights.” Oaklee cocked her head. “Or maybe go back to my brown hair roots and add caramel highlights.”

  Marigold studied her for a long moment. “Either would work with your skin tone, as long as you don’t go too dark with the brown.”

  “That’s what I was thinking, too.”

  Marigold smiled. “The great thing about hair is you can change it. Pick one. Have your hair that way for a while, then do the other.”

  “Would you color it for me?” Oaklee held up a hand before Marigold could respond. “I need to be honest. I don’t have a lot of cash, but I could make you a baby quilt.”

  Marigold’s smile froze. “What would I do with a baby quilt?”

  “Well, duh, your one sister just had a baby, and the other will be having one this spring.”

  “Okay.” Marigold appeared unaware of her husband’s hand lightly stroking her back. “Bring fabric samples with you when you come in for your appointment. I’ll choose the colors for the quilt.”

  “Fabric samples are only the beginning.” Oaklee waved a hand. “I can show you pics of different types of baby quilts.”

  Marigold’s brows drew together. “I thought there was only one kind.”

  “You are out of the loop.” Oaklee pulled out her phone and scrolled to a picture. “This is a heart rag quilt. One of my personal faves.”

  Katie Ruth peered over Oaklee’s shoulder to catch a glimpse.

  “It’s lovely.” Marigold lifted her gaze. “You can make one of these?”

  “I can make you exactly what you want.”

  Marigold thrust out her hand. “We’ve got a deal. Call my salon on Monday. We’ll find a time for you to come in.”

  “Will I look as beautiful as you when I walk out the door?” Oaklee asked.

  “I’m a hair stylist.” Marigold’s blue eyes took on an impish gleam, and Katie Ruth waited for the zinger. “Not a miracle worker.”

  Oaklee’s loud guffaw had people nearby turning to stare. “I like you, Marigold. You’re cool beans.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Katie Ruth noticed Baggage Claim was getting ready to start their set. She touched Dan’s arm. “I’m going to move closer to the stage. I want to see how the band members interact with the teens clustered around the stage.”

  “Good idea.” Dan turned to the others, gestured with his head. “Katie Ruth and I are going to check out the band. Are you coming with us, Oaklee?”

  Oaklee looped an arm through Marigold’s. “I’m staying here with my new BFF.”

  A look of startled surprise crossed Marigold’s face before her lips quirked up in a wry smile. “We have a way to go for BFF status.”

  “I grow on people,” Oaklee declared. “Don’t I, Katie Ruth?”

  “She does indeed.” Katie Ruth wiggled her fingers. “See you, guys.”

  Dan glanced back at the group several times on their way to the stage. “I feel as if I’m foisting my sister on any willing human.”

  “She’s an adult.” Katie Ruth kept her tone matter-of-fact. “I’ve known Marigold my entire life. Trust me, she’s capable of taking care of herself. That includes extricating herself from your sister should the need arise.”

  “You’re right.” He gave her arm a squeeze.

  Katie Ruth stopped to the left of the stage. The band members looked to be in their early to mid-twenties. They wore all black except for the band name in iridescent purple on the front of their shirts.

  “They’re a good-looking group of guys.” Katie Ruth had to speak into Dan’s ear as the group tuned up.

  “They seem to agree with you.” Dan pointed to the teenage girls standing in front of the stage.

  Once the band started to play, Katie Ruth lost herself in the music. Song after song drew her in with the beat. She couldn’t help moving to the music, and around song number five, Dan pulled her to the dance floor, where they joined other couples and singles dancing to the songs.

  The music pulled her in, but the lyrics wrapped around her heart. Words about love and forgiveness, about starting over and never being alone.

  Katie Ruth clapped as loudly as everyone around her when the set ended. She watched the young men interact with the girls wanting their autographs.

  Friendly, polite and respectful were the three words that popped into her head.

  “Do you want to ask them if they’d be interested in coming back to Good Hope, or should I?” While Katie Ruth knew she’d likely be coordinating the event, Dan was the pastor.

  He would be the one working with other clergy in the area to garner support and a financial buy-in for the event.

  “You’ll be their contact person, Katie Ruth. It’ll be good for them to put a face with a name.”

  Katie Ruth noticed the band’s manager was motioning his guys along. “C’mon, men, the next band needs to set up.”

  Once the band was on the move and everything appeared under control, Katie Ruth approached the man and began her pitch.

  Dan liked the way Katie Ruth communicated, gesturing wildly with her hands. Her enthusiasm and energy were contagious.

  The band manager, a guy in his late thirties, appeared entranced.

  “What’s she doing with that guy?”

  Oaklee’s voice had him turning. “What’d you think of Baggage Claim?”

  “I liked ’em.” Oaklee gestured with her head. “Why is Katie Ruth cozying up to their manager?”

  “She’s not cozying up. We’re considering booking them for a concert in the fall.” Dan’s eyes followed the two where they took a seat at a table far from the stage. “This is the
initial contact. Katie Ruth will handle the coordination, which is why she’s speaking with the manager.”

  “She’s kind of your perfect match, huh?”

  Dan focused on his sister.

  “Don’t give me that ‘what are you talking about now?’ look.” Oaklee rolled her eyes. “Crazy about church activities plus crazy about you equals Dan Marshall’s perfect match.”

  “You think she’s crazy about me?”

  Oaklee laughed. “She looks at you as if you’re some kind of rock star, which we both know you aren’t.”

  Dan couldn’t help but grin at Oaklee’s observation.

  “You look at her as if—”

  When his sister didn’t continue, Dan inclined his head. “How do I look at her?”

  “As if you love her. That’s how you look at her.”

  As if you love her.

  His sister’s words circled in his brain as Katie Ruth rejoined him. Her mood was upbeat and infectious. Apparently, the manager had been interested in her proposal.

  “Once we get buy-in from the other churches in the area, we’ll need to figure out a date and secure the venue.” Katie Ruth’s flushed cheeks and bright eyes had Dan wanting to pull her into his arms. “I’m thinking the fall would be the perfect time. Perhaps September, maybe in conjunction with the Harvest Festival. We could do an outdoor concert as long as we can come up with a date that isn’t too late in the year.”

  She paused and gazed up at him. He knew she was waiting for his reply, but he couldn’t seem to pull his gaze from her mouth.

  “Dan?”

  When he looked up, he saw in her eyes that she knew exactly where his mind had strayed.

  “Sounds like a good plan.” He cocked his head. “Are you ready to leave?”

  The last band was halfway through their set, and then there would be the last-minute rush to bid on the silent-auction items. Perhaps Katie Ruth would want to stay.

  Dan had seen the band he wanted to check out. He’d socialized and mingled with members of his congregation, but now he was ready for alone time…with Katie Ruth.

  “I am ready.” She glanced around the large room. “What about Oaklee?”

  “She came with Gladys and her friends.” He shrugged. “I assume they’ll drop her off.”

  “There’s no one better than Gladys.” Katie Ruth’s lips curved. “Like your sister, she might be bold and in-your-face, but she’s got a heart of gold.”

  “I realize you’ve had a long day.” Dan stopped when they reached his car, placing one hand on the roof. “But I’m not ready for the evening to end.”

  She gazed up at him with those clear blue eyes. “What do you have in mind?”

  “We could grab coffee at the Grind, or we could sit out on the deck of the Flying Crane and have a drink? It’ll be cool by the water, but they should have the heat lamps on.”

  Unless they drove into Sturgeon Bay, there weren’t a lot of late-night options in Good Hope during the off-season. He supposed he could have mentioned the hotel or Bayside Pizza, but they’d already eaten, and taking a woman to a hotel didn’t seem wise, even if they would only be grabbing a drink in the bar.

  “I’d kind of like to sit out on the deck, but—” She chewed on her lower lip. “Are you sure going to a bar isn’t a problem for your congregation?”

  “If I was going there and getting drunk, that would be a problem.” He opened the door for her. “Having one drink isn’t an issue.”

  As Dan drove them back into Good Hope, he let Oaklee’s words circle in his head.

  Your perfect match.

  Only when they were on the Flying Crane’s deck, gazing out over the moonlit water, cups of steaming coffee on the table, did Katie Ruth return to the topic of Baggage Claim. “I really think the kids will be able to relate to their lyrics.”

  Dan thought back to the various songs in the set. “Temptation, forgiveness, mercy…”

  “Grace,” Katie Ruth added.

  “Appropriate for the struggles we all face,” Dan agreed.

  The scrape of a chair being pushed back had them both turning to watch Ethan toss a couple of bills onto the table. He’d spotted Eliza’s brother when he first arrived. The two guys he was with were unfamiliar to Dan.

  “Hope it turns out okay,” one of the men at his table called out.

  Ethan gave a nod as he pulled on his jacket. Worry blanketed his face as he crossed the deck.

  He would have passed the table where Dan sat with Katie Ruth, but Dan stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Is everything okay?”

  “I got a text from Kyle. Eliza is in labor. They’re at the hospital in Sturgeon Bay.” Ethan’s voice was steady, but Dan saw the concern in his eyes. “The doctors are thinking about shipping my sister to Froedtert in Milwaukee. She’s having some trouble with the delivery. Kyle said I didn’t need to come, but he sounded relieved when I said I was on my way.”

  Dan pushed back his chair and stood. “I’d like to be there, too, if you don’t think I’d be in the way.”

  “That’d be good.” Ethan glanced at the door. “Prayers certainly can’t hurt.”

  Katie Ruth scrambled to her feet, but Ethan had already disappeared from sight.

  “We should hurry, too.” Dan dropped a ten-dollar bill on the table. He headed for the parking lot, with Katie Ruth at his side. The taillights of Ethan’s car were barely in view when Dan took the wheel and Katie Ruth slid into the passenger seat.

  “I want to get there as soon as possible.” Dan slanted a glance in her direction. “Do you mind riding along? It would take more time to drop you off.”

  “No. Go.” Katie Ruth’s brows pulled together. “I believe Eliza just turned thirty-five weeks. Initially, they thought she was due around the second of May, but the ultrasounds have indicated she’s further along. They moved up her due date to around the twentieth of April.”

  Katie Ruth paused for a breath. “I’m sorry. I’m rambling.”

  Dan nodded, his eyes fixed on the road. A light rain had begun to fall. At this time of year, he supposed he should be grateful it wasn’t snow.

  “I know you need to stay focused on your driving, but I was wondering if we could say a little prayer on the way?”

  Dan found himself touched by Katie Ruth’s suggestion. “Why don’t you start, and I’ll chime in?”

  “Dear Lord,” Katie Ruth began.

  Dan listened to her prayer. Her faith was so apparent, so pure, that for a second when she paused—apparently waiting for him to add his words to hers—he was at a loss.

  Then he thought of Kyle and Eliza and the baby girl they’d been waiting for, and the words flowed.

  “Amen.” Katie Ruth’s voice echoed his word. She expelled a breath. “I feel better putting this in His hands.”

  Perfect for you.

  The words stayed in Dan’s head as they reached the hospital and hurried inside.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Katie Ruth kept pace with Dan as their shoes slapped against the shiny linoleum on their way to the hospital’s maternity wing.

  She’d expected Ethan to be alone, but he sat with Lindsay and Owen in the waiting area. The three jumped to their feet.

  Katie Ruth inwardly shuddered when she saw the fear on their faces.

  Dan stepped to them. “How’s Eliza and the baby?”

  “The medication they gave her to stop the labor didn’t work. They gave her a steroid shot to help the baby’s lungs.” Lindsay’s voice began to shake, and she brought a hand to her mouth.

  Ethan remained silent.

  Owen tugged his wife close. “She’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

  “Yes, but what about the baby?” Lindsay’s voice was thick with unshed tears. “She wasn’t due to be born for weeks.”

  “The baby will be fine, too.” Though fear remained in Owen’s eyes, his confident words appeared to soothe the worst of his wife’s fears.

  “Is Jeremy coming?” Katie Ruth didn’t ask about Eliza�
��s or Kyle’s parents, knowing both lived out of state. But Jeremy was Kyle’s half brother and the closest thing to family he had in the area.

  “On his way,” Owen confirmed.

  “How did you get here so fast?” Dan asked Lindsay. Like Owen’s, his voice remained calm and steady.

  “We stopped over to see Eliza and Kyle after the festival, and we were there when the contractions started.” Lindsay wrung her hands.

  “Does Ami know?” Like everyone else in Good Hope, Katie Ruth knew Ami and Lindsay were Eliza’s closest friends.

  “I’m keeping her updated.” Regret crossed Lindsay’s face. “JT is so little she didn’t want to leave him. It’s killing her not to be here.”

  Ethan glanced at the closed set of doors leading to the labor and delivery area. “It’s been a while since Kyle came out.”

  “I hope that means—” Lindsay began.

  “Everything is okay,” Owen said so firmly that Katie Ruth wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince.

  Footsteps echoed in the hallway. Seconds later, Jeremy burst into the room. Katie Ruth hadn’t thought Fin would come—she and Eliza weren’t particularly close—but Fin was at her husband’s side.

  Jeremy skidded to a stop. “What’s the latest?”

  Lindsay gave him and Fin the same report she’d given Katie Ruth and Dan moments before.

  “Who can we speak with to get an update?” Clearly used to being in charge, Jeremy glanced around, but there was no one in sight.

  “I wish we could do something to help.” Lindsay began to pace, her husband’s worried eyes following her every step.

  “We could pray.” When all eyes shifted to Katie Ruth, she felt oddly embarrassed.

  “Good idea,” Fin agreed.

  Lindsay settled her gaze on Dan.

  Katie Ruth wondered if it was only her, or did it seem like Dan’s deep voice and heartfelt words reached all the way to the heavens when he asked God to place His healing hand on Eliza and the baby?

  “Dear Father,” Dan said in closing, “help Eliza and Kyle to feel your presence and gain comfort from the knowledge that you are with them. Let them draw strength from you and give them peace in this uncertain time. Amen.”