A Stitch in Time

After being homeless for most of her life, Jackie West has finally found her idea of heaven. Living in Sapphire Bay has given her the security she craves and the friends she needs to be happy. When she sees the fourth cottage on Anchor Lane sitting empty, she dreams of turning it into a knitting store. But with limited finances, it’s unlikely to happen.

Aidan Remington works for BioTech Industries creating state-of-the-art prosthetics. Meeting Jackie sets him on a path he never saw coming but is everything he needs. When he’s asked to organize a charity Christmas gala to raise money for children’s prosthetics, he can’t say no. But he needs Jackie’s help. With the hopes and dreams of more than one child resting on their shoulders, they embark on a journey so important neither of them can turn back. Until what drew them together starts to tear them apart.

Join Jackie and Aidan in this heartwarming tale of resilience, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of dreams, set against the backdrop of the beautiful town of Sapphire Bay.

Jackie carefully added another rose to the table arrangement for the wedding of Jan Harris and Cliff Simons. After working on the flowers for the last two days, she was thrilled with how wonderful they looked.

With a final tweak, she repositioned a rosebud and smiled. She loved working at The Flower Cottage and creating special memories for their clients. Especially when they were as nice as this couple.

Some days she had to pinch herself. The best thing she’d ever done was move to Sapphire Bay. After spending most of her life living in trailer parks, shelters, and her mom’s car, the small Montana town had given her so much more than a roof over her head. It gave her a sense of belonging she never thought possible.

She’d discovered a tight-knit community where everyone knew each other’s names, a far cry from the anonymous, stressful existence she was used to. And even though she was a stranger, the community had welcomed her with open arms, embracing her as one of their own.

Paris, her boss and friend, stopped beside her. “That’s lovely. Do you need any more flowers?”

“Not for this arrangement. Would you like me to check the bridal bouquet? Jan’s father’s picking it up soon.”

Paris shook her head. “I just had a look and it’s wonderful. The tiny flamingo you added is cute.”

“I thought it’d make Jan smile.” Until she’d met the bride, Jackie didn’t know anyone who collected flamingos. But Jan’s house was full of flamingo cushions, ornaments, and posters. No one was surprised when she’d chosen a flamingo-themed reception. “After I’ve put this arrangement in the truck, I’ll take everything to The Fairy Forest. Is there anything we’ve forgotten?”

“I don’t think so. The balloon arch is finished and the other flowers look amazing.” Paris reached for a spool of ribbon. “I went into The Cozy Quilt Shop yesterday. There weren’t many of your baby clothes left.”

As well as working part-time at The Flower Cottage and at another flower shop in town, Jackie sold her hand-knitted baby clothes at The Cozy Quilt Shop. “A tourist bus stopped in Anchor Lane yesterday. The people on board bought most of the jackets and booties I’d made.”

“That’s fabulous. You must be thrilled with how much you’re selling.”

“I am, but I’m a little worried I won’t be able to keep up with the demand. I’ve had to stop taking orders from my website.”

Paris placed the bouquet she’d made onto two sheets of sparkly paper. “That’s what you get for knitting such amazing clothes. Should I add a gold or silver bow to this bouquet?”

Jackie tilted her head to the side. “Silver. It’ll look lovely with the red roses and gerberas. The last alterations to our bridesmaids’ dresses will be finished this weekend. I can’t wait to see them.”

“Neither can I. It still amazes me that Andrea’s getting married in three weeks. It only seems like yesterday that she got engaged.”

“I hope she’ll be happy. Andrea and her boys have been through so much.” 

“They have, but they also have a wonderful future to look forward to.” Paris added the bow to the bouquet and glanced at Jackie. “Andrea isn’t the only person who’s had a difficult life. I’m proud of what you’ve achieved.”

Jackie smiled at her friend. “I wouldn’t have stayed in Sapphire Bay if it weren’t for you and Andrea. You’ve been amazing.”

“And we love you,” Paris said softly. 

Jackie swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart heavy with the weight of those precious words. “I love you, too.”

With a mischievous smile, Paris held up the bouquet. “What do you think?”

“It’s perfect.” Just like their friendship. She gave Paris a quick hug, then placed the table arrangement she’d finished into a temporary vase. “I’ll head across to The Fairy Forest now. If I’ve forgotten anything, I’ll call you.” 

“Okay. After I’ve closed the store, I’ll come and help.” 

“Don’t rush. We’ve got plenty of time.”

“That’s what we always say on the morning of a wedding.”

Jackie smiled. “And by the afternoon, we wonder where the time’s gone. I’ll see you soon.”

After she’d placed the flowers in the truck, Jackie hurried to the driver’s door. For someone who was scared of happy endings, the crisp October morning lifted her spirits and made her think anything was possible.

Including getting a wedding reception ready for a flamingo-crazy bride and the man of her dreams.

* * *

Aidan sat in his temporary office surrounded by blueprints and sketches of the research and development laboratories being built for BioTech Industries.

The high-tech prosthetics his team created were sent around the world, changing people’s lives. A month ago, he was working in New York City, hunched over his desk, refining the latest designs for his clients. And, after the morning he’d had, he wished he was still there.

When, David, his boss asked him to come to Sapphire Bay to oversee the initial fit-out of his team’s research area, he’d leaped at the chance. From the start of the process, he’d been involved in reimagining what their new research and development center could look like. Helping to bring those plans to life was something very few people were able to do. 

Frowning, he picked up one of the packing slips on his desk as he spoke on the phone with David. “Only half the 3D printers we need have been ordered. I’ve spoken to Bryce to see if he can do anything as Project Manager, but he hasn’t had any more luck than I have. How are we supposed to meet our deadlines when we don’t have the technology we need?”

“It’s frustrating, but we’ll find a solution.” David’s voice was calm and steady. “Did the company say how long it’ll take to deliver the other printers to Sapphire Bay?”

“They’re too expensive to keep in stock. We won’t get them for at least another month. The only thing we can do is take a few of the printers from our lab in Manhattan and bring them here. But that’ll have too much of an impact on the work we’ve already scheduled.”

“I’ll send you the contact details of someone I know in Los Angeles. They might be able to help.”

Aidan sighed. “Thanks. I’ll call them today.”

“You aren’t usually this stressed. Is everything else okay?”

“Apart from some minor issues, everything’s going reasonably well. I keep forgetting that working from Sapphire Bay isn’t as easy as being in the city. If something goes wrong, it takes a lot longer to fix.”

David chuckled. “I thought our barbecues beside the lake might’ve made you overlook the disadvantages of living here.”

“They’ve made a difference, especially when Andrea bakes her famous chocolate chip cookies.”

“Are they good enough to make you stay in Montana for another year?”

Aidan ran his hand through his hair. “I wouldn’t go that far.” Most of his team couldn’t wait to move to Sapphire Bay, but he wasn’t sure this was where he wanted to live. “Thanks for listening.”

“You’re welcome. There’ve been days when I felt the same way, but I try to remember that this project is special. We couldn’t afford to build a research facility in New York like the one you’re working on. Once it’s opened, we’ll make a difference in many people’s lives.”

Aidan had seen the impact BioTech’s medical devices were making. As frustrating as it could be, if it meant helping to create a facility on the moon, he would’ve done it.

“Besides,” David continued, “you told me you needed a change of scenery.”

Aidan smiled. “That’s true. You can’t get much different than Sapphire Bay. Are you still coming for a run tonight?”

“I wouldn’t miss it. Andrea’s providing the food for a client’s wedding anniversary, so I’m free until eight o’clock. I’ll meet you at your place at five.”

“Sounds good. See you soon.” Aidan ended the call and stared at his cell phone. If his brother was alive, he’d tell him to get on with the job and stop stressing about every last detail.

But it was because of his brother that he wanted everything to be perfect—even if that meant working long hours and having too many sleepless nights.