Page 35 of Muskoka Miracle

Toni chuckled. “I could be persuaded to reopen for potential repeat customers.”

“Then can we see? Pretty please? I justloveyour paintings.”

The gallery proved to be a wonderland of artistry, with all kinds of watercolors, acrylics and oil paintings lining the walls. Many were scenes evoking Muskoka, which made it very hard to choose. “But we should choose something, shouldn’t we?” she murmured to Dan. “It’d be rude to insist on coming here and not buy anything.”

His lips curved up one side higher. “I knew what was going to happen when we walked through those doors. Besides, I’m sure there’s a spot somewhere that needs a little something.”

“How little?”

He chuckled and shook his head. Okay, she’d take that head shake to mean size didn’t matter.

But it was good to feel like they could bless others. And the painting she chose—which looked as though it could’ve been painted from Dan’s deck—obviously was the result of many hours of work, so it was justly deserving its price tag.

“Where is that going to go?” he asked, as Toni wrapped it.

“In the apartment. We need the reminder to return to Muskoka as much as possible.”

“Okay then.”

He placed it in the Jeep, and she squeezed him tight. “Thank you.”

“Is that all the thanks I get?”

She winced. “It is tonight. And for this upcoming week. But after that…”

His eyes lit. “Really?”

She nodded. “Really.”

He kissed her, and her heart skipped several beats. She couldn’t wait to show him how she really felt. In one more week.

“Thanks for doing this today, Ange.”

“I’m glad we’ve got the time, especially with the men out fishing today.”

Today, the perfect Muskoka day for fishing, according to Dan. Their dinner together two nights ago had seen an invitation from Dan to John about fishing, which had resulted in John’s instant yes. This had resulted in Sarah joining her aunt for afternoon tea, as Ange called it, eating scones and drinking hot tea here on the back deck of the little cottage where Sarah had stayed when she’d first come to Muskoka all those years ago.

The lake glinted through the trees, the sandy beach promised fun for warmer days, the peace she’d always found here only further enlarged by spending time with one of her favoritest people in the world: her aunt Angela.

“I’m glad for John’s sake that Joel could take today’s meeting at Golden Elms.”

“Golden Elms?”

“The retirement home just outside the town.” Ange sipped her tea. “Joel’s always very obliging, which is just as well, considering he’s the assistant pastor.”

“Oh!” The dots were being joined together. “He’s the one married to Serena, right?”

Ange nodded. “John plans to hand the reins over to him soon, but he needs a little longer, considering Joel has a young family.”

Young family. Sarah’s heart creased. But no, she couldn’t begrudge others’ happiness just because she seemed destined to not have children.

Ange seemed to notice Sarah’s discomfort, smiling at her gently. “So you’re here for the summer.”

“For as much as we can.” Again that niggle arose to talk to Dan about Heartsong.

“I hope this means we’ll see you two in church again.”

“I think so. We’ll likely be away some weeks, so don’t go planning to use me in the music team any time soon.”

---