“Well, everyone. We did it. Look at this.” She gestured to the sign above, and toward the shop. “It’s even better than I imagined.”
Dot looked around at all these new friends, in this temporary home she’d only been in for a few months, and she really couldn’t believe her good fortune. The work with For the Win had been rewarding, challenging, and fun. But the people she’d met in Cedar Falls—well, she hadn’t realized she was building a community, too.
“Let’s give Danny a round of applause. His design, donations, and ability to manage a major project made it all possible.”
Calls and hoots for Danny rose up from the crowd.
“And in just fifteen minutes, the Jankowskis will be here. So, are we ready?”
“Yes!” the crowd answered.
Tommy and Jake popped bottles of champagne, and Mary and Grace passed around plastic flute glasses for when Ted and Jeanie pulled up.
A few minutes later, they saw the Jankowskis’ royal-blue Ford Escape turn onto Main Street.
“Here they come!” Danny called out. Then to Dot, more quietly, he said, “Pray that they like it.”
“They’ll love it. How could they not!” She elbowed him in the ribs, and they went to meet the older couple in the parking lot at the corner.
“Welcome home! How was the competition?” Dot asked as soon as Jeanie opened her door.
“We came in second overall. Look!” Jeanie held up a big red ribbon. “I’m over the moon about it. Ted danced like he was twenty years old again!”
“We had a great time. I’ve never seen Jeanie look prettier.” Ted put an arm around her shoulders. “But we rushed back. We can’t wait to see what you’ve done!”
“Well... Ted and Jeanie, if you’ll allow us... we have some blindfolds,” Dot said, handing one of the blindfolds to Danny. They started to put them on the older couple, who were giggling at the fuss. “We’ll guide you over.”
They walked down the block and Dot signaled to the small crowd of helpers to get ready.
They stopped across the street from the shop.
“This is how Ted first surprised me when he bought the bookstore,” Jeanie said.
“We know. Ted told us all about it. We wanted it to remind you of that day and all you’ve done with this place since then,” Danny said.
Jeanie reached for their hands and squeezed.
“Ready?” Dot looked at Danny. “On three. One. Two. Three!”
They pulled off the blindfolds and Jeanie’s hands flew to her mouth. The workers and volunteers cheered.
“Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it,” Jeanie said.
Ted hugged Danny. “My boy. Look what you’ve done!” Dot could tell it meant so much to them both, the man who’d never had a son and the son who’d never known his father.
Grace handed Ted and Jeanie a flute of champagne.
“Come see!”
The crowd applauded and flanked either side of them as they went into the store.
Ted and Jeanie were amazed.
Jeanie’s hand again covered her mouth. “I almost don’t recognize the place and yet it still seems like our store, just...”
“Better!” Ted finished Jeanie’s sentence.
Harper and Grace showed them the refashioned children’s section, and Ted tried out the new couch.