As they enjoyed the rest of the evening, Eden knew she’d found a community where she truly belonged.

  The next day, Steve called into Pastor John’s house after he’d finished working on a sculpture. Rex sat happily beside him as he knocked on John’s front door. With Shelley’s baby shower last night, and all the work he was trying to catch up on, this was the first opportunity he’d had to talk to Eden. Hopefully, she was home.

  When she opened the front door, he breathed a sigh of relief. “Hi. I thought you might like to come for a walk with Rex and me.”

  A mischievous grin lit her face. “I’d love to, but I have something I have to do first. I was just leaving to meet Penny at the cottages on Anchor Lane.”

  Steve’s eyes widened. “Are you able to rent one of them?”

  “I hope so. If you’ve got the time, I don’t think Penny would mind if you and Rex came with me.”

  Steve looked down at his canine buddy. “I wouldn’t want him coming inside, but I could leave him in the backyard. As long as it’s fully fenced, he’ll be okay.”

  Eden lifted her jacket off the coat stand and smiled. “Are you happy to walk to the cottage from here?”

  Steve nodded and pulled Rex away from Shelley and John’s flowerpots. “How was your day?”

  “Exciting,” Eden told him as he held her hand and started walking. “Although you might not think so. John had all the end of month invoices ready for me and everything balanced. I think he’s more motivated than usual, given how close it is to the birth of his baby.”

  Steve smiled. “Knowing Shelley, she probably gave him a list of what he needs to do.”

  Eden nodded. “You could be right. I saw Oscar, Chloe’s little boy, at The Welcome Center this afternoon. He’s looking forward to seeing Rex tomorrow while you’re at basketball practice.”

  Oscar had become a regular visitor to Eden’s office since she started looking after Rex. Steve enjoyed seeing the close bond that had developed between Oscar and Rex, and even more impressed by the tricks Oscar had taught the little dog.

  Eden leaned against his arm. “How are your sculptures?”

  “They’re getting there. The rest of the copper wire I’ve been waiting for arrived this morning. Tomorrow, I’ll do the finishing touches to the larger piece.” Steve looked down at Eden. Her smile made his heart sink. If he told her he hadn’t been entirely truthful to her now, he’d spoil her day.

  Eden kissed his cheek. “Thank you for talking to Penny the other day. I don’t think she would’ve remembered my rental application without you reminding her.”

  Steve shrugged. “I thought it was worth mentioning. I’m glad she had something available for you to look at.”

  As they turned into Anchor Lane, Eden looked at the first four buildings. “I can’t believe I might be able to live on this street. The first four cottages are almost too cute to be businesses.”

  He thought the same thing. Penny and the construction team had done an incredible job of turning the run-down buildings into thriving businesses. With tour buses arriving most days, and craft groups making the quilting and knitting stores their second homes, there weren’t many days when the buildings weren’t busy.

  The next four buildings had been turned into community housing. With white picket fences, wide verandas, and small gardens, the cottages were everything most people could want.

  They met Penny outside the third residential cottage.

  “Hi, you two,” she said with a warm smile. “Welcome to the cottages on Anchor Lane.”

  Steve picked up Rex. “You go ahead. I’ll take Rex into the backyard. He can wait for us there.”

  Penny took a key out of her pocket. “Don’t worry. We allow pets in the cottages. As long as he’s been to the bathroom, you’re more than welcome to bring him inside.” She smiled at Rex’s contented sigh, then opened the front door. “This home is the same size as the first two residential cottages, but we created three bedrooms instead of two.”

  Eden looked at the stained glass above the door. “This is gorgeous.”

  Penny smiled. “Wait until you see what we’ve done inside. It’s completely different from what it used to look like.”

  As he stepped into the wide hallway, Steve admired the ornate ceilings and fresh interior paint. The soft cream color made the cottage look charming and welcoming. The living room was spacious—perfect for relaxing with a cup of coffee or enjoying the evening breeze.

  As they moved through the cottage, he was even more impressed by what he saw. The new kitchen had modern appliances, sleek countertops, and plenty of cabinet space. The bathroom was pristine, with a large bathtub and stylish fixtures. The three bedrooms were cozy and inviting, with plenty of natural light streaming through the windows.

  “We had to do a lot of work on this place,” Penny said. “The veranda was sagging, the roof was leaking, and the floorboards were rotten. The kitchen cabinets were chipped, and the paint was peeling off the walls. Nearly everything had to be removed and replaced.”

  Eden looked around, feeling a mix of admiration and hesitation. “You’ve done a fantastic job. It’s beautiful.”

  Penny smiled. “Thank you. We wanted to create a space that felt like home.”

  By the time they reached the backyard, Steve was sure Eden would love living here. It was exactly the type of house she’d told him she wanted. But, when he looked at her, he wasn’t so sure.

  “What do you think of the cottage, Eden?” he asked.

  She sighed. “It’s amazing, but I can’t help thinking there are more deserving people who need somewhere to live. It’d be perfect for Chloe and Oscar.”

  Penny looked thoughtfully at Eden. “Chloe’s on my list of potential tenants. If you don’t think this is the house for you, you don’t have to rent it.”

  Steve’s eyes widened when he saw the indecision on Eden’s face.

  She looked at Penny. “How many people are waiting for a home they can rent?”

  “We have about thirty people on our waitlist, but not everyone has arrived in Sapphire Bay. Some families are more organized than others and start looking for a rental before they arrive.”

  Eden looked at Steve. “I can’t live here, not with people like Chloe and Oscar looking for somewhere to live. The Welcome Center is lovely, but it’s not a great place for Oscar. He’d love running around in the backyard and it’s so much closer to his school.”

  Steve held her hand. “If you don’t take the cottage, you’ll have to stay with John and Shelley.”

  “Not necessarily.” Eden turned to Shelley. “Can I ask if Chloe’s near the top of the list for the next available house to rent?”

  Shelley opened a document on her iPad. “She’s near the top. What are you thinking?”

  Eden sighed. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I thought I was taking someone else’s place. What if Chloe and Oscar moved into the cottage? I could ask John if I could take their room at The Welcome Center. Hopefully, I won’t be there for long.”

  Steve admired what she wanted to do, but it might take her longer than she thought to find something else. “Are you sure? It’s difficult finding somewhere to live in Sapphire Bay.”

  “It would be a short commute to work,” she said half-jokingly. “I hope I haven’t wasted your time, Penny. I really was excited about seeing the cottage, but it doesn’t seem fair if I live here when others can’t.”

  Penny sent Eden a genuine smile. “I completely understand. If another rental comes on the market, I’ll let you know. But before you do anything, let me talk to Chloe. If she’d like to move into the cottage with her son, I’ll tell John you’d like to take their place at the center. It should work, but you never know.”

  Eden nodded and looked back at the cottage. “It really is a lovely home.”

  Penny slipped her iPad back into her bag. “Don’t worry. There’ll be others.”

  Steve lowered Rex to the ground. “And you’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep knowing you’ve helped someone else.”

  Whether Eden slept quite so soundly after he told her about his sculptures was another story.

  Chapter 15

  As they walked away from the cottage, Steve was worried. If he didn’t tell Eden about his sculptures and how popular they were, she’d find out from someone else. And that would be worse than keeping the information from her for this long.

  Taking a deep breath, he tried to find the right words. “Eden, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  She sighed. “I know what you’re going to say. You think I’m crazy not to rent the cottage. But Chloe and Oscar will appreciate it more than me.”

  “That’s not what I was going to say,” Steve told her. “But letting Chloe rent the cottage was a kind thing to do. I just hope she wants to live there.”

  Eden tightened her grip on his hand. “Almost everyone in Sapphire Bay wants to live there. Shelley said the official opening ceremony of the cottages was really popular. People were lining up to see inside the cottages.” She looked at him and frowned. “If you weren’t going to tell me I’m crazy, what did you want to say?”

  Steve stopped under an old oak tree and looked into her eyes. “I haven’t told you the whole truth about my sculptures.”

  “In what way?”

  He looked at the trust shining in her eyes. “Sculpting is my career, not something I do as a hobby. My agent does a good job of finding customers who want to buy my work.”

  “That must make it a lot easier. I don’t know much about art,” Eden confessed. “But your sculptures are amazing.”

  Steve nodded, feeling a little vulnerable. “They sell for a lot of money.”

  “That’s wonderful,” she told him. “It must cost a lot to get the steel sent to your workshop. And some of your tools look quite specialized.”

  “They are,” Steve said cautiously. “I’ve always enjoyed sculpting. I started with clay, then moved to wood and metal. I’ve been collecting the tools in my workshop for years.”

  “I’ll know what to buy you for Christmas, then,” Eden teased.

  Steve held her hands. “I’ve exhibited and sold sculptures to clients around the world. I don’t usually attend the openings of the exhibitions or make any public appearances.”

  Eden frowned. “Because of your PTSD?’

  Steve nodded. “Large crowds overwhelm me, and I prefer to keep my private life away from the media.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about this when you first showed me your sculptures?”

  Steve watched Eden carefully. She didn’t look upset about what he’d said, but he wasn’t taking any chances. “I didn’t want my job or my income to change how you see me.”

  “Why would it do that? Just because you’re an artist, it doesn’t make you any different than an accountant, a lawyer, or a construction worker.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief. Eden accepted him for who he was, and that meant more than anything else. There was only one problem; he earned a whole lot more than any accountant he’d met.

  “If you make a decent living from selling your sculptures, why live in the tiny home village?” Eden asked, genuinely puzzled.

  Steve sighed. “After everything that’s happened, I needed to live somewhere that I felt safe, where I knew my neighbors, and where I was part of something bigger than myself. Living in a large house was too isolating. The tiny home village gave me a sense of community and familiarity that I desperately needed.”

  Eden nodded, but she still seemed confused. “Does your dad know how popular your sculptures are?”

  Steve looked away for a moment before answering. “I’ve told him, but he doesn’t understand how much money is involved. When my mom was alive, she was supportive, but my dad... he’s always been disappointed in the choices I’ve made. He thinks I should be doing something more practical. Like he did.”

  “It must be hard,” Eden said softly, “not having his support.”

  He nodded. “It is, but I’ve come to terms with it. I’m doing what I love, and that’s what matters the most to me.”

  “How does your work on the tiny homes fit into what you’re doing? Doesn’t it take time away from making the sculptures?”

  Steve brushed a hand along the side of Eden’s face. “If I was spending all my time in my workshop, I wouldn’t meet anyone. Working with the construction teams gives me the chance to connect with people. I’ve made good friends and enjoy their company. I don’t get paid, and the site foreman is happy for me to work around my sculpting schedule.”

  Eden’s expression softened. “It sounds like you’ve found a balance between the two jobs that works for everyone. I just wish you’d told me earlier. It doesn’t change how I see you, Steve. If anything, it makes me admire you more for following what you love.”

  Steve felt a sliver of unease travel along his spine. He hadn’t told Eden everything. One day, when he was ready, he’d tell her the name he sold his sculptures under, and the true extent of his wealth.

  He just hoped he wasn’t making the biggest mistake of his life by not telling her now.

  Eden was enjoying her morning at the Saturday market. Tables filled with fresh produce, handmade crafts, and local delicacies made walking around the crowded outdoor area a pleasure. Apart from anything else, the lively atmosphere and cheerful conversations were a welcome distraction from what Steve had told her last night.

  She was amazed he’d chosen Sapphire Bay to make his sculptures. It didn’t surprise her they were so popular. He was a talented artist and deserved all the success his pieces brought him. But she was a little disappointed that he’d thought she’d treat him differently if she knew his main income was from sculpting.

  As she examined a basket of ripe strawberries, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

  When she saw Shelley’s name on the screen, she answered straightaway. “Hey, Shelley. Is everything okay?”

  “Hi. Don’t worry, I’m not in labor,” Shelley said with a light laugh. “But I did want to tell you about a house that’s about to go on the market. The tenants moved out, and the owners want a quick sale. It needs some remodeling, but I thought you might be interested.”

  Eden moved away from the table of fresh fruit. “I don’t know if I can afford a house. I have some savings, but it might not be enough for the deposit.”

  “At least have a look,” Shelley said. “It’s the cutest cottage I’ve seen. If you like it, you could call the bank and see what you can afford.”

  Eden looked across the market. Chloe had been overjoyed when Penny asked if she wanted to move into the cottage on Anchor Lane. In a week’s time, Eden was moving out of Shelley and John’s home and into The Welcome Center. If she bought the house, she might be able to go straight there.

  “What’s the address of the house?” Eden asked.

  “28 Chestnut Drive. It’s not close to the lake or within easy walking distance of town, but that’s a good thing. It’ll keep the price down and give you some wiggle room with your offer. I’ve got the key.”

  Eden’s eyebrows rose. “You were that sure I’d want to have a look?”

  Shelley laughed. “Call it female intuition. It’s gorgeous, Eden. Even John was impressed when we did a little drive past.”

  With that recommendation, how could Eden refuse? “Okay. I can meet you there in fifteen minutes. But be careful. I don’t want you getting over excited and going into labor.”

  “Don’t worry,” Shelley said. “John’s making sure I don’t do too much. I’ll see you soon.”

  As Eden walked back to her car, her mind buzzed with possibilities. Finding a place of her own had seemed so unrealistic that she’d given up considering the possibility. But if the house needed as much love and attention as Shelley had said, it could be the only way she’d find a home.

  When she arrived, Shelley was already there, waiting by the gate of a charming, slightly worn-down house. But beyond the obvious signs of wear and tear, there was a lovely building waiting to be restored. “You weren’t kidding when you said it was gorgeous.”

  Shelley grinned. “I’m glad you’re not put off by the saggy bits. John knows plenty of builders who’ll give you a good price to fix it up. With a little elbow grease, the cottage will be incredible.”

  Eden looked at the overgrown garden and the faded paint on the house’s exterior. “It definitely has character,” she said with a smile. “Let’s go inside.”

  The interior was a mix of outdated décor, layers of dust and grime, and peeling paint. The musty smell of mold and the damp patches on the ceilings were slightly worrying, but they were nothing that couldn’t be fixed.

  “What do you think?” Shelley asked.

  Eden walked into the kitchen and held her nose. “Oh, my goodness. I thought the bad smell was from a leak in the roof, but it’s coming from the refrigerator.”

  Shelley cautiously walked across to the partly open refrigerator and used her foot to flick open the door.

  Eden looked over her shoulder and gagged. The congealed, gooey pile of food made her feel sick.

  Shelley made a disgusted sound and slammed the refrigerator door shut. With her arm across her nose, she unlocked the kitchen door and flung it open. “That’s the nastiest leftovers I’ve seen.” Taking a deep breath, she leaned against the doorframe. “They’re so decomposed that I don’t know whether it’s meat or vegetables.”

  “Probably meat,” Eden said between deep breaths. “Maggots don’t like vegetables.”

  A shiver passed through Shelley’s body. “The owners live out of town. They’d be horrified if they saw what’s in there.”

  Taking a cleansing breath, Eden held her nose between two fingers. “I won’t let that deter me. You’d better stay here while I check out the bathroom.”

  Shelley sent her a grateful smile. “I feel like I’m letting you down, but I don’t think my stomach will survive another foul smell.”

 

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