After she’d spoken to the principal of the school, Eden visited a bakery on Main Street. The cinnamon and jam donuts were Steve’s favorite and telling him about her meeting was a good reason to buy them. Hopefully, he’d be able to take a break.

  As she approached the back door of the old steamboat museum, she was surprised it was so quiet. Either Steve was working on his computer or he’d gone somewhere else.

  She knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open. “Hello. Is anyone here?”

  Steve looked up from his workbench, his eyes widening in surprise. “Eden! What are you doing here?”

  “School finished early for the parent and teacher meetings,” she explained with a smile. “I thought I’d come and see what you’re working on.”

  Steve set down his tools and wiped his hands on a rag. “I’m glad you did. Come on in. I was just sorting through some tools.”

  Eden looked around his workshop. It was cluttered, but in an organized way, with tools and materials neatly arranged on shelves and tables.

  She held up the brown paper bag she’d brought with her. “If you’re able to take a break, I bought us something sweet to eat.”

  “That sounds like a great idea. Just give me a couple of minutes.” Steve walked across to a small kitchenette and turned on the coffeepot. “How was school?”

  “The children were excited to be going home early,” she said with a smile. “I’m not sure the teaching staff were as happy. They’ve spent a lot of time preparing graphs and models of how each child is doing.”

  Steve washed his hands. “I’m sure the parents appreciate it.”

  Eden touched a piece of twisted metal sitting on a shelf. “Is this something you’re working on?”

  Steve shook his head. “That was a sample piece I made for a project. When I’m not sure if something will work, I try it on a smaller scale.” He picked up a sketchpad and brought it across to her. “This is my latest commission. Harrison asked me to make a bronze sculpture as a surprise Christmas present for Daniella.”

  Eden studied the sketch. The intricate drawing showed a fairy with delicate wings, her face turned slightly upward in a serene expression. “Wow, this is beautiful. She looks a lot like Daniella.”

  Steve nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes. “That’s the idea. Harrison wanted the fairy to resemble her.”

  He moved to his computer and opened a file. “Harrison sent me these to help with the details.” Steve flicked through an album of photos showing Daniella in her fairy costume at The Fairy Forest and sitting outside in the sunshine.

  “That’s a lot of photos,” Eden told him with a smile. “It looks a little stalkerish.”

  Steve laughed, shaking his head. “I thought the same thing at first, but Harrison assured me it was okay. Daniella knows about the photos. She just doesn’t know what they’re for.”

  Eden picked up the sketchpad and looked at a smaller drawing of Daniella’s face. Each stroke of Steve’s pencil captured her personality and brought the still image to life. “You could have been a painter. This is beautiful.”

  Steve looked over her shoulder and kissed the side of her face. “I did a fine arts degree. I wasn’t the most popular student on campus when I traded in my oil paints for steel, but it worked for me.”

  Eden leaned into his embrace. “Daniella and Harrison will love the sculpture.”

  “I hope so,” Steve said, his voice softening. “It means a lot to me to create something special for them.”

  Eden turned in his arms and kissed him. “You have a heart of gold to make the sculpture for them.”

  “Call me Mr. Nice Guy,” he said as he kissed her back. “But, if I want to keep on track, I’d better make our coffee. I’m meeting a potential client at four-thirty.”

  While Steve made the coffee, Eden walked around the workshop, admiring the various pieces he was working on. When she was halfway around the room she frowned. “Where’s Rex?”

  “He has a playdate with a golden-haired Labrador named Trixie.”

  Eden grinned. “That sounds interesting.”

  “Tell me about it. He met Trixie on one of our walks around the lake and they’ve been best buddies ever since. Liam, her owner, is working from Sapphire Bay for a few months.”

  Eden walked across to Steve. “I hope Rex isn’t heartbroken when she leaves.”

  “I don’t know about heartbroken,” Steve said. “But he’ll miss her.”

  As she watched Steve find a plate for the donuts, Eden realized just how much she would’ve missed him if she’d gone back to Boston. “Have I told you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me?”

  He placed a cup of coffee beside her. “I haven’t done all that much.”

  “You’ve been a huge support to me since I moved here. I don’t know how I would have managed without you.”

  Steve smiled. “I’m glad I could help. You’ve helped me too, more than you know.”

  She picked up a donut and grinned. “It must be the added sugar I’ve brought to your diet.”

  “It’s more than that,” Steve said softly. “I didn’t think I’d ever meet someone who accepted me for who I am. You’ve not only accepted me, but you’ve become an important part of my life.”

  Eden put the donut down and smiled. “I’m glad you said that, because you’re important to me, too. And, apart from being an incredible boyfriend, I came here for another reason. I wanted to tell you about a meeting I had with Julie, the principal at the school.”

  “What did you talk about?”

  “I asked if there are any full-time jobs available at the school,” she replied, watching his reaction closely. “A couple of staff are retiring and she suggested I apply for those roles.”

  Steve’s eyes widened. “Really? That’s amazing, Eden!”

  She saw the happiness in his expression, mirroring her own feelings. “I’m so excited. I love working with the children and the teachers are fantastic.”

  Steve nodded, still processing the news. “Does this mean you’ll stay in Sapphire Bay?”

  Eden frowned, taken aback by his question. “I thought you realized I wanted to stay after I bought the house.”

  Steve breathed a sigh of relief. “I was worried you’d only stay for another six months or a year and then leave. I guess I just needed to hear it from you.”

  Eden stepped closer, placing her hands on his arms. “I bought the house because I want to build a life here. I’m not planning on going anywhere. Sapphire Bay feels like home to me now. I can’t imagine my life anywhere else or without you in it.”

  Steve reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Good. Because I can’t imagine my life without you, either.”

  Eden looked into his eyes, feeling the sincerity in his words. The warmth of his hand against her cheek sent a shiver down her spine.

  Steve’s gaze softened, and he leaned in closer. “I’ve felt connected to you from the moment we met. I want us to build a life together, right here in Sapphire Bay.”

  Her eyes closed as his lips brushed against hers in a tender, heartfelt kiss. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in that perfect moment.

  When they finally pulled apart, Eden felt a surge of emotions—love, hope, and a deep sense of belonging. “I love you, Steve,” she said softly.

  He smiled, his eyes shining with the same intensity. “I love you too, Eden. More than words can say.”

  As they stood there in the warmth of his workshop, Eden knew this was the beginning of something truly special.

  Chapter 23

  Eden sat on the floor of her half-finished living room, the walls stripped bare of their old wallpaper, and her tools beside the ladder.

  She leaned against the one piece of comfortable furniture she had—a worn-out armchair she’d found at a thrift store. With her phone pressed to her ear, she took a deep breath, ready to share her latest decision with her mom.

  “Hi, Mom,” she said, trying to keep her voice light.

  “Hi, sweetheart! How are things going?” her mom asked, the warmth in her voice a comfort even over the phone.

  “Good, actually. The house is coming together, slowly but surely,” Eden replied, glancing around the room with a mixture of pride and trepidation.

  “That’s great to hear. We miss you, Eden. Boston isn’t the same without you.”

  Eden smiled, though her heart ached a little at her mom's words. “I miss you all too, Mom. But I’ve got some news. I’m applying for a full-time job at the local school here in Sapphire Bay.”

  There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Are you sure, honey? What about coming back to Boston? You could work here, and we’d all be close again.”

  Eden sighed, understanding her mom’s concerns. “I know, Mom. But I love it here. Sapphire Bay feels like home now. I’ve found a community that I’m passionate about, and I want to make a difference here. Plus, I’ve got Steve.”

  Her mom’s tone softened. “You’ve told me a lot about him. He sounds wonderful. But it’s hard for us, you know? Sapphire Bay is so far away.”

  Eden felt a pang of guilt. She had a close relationship with her family. They knew her inside out and loved her unconditionally. “I miss you all too, so much. But this is a chance for me to build something of my own. The school needs teachers, and I need this fresh start. It’s not like I won’t visit or that you can’t come here. It will just be different.”

  Her mom sighed. “I understand, Eden. We just want you to be happy and safe. If this is what you truly want, then we’ll support you. Just promise me you’ll keep in touch.”

  Eden felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. “I promise, Mom. And I’ll visit as often as I can. You’re always welcome here too. Sapphire Bay is beautiful, and I know you’ll love it.”

  “I’m sure we would. Your happiness means the world to us, Eden. Just make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons.”

  “I am, Mom. I really am,” Eden assured her. “If I get one of the teaching jobs, I won’t start for a couple of months. What if I fly to Boston for a long weekend? If you and Dad aren’t doing anything, I could visit in the next couple of weeks.”

  “Will you be able to do that with the work you’re doing at the church?”

  Eden was sure John wouldn’t mind. “I could work extra hours for a few days to make up the time. Why don’t I call John, then talk to you once I have some dates organized. We could go out for dinner at Marco’s and have a family dinner with everyone. It’ll be fun.”

  “That sound wonderful. We love you, Eden. Always remember that.”

  “I love you too, Mom. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  After hanging up, Eden sat for a moment, the phone still in her hand. She was making the right decision for herself, and even though it meant being away from her family, she knew they supported her. With Steve by her side and her determination to build a life in Sapphire Bay, she felt ready to take on whatever came next—including sanding, plastering and painting the walls around her.

  Two days later, Steve stood in Owen's glass studio, watching his friend shape a glass bowl for his latest collection. Rex lay sprawled on the floor, lazily chewing on a toy.

  Owen separated the bowl from a rod and placed it in the annealing oven to slowly cool. “Are you sure Eden doesn’t mind you working on her house when she isn’t there?”

  Steve crossed his arms in front of his chest. “She won’t know until she gets back from Boston.”

  “I know you want it to be a surprise,” Owen said. “But, if she’s anything like Harper, she’ll want the remodeled house to look exactly how she sees it in her imagination. Unless you can read her mind, she could be disappointed.”

  Steve grinned. “I’ve already thought of that.” He pulled out his phone and showed Owen the photos he’d taken last night. “Eden has a design board she’s taking to Boston. Her mom and sisters are going shopping with her to look at some lights and rugs she’s seen online. All her ideas for each room are here, along with paint colors and pictures she’s found on the Internet. We can’t go wrong.”

  “When you’re talking about remodeling a house, something always goes wrong,” Owen insisted.

  Steve frowned. “It’s not the whole house. The only area I want to do is the attic.”

  “As in creating an extra storage area or something more?”

  Steve flicked through the photos until he found the ones he wanted. “I’d like to build something like this.” This part of Eden’s house was probably the most special to her. The reason he’d chosen it was because it was also the area that would cost the most.

  In one picture Eden had found, exposed wooden beams gave a sloped attic ceiling a rustic charm. Soft, natural light flooded the space through two newly installed skylights.

  In another, the walls were painted a calming shade of sage green, creating a serene backdrop for the space. Along one wall, a series of built-in bookcases stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with rows of books that varied in color and size. Some shelves held carefully placed decorative items and potted plants, adding a touch of personality and life to the room.

  Steve showed Owen the last photo. “I know Eden wants two comfy chairs and a rug on the floor. Between the two of us, we should be able to find something she’d like.”

  Owen didn’t look quite so excited about what Steve wanted to do. “That’s a big project. Creating a library of that size won’t be easy or cheap. I don’t even know if it’s possible to build something like that over one weekend.”

  “I spoke to some of the guys who work on the tiny homes with me. As long as they’ve had a look at the attic before we start the work, and I have all the materials on site, they’ll do their best to frame out the interior.” He didn’t add that they’d thought it couldn’t be done.

  “What about the building permit?”

  “I spoke to the county. If it’s not a livable space, we don’t need a permit.”

  “And a library isn’t a livable space?”

  “It’s a storage area for books,” Steve said with a frown. “Work with me on this. I’m trying to be romantic.”

  Owen laughed. “Most people wouldn’t count a library as being romantic. However, you aren’t most people and neither is Eden.” He picked up two bottles of water and handed one to Steve. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but the only thing Eden’s let you pay for is a can of paint stripper. What makes you think she’ll be happy with you remodeling her attic?”

  “She’ll be happy when she sees it.”

  Owen leaned against his workbench. “Because you’ve brought her dream to life?”

  Steve took a deep breath. “That’s only half the reason. I’m going to ask her to marry me after she sees the library.”

  Owen choked on a mouthful of water. “Oh, man,” he spluttered as he coughed again. “Next time, make sure I’m not drinking anything when you tell me something like that.”

  Rex looked up from his chew toy, his little black eyes watching Owen wipe the water off his sweater.

  “It’s okay, boy. Owen just forgot how to swallow.” Steve pulled a handful of paper towels out of a dispenser and handed them to his friend. “I want to be part of Eden’s life. I love her.”

  “You haven’t known each other for long.”

  Steve’s eyebrows rose. “And how long did you know Harper before you asked her to marry you?”

  Owen sighed. “I asked for that, didn’t I? Okay. Who am I to stand in the way of true love?”

  Steve felt a surge of gratitude. “Thanks. I knew I could count on you.”

  Owen sat at his workbench. “What’s your plan?”

  Taking his notebook out of his backpack, Steve opened it to the first page. “The guys from the tiny home project will assess the structural integrity of the attic when Eden’s at work tomorrow morning. I have a key to her house, so we’ll be okay. Worst-case scenario is that we’ll have to reinforce the floor and roof. After that’s done, we’ll add a window or two for natural light. If I can organize enough labor, we’ll add a dormer window. Then it’s just a matter of insulating everything and adding drywall.”

  Owen sighed. “My head’s spinning just thinking about all the work that needs to be done. What about the interior?”

  “I’ll send you the photos from Eden’s display board. I was hoping you’d come with me to the general store to choose the paint.”

  “Consider it done. We might as well grab the brushes and drop cloths we’ll need while we’re there. What about bookcases?”

  Steve picked up his phone. “Richard’s making them exactly like the ones Eden found on the Internet. He had some leftover timber from another project, so it worked out perfectly.”

  Owen ran his hands around the back of his neck. “So, apart from you, me, the tiny homes construction crew, and Richard, does anyone else know about your surprise?”

  “Only Daniella,” Steve told his friend. “She’s giving Eden a lift to the airport so we can start straightaway. She’s also offered to supply us with all the food and drink we’ll need, even if we have to work around the clock. I just want to make sure the library’s perfect for Eden.”

  Rex, sensing the excitement, wagged his tail and trotted over to Steve, nudging his leg. Steve bent down to scratch behind his little buddy’s ears. “Even Rex is excited about this.”

  Owen laughed. “Looks like we have the whole team on board.”

  They spent the next half hour making lists of the materials they’d need and setting a timeline for the remodel. Having so many people working in a small space meant there was bound to be issues. If they could make sure everyone wasn’t there at the same time, it’d be better.

  As they wrapped up their planning session, Owen stretched his arms above his head. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but it’ll be worth it.”

  Steve frowned. “I hope so. I have no idea what I’ll do if Eden doesn’t want to marry me.”

  Owen put his arm around Steve’s shoulders. “You’ll grab your running gear and we’ll hit the trail for a few hours. If that doesn’t make you feel better, you can come home with me and drown your sorrows in too much takeout and some of the red wine I bought last weekend.”

 

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