Chapter 57

fifty-seven

BEN

Three days later, I stood inside the entrance of the old steamboat museum. It was a relief to be here, to know the tiny home village would soon become a reality. With the preliminary work Pastor Adam had already done, the planning department had approved the development in record time. Now, it was time to start building.

At seven-thirty this morning, the students from Colorado State University and the apprentices from Pastor Adam's construction program started the first tiny home.

Patrick was with them. When he was at The Welcome Center, he'd talked to Pastor Adam about the project, explaining that he'd worked in the construction industry for more than twenty years. He'd offered his expertise and was now mentoring a team of apprentices as they tackled the first house.

I quickly realized that even though Patrick was in his eighties, nothing, except a little arthritis in his knees, would slow him down.

I opened a door on the far side of the entrance and smiled. Paul was working with four other volunteers, measuring and cutting the fabric that would become curtains for each house.

Amy sat at a small table, reading a book to her dolly.

I walked across to my friend. "It looks like Aladdin's cave in here." Four tables, clustered around the volunteers' work area, held large rolls of fabric in a multitude of colors.

Paul unwound a few yards of dark blue material. "Isn't it wonderful? I can't believe the store in Great Falls donated so much fabric."

"Neither can I. It's amazing how generous they've been. Will you make the curtains here?"

Amy came over to the worktable. "We're making them at our house."

Paul smiled. "Just some of them. We decided it'd be easier if we sew the curtains from each of our homes. That way, we can make them in our own time instead of having to drive here each day."

"That makes sense. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"You can hold the fabric while I cut it."

"Sure." While Paul sliced through the fabric with a sharp pair of scissors, I looked around the room. "When did you arrive?"

"About an hour ago after school finished. Amy and I met Daniel's granddad. He seems like a nice person."

"How did you?—"

"I didn't go out of my way to say hello. When we arrived, he was sitting outside, having a cup of coffee."

Amy leaned against my legs. "Do you want me to tell you about the book I'm reading? It's about dragons and princesses, and a small frog called Peter."

"As long as Paul can spare me for a few minutes, I'd love to hear about your book."

Amy's big blue eyes settled on her uncle. "Would that be okay? We won't be very long."

Paul folded the piece of fabric she'd cut. "Of course, it's okay."

Amy looked behind me and smiled. "I just read a story to Dolly about a frog."

"That sounds like fun."

My mouth dropped open. As I turned around, my heart pounded. "Daniel? What are you doing here?"

"Saying sorry to you."

I didn't know what to say.

Amy grinned. "Daniel knows lots of funny jokes."

"You remember him?" I was surprised when she nodded.

"I told Daniel if he caught you a fish, you might want him to stay."

I wished our relationship could be fixed so easily. "Daniel and I are friends."

"Uncle Paul says boyfriends are like friends, only better."

While Amy pulled me across to a table and showed me her book, Paul said something to Daniel. Even in a gray T-shirt and jeans Daniel stood out from everyone else. He was easily the most handsome man I'd ever met, but there was more to him than his looks. There was something about the way he moved, the way he spoke, and the things that were important to him that made my heart melt.

Why had he traveled all the way to Sunrise Bay? Patrick said Daniel was busy. If he wanted to apologize, he could have called me. Taking time out of his schedule wouldn't make his workload any easier.

Maybe he was worried about his grandfather. If Patrick told him he was working on the tiny home project, he might be concerned he was doing too much. Or maybe, just maybe, Daniel wanted to know how I felt about him.

"Here's my favorite picture," Amy said proudly. "It was above chapter ten." She shoved the book under my nose. "Do you like it?"

I smiled at the pink, frilly dress the princess was wearing. "It's lovely. Why do you like it?"

"'Cos Peter is there. Can you see him?"

It took me a few seconds to remember that Peter was a frog. I looked closely at the picture. "There he is." I pointed at a little green frog sitting beside the princess. "He's cute."

Amy leaned into me. "Peter isn't a frog for the whole story," she whispered. "He turns into a dragon. When he breathes on people, their wishes come true."

"That's amazing."

"And guess what?"

I smiled. "What?"

"When Peter breathes on the princess, he thinks she'll wish for a handsome prince. But that's not what she wants."

"What does she want?"

Amy leaned even closer. "The princess knows Peter's lonely 'cos he's the only dragon in the kingdom. She wishes for more dragons so he can be happy."

"Does her wish come true?"

"Yes," Amy said excitedly. "Peter finds seven dragons. It makes him really happy. Do you want to know how I remembered the number of dragons?"

I laughed as Amy jumped up and down. "How did you remember?"

"It was easy. I'm seven!"

Paul looked over my shoulder. "Amy must be telling you about Peter."

I smiled. "She is. He's the happiest dragon in the kingdom." My smile disappeared when I looked at Daniel. "It's good to see you."

"It's good to see you, too."

When I looked into Daniel's eyes, I forgot what I was going to say. I'd missed him so much.

Paul touched my arm. "I'm taking Amy to the kitchen for a cookie and something to drink. Do you want to come with us?"

I rose from the chair, grateful that my friend was looking out for me. "I'll be okay."

Amy grinned. "Do you want to come with us, Daniel? Pastor Adam makes yummy cookies."

"Thanks, but I'll stay here. I want to talk to Ben."

"Okay." Before she left, Amy tugged Daniel's hand.

He smiled and knelt on the floor. "Yes?"

"Remember to catch a fish while you're here," she whispered.

My cheeks burned red hot.

"I'll remember," he whispered back. "Enjoy your cookie."

"I will." And with a quick wave, Amy skipped out of the room.

Daniel stood and cleared his throat. "Do you think a fish will help us?"

Tears stung my eyes. "It can't hurt. How have you been?"

"Terrible. How about you?"

"About the same." Taking a step closer, I searched his face, looking for anything that would tell me what he was thinking. "Are we still friends?"

Daniel held my hand. "I hope so. I'm sorry I didn't tell you the whole truth about Emanuel when I had the chance."

"And I'm sorry I didn't listen when you explained everything."

"Do you think there's a chance we can be more than friends?"

I wiped the tears off my face. "It's a definite possibility, but you'll have to catch an amazing fish."

"Better than Granddad's?"

"How did you know?—?"

"He sent me a photo. I'm confident my fish will impress you."

The teasing note in Daniel's voice made me smile. "I don't think that's possible."

"Anything's possible, Ben Harper. You just have to believe it will happen."

I sighed. "I'm open to other suggestions."

Daniel pulled me close. "My barbecue ribs are pretty good. How does dinner with Granddad and me at six-thirty sound?"

"Like a great compromise. I'll bring dessert."

"I'm already looking forward to it."

I leaned forward and gently kissed Daniel's lips. "So am I."