Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

As Chloe walked down Main Street on Saturday afternoon, a rare burst of sunshine made her smile. Baskets of colorful flowers hung from under the stores’ verandas, and cheerful bunting fluttered in the breeze. If she’d let her imagination free, she would’ve said that Main Street looked like a scene straight out of a storybook.

Oscar skipped along beside her, chatting about the town’s Santa Parade and all the activities he wanted to be part of. Chloe enjoyed hearing the excitement in his voice. Fall was her favorite season and, this year, it would be even more special with everyone coming together to organize some incredible Christmas events.

While she was helping Kathleen in the café, she’d heard all about what happened in Sapphire Bay over the holiday season. In a way, she felt privileged to be part of the activities, even if it wasn’t where she’d thought she’d be.

As she entered The Welcome Center, she waved at Mabel and the other volunteers she recognized. It looked as though half the community was here. Her gaze slid across the people in the reception area and stopped on Liam.

When he saw her, he gave her a friendly wave and came over with Trixie, his golden-haired Labrador.

“Hey, Chloe. The center’s busy today.”

“Hi, Liam. Pastor John organized a meeting. We’re talking about the Christmas events a special committee has planned for the town. People come from all over Montana to enjoy the program.”

“But it’s only the beginning of October.”

“The committee has been working on the events for three or four months. They like to be super organized in case something happens.” Chloe looked down at Oscar. He was cuddling Trixie, and she was enjoying every moment.

“It sounds like it’ll be an interesting meeting,” Liam said. “Do you mind if I join you? I’m curious to see what everyone’s doing.”

“You’re more than welcome,” Chloe replied. “It should be great fun, even if you aren’t here for Christmas.”

They made their way into the meeting room and found three chairs at the back of the room.

Oscar whispered something to Trixie, then put his hands over the Labrador’s ears. When Chloe raised her eyebrows, Oscar leaned toward her. “It’s noisy. Trixie might get scared.”

Chloe smiled. She didn’t blame Oscar for being worried about Liam’s dog’s hearing. Everyone’s excited chatter was much louder than usual. “That’s a good idea, but it looks as though Trixie’s used to lots of noise.”

Oscar sent the Golden Labrador a searching look before slowly taking his hands off her ears. Instead of being confused about what was happening, Trixie licked the side of Oscar’s face and snuggled closer to him.

Chloe sighed. She had a feeling her son’s pleas for a dog of their own would become even more regular once Liam and Trixie left Sapphire Bay.

She glanced around the room. Shelley, Pastor John’s wife, was setting up a table with lemonade and cookies. Daniella was pushing a cart of cups toward a table with a line of coffeepots on it. The atmosphere was cheerful and welcoming, and Chloe was even more excited about being part of Sapphire Bay’s holiday traditions.

Liam cleared his throat. “I spoke to Penny Terry about the letter her family found. She told me you used to work at the Smithsonian.”

Chloe’s eyes widened. She was surprised that Penny had said anything, especially since she rarely talked about the job she’d left behind. “It was my dream job,” she admitted. “I loved every minute of working with people like Penny and her sisters. Sometimes, I still have to pinch myself when I think of the historical significance of what they found.”

Liam leaned closer to her. “Tell me about your job at the Smithsonian. Penny said you organized exhibitions. It sounds fascinating.”

Most people looked dazed when she told them about the displays and conservation work her team had done. Even her ex-husband hadn’t wanted to hear about the latest discovery they’d made or the ups and down of exhibiting unique collections. But Liam seemed genuinely interested.

“I was the team leader of collections at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. I worked with the restoration, research, and exhibition teams. Each day, there was something new to see. It was the most rewarding job I’ve ever had.”

Liam tilted his head to the side. “Why did you move to Sapphire Bay if you enjoyed your job so much?”

Chloe looked down at Oscar. “After I divorced my husband, I couldn’t afford to stay in Washington, D.C. I’d visited Sapphire Bay a few times to talk to Penny and her family. I’d always thought it’d be a great place for a vacation but, after my marriage ended, I needed to reset my life. Sapphire Bay had everything I was looking for, so I moved here.”

She wouldn’t tell him she’d moved out of desperation. The farther she could get from Paul, the better off she was. Especially if he needed more money to feed his gambling addiction.

Pastor John and Mabel stood at the front of the room. An expectant hush fell over the crowd. As they spoke, their friend Emma stood beside them, flicking through a presentation filled with photos of last year’s events and the changes the committee would like to make.

As the meeting progressed, different people volunteered to decorate Main Street with lights and garlands, assisting at the church, and preparing for the Santa Parade and the Christmas Market. Chloe and Oscar offered to help decorate Main Street after Halloween, a task Chloe knew they’d both love.

As the list of jobs grew, Chloe was amazed at the activities the community organized. From tree lighting ceremonies to gingerbread house contests and caroling nights, it was clear everyone embraced the holiday spirit.

Liam listened intently, adding his name to a few of the activities they’d be working on in the coming weeks.

Chloe was pleased he was helping them. With the type of job he had, it’d be too easy to become isolated and not feel as though you belonged anywhere.

By the end of the meeting, Chloe had a list of meetings she needed to go to and a very excited Oscar sitting beside her. As soon as Mabel had mentioned a Christmas steam train ride around Flathead Lake, his eyes had opened in wonder.

After the meeting, Oscar took Trixie across to his friends and joined them for a snack. Seeing how happy he was made Chloe feel incredibly grateful for what she’d found here.

Liam chatted with her as they moved toward the coffee table. “The parade sounds amazing.”

Chloe nodded. “Penny said it’s a highlight of the Christmas program. It’s just as well you won’t be here.”

Liam frowned. “Why’s that?”

She looked around them to make sure there were no children within hearing distance. “Mr. Jessop was Santa Claus last year,” she whispered. “Some of the children recognized him. Mabel’s looking for someone the children won’t have seen so often. You’d be perfect with a little more padding.” She grinned when Liam patted his flat stomach.

“You wouldn’t be making a roundabout comment on the number of muffins I’ve been eating, would you?”

“You have nothing to be worried about.” Chloe tried to look serious but failed miserably. “You’re perfect the way you are.”

Chloe bit her lip when Liam’s smile disappeared. “I’m sorry,” she told him. “I shouldn’t have said how good looking you are.” She groaned. Sticking her foot in her mouth would have been better than saying the wrong thing. “I did it again, didn’t I?”

Instead of looking horrified, Liam’s smile returned. “You can tell me that as often as you like. As long as you don’t mind me complimenting you.”

Chloe’s expression turned rueful. “I’m thirty-six years old with a son who wakes up at five-thirty each morning. If I comb my hair and brush my teeth, it’s a good day.”

Liam touched her waist as they moved closer to the coffeepot. “I’d never know. You always look great.”

Despite the mischievous gleam in his eyes, Chloe blushed. It was the first time since she’d left Washington, D.C. that anyone had said she looked good. “It must be the toothpaste I’m using,” she joked.

Liam poured himself a cup of coffee and offered one to her. “Or maybe you’re an amazing person.”

She accepted the cup, their fingers brushing briefly. “Flattery will get you everywhere,” she teased.

He grinned. “Is it working?”

“Maybe,” she admitted.

They moved away from the table to make room for others. The hum of conversations and clinking cups created a cozy backdrop as they found a quiet corner. Chloe looked around the room for Oscar. He was sitting beside Liam’s dog as he shared cookies with his friends.

Liam followed her gaze. “Oscar really likes Trixie.”

Chloe sighed. “He’s been asking for a dog for months now, but it’s not the right time.”

“Having a dog or any pet is a big commitment. My parents adopted their first dog when I was about Oscar’s age. Honey was incredibly gentle.”

“Was she a Golden Labrador like Trixie?”

Liam smiled. “Not quite. Honey was a Golden Retriever. She shed so much that Mom had to buy a vacuum cleaner just to get rid of her hair.”

Chloe watched Oscar with Trixie. He made sure she was okay, and no one was annoying her. “If we get a dog, I’ll remember to adopt one that doesn’t shed.”

“Well, if you ever need a stand-in, Trixie and I are available for playdates,” Liam offered.

Chloe smiled. “That’s kind of you. Oscar would love that.”

“And what does Oscar’s mom think of spending more time with Trixie and me?”

She looked up, meeting his deep blue eyes. “I think she’d enjoy it too.”

A comfortable silence settled between them. It had been a long time since she’d felt so attracted to another man and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. Liam wasn’t staying in Sapphire Bay and she didn’t want to leave.

With a sigh, she realized she was overthinking things again. Nothing was stopping them from being friends. They could spend time together and enjoy the Christmas festivities. After he left, they could keep in contact with each other, or go their separate ways. How she felt about him didn’t have to end in happy ever after.

Liam broke the silence. “So, we’re both signed up to help decorate Main Street. Maybe we could work together?”

“I’d like that,” she replied. “Two pairs of hands are better than one when it comes to untangling Christmas lights.”

He chuckled. “Absolutely. And I hear there’s a mountain of decorations to sort through.”

Chloe grinned. “I’m always up for a challenge.”

Mabel approached them with a clipboard. “Chloe, Liam, we’re organizing teams for the decoration days. Can I put you both down for the same shifts?”

Chloe glanced at Liam, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. “Yes, that works for us,” she answered.

“Wonderful,” Mabel said, jotting down their names. “The entire team is having a quick meeting at nine o’clock next Saturday morning at The Starlight Café. After that, we’ll look at each store to see what decorations we need.”

“We’ll be there,” Liam promised.

As Mabel moved on, Liam turned back to Chloe. “It looks like we’re officially teammates.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Oscar bounded over, a smear of chocolate on his cheek. “Mom, can Trixie come over to play tomorrow?”

Chloe wiped his face with a napkin. “I promised Pastor John we’d help in the kitchen at The Welcome Center tomorrow.”

Liam must have seen the disappointment on Oscar’s face. “Do you have anything planned for after three o’clock?”

She shook her head. “We should be finished by then.”

Liam crouched down to Oscar’s level. “How about this? Trixie and I can meet you at the park in the afternoon. Would you like that?”

“Yes!” Oscar exclaimed, clapping his hands.

Chloe smiled. “That sounds nice.”

“Great,” Liam said, standing up. “It’s a date, then.”

Chloe raised an eyebrow. “A playdate.”

He chuckled. “Something like that. Does three-thirty at the park’s entrance sound okay?”

“That’s perfect.” The crowd in The Welcome Center thinned as people finished their coffee and headed home. Chloe gathered her belongings, making sure Oscar had all his things.

“Do you need a hand?” Liam asked.

“I think we’ve got everything,” she replied, hoisting her bag onto her shoulder.

They walked out of the meeting room with Trixie trotting alongside Oscar.

“Thanks for keeping us company tonight and for offering to help,” Chloe said to Liam.

“I’m glad I bumped into you.”

She looked at him and smiled. “Me too.” Oscar yawned, and she held his hand. “We’d better get going. Someone needs his bedtime story.”

Oscar tugged at Liam’s sleeve. “Will you read me a story someday?”

“I’d like that very much.”

Oscar’s smile made Chloe sigh. “Goodnight, Liam. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

After Oscar handed Liam Trixie’s leash, Chloe walked toward the large wooden doors with her son. Before they left the center, she glanced back at Liam. He stood watching them with a gentle smile on his face.

When their eyes connected, a surge of hope flared inside her. What if they could be more than friends? With all the new beginnings in Sapphire Bay, perhaps there was room for something more in her life. Even if it only lasted for a few weeks.

The next morning dawned bright and clear. After finishing her shift at The Welcome Center, Chloe headed to the park with Oscar.

“Do you think Liam and Trixie will be here soon?” Oscar asked, swinging his hand in hers as they walked toward the entrance.

“I’m sure they will be,” Chloe assured him.

As if on cue, Liam appeared farther down the street, Trixie leading the way. Oscar waved energetically. “They’re here!”

If she wasn’t holding Oscar’s hand, she was sure he would have run down the street to meet them.

Liam approached with a warm smile. “Hello, you two.”

“Hi.” Chloe had no idea how a pair of faded jeans, a blue sweatshirt, and a navy ski jacket could look so good on anyone, but Liam could have stepped off the pages of a magazine.

Trixie walked up to Oscar and sat in front of him, gazing at the stick in his hand with her chocolate brown eyes.

Liam handed Trixie’s leash to Oscar. “I think she wants you to hold her while we go for a walk.”

Oscar stood a little taller, taking his dog walking responsibilities very seriously. When Trixie stood on all fours, Oscar patted her back. “I brought a stick. Do you want to play fetch?”

With her tail flipping back and forth, Trixie gave a happy woof before following Oscar to the edge of the park.

Chloe looked around them. “Be careful of anyone walking past, Oscar.”

“I will.” With a big effort, he launched the stick into the air, laughing excitedly when Trixie chased after it.

Liam’s smile widened. “Oscar threw the stick a lot farther than I thought he would.”

“He practices a lot,” Chloe replied, watching her son fondly. “He wants to be prepared in case we adopt a dog from the animal shelter.”

“He’s a clever little guy.”

Chloe grinned. “Sometimes too clever.”

They strolled along the path, keeping an eye on Oscar and Trixie. The conversation flowed easily between them. They discussed everything from their favorite books to the places they’d enjoyed visiting. Chloe’s heart sunk when Liam told her he hadn’t stayed more than six months in any location since he’d started working as a journalist.

“You’ve been to so many places. Will you go back to Buffalo after you’ve finished your book or stay somewhere else?”

“At the moment, I’m not sure where I’ll go,” Liam admitted. “Some friends are getting together in Argentina for Christmas. I could go there but, if I did, Mom would disown me. This’ll be the first Christmas my brother isn’t working, and she wants to have a big family dinner. But before I go anywhere, I need to finish my book. Unfortunately, I’ve always had trouble editing my work. It’ll take me ten times longer than it should.”

“When does your agent want your manuscript?”

Liam frowned. “In four weeks. I’ll be working fifteen-hour days to get it finished in time.”

Chloe thought about the reports she’d written and edited as part of her job at the Smithsonian. She’d loved looking at the structure of the reports, finding grammatical errors, and fixing the spelling mistakes.

“Editing is one thing I enjoyed about my job,” Chloe told Liam. “Even when I was at college, I enjoyed editing my assignments. Focussing on what was in front of me was my way of de-stressing.”

Liam looked down at her. “If I could bottle some of your enthusiasm, it’d make my job a lot easier.”

Chloe thought about her work and the Christmas events she was helping with. “I’m not sure how much time I’ll save you, but I could start editing your book. That way, you’ll have less to do yourself.”

Liam looked surprised by her offer. “That would be incredible. Are you sure you can do it? Most people are run off their feet at this time of the year.”

She smiled warmly. “I can make the time. Besides, I’d love to read about the interesting things you’ve discovered.”

He let out a sigh of relief. “You have no idea how much that helps. Thank you.”

As Oscar and Trixie played fetch, Chloe glanced at Liam. “Of all the things you could have done, why did you want to write a book?”

Liam’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm. “I’ve always been intrigued by the stories that don’t make the headlines—the ones that capture the spirit of a place and its people. When I was a reporter in Buffalo, I spent a lot of time digging through old newspapers. I came across some stories that were too special to be forgotten.”

Chloe nodded. “I love that. It’s like uncovering hidden treasures.”

“Exactly,” he agreed. “I started collecting the stories, and before I knew it, I had a whole trove of them from towns I’d never visited. I picked out the stories that were different from the others and asked my boss if I could have twelve months off work. He said yes, and here I am.”

“What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned?”

Liam smiled. “That’s easy. The most important thing I’ve learned is that each story has added a unique perspective on our country’s history. The people who read these stories will be surprised that they’ve never heard of them.”

She smiled thoughtfully. “It was the same at the Smithsonian. I never knew from one day to the next what would come across my desk. But by the end of each year we had a deeper appreciation for what had come before us.”

Liam nodded. “In a way, we’ve both preserved incredible stories before they faded away.”

Chloe thought about her previous job in Washington, D.C. “Working at the Smithsonian made me realize that history isn’t just about the big events. It’s about people’s everyday lives, and moments that shape who we are.”

Liam tilted his head slightly. “You have a way of seeing things that reminds me of why I started this project.”

She laughed. “While I was working at the Smithsonian, I got very protective of funny, quirky stories, especially the ones no one else knew.”

He grinned. “Maybe that’s why we get along so well.”

“Maybe it is.”

They continued strolling along the path. Oscar and Trixie sometimes raced ahead, but most of the time they were happy to walk beside them. Other children laughed in the distance, and the scent of pine trees filled the air.

“Do you have a favorite story from your book?” Chloe asked Liam.

He thought for a moment. “There are so many, but one that stands out is about a small town in Kansas where, during World War II, the entire community came together to build a library after theirs burned down. They used whatever materials they could find, and volunteers worked day and night. It became a symbol of hope and resilience.”

Chloe’s eyes widened. “That’s amazing.”

“I thought so, too,” he said, his expression earnest. “It’s moments like those that I want to shine a light on.”

She glanced at him thoughtfully. “Have you ever considered why these stories mean so much to you?”

He paused before answering. “I suppose it’s because they remind me that no matter where you go, people have the capacity for kindness and courage. In a world that often feels disconnected, the stories I’ve been told take us back to what’s important.”

She smiled softly. “That’s part of what drew me to museum work—the opportunity to connect people with the past and, hopefully, inspire them in the present.”

They found a bench under a sprawling oak tree and sat down. Oscar sat on the grass close to them, talking nonstop to Trixie.

Chloe turned to Liam. “I’m curious—after all your travels, do you ever think about settling down in one place?”

He took a deep breath, considering her question. “To be honest, I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. Traveling has given me so much, but it can also be... lonely.”

She nodded, understanding more than he realized just how hard it was to leave your family and friends behind.

He met her gaze. “Sapphire Bay feels different. There’s a sense of community here that I haven’t felt anywhere else.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “It’s a special place.”

He smiled gently. “And I’ve met some special people.”

A warmth spread through her. “I’m glad you think so.”

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the sounds of the park enveloping them.

Liam broke the silence. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with you and Oscar.”

“We’ve enjoyed your company, too.”

He took a deep breath. “I was wondering... after I’ve finished my book, do you want to go out with me? We could have dinner together or take Oscar somewhere he’s wanted to visit.”

“As long as it isn’t the animal shelter,” Chloe whispered, “I’d love to.”

Oscar came running over, Trixie trotting happily beside him. “Mom, I’m thirsty. Can we get some lemonade?”

Chloe stood up. “Of course we can.” It didn’t surprise her that he was thirsty. While she was sitting under the tree with Liam, he’d shared the water in his bottle with Trixie.

Liam rose as well. “There’s a cafe not far from here. We could buy some lemonade from there.”

“We went there the last time we came to the park,” Oscar said happily. “Mom bought us the biggest ice creams ever.”

“Ice cream sounds like a great idea, too.”

Trixie barked and Chloe laughed. “It sounds as though someone else likes ice cream.”

Liam grinned. “Let’s all get some.”

With Trixie wagging her tail eagerly, they headed toward the café. Chloe couldn’t remember when she’d last enjoyed herself so much—and that told her more about her life than she wanted to acknowledge.