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 enjoyingher 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.”

With a quick nod, and one last breath of fresh air, Eden plunged into the neglected house. When she stepped into the bathroom, she let go of her nose. Apart from old fixtures and fittings, and a few layers of yuckiness, it wasn’t too bad.

“What’s it like?” Shelley yelled from the back door.

Eden looked up at the ancient extractor fan. “Old, dirty, and needing a complete remodel, but not as bad as the kitchen.”

She left the bathroom and stepped around a pile of rubbish that’d been left in the hallway. Two bedrooms and a storage closet completed the interior of the house. She wasn’t brave enough to open the closet, so she left it for another day.

By the time Eden joined Shelley in the backyard, she’d decided to put in an offer. “I like it. Although, I’ll have to find a few muscly men to move the refrigerator into a dumpster. I’ve never seen anything so disgusting.”

Shelley grinned. “I know plenty of muscly men who’ll help.” She opened her bag and handed Eden a business card. “This is the name of the realtor. I wouldn’t waste too much time waiting to see her. As soon as the house is advertised, she’ll have multiple offers.”

Eden looked at the card. “When do you have to be home?”

Shelley’s eyes shone with excitement. “John’s not expecting me for another hour.”

“In that case,” Eden said with a wide grin. “I’ll call the realtor and make an offer!”