Chapter 20

Steve stood outside his tiny home, glancing at his watch. His dad had called earlier to say he was in town and wanted to see him. This visit was unexpected, but he was determined to make the most of it. After the initial awkwardness of the last time his dad was here, he hoped this time would be different.

Rex wagged his tail from beside Steve. At least someone was excited.

A few minutes later, his dad’s rental car stopped outside his home. Trevor stepped out, his expression as serious and reserved as always.

“Hi, Dad,” Steve said. “It’s good to see you.”

“Good to see you, too,” Trevor replied, though his tone was guarded. “After you told me about the award you won, I thought we could talk.”

Steve took a deep breath. He’d wondered if the award would make any difference to how his dad saw his work. “Why don’t you come inside? I’ll make us coffee while we talk.”

His dad made a fuss of Rex while Steve prepared the coffee.

The distraction gave Steve time to gather his thoughts. He wanted to find the right words to explain what had been weighing on his heart for so long.

Once the coffee was ready, they sat at the small kitchen table. Trevor’s expression was a mix of sternness and something else—perhaps regret?

His dad sighed. “I know we’ve had our issues, but why didn’t you tell me you’re a successful sculptor?”

Steve took a sip of his coffee, then set the cup down. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think you’d understand. I know how disappointed you were when I joined the army. After I was discharged, we had so many arguments that it was easier not to say anything.”

Trevor leaned forward. “Your mom and I were worried about you. One minute, you’re winning awards at college for your art, and a few years later you’re enlisting. After you came home, we tried to help you, but you didn’t leave your room. Nothing we said or did made a difference.”

Steve sighed. “I had PTSD, Dad. Each time I closed my eyes, I saw my friends’ bodies lying on the ground. Just getting out of bed was a struggle.”

Trevor’s eyes softened slightly. “I didn’t understand PTSD. I thought it was an excuse people used when they couldn’t cope. But I was wrong, Steve. I can see how much it’s affected your life.”

Steve’s heart pounded. “Sculpting became my therapy. It was the one thing that could quiet my mind. By the time I moved here, I felt like it was too late to tell you how much it helped. I thought it was easier to manage my PTSD on my own instead of telling you what was happening.”

Trevor frowned. “We would have understood if you’d told us how you were feeling.”

Steve’s hands trembled as he wrapped them around his cup of coffee. All the hurt, the sleepless nights of feeling as though he’d let everyone down, came tumbling to the surface. “I didn’t want you to think I was a failure.”

Trevor’s eyes widened. “Son, I’ve never thought you were a failure. I didn’t always understand your choices, but your mom and I were always proud of you.”

Steve felt a lump in his throat as he struggled to hold back his tears. His biggest regret was that his mom hadn’t seen the person he’d become or the art that reminded him of her strength and beauty. “I just... I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

Trevor reached across the table, placing his hand over Steve’s. “I love you, son, no matter what. Even when we didn’t talk for months on end, I was never disappointed in you.”

Steve nodded, but a weight was still sitting on his shoulders, and he didn’t know if it would ever go away.

Trevor leaned back in his chair. “After your mom died, I felt like a piece of my heart was gone. I didn’t call you as much as I should have because you remind me so much of her. That was a mistake, and I’m sorry if you thought that meant I didn’t love you. I want to understand you better.”

Rex nudged Steve’s leg. He reached down and stroked his soft fur, grateful for his little buddy’s support. “Mom was the glue that held us together. I miss her so much.”

His dad’s eyes filled with tears. “I do, too. She wanted to visit you more often, but she didn’t like flying. I was too wrapped up in my job to make the time for what she wanted.” He took a deep breath. “I regret a lot of things I’ve done, but I’ve never regretted having you as our son. You made your mom and me proud every single day.”

Steve took a deep breath. For the first time, he felt hopeful that he could rebuild his relationship with his dad. “This community is important to me. You’ve never had a chance to learn about the tiny home village or the other things that make Sapphire Bay unique. Do you want me to show you around now?”

Trevor nodded. “I’d like that.”

Steve spent the next few hours taking his dad to the places that were special to him. He showed him the tiny homes, explaining how the community worked together to support each other. They visited The Welcome Center, where he introduced his dad to some of the residents and volunteers. Finally, they walked to the cottages on Anchor Lane, where he talked about the remodeling projects and the impact the houses had on the community.

As they walked back to Steve’s home, he could see the understanding and pride growing in his dad’s eyes. He was beginning to see the world through Steve’s perspective, appreciating the life he’d built and the decisions he’d made.

His dad stopped in Steve’s front yard. “Sapphire Bay is completely different from what I imagined. It’s a special place and I’m glad you showed me around.”

Steve was glad it had helped his dad understand him a little better. “That means more than you know.” He looked down at Rex. His dad had held his leash as they’d walked around the community. Rex had loved all the hugs and pats, and his dad had enjoyed talking to people he wouldn’t have otherwise met.

But there was still one thing that worried Steve. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, son. What is it?”

“Why didn’t you believe in PTSD?”

Trevor sighed heavily. “I grew up in a different time. When I was younger, we didn’t talk about mental health. Men were supposed to be tough, to handle everything on their own. I guess I carried that belief with me, even when it didn’t make sense anymore. Your mom tried to make me see how much I was hurting you by not accepting what was happening in your life. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like your struggles weren’t real.”

Steve looked at his father, seeing the regret in his eyes. “It wasn’t easy, Dad. But I’ve learned a lot about myself through all of this. And I’ve realized that asking for help doesn’t make me weak—it makes me human.”

Trevor nodded slowly. “I’m proud of you for finding ways to cope with what happened in Afghanistan. And I promise, from now on, I’ll try to understand you better. I don’t want to lose you.”

A tear slipped down Steve’s cheek, and he quickly wiped it away.

Trevor’s eyes softened, a rare moment of vulnerability showing through. “You know, your mom always said you and I were more alike than we’d ever admit. Maybe that’s why we butted heads so often.”

Steve smiled faintly, feeling a connection to his mom’s words. “Maybe she was right. Maybe we just needed to understand each other better.”

As he stood in the sunshine with his dad, Steve knew this was a turning point. They had a long way to go in rebuilding their relationship, but at least they were taking the first steps together.

Eden stoodon a ladder in her living room, carefully peeling back layers of old, faded wallpaper. Bits of paper and dust fluttered to the floor, joining the growing pile at her feet. The house was a work in progress, but every strip of wallpaper removed was a step closer to making it her own. Steve was nearby, working on another wall, his presence making the job much more fun.

She glanced over at him, catching him mid-pull. “How’s that side coming along?” she asked with a smile.

Steve grinned back at her. “Slowly but surely. This wallpaper is stubborn, but it doesn’t stand a chance against us.”

Eden laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her. “I like your optimism.”

As they continued working, Rex wandered in and out of the house. He loved coming over with Steve.

Eden was proud of the Rex-proof fence they’d built in the backyard. Rex could pounce on butterflies, chase birds, and run off all his extra energy without going anywhere he shouldn’t.

“I spoke to Mabel Terry the other day,” Eden said to Steve. “She said it was lovely meeting your dad at the general store.”

Steve smiled. “Dad likes anything with a motor, so he was impressed with their range of power tools.”

“And I’ll be forever grateful for each and every one of them.” Eden flicked a piece of wallpaper off her hand. “Especially while I’m remodeling the house. Did you take your dad to The Christmas Shop? I was there last week and it’s amazing.”

“Not on this trip. He wanted to understand why I’m living here, so apart from the general store, we looked around the tiny home village, The Welcome Center, and the cottages on Anchor Lane.”

“What did he think?”

“He was surprised there are so many opportunities for people to have a good life. I’m hoping it’ll make him appreciate the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to make this town special.”

Eden focused on the corner of a sheet and carefully pulled it upward. “A lot of people don’t think about moving here because it’s so small. I wouldn’t have known about it unless Shelley told me.”

Steve stepped off the ladder he was using. “That’s part of the reason Dad was surprised I’m living here. He didn’t realize how much this place means to me. We’ve always had a complicated relationship, especially after my mom passed. But showing him around has helped.”

“That’s good,” Eden said softly. “It’s never easy when your parents don’t understand the choices you make.”

“What about your parents?” Steve asked. “How do they feel about you buying a house in Sapphire Bay?”

Eden sighed, leaning against the ladder for a moment. “They were shocked. I think they were expecting me to go back to Boston or move to a bigger city. But when I explained why I wanted to come here, they were supportive. They’re happy I’m happy, even if they don’t fully get why I chose this place.”

Steve continued stripping the wallpaper, his movements steady and sure. “What did Shelley say that made you choose Sapphire Bay?”

Eden smiled, thinking back to her decision. “She said that everyone cared about each other. But John’s PTSD support group is the main reason I moved. I’m so grateful I listened to her.”

Steve nodded, understanding in his eyes. “I get that. Even if you don’t go to many meetings, just having people close by who know what you’re going through helps.”

Eden moved the ladder a few feet to the right. “If the ceilings weren’t so high, we’d get through this a lot faster.”

“But the room wouldn’t look as impressive,” Steve said as he peeled another strip of wallpaper off the wall.

Eden looked around them. With the way everything looked now, impressive was the last word she would have used to describe her home. “I’d be happy with a house that’s full of light and comfortable.”

“Just wait,” Steve said. “By the time we’re finished, it’ll look amazing.”

“Talking about amazing, guess who called me last night?”

Steve looked over his shoulder at her. “Your mom?”

Eden shook her head. “It was John. Shelley’s coming home tomorrow with their little baby.”

“That’s fantastic. I’m sure she’s looking forward to being in their own home.”

Eden nodded. “John said the maternity ward is really noisy at night. Although they may not get much sleep at home, either.”

Steve smiled. “I don’t think John will mind. It’ll give him a chance to cuddle his daughter.”

“He’ll be an amazing dad.” Eden thought about the type of father Steve would make and sighed. He’d be perfect and, for a woman on the verge of thirty-three, that was a dangerous thing to be.