Chapter 21

Eden stood in the center of a classroom, helping the children at Sapphire Bay Elementary get ready for their first performance of The Lion King. The air was filled with excitement and a bit of nervous energy as the young actors got into their costumes and practiced their lines one last time.

Among the students was Oscar, dressed in a cute green and brown costume, ready to play his part as a tree.

When Eden saw how much he was fidgeting with his costume, she kneeled beside him. “Is everything okay, Oscar?”

He looked at her with eyes that were filled with anxiety. “I’m scared.”

“What are you scared about?”

Oscar bit his bottom lip. “I don’t know where to go. James is sick.”

Eden had to think about what Oscar meant. When she realized James was the little boy who was supposed to remind Oscar where to stand, she smiled. “It’s okay. Do you know Andrew?”

Oscar nodded.

“Well, I’ll ask him if he can hold your hand and show you where the trees stand on the stage. Is that okay?”

“Okay.” Oscar’s voice was very quiet.

Eden smiled reassuringly at him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay to be nervous, Oscar. Everyone feels a little worried before going on stage. But you’ve practiced so much, and I know you’ll do a great job. And even if you make a mistake, it’s okay. The most important thing is to have fun and do your best.”

Oscar took a deep breath. “Will you be watching me?”

“Of course,” Eden said, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be right there in the front row, cheering for you. You’re going to be awesome.”

Oscar’s face lit up with a small, hopeful smile. “Okay. I’ll try really hard.”

Eden helped him adjust his costume one last time before they made their way to the auditorium. On the way there, she found Andrew and asked him to hold Oscar’s hand and show him where to go.

With the children who were playing the trees huddled together, she felt much better about leaving Oscar with the other students and teachers.

The stage was set, and the audience was finding their seats. Chloe, Oscar’s mom, was already there, sitting near the front, dabbing her eyes with a tissue as she watched the children take their places.

The lights dimmed, and the music began to play. Eden took her seat beside Chloe, giving her a reassuring smile. “He’s going to be great,” she whispered.

Chloe nodded, her eyes shining with pride and emotion. “He was so excited this morning.”

As the play progressed, Eden kept her eyes on Oscar. He was doing so well. Their performance was a much shorter version of the original play, but everyone was enjoying themselves. The children sung with all their might and moved into place effortlessly.

Oscar stood proudly among the other “trees,” his nervousness slowly fading as other children joined him on the stage. When it was his turn to move, he did so with confidence, remembering all the spots he was supposed to stand.

Eden felt a swell of pride in her chest as she watched him overcome his fears. She glanced at Chloe, who was dabbing her eyes again, a smile on her face.

Forty-five minutes later, the play concluded with a rousing round of applause from the audience. The children took their bows, beaming with pride. Eden stood up and clapped enthusiastically, her heart full of joy for Oscar and all the children who’d worked so hard.

After the performance, Eden made her way backstage to find Oscar. He ran up to her, his face glowing with excitement. “Miss Taylor, did you see me? I did it! I remembered everything!”

“I did, Oscar! You were fantastic!”

Chloe joined them, her eyes still moist with tears. “You were wonderful, sweetheart,” she said, hugging Oscar. “I’m so proud of you.”

Oscar beamed, holding onto his mom and Eden. “Thanks! I was so scared, but I did it!”

Eden ruffled his hair. “You sure did. And you know what? This is just the beginning. There’s so much more you can do when you believe in yourself.”

After she’d helped collect the costumes, Eden felt a deep sense of contentment. Being part of the children’s lives, helping them grow and learn valuable life lessons, made her realize how much she missed teaching.

If these children could face their fears and conquer the stage, then she could face her own challenges with the same courage. Sapphire Bay had become more than just a place to escape—it was becoming her home. With this newfound sense of belonging and purpose, Eden took a deep breath.

She was ready to take on her biggest challenge yet.

Steve took a deep breath,enjoying the crisp morning air as he stretched on one of the trailheads around Flathead Lake. The sun had just risen, casting a golden hue over the tranquil water. This was his favorite part of the day—especially when it meant going for a run with Owen.

They’d both been so busy with their families and jobs that this was the first run they’d had in more than two weeks. By the end, they’d be sweaty, exhausted, and more motivated to make sure they did another one soon.

Owen jogged toward him. “You’re here early.”

“Rex was awake at four o’clock this morning. If I’d known he only needed a few hours’ sleep at a time, I would have built him a kennel outside.”

Owen laughed. “No, you wouldn’t. You’re too much of a softie.”

Steve didn’t know about being a softie, but he would have worried about Rex getting cold.

Owen looked around them. “Where is he now?”

“Sleeping,” Steve said with a growl. “After we’d gone for a walk, he collapsed onto his bed and started snoring.”

“Oh, man,” Owen laughed. “You need to talk to someone who knows about dogs. Otherwise, you’ll end up sleep-deprived and grumpy. Are you ready to hit the trail?”

“Yeah, let’s do it,” Steve replied, starting at a steady pace.

As they ran along the winding path, Steve cleared his mind and enjoyed the sound of their feet hitting the dirt.

Owen glanced at him. “How are you at calming a stressed fiancée?”

Steve grunted. “About as good as ignoring Rex when he wakes up. What’s happened?”

“Harper wants our wedding to be perfect, but she’s getting way too stressed.”

Steve nodded sympathetically. “From what I’ve seen, weddings can be intense. Have you talked to Daniella? She organizes weddings all the time at The Fairy Forest. She might be able to help.”

Owen veered around a fallen branch. “I suggested that, but I’m not sure what Harper will do. Her mom wants the whole white lace, poofy dress, and top hat scenario. Harper wants something simple. Finding a middle ground isn’t easy.”

They reached a bend in the trail. The lake came into view again, shimmering under the morning sun. Steve noticed Owen’s slightly worried expression and decided to change the subject. “How’s Benjamin doing?”

Owen’s face softened. “He’s hanging in there. Harper’s granddad is tougher than he looks.”

Steve nodded. “To live through the number of strokes he’s had, he must be tough.”

Owen laughed. “From what he’s said, the social events at his care facility keep him going. When he tells me what he’s been doing, I’m a little envious.”

Steve smiled as they dug deep for a steep part of the trail. As he wheezed up the last few feet, he looked at Owen.

“Don’t even say it,” Owen said through gritted teeth. “We’ll make it to the top, then we’re stopping.”

When they reached the plateau, Steve dropped his hands to his knees and sucked great mouthfuls of air into his lungs.

“We should have gone for more runs,” Owen said as he dropped to the ground. “I feel old.”

“That’s because you are,” Steve said half-jokingly. When his lungs weren’t screaming from oxygen deprivation, he straightened and looked across the lake. “I’ll never get tired of this view.”

Owen groaned and rolled onto his feet. “Neither will I. Being out here is one of the reasons I came home. When you look at the lake, your issues feel like they’re the size of a pinprick.”

When Owen’s PTSD got really bad, he’d disappear for days into the mountains surrounding Sapphire Bay. As far as Steve knew, that hadn’t happened in a while.

“Have you needed to camp out here since you and Harper got engaged?”

Owen shook his head. “I’ve traded my rustic campsites for chocolate Frappuccinos at The Starlight Café.”

Steve’s eyebrows rose. “Is this the same guy who came out of the mountains looking like a grizzly bear and smelling like a skunk?”

“I’ve evolved. That’s what love and a good woman do to you. And talking about good women, how’s Eden?”

Steve stretched his calf muscles before they cramped. “We’re doing okay. She still won’t let me pay for anything around her house, but we’re spending time together.”

Taking his water bottle out of his backpack, Owen took a sip. “At least Eden’s staying in Sapphire Bay. That gives you time to show her she can trust you.” His arm dropped to his side when he looked at Steve. “Is she leaving?”

Steve frowned. “She bought a house, but that doesn’t mean she’s staying in Sapphire Bay.”

“Oh, man.” Owen threw his backpack over his shoulders. “Break’s over, but the questions aren’t.” As they continued their run, Owen glanced at Steve. “I thought Eden was happy here?”

“So did I, but when I met her, she said she wasn’t making any long-term plans. The other day, she was looking online at the prices the houses sell for in Sapphire Bay.”

Owen frowned. “That doesn’t mean she’s thinking of leaving. Mom does that all the time, but my parents have been in the same house for decades.”

Steve nodded, feeling a bit better but still uneasy. “I guess I just need to talk to her, find out where her head is at.”

“Exactly,” Owen said. “You can’t work out what’s happening if you don’t talk to each other.”

Steve knew Owen was right. But talking about something that could end their relationship wasn’t easy. Especially for someone who found it hard to discuss how he was feeling.