Chapter 3

Steve lifted his whistle to his mouth and blew it sharply, calling the junior basketball team to gather around him on the court. The group of eager, sweaty kids trotted over, their faces lit with the thrill of the game and the exhaustion that comes from running back and forth under the late afternoon sun.

Rex watched the scene unfold with a quiet interest, his leash securely tied to the back of the fence surrounding the court.

“All right, team,” Steve began, clapping his hands to grab their full attention. “You’re doing great with the drills, but we need to focus on passing today. Remember, basketball’s a team sport. It’s not just about scoring points; it’s about working together.”

Owen, tossing a basketball from one hand to the other, chimed in. “Think about each pass you make as creating an opportunity for someone else.”

The kids nodded, some more enthusiastically than others. Steve glanced at Rex, making sure he was still content by the fence, then turned back to the kids. “Let’s do another drill. Owen, can you demonstrate the give-and-go?”

“Sure thing,” Owen replied, moving into position with one of the taller boys. They quickly showed everyone the maneuver.

The kids clapped, and Steve divided them into smaller groups to try it themselves. As they started the drill, he remembered the day John had asked him to coach the junior basketball team.

John had seen him playing a casual basketball game at The Welcome Center and noticed how he’d helped the younger players. Afterward, he’d asked Steve if he wanted to be the junior coach. John wanted a coach who could show them how to pass a ball and build trust and confidence in each other.

At first, Steve had been hesitant. He’d never coached anyone, let alone a group of kids he didn’t know. But John was persuasive. He’d convinced Steve that coaching could also be a step forward in his own healing process, connecting him with the community in a positive and impactful way.

When Owen said he’d help, too, Steve couldn’t refuse—especially when he knew how important it was to build connections within communities. And the families at The Welcome Center needed to feel as though they were part of the community more than most people.

As the basketballs were being passed from one child to the next, Steve walked across to Rex. Pastor John had been right. Coaching gave him a sense of purpose. It allowed him to give back to a community that had embraced him despite his struggles with PTSD. And it created a safe space for growth, not just for the kids, but for himself as well.

The joy he found in seeing a shy child make their first basket or a team come together to celebrate a win was unexpectedly fulfilling. It reminded him that change, improvement, and happiness were possible, even when your life was different from what you’d imagined.

A tug at his feet made him look down. Rex had a thing for shoelaces, and he was happily chewing on Steve’s latest pair. “Hey, buddy. If you keep doing that, I’ll have to buy a dozen pairs next time I go into town.” Carefully, he unwound Rex from his laces and held him in front of his face. “I know you’re cute, but the laces are off limits. I brought your favorite chew toy to keep you amused.”

With one eye on the children, he returned Rex to the grass beside his chew toy and bowl of water. “I won’t be much longer.” As he watched the team from the sidelines, he thought about what could have happened if Eden hadn’t found Rex. The little guy was so small that he could’ve been run over by a vehicle or squashed under someone’s bicycle tires.

He shook off the images crowding his brain and thought about Eden. Meeting her yesterday had left him feeling off-center. There was something about her happy personality and gentle smile that intrigued him. For someone who hadn’t dated in years, it was a little unnerving.

A wayward basketball hit his legs and he snapped back to the present. Picking it up, he tossed it back onto the court, cheering on the kids as they worked on their passing.

Owen caught his eye and smiled, probably guessing Rex wasn’t the only distraction that was keeping Steve off the court. Yesterday, he’d called Owen in a panic when he realized Rex was missing. Between the two of them, they’d checked the entire tiny home village before Eden called. By the time he returned home, Owen had fixed the gap in the fence where Rex made his great escape.

“Focus, Coach!” Owen called out with a teasing note in his voice.

Steve shook his head. “It looks as though it’s back to coaching for me, Rex.” And giving his little buddy a final pat, he ran onto the court.

The kitchen buzzedwith activity as Eden slipped on an apron, ready to help prepare tonight’s community dinner at The Welcome Center.

Shelley had told her that at the end of each week, the center provided a home-cooked dinner for anyone who wanted to come. For some guests, it gave them an extra meal they would’ve struggled to provide. Other residents came to enjoy some great conversation and wonderful food. When Shelley told her how many people were coming, Eden was amazed. There weren’t many communities that came together to look after each other in such a lovely way.

Shelley’s gaze scanned the kitchen. “I’ll introduce you to Daniella and Andrea. They’re organizing tonight’s dinner.”

Eden looked at the yummy food on the counters and smiled. “I’m impressed already.”

“I know how you feel,” Shelley said. “Our volunteers create delicious meals.” They walked across to two women filling muffin cases with batter. “Hi, you two,” Shelley said. “This is Eden. She’ll be helping us tonight.”

A woman with short dark hair smiled at Eden. “Hi. I’m Daniella and this is Andrea.”

“Daniella owns The Fairy Forest,” Shelley explained. “It’s a fairy-themed events center in town, and Andrea owns The Starlight Café. If you get a chance, pop in and try her toasted cheese, mushroom, and ham paninis. They’re yummy.”

Andrea held out her hand. “Since she became pregnant, Shelley’s developed an obsession with my paninis,” she said with a smile. “Not that I’m complaining. They’ve been my bestseller since she started recommending them to everyone.”

Shelley rubbed the side of her tummy. “I’m addicted to them. John made some at home, but they weren’t as good as yours. What would you like us to do?”

Andrea handed Shelley an apron. “We pre-made the lasagna, but the salads and the garlic bread still need to be prepared. If the apron doesn’t fit around your pregnant tummy, we’ll find something else you can use.”

A determined gleam appeared in Shelley’s eyes. “It’ll fit. I’m tired of everything being too tight.”

“There’s a good reason for that,” Andrea reminded her. “Before you know it, you’ll have a little baby keeping you awake at night. The fit of your clothes will be the least of your worries.”

Eden took the apron Andrea handed to her. “Do you have children, Andrea?”

“Two. Charlie and Andy. I love them to bits.”

Daniella grinned. “They’re great boys. I’m hoping to have at least five children.”

Eden’s eyes widened. “That’s a lot.”

“My fiancé jokes that we could start our own basketball team.” She handed Eden three large bags of lettuce. “Mr. Jessop grows most of the vegetables we’ll be using in his greenhouses. The lettuce needs to be washed and placed in the salad bowls. After you’ve done that, we’ll add grated carrot, tomatoes, and cucumber.”

“It sounds delicious.” Eden washed her hands under the faucet before starting on the lettuce.

They worked together seamlessly, Andrea telling her about other meals they’d made while Daniella and Shelley sliced the tomatoes and cucumber.

“You look as though you’re enjoying yourself,” Shelley said as Eden grated the carrots.

“I am,” Eden said, feeling a bit more at home than when she’d arrived. “It’s nice meeting other people from Sapphire Bay. I can’t wait to try the lasagna. It smells amazing.”

Shelley poured some salad dressing into a small jug. “It tastes even better. We could make a recipe book with all the delicious recipes we’ve made in The Welcome Center.”

“That’s a great idea.” Andrea looked thoughtfully at the food waiting to be taken into the dining room. “We could ask Willow to take photographs of everyone working in the kitchen and serving the dishes. It could be a great fundraiser.”

“And we always need more of those,” Shelley replied.

Daniella checked her watch. “Pastor John will open the doors to the dining room soon. We’d better get everything ready.”

As the dinner guests arrived, Eden helped the volunteers carry trays of food into the dining area.

On her second trip, Eden saw a tall man carrying more chairs to a table. It was Steve. He looked completely different from when she’d met him the other day. Blue jeans and a white shirt replaced the tracksuit pants and sweatshirt he’d been wearing. He seemed happier and more at ease—but that was probably because he wasn’t worried about his dog.

Smiling at a group of people, he spoke quietly to them, then placed the chairs at their table.

Shelley must have seen who she was looking at. “Steve’s here most Friday nights,” Shelley whispered to her. “He gets on well with everyone, especially the children. He must’ve been grateful you found Rex.”

Eden nodded, feeling her heartbeat pick up a little. She remembered the gentle way he’d spoken to her when she’d returned his cute dog. “What does he do in Sapphire Bay?” she asked as she placed a bowl of salad on the table.

Shelley arranged the lasagna next to the salad. “After he moved here, he started working at the old steamboat museum building tiny homes. He helps with the church’s youth group and the junior basketball team. Don’t be surprised if he ropes you into a project while you’re here.”

Eden smiled, then glanced at Steve as he helped an elderly couple find some seats. Despite the bustling noise of the dining hall, she felt a sense of calm wash over her when she looked at him.

With a mischievous smile, Shelley leaned closer. “He’s thirty-five years old, originally from Pennsylvania, and met John while they were serving in Afghanistan. As far as I know, he hasn’t dated anyone since he moved here.”

Eden blushed. “I didn’t need to know about his dating history.”

“You never know when it might come in handy,” Shelley told her with a gleam in her eyes. Turning around, she carefully took another tray of lasagna off the food cart. “All we need are the loaves of garlic bread and everyone will be happy.”

“I’ll get them,” Eden offered. “Is there anything else you need from the kitchen?”

Daniella studied the dishes. “It looks as though we’ve got everything we need, but another pair of salad tongs wouldn’t go amiss.”

After the food was ready, Pastor John said a prayer, and everyone lined up with a dinner plate. Eden was surprised by the light-hearted banter and happy conversation going on around her. Back home, people hardly spoke to each other. But here, everyone seemed to know each other and what they were doing.

As she served the lasagna, everyone said hello and asked a little about her. They were so friendly that Eden felt like she’d lived in Sapphire Bay for most of her life.

When she’d served half of the lasagna from the dish, Eden counted the number of people still waiting in the line. They’d definitely need more food. “I’ll be back soon,” she told Shelley. “I think there’s more lasagna in the kitchen.”

Her friend nodded. “There are some empty bowls behind you. Can you take them with you?”

“No problem.” With a smile, Eden picked them up and walked into the kitchen. Steve was behind one of the sinks, his hand submerged in soap suds.

He turned and smiled. “Hi. I thought I’d get a head start on the dishes. It’s a busy night.”

“I, um…” Eden’s grip on the empty bowls tightened. If she’d thought he looked drop-dead gorgeous from across the room, he looked even better from a few feet away. “We’re nearly out of lasagna, so I thought I’d take another one into the dining room.”

Steve picked up a dishtowel and dried his hands. “I’ll give you a hand. I think there’s more garlic bread, too.”

Eden followed him to the ovens. “How’s Rex?” she asked as she placed the bread onto a tray.

“He’s safe and sound at home.” Steve smiled. “He wasn’t impressed that he couldn’t come with me tonight, but that’s okay. It’s better than him running off again.”

Eden felt the warmth of his smile and sighed. There was a sincerity about Steve that was sweet. Before she got too carried away, she added a pair of salad tongs to the tray of garlic bread and looked around the kitchen. “Apart from the lasagna, this is all I need.”

Steve picked up a pair of oven mitts. “I’ll carry the lasagna. Lead the way.”

When they reached the buffet table, Shelley made a space for the food. “We thought there’d be a few extra people here tonight, but we didn’t count on this many.”

Steve slid the hot dish onto the table. “That’s what happens when you serve delicious food. Let me know if I can help with anything else.”

Shelley picked up a spoon. “Why don’t you and Eden have some dinner? We can serve everyone who’s still waiting.”

“I don’t mind helping,” Eden told her friend.

Shelley smiled at the next person waiting for some lasagna. “There you go, Mrs. Davidson. Enjoy your dinner.” She looked at Steve and Eden and shooed them away. “The other volunteers can look after our guests. Go and enjoy yourselves.”

Eden looked at the people still standing in the line. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” Shelley looked across the room. “Steve, why don’t you introduce Eden to Mabel and Allan Terry. There are some seats at their table.”

Steve handed Eden a plate. “First food, then the Terry’s.”

And before Eden could say anything, Shelley placed a generous serving of lasagna on each of their plates. She just hoped her friend wasn’t playing matchmaker. Although Steve seemed like a great guy, she wasn’t staying in Sapphire Bay forever.

And leaving with a broken heart wasn’t an option.