Chapter 4

“So,” Shelley said the next morning as they were having breakfast. “What did you think of Steve?”

Eden stopped chewing her toast. “He seems nice.” He was a lot more than that. They’d spent most of the night talking about their lives and the people and events in Sapphire Bay. After dinner, some of the boys he coached at basketball had stopped at their table to say hello. They seemed like good kids who were eager to impress Steve with the amount of practice they’d been doing.

While they were talking to him, he paid attention to what they said and made each of them feel special. It was the sort of conversation that could stay with a child for a long time. That, above everything else, told Eden that Steve was a good person.

“Steve told me about the tiny home village and his job at the old steamboat museum.”

Shelley lowered her spoon into her bowl of granola. “He’s always busy. After what he’s been through, it’s amazing how much he does for everyone.”

Eden wasn’t going to ask Shelley what she meant. If Steve wanted her to know about that part of his life, he would’ve told her. She took a sip of her coffee, buying a moment to collect her thoughts. “Some people are like that. They put other people’s needs ahead of their own. As soon as I’ve finished breakfast, I’m going to the Saturday market. What’s it like?”

Shelley’s face lit up with enthusiasm. “It’s wonderful! All the local artists are there. The fresh produce and food booths are amazing, and sometimes there’s live music. It’s a great way to meet people and see what Sapphire Bay is all about. You’ll love it.”

Eden put down her coffee cup. “When I spoke to Mabel last night, she told me not to miss it. I’d like to find something that reminds me of Sapphire Bay.”

“While you’re there, go and see Daniella’s brother, Owen. He has a glassblowing studio just around the corner from the market. His bowls and vases are gorgeous. Or if you want something completely unique, you could buy one of his glass paperweights. They’re filled with sparkly gemstones that he finds in the lake.”

Eden’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know there were gemstones in the water.”

“They’re mostly quartzite. The blue and pink ones are my favorite. Steve might be helping Owen, too. They’re best friends.”

Eden’s heart gave a small flutter at the mention of Steve’s name. Usually, she was cautious around people she didn’t know but, for some reason, she didn’t feel that way around him. “I thought I’d stop by The Starlight Café and try one of the paninis you suggested, too.”

“Ooh,” Shelley said with a gleam in her eyes. “I have an appointment this morning, but I could meet you there for lunch?”

“That sounds perfect.” Eden laughed at her friend. “A little exploring, some shopping, and lots of good food. I can’t think of a better way to spend my Saturday.”

“And it’s a good way to keep busy,” Shelley added, giving Eden a gentle look that spoke volumes. “I know it’s been tough, but you’re doing great, Eden. Has getting out into the community helped?”

“It’s helped more than you can imagine.” Eden would always be grateful for Shelley and the unexpected sanctuary she’d found in Sapphire Bay. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you and John.”

“You would have found a way through what happened, but I’m glad we can help.” Shelley picked up her glass of orange juice. “You’d better be careful, though. Sapphire Bay has a habit of making its way into people’s hearts until they can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

Eden smiled. “I can see why, but it won’t happen to me. I love being here, but my family lives in Boston.”

“That hasn’t stopped other people from moving here.” Shelley grinned. “But, whatever you decide to do, it’s good you’re here. Did John tell you about the car you can borrow?”

“He did.” Eden had returned her rental two days after she’d arrived in town. Since then, she’d caught a lift with Shelley or John, or walked where she wanted to go. When one of the church members told John he didn’t need his car anymore, he’d offered it to Eden for a few months. “I’m blown away by everyone’s generosity.”

Shelley smiled. “That’s Sapphire Bay for you.”

Eden finished her breakfast with a renewed sense of purpose. She was looking forward to discovering more about this small Montana town. And if she could find something special to take home from the market, she’d be even happier.

Steve looked around Maverick’s,one of the few suit rental companies in downtown Polson. With Owen’s sister’s wedding only a couple of weeks away, Owen had promised he’d try on the suit Daniella wanted him to wear.

Even though they’d arrived at nine o’clock, it was busier than Steve had expected. It was just as well Owen had made an appointment. Otherwise, they’d be waiting in line with all the other people who’d walked in off the street.

Owen stepped out of the fitting room and stood in front of the full-length mirror. “What do you think?”

Steve smiled as his friend moved his arms up and down in the navy suit. “Looks good. Daniella has great taste.”

“I should be thankful she didn’t want me to wear a pirate suit, but it feels like a straitjacket,” Owen muttered, adjusting the sleeves.

Steve moved out of the way of another customer holding an armful of clothes. “It doesn’t look like it. It’s probably because you’ve only worn jeans and sweatshirts since you’ve been home.”

Owen shot Steve a resigned look. “There’s a reason for that. I’m not even sure I’ll be able to dance in this suit.”

“You’ll manage. You might even impress someone with those arm movements,” Steve teased, leaning against a shelving unit full of bow ties and cummerbunds.

Owen dropped his arms to his side. “The only person I want to impress is Harper.” He ran his finger around the neck of the white shirt. “Everything’s too small.”

An older man with a measuring tape hanging from around his neck walked toward them. With his impeccable pin-striped suit and navy tie, Mr. Reynolds looked like he belonged in a Parisian store. With a critical eye, he studied Owen. “How do you feel?”

“It’s okay until I move. I think I need a bigger size.”

Mr. Reynolds held his measuring tape across Owen’s shoulders. “I thought it might be a little snug. Thankfully, we have the next size in our storeroom. I’ll be back in a minute.”

After he’d left, Steve grinned. “Mr. Reynolds isn’t impressed that you’ve left your fitting until now.”

“I was hoping Daniella would change her mind about me needing a suit.” With a frown, Owen slipped off the jacket. “Are you bringing someone to the wedding?”

Steve hadn’t expected to be invited to Daniella and Harrison’s wedding, but he’d received an invitation anyway. “No date, and don’t mention it to your sister. She said she’d sit me beside another single wedding guest if I didn’t bring anyone.”

Owen laughed. “That sounds like Daniella. What about asking the woman who rescued Rex?”

Steve’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t know Eden well enough to ask her to a wedding. We’ve barely spoken to each other.”

Owen took a black bow tie off the shelves. “Daniella said she’s great. I can’t think of a better way of getting to know someone than asking them to a wedding. If you run out of things to say, there’ll be plenty of other people you can talk to.”

Steve wouldn’t have to worry about that. They’d talked non-stop while they’d cleaned the kitchen after the community dinner. But asking her to go to a wedding with him was a whole lot different. “She’ll probably have something else planned.”

Owen shrugged. “It’s up to you, but she might want to go. The wedding reception will be amazing. Daniella’s decorating my studio with some props from The Fairy Forest. She even found a huge canvas a film company used in a remake of Cinderella. I still have to figure out how to hang it on the back wall of the studio, but it’ll look great.”

Steve had been to a couple of events at The Fairy Forest and knew just how incredible the decorations were. “How’s the rest of the planning going?”

“As far as I’m aware, everything’s on track.” Owen placed the bow tie back on the shelves. “Daniella’s going to Bozeman on Monday for her final dress fitting.”

Mr. Reynolds hurried across the store. “Thanks for waiting. We’re a little busier than usual.” He handed Owen another suit and shirt. “Try these. They should be more comfortable.”

Owen nodded and disappeared into the fitting room with the garments.

While he was gone, Steve looked at some accessories on another set of shelves. The pocket squares and suspenders would add a point of difference to any of the suits in the store. Picking up a set of silver cufflinks, he considered them for a moment before putting them back. His mind was half on the wedding, half on Eden.

Could a wedding really be the right place to spend more time with her? From what she’d said, she’d come to Sapphire Bay to get away from the pressure of big city life, not get involved with anyone.

A few minutes later, Owen re-emerged, looking far more comfortable in the larger suit.

He did a quick twirl, raising his eyebrows at Steve. “Better?”

“Much,” Steve confirmed, giving him an approving nod. “That’s the fit you want. It looks better across your shoulders.”

Owen checked himself out in the mirror, smoothing down the lapels. “It feels good. Now all I need to do is keep Harper’s attention away from the decorations at the reception.”

Steve laughed, his thoughts drifting back to Eden. “After she sees Daniella’s decorations, she’ll definitely want some of them for your wedding.”

“As long as Harper doesn’t regret saying she’ll marry me, I’ll be a happy man.”

“She won’t,” Steve said softly. “She loves you. Maybe I should take your advice about inviting someone to your sister’s wedding. It might make the evening more interesting.”

Owen slipped off the suit jacket. “You’ve got nothing to lose. If she says no, you’re back to square one. But if she says yes, it could be a great night. I won’t be long.” He disappeared into the fitting room with the jacket over his arm.

Steve looked through a rack of jackets not far from where they’d been standing. There was something about Eden—her smile, her easy laughter, the way she seemed genuinely interested in what he had to say—that had caught him off guard.

Pulling out a jacket, he walked across to a mirror and held it against his chest. If he was going to Daniella’s wedding, he might as well look his best.

As Mr. Reynolds walked past him, he looked at the jacket. “You have broad shoulders. You’ll need the next size up.”

Steve checked the label. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve been fitting suits for more than thirty years. You’ll need the next size.”

Before Owen came out of the fitting room, Steve grabbed another jacket and tried it on. Mr. Reynolds was right. The fit was perfect, and the price was right. He just hoped asking Eden to the wedding would be as easy as finding a new jacket.