Chapter 4

Owen glanced at the clock on the wall for the tenth time in as many minutes. Harper should be here soon to look around his studio. As he turned down the furnace, he wondered why on earth he'd offered to give her a tour. For anyone not interested in glassblowing, the best you could say about the studio was that it was functional.

There were no fancy lighting fixtures or colorful murals. Apart from the original red-brick walls, the studio was a spacious, practical room designed to make the process of glassblowing as streamlined as possible.

Taking a deep breath, he put away some of his tools. Would Harper appreciate what went into making the type of bowl he'd given her for looking after his dad? Would she realize glassblowing was so much more than a job? It had given him something to focus on, something to fill the long nights when he couldn't sleep. When his mind replayed the final, distraught moments of his friend's life.

The front door opened and Harper stepped inside. Her smile didn't help his pounding heart or make him any surer that he'd made the right decision to invite her here. At least her eyes were full of curiosity and awe. That had to be a good start.

"Hi, Owen. I can't believe I haven't been here before now. Your studio's only a short walk from A Stitch in Time."

Owen cleared his throat, trying to steady his voice. "That's one of the reasons I chose this location. If I decide to sell my products from here, it's near to the other stores on Main Street."

Harper's gaze swept across the room, taking in the furnace, the annealing oven, and the shelves laden with glass bowls and vases. "This is incredible. I didn't know glassblowing involved so many pieces of equipment," she said, her voice filled with genuine interest.

Owen led her to the furnace, explaining how it was the start of the glassblowing process. His hands were steady as he showed her the tools he used to melt the glass but, inside, he was acutely aware of Harper's presence. Especially when her attention was focused on him and his work.

"I thought about showing you how to make something, but I wasn't sure how much time you had."

Harper ran her hand along the large steel workbench in the middle of the room. "Granddad's neighbor is with him at the moment. I have to be back by two o'clock, so it's probably better that you don't show me now."

Owen nodded. "Maybe another time, then. It must be difficult juggling your job and looking after your granddad."

"It's not too bad," Harper told him with a shrug. "It's been a little more difficult since I increased my hours at the clinic, but we manage. Granddad's neighbors and friends are wonderful. They take him to some activities during the week and pop in to see him when I'm not there. Where did you learn about glassblowing?"

At some point, Harper was bound to ask him that question. Even though he'd practiced what he'd say, the words didn't come any easier. "A friend invited me to a retreat. One afternoon, we visited a glassblower who tutored classes for beginners. I enjoyed his demonstration and enrolled for his next set of workshops. I did those and then moved on to the advanced classes."

"I remember you enjoying art at school, but I never thought you'd own something like this. You must enjoy glassblowing more than being a police officer. "

Owen started to say the same thing he told everyone when they asked why he'd left the police force, but it didn't feel right. "Has Daniella told you why I moved here?"

Harper frowned. "The only thing she told me is that you'd left the Detroit Police Department."

He picked up a pair of large tweezers and placed them with his other tools. "Eighteen months ago, someone shot ten people in a shopping mall in Detroit. My best friend died in my arms. We were called to the mall to talk to someone who was caught shoplifting. The teenager had a gun and…" He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart.

Harper placed her hand on his arm. "Are you all right?"

He nodded and refocused his thoughts. "Afterward, I couldn't sleep. I wasn't interested in eating, and I was terrified of going back to work. I did some counseling and changed to a desk job for a few months. Nothing helped until I started the glassblowing course."

Harper's eyes filled with a sad, faraway look. "It's good you found something to help. I was struggling with everything after the last wave of COVID-19 hit New York. Everyone at the hospital was working long hours and there were so many heartbreaking moments. I tried finding other hobbies to take my mind off what was happening, but there weren't enough hours in the day. All I did was make my life even more stressful."

Owen watched her face closely. "Is that why you came back to Montana?"

She nodded and sent him a wry smile. "I stayed with Mom in Polson for a few months and visited Granddad during the week. My mom's great, but I wanted to be more independent. When Granddad's mobility became an issue, I moved here. I was only supposed to visit for a few weeks, but we got along so well that he asked me to stay. Now that I'm working at the medical clinic, I finally feel as though I'm getting back on my feet."

He looked at the dark circles under her eyes. "How's the sleeping?"

"Not that great. I've tried everything, but nothing stops the nightmares."

Owen moved across to the annealing oven. "When I can't sleep, I run until I'm exhausted. It seems to help with my nightmares, too."

"I enjoy bicycling, but I don't go out at night. I need to be home for Granddad in case he needs extra help." Harper pointed to the oven. "What does this do?"

He showed her the annealing oven and the steel table where the glass was shaped. He found himself talking more than usual, explaining every detail, perhaps overly conscious of Harper's gaze on him.

"The colors in the finished pieces start here," he said, guiding her to the colored glass rods and powders. "Choosing the right combination can really bring a piece to life."

Harper was intrigued by the small chips of glass that added texture and color to each piece he created. It was a relief to see her genuine interest as he explained how he used them.

Her eyes landed on the collection of glass balls with flecks of pink, red, black, and white inside them. "These are beautiful. What inspired you to make them?"

His nerves eased as he shared the story of the paperweights. "When I was younger, Dad would take Daniella and me on adventures around the lake. We had competitions to see who could collect the most colorful pebbles. We even found gemstones. I wanted to incorporate all the color and beauty of the lake into something my customers will like. I made them as paperweights, but they could be used for a lot of things."

"They're gorgeous. Can I hold one?"

He nodded and watched Harper gently cradle a paperweight in her hands. "I'm hoping the tourists who visit Sapphire Bay will love them. They'd make amazing gifts. Ben, the owner of the gift shop at the Christmas tree farm, wants to sell them, too."

"Are you selling them at the festival?"

Owen studied Harper's face as she looked at the other paperweights. "That was the plan, but Ben saw them yesterday and wants me to keep at least two dozen for his store. I won't have many left for the festival."

Harper replaced the paperweight. "They're gorgeous. I can't believe you've only been working with glass for a short time."

"It was a steep learning curve." As they talked, Owen realized he was enjoying sharing his studio with Harper. When she checked her watch, he felt a twinge of disappointment. "Do you need to leave?"

Harper nodded. "Granddad's neighbor will be leaving soon. I've really enjoyed myself. Thanks for showing me around."

"You're welcome. If you want to learn how to make a glass vase or a bowl, I could show you another time."

"That'd be wonderful." Harper pulled on her jacket and walked toward the front door with him. "Good luck with everything for the summer festival."

"You, too," he replied. "Thanks for texting me about the shelves. Jackie's picking them up tonight."

"I'm glad." With a quick wave, Harper said goodbye and left his studio.

As Owen made a list of the materials he had to buy tomorrow, he thought about the questions she'd asked and the smile that was never far from her face.

No one meeting her would realize she'd been through so much, or that her life was more complicated than most. But because of what she'd been through, they understood each other's struggles. Harper was different from most people he'd met, and that made her even more special.

Harper hurriedinto The Fairy Forest to collect her friend Daniella's crocheted blankets for the summer festival. The large, fairy-themed events center was incredibly popular and worth visiting. But with only fifteen minutes to get back to the medical clinic, she didn't have time to enjoy the indoor garden, the chocolate fountain, or the rainbow of lights decorating the walls.

A dark-haired woman dressed as a fairy stepped through a doorway shaped like an ancient oak tree. "Hi, Harper. That was good timing. I've just said goodbye to some birthday party guests. How are you?"

"Hi, Daniella. I'm great, but it's been a busy morning. Zac and Ethan had back-to-back appointments and the phone didn't stop ringing. I was lucky to get away on time."

Daniella led Harper across to her office. "You should have let me deliver the blankets to you. It would've saved you time."

"It's no problem. I enjoy coming here." She wasn't the only person racing around Sapphire Bay. With the summer festival only a few days away, everyone was preparing for the deluge of people about to descend on their small Montana town.

When she saw the box of blankets Daniella had made, she grinned. "They're perfect."

"I crocheted twelve for the festival. If you don't sell all of them, let me know. I'll take them to The Welcome Center for Pastor John's guests."

Harper looked at the price tag on one of the blankets. "I don't think we'll have any trouble selling them. Are you sure you don't want to charge a little more for them?"

Daniella shook her head. "I'm happy with the price I came up with. The wool was donated, so the only thing I need to cover is my time."

"If you're happy, I'm happy." Harper closed the flaps on the box and picked it up. "How's Owen?"

Daniella picked up a smaller box and followed Harper into the foyer. "Working long hours to get everything ready for Saturday. He said you enjoyed the tour of his studio."

"I loved every minute." And she had. Hearing how Owen made his glass products only made her more determined to see the process in action. "I'll go back once the festival's over and watch Owen make something."

Daniella opened the front door. "He's much more artistic than the rest of our family."

Harper grinned. "Have you looked at The Fairy Forest lately? It's amazing. If anyone tells you what you've created isn't art, then don't listen to them. Everyone who walks into your building is blown away by what your imagination has achieved."

"My imagination and a big loan from the bank," Daniella said with a grimace. "There's something appealing in working for someone else. At least you don't have to cover your overheads, mortgage payments, and payroll each week."

"That's true. Is everything okay with The Fairy Forest?" It was the first time Daniella had mentioned her business in anything less than glowing terms.

A faint smile touched Daniella's lips. "It's just the usual business worries. Keeping up with expenses, ensuring we have enough bookings. It's a lot, but I love it. The Fairy Forest is my dream come true, even with the challenges."

Harper could only imagine what it took to make an event center successful. "You've built something that's unique. When people visit The Fairy Forest, it's like stepping into another world."

As they reached Harper's truck, Daniella slid the box of crocheted blankets onto the back seat. "That's what I wanted. I'm glad you saw Owen's studio. We've been trying to convince him to open it to the public, but he doesn't think anyone will be interested in seeing him work."

His reluctance didn't surprise Harper. "He hasn't been doing glassblowing for long. He might feel more confident in a few months." She added her box to the back seat. "He's different from how I remember him when we were at school."

Daniella smiled as she closed the truck's door. "People change. I'm glad you're getting to know each other. He's a great person."

Harper took her keys out of her pocket. "He's been a big help with the festival. Jackie's using some of the display shelves he made on her booth."

"That's great," Daniella said, stepping back. "I can't wait to see how it all turns out."

Harper smiled and climbed into the driver's seat. "If I don't see you beforehand, I'll see you at the festival. If I can help you with anything at The Fairy Forest, let me know."

"I will."

With a quick wave, Harper started the truck and reversed out of the parking space. As she drove back to Jackie's store, her mind was a mix of anticipation for the festival and curiosity about what lay ahead with Owen.

The summer festival, with its promise of community celebration and personal discoveries, was shaping up to be an event everyone would remember.