“Megan says boyfriends are like friends, only better.” Nora pulled her across to the table where she was sitting. “This is my book. Do you like the pictures?”
Cassie sat down and looked at the drawings at the beginning of each chapter. “They’re really pretty.”
“I like the pictures of the princesses the best. I’ll show you my favorite.” Nora took the book out of Cassie’s hands and flicked through the pages. “It’s in here somewhere.”
While Nora searched for the picture, Cassie watched Noah. Even in a blue T-shirt and jeans he stood out from everyone else. He was easily the most handsome man she’d ever met, but there was more to him than his looks. There was something about the way he moved, the way he spoke, and the things that were important to him that made Cassie’s heart melt.
Noah said something and Megan laughed.
Cassie sighed. She wanted to be the person who made Noah happy, but she didn’t know if that would ever happen.
Why had he traveled all the way to Sapphire Bay? Patrick said Noah was busy. Taking time out of his schedule wouldn’t make his workload any easier. Maybe he was worried about his grandfather. If Patrick told him he was working on the tiny home project, he might be concerned he was doing too much.
Or maybe, just maybe, Noah wanted to know how she felt about him.
“Here’s my favorite picture,” Nora said proudly. “It was above chapter ten.” She shoved the book under Cassie’s nose. “Do you like it?”
Cassie smiled at the pink, frilly dress the princess was wearing. “It’s lovely. Why do you like it?”
“’Cos Peter is there. Can you see him?”
It took Cassie a few seconds to remember that Peter was a frog. She looked closely at the picture. “There he is.” She pointed at a little green frog sitting beside the princess. “He’s cute.”
Nora leaned into Cassie. “Peter isn’t a frog for the whole story,” she whispered. “He turns into a dragon. When he breathes on people, their wishes come true.”
“That’s amazing.”
“And guess what?”
Cassie smiled. “What?”
“When William breathes on the princess, he thinks she’ll wish for a handsome prince. But that’s not what she wants.”
“What does she want?”
Nora leaned even closer. “Peter is lonely ’cos he’s the only dragon in the kingdom. The princess wishes for more dragons so he can be happy.”
“Does her wish come true?”
“Yes,” Nora said excitedly. “Peter finds seven dragons. It makes him really happy. Do you want to know how I remembered the number of dragons?”
Cassie laughed as Nora jumped up and down. “How did you remember?”
“It was easy. I’m seven!”
Megan looked over Cassie’s shoulder. “Nora must be telling you about Peter.”
Cassie smiled. “She is. He’s the happiest dragon in the kingdom.” Her smile disappeared when she looked at Noah. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you, too.”
When she looked into Noah’s eyes, she forgot what she was going to say. She’d missed him terribly, and she didn’t know what to do about it.
Megan touched Cassie’s arm. “I’m taking Nora to the kitchen for a cookie and something to drink. Do you want to come with us?”
Cassie rose from the chair, grateful that her friend was looking out for her. “I’ll be okay.”
Nora grinned. “Do you want to come with us, Noah? Pastor John makes yummy cookies.”
