For the last two hours, he’d been working with a team of volunteers from the church and the historical society to get the cottages ready for tomorrow’s grand opening.
Everyone was excited about what the cottages meant to the community, not only for additional accommodations, but as a way of preserving the history of the area.
Daniella entered the room, bringing a welcome breeze of fresh energy. “It looks like things are coming together,” she observed, smiling at the two men.
Harrison returned her smile. “Percy’s making sure I don’t turn the place upside down.”
“You’re doing a splendid job,” Percy enthused. “It’s such a pleasure working with people who appreciate the significance of the stories we’re preserving. These cottages were built for people like you and me. Hardworking men and women who kept the steamboats crossing Flathead Lake when taking wagons around the lake wasn’t an option.”
Daniella sent Harrison a mischievous smile. She’d warned him Percy could talk for hours about the history of Sapphire Bay. While it was interesting, everyone had a lot of work ahead of them.
To keep Percy happy and the list of tasks moving, Harrison had asked Percy to help him hang the photos and move the borrowed furniture into the cottages. At least that way, he wasn’t distracting anyone else with his astounding knowledge of the area.
Percy checked his phone. “Mabel wants to see me. I hope she found the framed photographs I sent to the cottage this morning.” With a distracted frown, he hurried out of the room.
Instead of joining everyone else, Harrison lingered for a moment with Daniella, wanting to enjoy a few minutes with her before they returned to all the activity in the cottages.
“How are things going with the adventure camp?” he asked as he leaned against the dresser.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s coming together. I met an old friend the other day. She’s helping me hunt through my storage rooms. We’re looking for any last-minute props we can use.” Daniella’s face brightened. “We went to elementary school together. It’s really nice having her back in town.”
Harrison smiled. “Small towns have a way of bringing people back, don’t they? Most of the people I’ve met were raised here, moved away, then returned to enjoy a quieter life.”
Daniella held her clipboard close to her chest. “Not that you could say today’s been quiet. Everyone’s been super busy. But it’s one of the things I love about Sapphire Bay. No matter where life takes you, you can always come home.”
“Except if you want to find somewhere to live,” Harrison added.
Daniella groaned. “Don’t remind me. I looked at a house that might be coming up as a rental. It was half the size of my current home and twice the price. It didn’t even have a view of the lake.”
“Have you given any more thought to buying the house you’re renting?”
“I’d love to but I can’t. The loan officer at the bank would laugh at me if I asked for more money.”
Percy called out from the other room, reminding them there was more work to be done. They left the bedroom, stepping into the living space where Percy was arranging a set of vintage photographs on the wall.
“These are from the early days of Sapphire Bay,” he explained, gesturing toward the black and white photos. “It’s important to remember where we’ve come from.”
Harrison and Daniella helped hang the photos as they listened to each picture’s stories—tales of hardship, community, and the relentless passage of time.
“I never tire of hearing about the town’s history,” Daniella told Percy graciously. “It makes you appreciate the present even more.”
Harrison nodded in agreement. “It’s a good reminder,” he said. “We’re just a small part of a much bigger story.”
“And talking about history,” Daniella told Harrison. “I forgot to tell you that Jackie and Aidan have set a date for their wedding. They’re getting married next January.”
Harrison picked up a picture hook. “I’m happy for them. I’ve only met Aidan a few times, but he seems great.”
Daniella frowned. “It sounds as though there’s another ‘but’ coming.”
“I’m happy for them,” he said softly. “But I don’t think I could ever get married again. After losing my wife... I can’t go through that pain again.”
Daniella’s smile faded. “Everyone has different paths,” she replied, her voice just as careful as Harrison’s. “I always thought I’d get married and have a family, but it hasn’t happened yet.”
Harrison looked at her, truly looked at her, and a silent understanding passed between them. They both had dreams, some fulfilled, others still distant.
Before he could ask her what else she wanted from her life, the door swung open, and Penny walked into the cottage. “How’s everything going?” she asked, her gaze darting around the room, taking in the historical pieces mixed with a few modern items they’d borrowed.
Harrison stepped back to give her more room to inspect the layout. “This cottage is almost ready. How are the other ones looking?”
