He paused and looked out over the lake. “When you build something, it’s not just plans on paper or concepts. It’s something real, something you can touch and feel proud of.”
Daniella nodded, understanding the satisfaction that came from creating something lasting. “Do you miss being a counselor?” she asked, her eyes locking onto his.
Harrison let out a long breath. There was a softness in his eyes when he spoke. “I do. I miss the kids, their energy, their challenges, their breakthroughs. Helping someone find their path is incredibly rewarding.”
The vulnerability in his voice touched Daniella. His work was more than just a job—it was part of him. A calling. “What about your family? How do they feel about you living in Montana?”
A slight frown creased Harrison’s brow. He picked up a slice of apple, turning it in his hand before taking a bite. “They support me, mostly,” he said after a pause. “My sister understands why I needed the change after... everything. But she worries, too. I guess they all do—wondering if I’m running from my grief rather than facing it.”
Daniella reached out, her hand briefly touching his arm in a gesture of comfort. “Grief has its own geography,” she said softly. “Maybe you needed to be in a different place to find your way through it.”
He nodded, his eyes meeting hers with an expression of gratitude. “They want me to be happy, to find some peace, I suppose.”
She understood that wish, the universal desire of families to make each other feel whole and loved. “They sound like wonderful people.”
“They are,” he admitted with a half-smile. “I’m lucky to have them. What did your family think about you giving up a high-profile career in advertising to open The Fairy Forest?”
She let out a small laugh, more at herself than at the question. “They were surprised. Mom and Dad have always been supportive but they didn’t understand at first. They didn’t want the promise I’d made to Marcus to change what I loved doing. They saw how hard I’d worked to get to where I was in Atlanta.”
“And Owen?” Harrison prodded gently.
“He was happy I came back. Even then, the stress of working in Detroit was weighing him down. He’s always been more focused on family than a career.”
“Do you ever regret leaving Atlanta and your job? It couldn’t have been easy to give that up.”
Daniella paused, the hum of the evening settling around them. “It wasn’t an easy decision to make,” she finally said, her voice steady and sure. “But when I saw the old red-brick building and imagined what it could become, I knew I’d done the right thing. The Fairy Forest might not be as glamorous as the advertising world, but it’s mine. It’s real and it’s about more than just selling a product. It’s about creating joy and making memories. That’s worth more than any advertising campaign.”
Harrison pulled out his wallet and showed Daniella a picture. “This is where my joy comes from. It’s a photo of Lisa, my sister, and her four children.”
Daniella smiled at the photo. Lisa had an infectious smile and lively eyes that mirrored Harrison’s. She had the same dark brown hair, though hers was long and pulled back into a practical ponytail. Her laughter seemed to leap from the picture, a burst of life amidst the controlled chaos around her.
Four young children were leaning against her, each looking unmistakably like their uncle. The eldest, a girl, had Harrison’s thoughtful brown eyes and seemed to be caught mid-giggle, her hand covering her mouth in delight. Next to her, a boy was in the throes of a full-blown belly laugh, his eyes crinkled into happy crescents. The third, another girl, was frozen in a moment of surprise; her hands clapped over her cheeks. And, the youngest, a little boy, looked excited as he clutched a toy truck in his chubby hands.
“They’re beautiful,” Daniella said, handing the picture back. “Your sister looks just like you.”
“She got the better end of the deal, though,” he joked, then turned serious. “Did Marcus, your brother, have a family?”
Daniella shook her head. “He had a girlfriend. They’d been together for years and always planned on getting married and having a family, but that changed when he was diagnosed with cancer. Owen’s showing no sign of being interested in anyone, and I’m a lost cause, too. Mom would love grandbabies, but she’ll have to wait a few more years for that to happen.”
Harrison smiled. “Lisa’s children keep Mom and Dad busy, thank goodness. What are you dreaming up next for The Fairy Forest?”
Daniella picked at the grass, her mind wandering to the future. “I want it to be more than a venue. I’d like to have workshops, art classes, maybe even a summer camp in the building. I want it to be a place of creativity and connection.”
Harrison nodded. “It’s a good dream. Do you think you’ll ever leave Sapphire Bay?”
She looked out over the lake. Deep down, she’d always known this was where she belonged. “I don’t think so. I’ve traveled to many different cities and towns. Nothing’s as good as Sapphire Bay.”
“Would you move if I asked you to come to Nashville with me?” His voice was soft, almost hesitant.
Daniella met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat. “I can’t afford to leave, Harrison. My life’s here now.” She saw the disappointment on his face and knew how he felt. In an ideal world, they’d be living in the same town, getting to know each other, and maybe even working toward a different future. “What’s it like, living in Nashville?”
He took a moment to answer her. “It’s a different world—a lot busier than Sapphire Bay.” Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile. “It can be noisy and it’s always changing. I love the different things you can do and, if you like music, it’s incredible. I don’t know how many concerts I’ve been to but it’s a lot. Apart from that, my family and friends are there. Until Audra died, it was the place where I felt the most comfortable.”
Daniella twisted a blade of grass between her fingers and felt the softness of the earth beneath her. She didn’t want to ask Harrison the next question, but she knew she had to. “When do you think you’ll go home?”
“In the next four or five months.” His voice was barely above a whisper. “I’ll miss you when I leave.”
“I’ll miss you, too.” Daniella saw a world of regret mirrored in his eyes. One day, she’d look back on her life and realize how lucky she was to have met Harrison. Today, all she felt was sad for the future they could have had together.
