He hugged her before opening a cupboard. “I’ll always be the same person, no matter where I live.” He took out a container of cookies and removed the lid. “Dad’s going to love these. Megan made them at Sweet Treats.”
His dad walked into the kitchen and smiled. “Did I hear the name of my favorite candy and cake store?”
Harrison handed him the container. “You did. Welcome to Montana.”
Instead of bringing up the job offer in Nashville again, his mom made everyone a cup of coffee and planned what they’d do for the rest of their time here. Unsurprisingly, a visit to The Fairy Forest was at the top of her list.
He had his sister to thank for that. He just hoped Daniella was ready to be invaded by his parents.
* * *
On Sunday,Daniella was preparing for a birthday party when Harrison walked into The Fairy Forest. Behind him were two people she’d never met.
After their recent conversation and the kiss they’d shared at the camp, her heart pounded when she saw him.
“Hi, Daniella. Is it okay if my parents look around The Fairy Forest?”
Her eyes widened at the couple standing beside him. Of all the things he could have said, she hadn’t expected him to say that. “Of course, it is.”
“Thanks. Daniella, this is Vicky and Clive. Mom and Dad, this is my friend Daniella. She owns The Fairy Forest.”
Daniella smiled and extended her hand to each of them. “It’s nice to meet you. Harrison’s told me a lot about you.”
Vicky’s eyes sparkled with warmth. “And he’s told us so many wonderful things about your business. We had to see it for ourselves before we flew back to Nashville. I love your fairy costume.”
Daniella looked at her dress. “Thank you. It’s one of my favorites.” The soft lavender fitted bodice sparkled with tiny sequins. Multiple layers of tulle formed a whimsical skirt that looked amazing with the translucent wings she’d bought in Orlando.
Clive looked around the room with an expression of genuine interest. “This place is quite something, Daniella.”
“Thank you. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.” She glanced at Harrison, waiting for him to say something about their relationship.
She was confused when he didn’t say anything, but maybe he was waiting for the right time. Pushing the omission to one side, she offered to show his parents around The Fairy Forest.
She chatted easily with Vicky and Clive as they moved from one area to the next. Both of them were lively and engaging, with a happy, upbeat personality that was infectious.
The fairy glen, with its pretty lights and soft, cushioned seating, was Vicky’s favorite area. While Daniella shared stories about the events she’d hosted and her plans for the future, a question nagged at the back of her mind. Had Harrison saidanythingabout her to his parents? She stole glances at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking, but he was focused on showing his parents around.
When he’d introduced her as his ‘friend,’ she’d felt a twinge of disappointment. They hadn’t defined their relationship, but after kissing him, being introduced as a friend felt like a step backward.
Vicky pointed to the rainbow on the far wall. “It’s stunning. Everywhere I look, I see something else that’s incredible. This is such a delight, Daniella.”
“Thank you,” she replied, her heart warmed by the compliment.
She watched Harrison interact with his parents and saw the easy affection they shared. It gave her a glimpse into the family life he’d come from—the type of parent he could become.
As they were wrapping up the tour, the children she’d been waiting for arrived. Within minutes, The Fairy Forest was filled with excited chatter.
“It’s been lovely meeting you,” Daniella told Harrison’s parents. “But I need to look after these children. I hope you enjoy your visit to Sapphire Bay.”
Vicky stepped forward and hugged Daniella. “We’ll leave you to do your work. Thank you for taking us on a guided tour. Before Harrison returns to Nashville, I’ll ask him to take plenty of photos of The Fairy Forest. His sister would love to see what it looks like.”
Daniella blinked as she replayed what Vicky had said. Harrison was a few feet away, talking to his dad, and hadn’t heard the remark. “I didn’t know Harrison was leaving Sapphire Bay.”
“Oh, he hasn’t made a final decision yet. But his friend has found the perfect job for him. If he gets that, he could be living in Nashville a lot sooner than he thought.”
When Harrison and his dad joined them, Harrison studied Daniella’s face and frowned. “Is everything okay?”
She looked him in the eyes and tried to work out what to say, but her brain refused to work. “Everything’s fine.”
