He turned to Daniella and smiled. “I had to touch them to see if they’re real.”
“Most people do the same thing. I usually add some real flowers when I’m hosting a large event. That keeps people guessing well into the night.
Harrison lifted his eyes to the tallest branch. The tree was almost as tall as a two-story building. “Where did you find them?”
“A friend’s daughter works for a company that makes film sets. They wanted to get rid of the trees and some old props, so I bought them. The rest of the decorations were from auctions or made by local artists.”
Harrison’s gaze wandered, taking in the details of The Fairy Forest. “It’s incredible. How long have you owned the business?”
Daniella’s face lit up with pride. “Nearly two years now. It started as a dream to bring a little magic into people’s lives, and somehow it turned into all this.” She gestured around the room, her smile widening.
Harrison nodded, genuinely impressed. “And you manage all these events yourself?”
“Most of them,” Daniella admitted. “But I have a great team who help me make each one special. It’s about creating amazing memories that make people return for more.”
He heard the passion in her voice and saw it in the way her eyes shone when she talked about her work. “It must take a lot of effort to keep everything running smoothly.”
“It does, but it’s worth it when you see the joy on the children’s faces. And the adults seem to love it just as much. If you’re helping me, I should tell you what I’ve planned.”
“That sounds sensible.” Harrison had to hold back a smile. Talking about the cottages with a woman dressed as a fairy was a new experience for him.
“For the official opening of the cottages,” Daniella began, “I’d like to create something that captures the essence of Sapphire Bay. Something that feels like home but still has a touch of the magic people enjoy here. We could add antique furniture to each room, photos of the area from a hundred years ago, and stage the gardens so visitors can imagine being there with the families from the steamboat company.”
Harrison listened, his practical mind already ticking through the logistics. “I can move anything you need into the cottages. Do you have ideas about the furniture you’d like to include?”
Daniella nodded enthusiastically. “I’ve spoken to the local historical society and they have some old dressers and tables and chairs we can use. Penny said we can borrow whatever else we need from The Lakeside Inn. I’ve also been working on some sketches of how I’d like to display everything.”
Harrison was impressed. “It sounds like you’ve got a good plan. Do you want to meet at the cottages? We could go over your drawings and any other details to see if there are things you haven’t thought of.”
“I’d like that. When would be a good time for you?” Daniella’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen and sent him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but I need to answer this call. It shouldn’t take too long.”
“That’s fine.” Harrison didn’t want her to think he was listening to her conversation, so he moved closer to the garden. His gaze followed the intricate details that made the events center come alive. There were colorful birds, bigger than the palm of his hand, sitting on the branches of the trees. He even saw some tiny fairies perched on the logs sitting in the garden.
A rainbow sparkled across one side of the room, sending a kaleidoscope of light onto the trees and flowers below it. This would be an incredible venue in any city. But to have access to it in a small Montana town was extraordinary.
He glanced at Daniella, noticing the shift in her expression as she spoke on the phone. There was a moment when her professionalism seemed to falter, replaced by a glimpse of vulnerability.
By the time she returned, she’d hidden whatever issues the phone call had created. “Thanks for waiting. How about we meet at the cottage you’re remodeling tomorrow morning? I’ll bring the sketches I’ve made and pictures of the props I’d like to use. We could review my ideas, and you can tell me what’ll work.”
“That sounds great,” Harrison replied. For the first time since Penny had asked him to help, he felt a sense of anticipation—for the project and the opportunity to work with Daniella.
After they said goodbye, he walked toward the big oak door and looked back at Daniella. There was something about her, something more than the fairy wings and the sparkle that promised this project would be unlike anything he’d done before.
With a final glance, he stepped into the foyer and took a deep breath. Fairy wings or not, getting the first community housing cottage ready for the opening would be a big job. He should’ve asked Daniella if she had some fairy dust to complete all the last-minute details.
Or even a bag of candy to make the work ahead a little sweeter.
* * *
Daniella satat Jackie’s dining table, enjoying a delicious dinner. The rich, tantalizing aroma of the marinade had made her hungry from the moment she’d walked into her friend’s home. But, even as she took another bite of the yummy food, her mind was elsewhere, tangling with the problem keeping her awake at night.
Jackie picked up a paper napkin. “I know that look. Are you still hunting for somewhere to live?”
Daniella nodded. “A local realtor’s helping me, but there aren’t many houses available to rent.”
“You’re lucky your landlord gave you an extension on your lease.”
“I know,” Daniella said with a sigh. “But it doesn’t make it any easier to find another house. And if I don’t get something soon, it’ll only get worse. Once the summer vacationers arrive, there won’t be a spare house anywhere in Sapphire Bay.”
