“I have to replace them,” Daniella murmured as she ran a hand along a countertop. “It’s hard to believe this was a disaster zone this morning,”
Harrison watched her with a heavy heart. “It won’t take long to get everything fixed. It might even be better than before.”
Daniella sighed. “That’s what Dad said when I called to give him an update. Luckily, I’m insured.” She walked back into the main events room and looked at the fairy lights still strung across the ceiling.
“You’ve had a lot to deal with over the last few weeks.”
Daniella nodded and her eyes filled with tears. “This was my dream, Harrison. It was the way I could keep my promise to my brother. The Fairy Forest gave me a reason to stay in Sapphire Bay when all I wanted to do was leave. It helped me come to terms with Marcus’ death and made it easier to reconnect with my family. And now look at it.”
He looked at the rolls of synthetic grass stacked on the far side of the room, the rainbow that still hung from the wall. “It doesn’t feel the same, but the magic’s still here.” He stood closer to her and held her hands. “Close your eyes.”
“If I do that, I’ll fall asleep.”
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Quit stalling and close your eyes,” he said softly.
Daniella sighed but did as he asked.
“Now remember what The Fairy Forest was like.” He waited a few seconds before continuing. “Now imagine what it could be.”
He felt her relax, felt the weight of the day ease from her tired body as she saw the possibilities.
“Tell me what you see,” he whispered.
“There are clouds in a bright blue sky,” Daniella said slowly. “The sun’s shining and birds are singing in the trees. The grass is soft beneath my feet and there’s a fountain cascading down one wall. It’s peaceful and serene.”
“And it’s all here, waiting for you,” Harrison reminded her.
Daniella opened her eyes and looked around the room.
Her smile told Harrison she could see what her imagination knew was there all along. All she had to do was ignore what was in front of her eyes and see the potential.
When she stepped closer to him, there was a light in her eyes that wasn’t there before. “Have I told you what a wonderful boyfriend you are?”
“No, but I’m listening.”
“You see the bright side of things, even when everything feels upside down,” she told him.
He smiled when Daniella ran her hands along the front of his shirt.
“And you make me feel like I’m an important part of your life.” She stood on tip-toes and kissed the side of his neck. “And you make me believe I can do anything.”
Harrison’s smile disappeared when Daniella’s lips did some more exploring. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I love you, Daniella. I want to live in Sapphire Bay because of you. You’re the most important person in my life and I want you to be happy.”
“I’m happy when I’m with you. Even if you’re my landlord.”
Daniella’s kiss was soft and gentle, and so much of everything that had been missing in his life. He’d found his safe place to fall, his reason to make each day better than the last. And the reason living in Sapphire Bay was good for his soul.
CHAPTER23
Two months later…
Daniella couldn’t believetwo months had passed since The Fairy Forest had been inundated with water from a burst pipe. Since then, the red-brick building had seen a never-ending team of construction workers coming through the doors.
Harrison and her dad were right. With the money she received from the insurance claim, and some careful budgeting and planning, she’d been able to incorporate things into the remodel that she couldn’t have done before. When the community saw what she was doing, a team of retired builders had joined the construction crew already on site. Other people had donated materials to create an even better fairy forest.
The guests who’d come for the official reopening of The Fairy Forest were excited. Whether they’d attended one of the events Daniella had hosted, worked on the project, or volunteered their time after the flood, they’d come to see what it looked like. Daniella was thrilled to show them the finished design and knew they’d loved it as much as she did.
When it was time to welcome everyone, she stepped up to the podium. Unfolding a small piece of paper, she kept it close in case she forgot what she wanted to say.
