Harper looked around the café for the person responsible for the desserts.
“Owen’s just leaving,” Andrea whispered. “He wants you to know he didn’t follow you. He came in for lunch and noticed you sitting over here.”
Harper’s frown softened into a smile. She caught a glimpse of Owen just as he was about to step out of the café. Knowing he’d thought of her, even in passing, warmed her more than the pie could.
She raised her hand in a small wave, hoping to catch his attention before he left. Owen paused, turned slightly, and their eyes met. In that fleeting moment, Harper saw a silent understanding that spoke volumes. He nodded to her before disappearing through the door.
Turning back to the table, Harper saw the curiosity in Henry and Margaret’s expressions. “Owen’s a friend. He has a way of making people feel appreciated, even when they don’t realize they need it.”
“We all need friends like that,” Henry told her.
Andrea refilled everyone’s coffee and then smiled at Harper’s guests. “I hope you enjoy Sapphire Bay. It’s a lovely town.”
“We’re already enjoying being here,” Margaret told her. “Lunch was delicious and spending time with Harper is wonderful.”
Henry dipped a spoon into the pie and ate a mouthful of the sweet dessert. “And so is this. Thank you.”
After Andrea left, the conversation turned to lighter topics—a book Margaret wanted to write about their experience during the pandemic and Henry’s newfound hobbies.
Harper shared stories of the town, the cottages Henry and Margaret had admired on Anchor Lane, and the close-knit community that had welcomed her back with open arms.
Margaret set her dessert spoon on the side of her plate. “You’re lucky to have found this small town.”
“I was raised here and my mom lives a few miles away,” Harper told her. “Returning to Sapphire Bay was the best thing I could’ve done.”
Henry looked around the café, taking in the local artwork on the walls, the customers engaged in quiet conversation, and the sense of peace that filled the room. “I can see why you like living here. Are you planning on staying in Sapphire Bay?”
Harper nodded. “For now, I’m where I need to be. As for the future, I’m not sure. But regardless of what happens, this town will always be special.”
After they’d finished lunch, Henry and Margaret thanked Harper again. They promised to stay in touch and send her a copy of Margaret’s book once it was published.
Harper walked them to the door, her heart a little lighter as they exchanged hugs and goodbyes.
As she watched them leave, she felt a chapter of her life coming to a gentle close. The trauma and pain of the pandemic was giving way to new beginnings and new dreams.
She turned back into the café, thinking about the community that had given her so much, about Owen and his upcoming exhibition, and about her future that was slowly taking shape in Sapphire Bay.
As the eveningsettled over Sapphire Bay, Owen focused on the bowl he was creating in his studio. The rhythmic hum of the furnace and the swoosh of the air gun merged with the music playing in the background.
It was the quiet moments like this that he enjoyed the most. He could forget about the outside world and make pieces of art that came straight from his heart.
Someone knocked on the front door and he looked up to see Harper standing outside. He couldn’t stop what he was doing, so he lifted his hand to wave her into the studio. As soon as she opened the door, he smiled. There was something about her that made him happy, especially when he saw what she was holding.
“Hi, Harper,” Owen said as he rolled the molten glass on the steel table. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
“One of Granddad’s friends came to see him, so I left them alone for a few minutes. I wanted to thank you for buying the pecan pies for us.” She took off her bicycle helmet and placed a paper bag on his workbench. “Brooke made a fresh batch of fudge this afternoon. I thought you might enjoy some.”
“You didn’t have to do that, but thanks. How was the meeting with the man from the hospital?”
“It was better than I thought. Henry’s changed so much I didn’t recognize him.” Harper followed his actions as he continued to shape the molten glass. “It was nice to hear about his recovery and what he’s been doing.”
After Harper told him about the challenges Henry and his wife had faced after he’d left the hospital, he paused his work for a moment to look at her. “The care you gave Henry must’ve made a big difference in his recovery.”
Harper’s blue eyes were filled with so many conflicting emotions that Owen didn’t know how she was feeling.
“I hope so,” she said quietly. “Nursing was different during the pandemic. I tried my best to support my patients, but I always felt as though I wasn’t doing enough. Especially when families couldn’t be together.”
“It sounds as though Henry and his wife appreciate everything you did for them.”
