Chapter14
The evening air was crisp as Harper parked her bicycle outside Owen’s studio. The front door was still ajar, light spilling out onto the sidewalk.
The last few days had been difficult. She’d spoken to her granddad about the accident, and the good and not-so-good memories it had pushed to the surface. What she didn’t expect were the sleepless nights and a heart that raced out of control when she least expected it. Or the memories of the people she’d looked after in New York, and the tragedy of the souls who’d never made it home.
Tonight, she’d needed to do something to make everything easier to bear. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her tracksuit and stepped inside the studio.
Owen was on the far side of the room, wiping down his workbench, his back to the door. The studio was filled with his latest creations, the vibrant hues of the glass sitting like rainbows of light on the wooden shelves.
Owen didn’t realize she was there. She hesitated for a moment, watching him, admiring the way he’d found his way out of the horrible place PTSD had taken him.
“Hey,” Harper called out softly, not wanting to startle him.
He turned, and his face lit up with a surprised smile. “It’s good to see you. I was going to call you later.”
She shuffled her feet, suddenly nervous. “I was wondering if you’d like to go for a run with me?”
His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in her appearance, the tracksuit, the sneakers, and then, the dark circles under her eyes.
Feeling self-conscious, Harper touched her face, realizing what he’d seen. “I’m a bit tired,” she admitted, the words little more than a whisper.
Owen’s expression softened. “I thought you didn’t like running.”
Harper stepped toward him. “I could ride my bicycle while you run.”
“That sounds like a good compromise.” He opened his arms and hugged her. “Are you still having nightmares?”
As she nodded, her cheek rubbed against his green sweater. “I woke Granddad last night. He thinks I should see Ethan.”
“What do you think?”
Harper looked at Owen. “He’s a great therapist, but I’d prefer to talk to Pastor John. I feel uncomfortable talking to Ethan now that I’m working at the clinic.”
“I can understand that. And, to answer your question, a run sounds great. Give me a few minutes to change.”
As Owen disappeared through a door, Harper wandered around the studio, taking in the projects in various stages of completion. She stopped when she saw some pretty glass bottles sitting on a table. Unlike Owen’s other glass collections, these bottles were plain, transparent glass. Running her hand along the uneven sides, she wondered what they were for.
When Owen returned, dressed in his running gear, Harper felt a twinge of gratitude. He didn’t press her about the sleepless nights or the unspoken worries that hung between them.
Instead, he offered her a gentle smile. “Ready?”
“I hope so.”
On their way out of the studio, he turned the sign on the door to ‘Closed’ and flicked off the light switches.
With her helmet securely fastened, Harper followed Owen through the streets of Sapphire Bay. Before long, they made it to a trail that wound around the edge of the lake.
The rhythmic sound of Owen’s footsteps and the soft huff of his breath soothed Harper’s mind. And, as they passed The Lakeside Inn, the tension unwound from her shoulders. This part of Flathead Lake was her favorite. With its wide stone shore and the pretty gardens of the properties overlooking the glistening water, there was always something different to see.
Owen glanced at her and smiled. “Tell me about your day.”
Harper thought about the chaotic morning. “It was crazy busy. There’s some kind of tummy bug going around town. Megan saved the day with a batch of fresh muffins. She’d heard about the accident and wanted to thank us for helping. Don’t worry. I saved one for you, too. It’s in my backpack.”
“Is it chocolate chip?”
She grinned and shook her head. “It’s apple and cinnamon with lemon frosting. But don’t worry. It’s delicious.”
Owen pointed ahead. “Watch the log.”
