Harper smiled. “Your mom will be fantastic. She’s always had a way with people.”
Owen nodded. “And I think it’ll be good for the studio, not just for sales but for building a connection with the community.”
“It’s a smart move,” Benjamin said. “Folks around here will enjoy seeing how you create your pieces, especially after the good stories that came out of your exhibition. It’s not every day you get to watch an artist at work.”
Owen felt a surge of gratitude for the encouragement from both Harper and her grandfather. “Thanks, I’m hoping it turns out well. And maybe we can use it as an opportunity to showcase other artists’ work, too.”
Harper looked thoughtful. “You could ask Steve if he wants to display some of his work.”
“That’s a great idea. I’ll ask him next week.” Owen reached out, taking Harper’s hand in his. “Knowing Steve, he’ll want to redesign the studio.”
The rest of the evening was filled with good conversation and lighthearted laughter. As Owen helped Harper clear the table, he thought about how much his life had changed. A year ago, no one would have imagined he’d have his own studio, or make a good living from creating glass bowls and other pieces of art.
His friends in Detroit would be shocked to see how much he’d changed. And, he hoped, more than a little impressed with what he was doing.
Chapter17
Owen checked his watch to make sure they still had plenty of time to decorate Benjamin’s home before Harper’s party. He’d spent some time with Carrie, Harper’s mom, the night before. With her short dark hair and clear blue eyes, Harper was more like her than he remembered.
Benjamin was in his garage, wrapping Harper’s birthday gift. Considering its size, he could be there for a while.
“Do you want me to blow up more balloons?” he asked Harper’s mom.
Carrie placed a floral arrangement in the middle of the dining room table. “What you’ve done should be enough. Otherwise, everyone will be banging into the ribbons we’ve tied around the base of them.” She flicked the pink and silver ribbons dangling from the ceiling on her way back to the kitchen. “It’s really good of you to help with the decorations, Owen.”
“I’m glad you called me.” Climbing the ladder, he attached one end of the streamer roll to the wall before letting the rest of it unwind toward the floor. “Do you think Harper suspects anything?”
Carrie walked out of the kitchen with a large platter of cheese, crackers, and fruit. “As far as I know, she has no idea. She’s expecting a quiet dinner tonight. I can’t wait to see her reaction.”
Owen just hoped Harper was okay with what Benjamin and Carrie had planned. She’d told them she didn’t want a party with her friends. She was happy to have some quiet time with her family and celebrate with an enormous tub of ice cream for dessert. Her mom had bought the ice cream, but also invited a long list of friends.
When they stepped back to admire their work, Carrie looked around the room with a smile. “We’ve done a wonderful job, even if I say so myself.”
Owen picked a plastic wrapper off the floor. “I’ll second that. Do you want me to see if Benjamin’s all right? He’s been gone a long time.”
“That’d be great,” Carrie said. “Dad goes into his own world when he’s in his workshop. He probably doesn’t even know what the time is.”
Owen knew it took Harper’s granddad a lot longer than most people to get ready for anything. If he didn’t come inside now, he’d never be ready for the party.
“I won’t be long,” he said to Carrie. Lifting his jacket off the coat stand, he walked outside. The large garage was a few feet from the house. Made from the same worn wooden siding as the house, it was the one place Benjamin could get to easily without asking anyone for help.
Harper’s granddad had told him the kernel of independence made all the difference to his life. Even if he couldn’t do a lot of things, he could still putter around in his garage, fixing the projects on his workbench.
Owen opened the side door and frowned. Benjamin hadn’t turned on the lights and it was quiet. Too quiet for a man who relied on a walker to move around. “Benjamin?”
No answer.
As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he spotted Harper’s granddad lying on the cold concrete floor, his body unnaturally still. For a moment, Owen was gripped by a paralyzing fear. Memories of holding his partner after he’d been shot raced through him.
The helplessness he’d felt surged back with an intensity that stole his breath. But, this time, he knew he couldn’t freeze; Benjamin needed him.
Shaking off the shock, Owen’s instincts kicked in. He rushed to Benjamin’s side, checking his pulse. “Benjamin, can you hear me?” There was no movement, no sound, except for the faint, ragged edge of Benjamin’s breathing. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Benjamin’s eyes connected with his. The terror in his gaze tore at Owen’s heart. “It’s okay. I’ll look after you.”
With a pounding heart, Owen searched his pockets for his cell phone. When he couldn’t find it, he held Benjamin’s hand. “I’ve left my cell phone in the house. I’ll be right back.”
With no time to spare, he sprinted back to the house, threw open the front door, and rushed inside the kitchen.
