She kissed his cheek. “Then we’ll make sure you meet the people who look after the gardens. We’ll find places to sit where you can enjoy the plants and feel the sun on your face just like at home.”
As Harper spoke, she did her best to paint a picture with her words, a vision of a future where her granddad could find peace and a semblance of the life he loved—even in the middle of his recovery. It wasn’t just about the care or the facilities; it was about creating a space where he could connect with the things that brought him joy, where he could still find moments of happiness in the simple beauty of a garden.
“I’ve started the trauma course Zac recommended,” Harper told her granddad. “Most of the lessons are online, but I’ll see the other students tomorrow. You’ll never guess where we’re meeting?”
Benjamin’s eyes widened, as if asking her where it was.
“It’s here,” Harper told him with a smile. “Every two weeks, we meet at a different hospital. The next one’s in Billings. They opened the state’s first Level 1 Trauma Center last year.”
Her granddad looked worried. “Stay?”
Harper frowned. “Do you want me to stay with you in the hospital?”
The slow shake of his head told her that wasn’t what he meant. “I don’t understand, Granddad.”
With even more effort, he tried to tell her what he was asking. “Home. You.”
Harper bit her bottom lip when she realized what her granddad meant. He wasn’t just asking about her temporary movements; he was probing into the future, into where she saw herself settling down. The thought of her moving to Billings or any hospital had stirred his fears of being left behind.
“Oh, Granddad,” Harper said, squeezing his hand gently. “I’m not moving to Billings. I need to travel occasionally for the course but, for now, Sapphire Bay is my home. If you need to stay in Polson for longer, I’ll get a job closer to you. But that’s the only reason I’d leave Sapphire Bay.”
A visible sigh of relief passed through Benjamin’s body, his tension easing at her words. His grip on her hand tightened, a silent thank you for the reassurance.
Harper leaned in, placing a soft kiss on his forehead. “I’m doing this course to help people in our community. I want to make a difference, Granddad, just like you have. And no matter what happens, I’ll never be far away from you.”
A mixture of pride and gratitude flickered in Benjamin’s eyes. It was moments like these, Harper realized, that grounded her. It didn’t matter what job she had or what she did with her life. What mattered was her family and belonging to a community like Sapphire Bay.
She stayed with her granddad a little longer, talking about her plans, about the support group for caregivers, and relaying all the messages people had asked her to give him.
When the nurse came into the room to give Benjamin his medication, Harper knew it was time to leave. Her granddad was tired and having trouble keeping his eyes open. “I’ll come back tomorrow, after my meeting,” she promised him. “Be good for the nurses.”
His slight nod was enough to let her know he understood what she’d said. She kissed his cheek and forced a smile. “I love you, Granddad.”
Benjamin’s eyes filled with tears as he tried to speak.
Gently, she rested her forehead against his. Through her tears, she whispered, “I know you love me, Granddad. Don’t worry. We’ll get through this together.”
Even though it was the last thing she wanted to do, Harper said goodbye. As she walked away, each step felt heavier than the last. She couldn’t help but glance back, memorizing the sight of him, hoping against hope that this wouldn’t be the last time she saw her granddad alive.
Chapter20
Owen was just about to pour himself a cup of coffee when someone knocked on his front door. Leaving his mug on the counter, he walked into the living room. Whoever was standing on his veranda was lucky to find him here.
By this time on most Saturday afternoons, he was either running on a trail around the lake or hiking in the mountains. But, today, he couldn’t stop thinking about Harper, her granddad, and his plans for his studio.
He opened the door and smiled at Steve. Seeing a small dog weave between his friend’s feet pushed his worries aside. “Since when do you have a dog?” Owen asked as he stepped aside to let them into the cottage.
“Since this morning,” Steve said with a laugh. “This is Rex.” The toy poodle looked at Owen with bright, intelligent eyes, his tail wagging furiously. “He chose me at the pet adoption day. I couldn’t leave without him.”
Rex, looking pleased with himself, trotted confidently into Owen’s cottage. The only thing stopping him from making himself at home was the bright red leash attached to his harness.
Owen smiled. “Has he been outside yet?”
“Yeah, we’ve had a successful garden adventure already,” Steve replied, watching as Rex sniffed the new environment with curiosity. “No accidents indoors so far.”
As Rex sat beside Steve’s feet, Owen patted him. “How old is he?”
Steve watched him with an amused grin on his face. “Four years old.”
