A weight lifted off Steve’s chest. “The wedding reception’s in Owen’s glass studio. Daniella’s decorating it with props from her business. Knowing her, it’ll look incredible.”
Eden picked up a napkin. “She was talking about The Fairy Forest last night. How long have you known Owen?”
“I met him about a year ago when he came back to live in Sapphire Bay.” He looked at Eden. If he told her he had PTSD, would it make her less likely to spend time with him? But, if he didn’t say anything, she’d never get to know who he really was. Picking up his water bottle, he took a quick sip. “Pastor John runs a support group for people with PTSD. I met Owen there.”
Instead of being surprised, Eden nodded. “Shelley told me about the group. It’s one of the reasons I came to Sapphire Bay.”
“It is?”
Eden slowly nodded. She seemed to be having the same trouble as he was.
He looked into her blue eyes and hoped what he was about to say came across as sincere. “If you want to talk about it, I won’t say anything to anyone else. Even though it can feel as though you’ll never get better, PTSD isn’t something to be ashamed of.”
Eden took the cap off her water bottle. “Do you remember when I told you I used to be a teacher?”
Steve nodded. “At an elementary school in Boston.”
“That’s right.” Eden looked across the lake. “Last year, a student brought a gun to school. He shot two children before the police stopped him. Afterward, I couldn’t sleep or eat. I was terrified the same thing would happen again. I spoke to a therapist, but nothing changed. When Shelley told me about John’s support group, I thought it could help me.”
Her eyes were so full of sorrow that Steve knew there was more to her story than what she’d said. “John’s helped most of us see the world a little differently. There’s a meeting next Friday, if you’d like to come.”
“I was planning on being there,” Eden told him. “It’s handy living with John and Shelley. I only need to walk into their living room and I’m at the meeting.”
Her smile was forced, but that was okay. He’d had to do worse to get through difficult conversations about his own PTSD. “We’ll know where to find you if you forget. Tell me about Boston. What did you like the most about it?”
As she told him about the Freedom Trail, the day trips to Martha’s Vineyard, and the Skywalk Observatory, Eden relaxed and became more animated.
Between feeding Rex small scraps of beef, their conversation shifted to other topics—favorite foods, movies, and stories about their pasts. Steve shared more than he usually did, buoyed by Eden’s easy laugh and thoughtful responses.
By the time they finished eating, he felt like they’d crossed a bridge from casual acquaintances to friends.
As they stood to leave, Eden handed him the rest of the muffins. “Have these. You could take them to work with you.”
Steve accepted the muffins, touched by her thoughtfulness. “Thanks, Eden. I’ve enjoyed your company.”
“I’ve enjoyed yours, too,” she said, her smile lingering as she picked up the things she’d bought at the market. “Are you taking basketball practice next week?”
Steve tightened his grip on Rex’s leash before getting rid of the trash with Eden. “I am. I’ll be at The Welcome Center on Tuesday and Thursday.”
“I might see you there. It’s Shelley’s last week and we’re trying to cram everything into my training.”
“Good luck.”
Eden smiled. “Thanks. I’ve got a feeling I’ll need all the luck I can find. Remember to put the crystal in your house.”
Steve patted his top pocket. “I will.”
After they said goodbye, an unfamiliar optimism bubbled inside him. Maybe, just maybe, this unexpected day could lead to more than friendship. But, for now, he was content to see where this new path would take them.
With Rex trotting faithfully beside him and Eden’s laughter echoing in his ears, whatever happened had to be better than being alone.
The next fewdays passed in a blur for Eden. In between learning as much as she could about Shelley’s job, she tried to find somewhere else to live. John and Shelley were more than happy for her to stay with them but, with their first baby nearly here, Eden had a feeling they’d appreciate having the house to themselves.
Shelley had warned her about how time would disappear as the week progressed, and she wasn’t wrong. Each day was filled with learning new routines and being introduced to people who worked for the church. But between notebooks filled with instructions and the documents Shelley had created, Eden was finally feeling as though she could do the job.
Late on Thursday afternoon, after a lengthy session reconciling the latest donations with bank deposits, Eden stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. The sun was starting to dip low, casting shadows over the court where Steve was rounding up the boys’ basketball teams. Watching him in action, seeing how he managed the energetic group with a firm yet gentle hand, made her smile.
After the children went home, he walked over to her with a basketball tucked under one arm.
