“Hi, Eden. How’s the training going?”
“Better than yesterday. I finally feel as though I can do Shelley’s job without asking her lots of questions.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “How was practice?”
“It was great. The boys don’t run out of energy.”
Eden looked around for Steve’s dog. “You didn’t bring Rex with you?”
“He’s at the tiny home village with my neighbor. After the last time he got away, I’m worried about bringing him here.”
Eden couldn’t blame him for being extra cautious. She would be, too. “I could keep an eye on him if you want to bring him to practice. It’d give me a reason to take a break and come outside.”
Steve smiled. “Really? I’d appreciate it and I’m sure Rex would, too. He enjoys spending time with other people.”
“Just let me know when you plan on bringing him.”
“Will do.” Steve pulled up the zipper on his track suit and looked uncertainly at her. “After I’ve picked up Rex, I’m grabbing some dinner from the food trucks beside the lake. Would you like to join us?”
Eden hesitated before answering. She had a pile of invoices to pay and some of Shelley’s notes to review. But the warmth in Steve’s eyes, combined with the thought of a relaxing evening, swayed her. “Shelley and John are going out for dinner, so that sounds wonderful. I need to finish a few things before I leave, though. Can I meet you at your house in an hour?”
Steve nodded. “That’ll be perfect. It’ll give me a chance to get changed and feed Rex. I’ll text you with my address.”
After they’d exchanged phone numbers, Steve sent her his address. “The tiny home village is hard to miss. I’m on the far side. If you end up at The Welcome Center’s parking lot, you’ve gone too far.”
Eden checked Steve’s address before slipping her cell phone into her pocket. “I’ll call you if I get lost. See you soon.” And, with a determined stride, she hurried back to The Welcome Center.
One of her main worries before coming to Sapphire Bay was being isolated from her family and friends. But with the people she’d met, and the friends she’d made, she felt like she’d always been part of this tight-knit community.
How she’d feel when she left wasn’t worth thinking about.
Chapter6
Steve stood in front of his wardrobe, the door flung wide as he considered his options for dinner with Eden. Pulling out a light blue button-down shirt, he held it against his chest and glanced down at Rex. “What do you think, buddy? Is this the one?”
Rex wagged his tail, unbothered by the fashion dilemma unfolding before him.
Steve chuckled and set the shirt aside. With his options running out fast, he took a crisp white shirt off its hanger. He changed quickly, turning to face Rex again. “Better, huh?” But the dog just tilted his head, more interested in a noise outside the window than Steve’s wardrobe choices.
With a sigh, he swapped the white shirt for a dark green one. His mom had given it to him a couple of years ago and said it matched the color of his eyes. He wasn’t sure what difference that made but, if it worked for a casual dinner with Eden, he was happy.
“That’s better,” he murmured as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. With no more shirts to choose from, and even less time, it would have to do.
Rex barked softly, as if giving his approval, and Steve patted his head. “All right, green it is. Thanks for your help.”
Feeling more confident, he grabbed his wallet and keys, checked Rex’s food bowl to make sure he’d eaten his kibble, then spent a few minutes tidying his home.
Just as he was putting away the book he’d left on the sofa, a gentle knock sounded at the door. He opened it to find Eden standing there, brightening the doorstep with her yellow jacket and a blue woolly hat. With her auburn curls peeking out from beneath the hat, she looked like a teenager.
“Hi, Steve. Are you ready to have dinner?”
“Absolutely. You look great.” His earlier nervousness disappeared as he absorbed the warmth of her smile.
Eden looked down at her jacket, blue jeans, and sneakers. “The evenings are still a little cold, so I thought I’d wear a jacket.” Bending down, she petted Rex. “How are you, boy. Are you looking forward to seeing the lake again?”
Rex wagged his tail, looked up at Steve, then longingly at the door.
Eden laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Steve smiled as he clicked Rex’s leash into place and grabbed his own jacket. “Let’s go.” He locked the door behind them and started walking toward Flathead Lake with Eden. The chill in the air was reduced by their brisk pace and warm conversation, making the journey even more enjoyable than usual.
