“Do me a favor and keep your creativity for your glassblowing,” Steve mumbled.
Owen wasn’t upset by his grumpy reply. “You like her, don’t you.”
Like didn’t come close to how he felt about Eden. She was funny, strong, intelligent, and beautiful. And thinking about a future with her terrified him.
Owen sighed. “I knew something was going on between the two of you. I spent an hour volunteering at Friday’s community dinner, and you didn’t stop talking to each other.”
Steve opened the staffroom door. “It’s not illegal to speak to someone.”
“You haven’t said more than a couple of sentences to any female since you arrived. Except for Daniella, but she doesn’t count because she’s my sister.”
Thankfully, the room was empty. “I like spending time with Eden.”
Owen slid the box onto a table. “I hope so. There’s something about her that reminds me of you. She’s strong but fragile.”
“She’s also thirty-two, happily single, and working through a lot of things.” Steve ran his hands through his hair. “With all of my issues, any relationship between us would end in disaster.”
Owen’s eyes widened. “She’s probably thinking the same thing. Before you tell me I’m right, look at the bowl I made for your dad.”
Steve undid the tape holding the flaps of the box together. His dad’s birthday wasn’t far away, and he’d wanted to buy him something special. As soon as he’d seen Owen’s new collection of bowls, he knew his dad would love one of them.
Carefully, he removed the bubble wrap and stared at the bowl. The vibrant colors of the glass shimmered, catching the overhead light in a dazzling display.
Wiping his hands on his jeans, he held it up to the light. A rainbow of color flooded the wall beside them. “This is better than anything you’ve ever made. It’s incredible.”
Owen watched Steve’s finger trace the fluted edge of the bowl. “I nearly kept this one, but it would’ve taken too long to make another one.”
Anyone who saw the bowl would realize how much time and skill had been put into creating it. “He’ll love it.”
Owen crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I hope so. Are things any better between you?”
Steve shook his head. “I’m surprised he’s coming here. At least when Mom was alive, he made an effort to see me.”
“I hope everything works out.” Owen warned him. “From where I’m sitting, you’re the one bending over backward to have a relationship with him. He didn’t even bother coming here for your birthday.”
Steve had given up making excuses for what his dad didn’t do. He’d accepted a long time ago that his dad would never understand him.
Owen grabbed two mugs out of a cupboard and walked across to the coffeepot. “I’m getting a stomachache thinking about your dad, so let’s change the subject. How’s your latest sculpture coming along?”
“Slow but steady,” Steve said, setting the bowl carefully in the box. “But it’s rewarding, especially when I’m near the end of the commission. It’ll be ready for delivery in a few days.”
“Now, that’s something to celebrate,” Owen said as he handed Steve a mug of coffee. “Have you asked Eden to come to Daniella and Harrison’s wedding with you?”
Steve nodded. “But don’t make a big deal of it. We’re friends.”
“We all have to start somewhere.” Owen’s easy-going grin faded. “You deserve to be happy. Remember that.”
Steve knew how hard it had been for Owen to let anyone get close to him. When he’d met Harper, his old insecurities had reared their ugly heads. If Owen and Harper hadn’t known each other when they were younger, Steve didn’t know if they’d ever have fallen in love.
He looked across at his friend and studied his serious expression. “How’s everything going with Harper?”
A light appeared in Owen’s eyes. “She’s amazing. If we could run away and get married tomorrow, I would. But her granddad wouldn’t forgive me.”
Harper’s granddad had suffered from multiple strokes, leaving him dependent on other people for his everyday life.
“The care facility in Polson is better than he thought,” Owen continued. “I just hope nothing happens to him before the wedding. Harper will be devastated if he isn’t there.”
Steve hoped so, too. Benjamin was one of the kindest men in Sapphire Bay. He’d had a tough year with his health, but needing extra help had brought his granddaughter home. And that had changed Owen’s life forever.
