Steve nodded. Watching Harrison and Daniella walk down the aisle, surrounded by the people they loved, made him feel hopeful. Maybe, one day, in this small, caring community, he could find a new beginning, too.
Eden thankedSteve as he handed her a glass of orange juice. Daniella and Harrison’s wedding reception was everything she’d thought it would be.
The decorations Daniella had chosen were spectacular. Her brother’s glass studio was the perfect venue for the fairytale-themed celebration. Bathed in a warm, golden glow, the wall behind the bride and groom held an enormous painting of a castle surrounded by evergreen trees and a spectacular sunset.
Fairy lights had been strung across the high ceiling and delicate floral arrangements cascaded down the walls. The lanterns, antique furniture, and table decorations created a magical atmosphere that perfectly captured the enchantment of the wedding day.
As Eden watched the newlyweds share their first dance, a peacefulness washed over her.
“You look as though you’re enjoying yourself,” Steve said as he sat beside her.
“I am.” She smiled when Harrison lifted Daniella off her feet and spun her in a slow circle. “They’re so in love. Do you think there’s enough love left in the world for everyone else?”
“There has to be,” he said softly. “I’d like to think there’s someone special waiting for each of us.”
Eden hoped so, too. “Have you ever been in love, Steve?”
He nudged the stem of his wineglass. “I thought I was but, within a few months of coming back from Afghanistan, my girlfriend broke up with me.”
Eden frowned. “How long were you seeing each other?”
“Four years, two months, and eight days,” Steve said with a wry smile. “Not that I counted or anything.”
“She broke your heart.” When Steve shook his head, her frown deepened. “You were together for so long. It must have been devastating.”
“I left my heart in Afghanistan. By the time I came home, there was nothing left to break. I don’t blame Chantelle for leaving. I was an emotional wreck.”
Even if Steve wasn’t willing to admit how much his breakup had affected him, Eden could see it in his eyes. “Have you heard from her since then?”
He shook his head. “I hope she’s happy. Even if we’d stayed together, it wouldn’t have worked. I wasn’t the same person she fell in love with, and she didn’t understand what I was going through. She had that in common with my dad.”
Eden didn’t understand. “You mean your dad didn’t know how to help you?”
Steve took a sip of wine. “My dad doesn’t believe in PTSD. He told me I needed to grow a spine and man up.”
Eden’s mouth dropped open. “Why did he say that?”
“In our house, you didn’t show how you were feeling. Boys didn’t cry, they pushed through whatever obstacles were in their way and got the job done. If it was too hard, you stuffed your issues inside a box and never opened the lid. It was the perfect training ground for combat, but not much in the way of life skills.”
Eden didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry. At least you can see how that affected your relationship with your girlfriend and what happened in Afghanistan.”
Steve fiddled with the stem of his wineglass. “It took six months of counseling to admit I couldn’t cope. What about you?”
Eden winced. “You might want to pretend you can’t hear this, but I had a great childhood. Doting parents, lots of hugs and kisses, and the most fabulous boyfriend ever. Until he cheated on me with my best friend, then everything fell apart and I moved to Boston.”
Steve’s steady gaze didn’t waver. “Not so fabulous after that, huh?”
“You could say that. Fortunately, my job in Boston was wonderful. The principal of the school was forward-thinking and had a heart of gold. I was there four years before the shooting. Two months after Tayla’s funeral, I resigned and went home.”
Steve placed his hand over hers. “And then you came here.”
The heat from his hand made Eden sigh. “I ran to Boston to get away from what happened with my boyfriend. Then I ran from Boston after the shooting. I came here when it all became too much. Do you notice a pattern?”
Steve sent her a gentle smile. “Yeah. You like running, but you’re still here. Do you plan on leaving Sapphire Bay, too?”
“Maybe one day,” Eden admitted. “I’m not a big fan of making long-term plans at the moment. What about you? Are you happy living here?”
“I’m the happiest I’ve been in years.” The sincerity in Steve’s eyes made her heart pound. “And part of that is because of you.”
