Later that night,Steve stood at his living room window. The last rays of the setting sun were casting a warm glow over Sapphire Bay.
Harrison and Daniella’s wedding had left him feeling less isolated than he had in a long time. Until he’d met Eden, finding that kind of happiness seemed as likely as wearing a pair of Daniella’s fairy wings to one of the PTSD support group meetings.
When he spent time with Eden, he felt normal. Her happiness was contagious, and her kindness drew people to her. She’d made his awkward dance moves less painful, and hadn’t minded when he’d stepped on her toes.
Rex, sensing Steve’s restlessness, wagged his tail and nudged Steve’s leg.
With a wry smile, he rubbed his buddy’s head. “Okay, boy. Let’s see if Eden wants to join us for a walk. It might be less dangerous than teaching me how to dance.”
He picked up his phone and sent a quick text to Eden. Within minutes, she responded with a cheerful, “I’d love to!”
He looked down at Rex and grinned. “It looks as though Eden’s not tired of our company. Let’s go for a walk.” With a very excited dog leaping at his feet, Steve clipped on Rex’s harness and walked to Pastor John’s house.
When they arrived, Eden was waiting outside, wearing her bright yellow jacket.
She greeted them with a warm smile. “Hi, Steve.” Bending down, she gave Rex a quick cuddle. “I’m glad you texted me. It’s too nice an evening to stay indoors.”
“That’s what we thought, too.” Steve matched her stride as they headed toward the lake. “How was your day?”
Eden’s eyes lit up as she started to talk. “It was great. I met a little boy who’s living at The Welcome Center with his mom. His name’s Oscar and he told me all about starting school. It was wonderful to see his enthusiasm. “
Steve listened, enjoying the genuine affection in her voice. “It sounds like you enjoyed spending time with him.”
“I did,” Eden admitted. “He’s learned how to write his name, and he was so proud to show me. And his mom, Chloe, is amazing. When she’s not working at the general store, she teaches people how to bake at The Welcome Center.”
Steve unclipped Rex’s leash. “It sounds like Chloe’s doing everything she can to make a better life for her and her son.”
“She is,” Eden agreed, her voice softening. “When I was watching Oscar’s play group, it made me miss teaching. I enjoy helping children grow and learn. I like my job at the center but, some days, I feel like I’m not doing enough.”
They reached the lake and Rex trotted ahead, eager to explore. Steve glanced at Eden. “What’s stopping you from teaching again?” he asked gently.
Eden sighed, looking out over the water. “I guess... I’m scared. Scared of failing, of not being able to look after the children if something happens.”
“Why are you so scared?” Steve pressed gently.
She took a deep breath. “After the shooting, I felt powerless. I was supposed to protect my students, and I couldn’t. I’m terrified that if I go back to teaching, I won’t be able to connect with the students like I used to. What if something happens again, and I can’t handle it? Or worse, what if I make a mistake that puts them in danger?”
Steve looked across the lake at the shimmering water, his thoughts drifting back to his own experiences. “I know that feeling,” he said quietly. “That sense of powerlessness can eat you up inside.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “There were times in Afghanistan when I felt the same way. We were trained to handle anything but, when the bomb exploded that killed my friends, all the training in the world couldn’t have prepared us for what happened. I felt like I’d failed my team, my country. I still do sometimes, even though I’ve worked hard to come to terms with it.”
Eden turned to face him, her eyes searching his. “What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?”
“I focus on the present. On what I can do now rather than what happened in the past.” Steve looked at Rex. He wanted to tell Eden about his sculpting, but not make a big deal of it. “I also make sculptures. Working with steel, copper, and other metals helps focus my mind on something that isn’t what’s bothering me. And talking about it helps, too. That’s why I go to Pastor John’s support group. Being open with people who understand what I’m going through has helped the most.”
Eden nodded slowly, absorbing his words. “I’ve been hoping I’ll forget what happened.”
“You’ll never forget,” Steve said gently. “But sharing your fears and your experiences lightens the load. You’re not alone, Eden. There are people here who care about you, who want to help. Including me.”
“Thank you.” Eden smiled as Rex tore across the grass, barking at a flock of birds. “I saw Pastor John today and told him how much I miss teaching. He suggested volunteering at the local school or helping with one of the church’s programs. It’s not the same as going back to teaching, but it could be a way to ease into it.”
Steve squeezed her hand reassuringly. “They’re good ideas. Take it one step at a time. You have so much to offer, and I know you’ll find your way back to teaching if that’s what you want. And remember, it’s okay to be scared.”
Eden looked down at their joined hands. “You’re right. Maybe I’ve been too hard on myself. It’s just... hard to let go of the past.”
Steve nodded. “I get that. But every day is a new chance to make things better.”
Eden looked at him and smiled. “You should have been a counselor. I feel better each time I speak to you.”
Steve let go of her hand and took a deep breath. He was falling too fast and too deep for Eden. He needed to pull back and focus on being her friend. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her away. “How’s the house hunting going?”
