Steve shrugged. “It is, but that’s one of the things I enjoy the most about sculpting.” As he told his dad about the other pieces he was making, some of the tension in the room disappeared.
His dad told him what he was doing at work and about the overseas trip he was thinking of taking later in the year.
The more they talked, the more hopeful Steve became. If they could keep talking about neutral topics, they’d be okay.
After they’d finished eating, Steve stood and cleared the plates. “Are you ready to see my workshop, Dad? You could look at the pieces I’m making.”
“I’d like that,” Trevor said. “Lead the way.”
Steve grabbed his jacket and put Rex’s leash on him. At moments like this, he missed his mom. She’d understood what he was going through when he came back from Afghanistan. She’d given him room to breathe, the opportunity to tell her how he felt, and why he wasn’t the same person he used to be.
His dad had dismissed everything he’d said and told him to get on with his life.
And now, for better or worse, his dad was about to see one of the few places that helped Steve’s PTSD.
Chapter11
Eden was stacking the dinner plates in John and Shelley’s dishwasher when she read the text Steve sent her. She knew his dad had arrived in Sapphire Bay and that they were having dinner together. But she hadn’t expected to hear from him until tomorrow.
Looking around the kitchen, she placed the last couple of cups in the dishwasher and added the detergent. If Steve wanted her to meet his dad at his workshop, something must have happened.
When Shelley came into the kitchen, Eden sent her an apologetic smile. “Steve’s texted me and wants to meet at his workshop. I won’t be able to watch the Netflix movie with you.”
Shelley took the lid off a jar of herbal tea bags and smiled. “That’s okay. John can keep me company. Is everything all right?”
“I’m not sure. Steve doesn’t spend much time with his dad, so he might need some backup.”
Shelley nodded. “We all need that. Take some of the chocolate chip cookies I made today. It’ll give me an excuse to bake more tomorrow.”
“Are you sure John won’t mind?”
Shelley took a container out of the cupboard and filled it with the delicious cookies. “John will thank you. He told me the other day that if I keep baking, he’ll be twenty pounds heavier by the time our baby’s born.”
Eden grinned and took the cookies. “In that case, thank you.”
“Do you know how to find his workshop?” Shelley asked.
Eden showed her the message. “He gave me directions. I didn’t know there were so many workshops in the old steamboat museum.”
“The building’s bigger than it looks. As well as all the workshops, there are storage rooms galore. You wouldn’t believe what people have kept in there over the years.”
Eden felt in her pockets for her car keys. “Mabel told me about the old dresser that belonged to the Terry family. They must’ve been shocked to find a letter written by Abraham Lincoln in one of the drawers.”
“It caused a huge stir and still does,” Shelley replied. “We get lots of people coming here to look at the replica dresser in The Lakeside Inn.”
Eden smiled. “I’m looking forward to seeing Steve’s workshop even more now. The old museum sounds like an exciting place to explore.”
Shelley poured herself a glass of milk. “It is, but only if you enjoy getting covered in dust. Last time we sorted through a room, everyone was sneezing for days afterward.”
“That wouldn’t be enjoyable. I’m surprised Steve hasn’t said much about his sculptures.”
“That’s a male thing,” Shelley told her with a grin. “If it’s any consolation, he doesn’t let many people see what he’s doing. You must be special.”
Eden blushed. She hoped that was the case, but it probably had more to do with his relationship with his dad. “I’d better get going. Enjoy your movie.”
“I will, but I’m not sure about John. Say hi to Steve from me.”
With her keys and wallet in her pocket, Eden said goodbye to Shelley and opened the back door. Steve had told her a lot about his dad. If hewas being as difficult as he sounded, it was no wonder Steve needed a distraction.
