“What question was that?”
Eden didn’t know whether he was being deliberately vague or trying too hard to do a little distracting of his own. “How do your clients find you? It’s not as if Sapphire Bay is a huge city.”
Steve rubbed the stone he’d chosen along the leg of his jeans. “I sell my sculptures to people who contact me through my agent.”
Eden’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You have an agent? That sounds awfully professional.”
A blush crept along Steve’s neck. “I don’t have enough time to worry about the business side of things, so my agent handles that for me.”
“Does your agent think you should have an exhibition?”
Steve looked across at Rex. He was waiting beside the edge of the lake for the next stone to hit the water. “There’s no need. Once the latest sculptures are finished, we’re hiring a photographer to create a catalog of my work. That should be enough to keep me employed for the next few years.”
Eden was still trying to figure out how someone would know Steve made large sculptures if he didn’t exhibit his work. She knew he didn’t use social media to promote his work because she’d looked. “Okay, Mr. Hotshot artist. I believe you have one re-throw attempt waiting to be completed.”
Steve looked relieved at the change of subject. “I thought it was against the rules.”
Eden grinned. “Rules are meant to be broken, especially when Rex has been waiting so patiently.”
His eyebrows rose, but he didn’t say anything.
Before the stone left his hand, Eden cleared her throat. “Fire away but be warned. I have the winning pebble in my hand.” She opened her fingers to show him the stone resting on her palm. “I hope you don’t have a bad back. My suitcases are heavy.”
Steve tossed his stone in the air. “Watch and learn from a pro.”
Eden’s smile disappeared when the stone jumped six times along the surface of the water. “I don’t believe it.”
Steve groaned as Rex ran into the lake. “Neither do I. Rex, come back. It’s too deep.”
With a determination that didn’t bode well for Steve, Rex kept paddling.
“Rex!” Steve yelled. “Come on, boy. I’ve got treats in my pocket.”
Eden had to hold back a smile. Rex’s ears twitched at the mention of treats. Turning his little body sideways, he motored toward the shore until his feet brought him safely to shore.
“Whew,” she said to Steve. “I thought we’d have to rescue Rex.”
He stepped back as Rex shook his little body. “So did I.” Without missing a beat, he took off his jacket and wrapped it around Rex’s shivering body. “The water must be colder than it looks.”
Eden petted Rex’s head, then looked up at Steve. “We should take him back to your house where it’s warm.”
He nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. And, just for the record, The Starlight Café has the biggest ice cream sundaes in Sapphire Bay.”
Eden smiled. She was already looking forward to spending more time with Steve and his pint-sized wonder dog.
Eden pickedup a card and frowned at the five of spades. So far, their game of Go Fish had earned her a huge handful of cards and only three pairs.
“Do you have a queen?” Steve asked with a sweet smile plastered across his too handsome face.
She sighed and handed over her one and only queen. “You must have X-ray vision.”
Steve sent her a superior grin. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy in your beautiful head?”
“I’m not jealous, just suspicious. Is Rex sending you images of the cards I’m holding?” She looked at Rex’s content smile and rubbed under his chin. From the moment she’d sat on the floor, Rex hadn’t left her side.
Steve looked at his canine buddy. “Rex is too busy enjoying being close to you to worry about what cards you’re holding.”
Eden smiled. “You could be right. We’re best friends, aren’t we boy.”
