“I hope so. If you’ve got the time, I don’t think Penny would mind if you and Rex came with me.”
Steve looked down at his canine buddy. “I wouldn’t want him coming inside, but I could leave him in the backyard. As long as it’s fully fenced, he’ll be okay.”
Eden lifted her jacket off the coat stand and smiled. “Are you happy to walk to the cottage from here?”
Steve nodded and pulled Rex away from Shelley and John’s flowerpots. “How was your day?”
“Exciting,” Eden told him as he held her hand and started walking. “Although you might not think so. John had all the end of month invoices ready for me and everything balanced. I think he’s more motivated than usual, given how close it is to the birth of his baby.”
Steve smiled. “Knowing Shelley, she probably gave him a list of what he needs to do.”
Eden nodded. “You could be right. I saw Oscar, Chloe’s little boy, at The Welcome Center this afternoon. He’s looking forward to seeing Rex tomorrow while you’re at basketball practice.”
Oscar had become a regular visitor to Eden’s office since she started looking after Rex. Steve enjoyed seeing the close bond that had developed between Oscar and Rex, and even more impressed by the tricks Oscar had taught the little dog.
Eden leaned against his arm. “How are your sculptures?”
“They’re getting there. The rest of the copper wire I’ve been waiting for arrived this morning. Tomorrow, I’ll do the finishing touches to the larger piece.” Steve looked down at Eden. Her smile made his heart sink. If he told her he hadn’t been entirely truthful to her now, he’d spoil her day.
Eden kissed his cheek. “Thank you for talking to Penny the other day. I don’t think she would’ve remembered my rental application without you reminding her.”
Steve shrugged. “I thought it was worth mentioning. I’m glad she had something available for you to look at.”
As they turned into Anchor Lane, Eden looked at the first four buildings. “I can’t believe I might be able to live on this street. The first four cottages are almost too cute to be businesses.”
He thought the same thing. Penny and the construction team had done an incredible job of turning the run-down buildings into thriving businesses. With tour buses arriving most days, and craft groups making the quilting and knitting stores their second homes, there weren’t many days when the buildings weren’t busy.
The next four buildings had been turned into community housing. With white picket fences, wide verandas, and small gardens, the cottages were everything most people could want.
They met Penny outside the third residential cottage.
“Hi, you two,” she said with a warm smile. “Welcome to the cottages on Anchor Lane.”
Steve picked up Rex. “You go ahead. I’ll take Rex into the backyard. He can wait for us there.”
Penny took a key out of her pocket. “Don’t worry. We allow pets in the cottages. As long as he’s been to the bathroom, you’re more than welcome to bring him inside.” She smiled at Rex’s contented sigh, then opened the front door. “This home is the same size as the first two residential cottages, but we created three bedrooms instead of two.”
Eden looked at the stained glass above the door. “This is gorgeous.”
Penny smiled. “Wait until you see what we’ve done inside. It’s completely different from what it used to look like.”
As he stepped into the wide hallway, Steve admired the ornate ceilings and fresh interior paint. The soft cream color made the cottage look charming and welcoming. The living room was spacious—perfect for relaxing with a cup of coffee or enjoying the evening breeze.
As they moved through the cottage, he was even more impressed by what he saw. The new kitchen had modern appliances, sleek countertops, and plenty of cabinet space. The bathroom was pristine, with a large bathtub and stylish fixtures. The three bedrooms were cozy and inviting, with plenty of natural light streaming through the windows.
“We had to do a lot of work on this place,” Penny said. “The veranda was sagging, the roof was leaking, and the floorboards were rotten. The kitchen cabinets were chipped, and the paint was peeling off the walls. Nearly everything had to be removed and replaced.”
Eden looked around, feeling a mix of admiration and hesitation. “You’ve done a fantastic job. It’s beautiful.”
Penny smiled. “Thank you. We wanted to create a space that felt like home.”
By the time they reached the backyard, Steve was sure Eden would love living here. It was exactly the type of house she’d told him she wanted. But, when he looked at her, he wasn’t so sure.
“What do you think of the cottage, Eden?” he asked.
She sighed. “It’s amazing, but I can’t help thinking there are more deserving people who need somewhere to live. It’d be perfect for Chloe and Oscar.”
Penny looked thoughtfully at Eden. “Chloe’s on my list of potential tenants. If you don’t think this is the house for you, you don’t have to rent it.”
