Eden held back a smile. “That’s what you get for growing a healthy baby.”
“That’s what Mom keeps telling me.” Shelley looked around the kitchen. “You’ve done something in here, but I don’t know what it is.”
Eden pointed across the room. “I’ve removed the overhead cupboards and taken the tiles off that wall. There’s enough storage without adding to the amount of work I have to do.”
“That makes sense.” Shelley sat on an old dining room chair Eden had found at a thrift store. “I spoke to Owen yesterday. He’s thrilled with how the art exhibition went. All the artists who were there want to do another one before Christmas.”
Eden picked up a sandwich. “I don’t blame them. Half the community must have come to see the exhibition.”
Shelley undid a container of orange juice. “How’s Steve? He came to see John this morning, but I didn’t get to say hello.”
“He’s okay,” Eden said softly.
“That doesn’t sound good.” Shelley studied Eden’s face. “What’s happened?”
“Steve told me something about his career that surprised me.” When Shelley didn’t say anything, Eden looked at her. “Did you know he uses a different name for his sculpting?”
A guilty blush made Shelley’s cheeks turn pink. “John might have mentioned something, but I couldn’t tell anyone. It didn’t make much sense to me, either. Until I saw the way people treat Natalie when they know how much money she makes.”
Eden frowned. “How do they treat her?”
“They ask her for money or expect her to pay for any fundraising programs in the community. I don’t know how she copes with all the attention.”
“Now I feel bad.” The delicious food in front of Eden suddenly seemed less appealing. “I didn’t ask her for money, but I positively gushed about how amazing she is.”
Shelley grinned. “She wouldn’t have minded. She’s an incredible painter, so a little adoration is to be expected.” Her smile faded. “Don’t be too hard on Steve. He adores you. That kind of feeling doesn’t happen every day.”
“I guess not. I love him, Shelley, but how can I trust him when he doesn’t tell me the truth about something that’s important?”
“If the situation were reversed, what would you have done?”
Eden thought about Shelley’s question. With a sinking feeling, she realized she might have done the same thing.
Shelley bit into a juicy strawberry. “Exactly. There are some unscrupulous people out there. If they think someone has plenty of money, they’ll tell them whatever they want to hear. As soon as they get their hands on the money, they’re gone.”
“I’m not like that,” Eden told her friend.
Shelley shrugged. “You and I know that, but Steve has PTSD. His last girlfriend left because she couldn’t understand the person he’d become. Until he met you, he hadn’t had another relationship. That must tell you how many trust issues he has.”
Eden picked up a sandwich. “How did you become so wise?”
Shelley grinned. “I’ve had some of my most unwise moments in Sapphire Bay. I drive John insane with my methodical, process-driven mind. But, sometimes, his calm, commonsense approach to life rubs off on me. And talking about common sense things, I’ve got a housewarming gift for you.” She reached for the second bag, then winced.
“Are you okay?” Eden asked.
Shelley rubbed the side of her tummy. “It’s nothing. The doctor said it’s normal to have Braxton-Hicks contractions at this stage in my pregnancy. I just wish I’d get some warning of when they’re going to happen. Could you take the gift out of the bag?”
Eden opened the pretty gift-wrapped box. When she saw the electric drill, she grinned. “You didn’t have to buy me anything, but I’m so glad you did.”
Shelley smiled. “Every new homeowner needs a good electric drill. If you aren’t sure how to use it, I know a handsome sculptor who’d give you lessons.”
Someone with a deep voice cleared his throat.
Eden turned around and blushed.
Steve stood uncertainly in the doorway, holding a small box. “Unless you know another sculptor, I’d be happy to help. This isn’t a power tool, but I thought you might like it.” Stepping into the kitchen, he handed his gift to Eden. “It’s supposed to bring good energy to your new home.”
Carefully, she unwrapped the box and held a gorgeous deep blue crystal in her hand. “It’s beautiful, Steve. Look, Shelley. It’s a Labradorite crystal.”
