She saw the happiness in his expression, mirroring her own feelings. “I’m so excited. I love working with the children and the teachers are fantastic.”
Steve nodded, still processing the news. “Does this mean you’ll stay in Sapphire Bay?”
Eden frowned, taken aback by his question. “I thought you realized I wanted to stay after I bought the house.”
Steve breathed a sigh of relief. “I was worried you’d only stay for another six months or a year and then leave. I guess I just needed to hear it from you.”
Eden stepped closer, placing her hands on his arms. “I bought the house because I want to build a life here. I’m not planning on going anywhere. Sapphire Bay feels like home to me now. I can’t imagine my life anywhere else or without you in it.”
Steve reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Good. Because I can’t imagine my life without you, either.”
Eden looked into his eyes, feeling the sincerity in his words. The warmth of his hand against her cheek sent a shiver down her spine.
Steve’s gaze softened, and he leaned in closer. “I’ve felt connected to you from the moment we met. I want us to build a life together, right here in Sapphire Bay.”
Her eyes closed as his lips brushed against hers in a tender, heartfelt kiss. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in that perfect moment.
When they finally pulled apart, Eden felt a surge of emotions—love, hope, and a deep sense of belonging. “I love you, Steve,” she said softly.
He smiled, his eyes shining with the same intensity. “I love you too, Eden. More than words can say.”
As they stood there in the warmth of his workshop, Eden knew this was the beginning of something truly special.
Chapter23
Eden sat on the floor of her half-finished living room, the walls stripped bare of their old wallpaper, and her tools beside the ladder.
She leaned against the one piece of comfortable furniture she had—a worn-out armchair she’d found at a thrift store. With her phone pressed to her ear, she took a deep breath, ready to share her latest decision with her mom.
“Hi, Mom,” she said, trying to keep her voice light.
“Hi, sweetheart! How are things going?” her mom asked, the warmth in her voice a comfort even over the phone.
“Good, actually. The house is coming together, slowly but surely,” Eden replied, glancing around the room with a mixture of pride and trepidation.
“That’s great to hear. We miss you, Eden. Boston isn’t the same without you.”
Eden smiled, though her heart ached a little at her mom's words. “I miss you all too, Mom. But I’ve got some news. I’m applying for a full-time job at the local school here in Sapphire Bay.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Are you sure, honey? What about coming back to Boston? You could work here, and we’d all be close again.”
Eden sighed, understanding her mom’s concerns. “I know, Mom. But I love it here. Sapphire Bay feels like home now. I’ve found a community that I’m passionate about, and I want to make a difference here. Plus, I’ve got Steve.”
Her mom’s tone softened. “You’ve told me a lot about him. He sounds wonderful. But it’s hard for us, you know? Sapphire Bay is so far away.”
Eden felt a pang of guilt. She had a close relationship with her family. They knew her inside out and loved her unconditionally. “I miss you all too, so much. But this is a chance for me to build something of my own. The school needs teachers, and I need this fresh start. It’s not like I won’t visit or that you can’t come here. It will just be different.”
Her mom sighed. “I understand, Eden. We just want you to be happy and safe. If this is what you truly want, then we’ll support you. Just promise me you’ll keep in touch.”
Eden felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. “I promise, Mom. And I’ll visit as often as I can. You’re always welcome here too. Sapphire Bay is beautiful, and I know you’ll love it.”
“I’m sure we would. Your happiness means the world to us, Eden. Just make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons.”
“I am, Mom. I really am,” Eden assured her. “If I get one of the teaching jobs, I won’t start for a couple of months. What if I fly to Boston for a long weekend? If you and Dad aren’t doing anything, I could visit in the next couple of weeks.”
“Will you be able to do that with the work you’re doing at the church?”
Eden was sure John wouldn’t mind. “I could work extra hours for a few days to make up the time. Why don’t I call John, then talk to you once I have some dates organized. We could go out for dinner at Marco’s and have a family dinner with everyone. It’ll be fun.”
