“Wow,” Steve said. “That makes a huge difference.”
Owen picked up his bottle of water. “It does. Eden’s going to love this.”
“I hope so.” Steve walked across to the insulation. Eden deserved a space where she could relax and unwind. The attic library would be perfect for her.
Just then, Daniella’s voice floated up the stairs. “Lunch is ready!”
A collective sigh of relief went through the crew. Steve smiled, knowing how hard everyone had been working. “All right, let’s take a break,” he said. “We’ve earned it.”
As they made their way downstairs, Steve felt a sense of pride and anticipation. He couldn’t wait to see Eden’s reaction when she returned from Boston and saw what they’d done. With any luck, by the end of the day they’d be ahead of schedule.
In the kitchen, the table was laden with sandwiches, fresh fruit, and cold drinks. Daniella had outdone herself, as usual. “Thanks, Daniella,” Steve said, grabbing a sandwich. “This looks amazing.”
Daniella smiled, her eyes twinkling. “You’re welcome. You guys have been working hard. It’s the least I could do.”
Owen kissed his sister’s cheek. “You’re the best.”
Daniella playfully pushed him away. “You’re hot and sweaty.”
“That’s the sign of a good day’s work.”
Steve laughed. “Or an attic that’s hotter than the desert.”
They worked tirelessly throughout the rest of the day, insulating the walls, hanging the drywall, and plastering. As the sun began to set, the attic started to take shape. The new dormer window flooded the space with warm, natural light, and the freshly insulated walls promised a cozy retreat for Eden.
Steve took a step back, admiring their progress. “It’s really coming together,” he said, a note of satisfaction in his voice.
As the crew packed up for the day, he couldn’t believe how much progress they’d made. They still had a lot of work to do, but the hardest parts were done.
With a final glance around the attic, he headed downstairs, eager for Eden’s return and the moment she’d see the space they’d transformed just for her.
Chapter25
Eden took a deep breath, savoring the warm evening air and the twinkling stars overhead. It had been wonderful spending a loud and boisterous evening with her family, but she was enjoying being here with her sister, too.
Katelyn was cradling a steaming mug of coffee, looking more tired than she remembered. They were sitting on their parents’ back veranda, a cozy spot that held countless memories of their childhood.
“Sometimes, I envy you,” Katelyn said, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
Eden raised an eyebrow. “Envy me? Why?”
Katelyn sighed, running a hand through her disheveled hair. “You have so much freedom. The project I’m doing at work is consuming all my time. I hardly see the kids. Anthony is amazing, but he’s doing almost everything—taking them to school, their activities, managing the house. I feel like I’m missing out on their lives.”
Eden felt a pang of sympathy. “I didn’t realize it was that bad.”
“It’s not bad, exactly,” Katelyn said, shaking her head. “But it’s hard. I feel like I’m failing as a mom. I miss their bedtime stories and the little moments that matter.”
Eden leaned back, staring at the sky, her thoughts drifting. “I guess I never thought about it that way. Being single has its perks, but it’s also lonely. You don’t have someone to come home to and share what’s going on in your life.”
Katelyn smiled faintly. “I know. I just... sometimes, I wish I could hit pause on work and just be with my family.”
Eden reached out, placing a hand on Katelyn’s. “You’re doing your best. Your kids know that and so does Anthony.”
Katelyn squeezed Eden’s hand, a tear escaping down her cheek. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the sounds of the city mingling with Katelyn and Jessie’s children playing inside. Eden’s mind wandered to her own life—her career, meeting Steve, and the quiet evenings she spent with him and Rex.
She glanced over at Katelyn, noticing the familiar spark of curiosity in her sister’s eyes. She knew what was coming next.
