“I, um…” Eden’s grip on the empty bowls tightened. If she’d thought he looked drop-dead gorgeous from across the room, he looked even better from a few feet away. “We’re nearly out of lasagna, so I thought I’d take another one into the dining room.”
Steve picked up a dishtowel and dried his hands. “I’ll give you a hand. I think there’s more garlic bread, too.”
Eden followed him to the ovens. “How’s Rex?” she asked as she placed the bread onto a tray.
“He’s safe and sound at home.” Steve smiled. “He wasn’t impressed that he couldn’t come with me tonight, but that’s okay. It’s better than him running off again.”
Eden felt the warmth of his smile and sighed. There was a sincerity about Steve that was sweet. Before she got too carried away, she added a pair of salad tongs to the tray of garlic bread and looked around the kitchen. “Apart from the lasagna, this is all I need.”
Steve picked up a pair of oven mitts. “I’ll carry the lasagna. Lead the way.”
When they reached the buffet table, Shelley made a space for the food. “We thought there’d be a few extra people here tonight, but we didn’t count on this many.”
Steve slid the hot dish onto the table. “That’s what happens when you serve delicious food. Let me know if I can help with anything else.”
Shelley picked up a spoon. “Why don’t you and Eden have some dinner? We can serve everyone who’s still waiting.”
“I don’t mind helping,” Eden told her friend.
Shelley smiled at the next person waiting for some lasagna. “There you go, Mrs. Davidson. Enjoy your dinner.” She looked at Steve and Eden and shooed them away. “The other volunteers can look after our guests. Go and enjoy yourselves.”
Eden looked at the people still standing in the line. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” Shelley looked across the room. “Steve, why don’t you introduce Eden to Mabel and Allan Terry. There are some seats at their table.”
Steve handed Eden a plate. “First food, then the Terry’s.”
And before Eden could say anything, Shelley placed a generous serving of lasagna on each of their plates. She just hoped her friend wasn’t playing matchmaker. Although Steve seemed like a great guy, she wasn’t staying in Sapphire Bay forever.
And leaving with a broken heart wasn’t an option.
Chapter4
“So,” Shelley said the next morning as they were having breakfast. “What did you think of Steve?”
Eden stopped chewing her toast. “He seems nice.” He was a lot more than that. They’d spent most of the night talking about their lives and the people and events in Sapphire Bay. After dinner, some of the boys he coached at basketball had stopped at their table to say hello. They seemed like good kids who were eager to impress Steve with the amount of practice they’d been doing.
While they were talking to him, he paid attention to what they said and made each of them feel special. It was the sort of conversation that could stay with a child for a long time. That, above everything else, told Eden that Steve was a good person.
“Steve told me about the tiny home village and his job at the old steamboat museum.”
Shelley lowered her spoon into her bowl of granola. “He’s always busy. After what he’s been through, it’s amazing how much he does for everyone.”
Eden wasn’t going to ask Shelley what she meant. If Steve wanted her to know about that part of his life, he would’ve told her. She took a sip of her coffee, buying a moment to collect her thoughts. “Some people are like that. They put other people’s needs ahead of their own. As soon as I’ve finished breakfast, I’m going to the Saturday market. What’s it like?”
Shelley’s face lit up with enthusiasm. “It’s wonderful! All the local artists are there. The fresh produce and food booths are amazing, and sometimes there’s live music. It’s a great way to meet people and see what Sapphire Bay is all about. You’ll love it.”
Eden put down her coffee cup. “When I spoke to Mabel last night, she told me not to miss it. I’d like to find something that reminds me of Sapphire Bay.”
“While you’re there, go and see Daniella’s brother, Owen. He has a glassblowing studio just around the corner from the market. His bowls and vases are gorgeous. Or if you want something completely unique, you could buy one of his glass paperweights. They’re filled with sparkly gemstones that he finds in the lake.”
Eden’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know there were gemstones in the water.”
“They’re mostly quartzite. The blue and pink ones are my favorite. Steve might be helping Owen, too. They’re best friends.”
Eden’s heart gave a small flutter at the mention of Steve’s name. Usually, she was cautious around people she didn’t know but, for some reason, she didn’t feel that way around him. “I thought I’d stop by The Starlight Café and try one of the paninis you suggested, too.”
“Ooh,” Shelley said with a gleam in her eyes. “I have an appointment this morning, but I could meet you there for lunch?”
