“That sounds perfect.” Eden laughed at her friend. “A little exploring, some shopping, and lots of good food. I can’t think of a better way to spend my Saturday.”
“And it’s a good way to keep busy,” Shelley added, giving Eden a gentle look that spoke volumes. “I know it’s been tough, but you’re doing great, Eden. Has getting out into the community helped?”
“It’s helped more than you can imagine.” Eden would always be grateful for Shelley and the unexpected sanctuary she’d found in Sapphire Bay. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you and John.”
“You would have found a way through what happened, but I’m glad we can help.” Shelley picked up her glass of orange juice. “You’d better be careful, though. Sapphire Bay has a habit of making its way into people’s hearts until they can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
Eden smiled. “I can see why, but it won’t happen to me. I love being here, but my family lives in Boston.”
“That hasn’t stopped other people from moving here.” Shelley grinned. “But, whatever you decide to do, it’s good you’re here. Did John tell you about the car you can borrow?”
“He did.” Eden had returned her rental two days after she’d arrived in town. Since then, she’d caught a lift with Shelley or John, or walked where she wanted to go. When one of the church members told John he didn’t need his car anymore, he’d offered it to Eden for a few months. “I’m blown away by everyone’s generosity.”
Shelley smiled. “That’s Sapphire Bay for you.”
Eden finished her breakfast with a renewed sense of purpose. She was looking forward to discovering more about this small Montana town. And if she could find something special to take home from the market, she’d be even happier.
Steve looked around Maverick’s,one of the few suit rental companies in downtown Polson. With Owen’s sister’s wedding only a couple of weeks away, Owen had promised he’d try on the suit Daniella wanted him to wear.
Even though they’d arrived at nine o’clock, it was busier than Steve had expected. It was just as well Owen had made an appointment. Otherwise, they’d be waiting in line with all the other people who’d walked in off the street.
Owen stepped out of the fitting room and stood in front of the full-length mirror. “What do you think?”
Steve smiled as his friend moved his arms up and down in the navy suit. “Looks good. Daniella has great taste.”
“I should be thankful she didn’t want me to wear a pirate suit, but it feels like a straitjacket,” Owen muttered, adjusting the sleeves.
Steve moved out of the way of another customer holding an armful of clothes. “It doesn’t look like it. It’s probably because you’ve only worn jeans and sweatshirts since you’ve been home.”
Owen shot Steve a resigned look. “There’s a reason for that. I’m not even sure I’ll be able to dance in this suit.”
“You’ll manage. You might even impress someone with those arm movements,” Steve teased, leaning against a shelving unit full of bow ties and cummerbunds.
Owen dropped his arms to his side. “The only person I want to impress is Harper.” He ran his finger around the neck of the white shirt. “Everything’s too small.”
An older man with a measuring tape hanging from around his neck walked toward them. With his impeccable pin-striped suit and navy tie, Mr. Reynolds looked like he belonged in a Parisian store. With a critical eye, he studied Owen. “How do you feel?”
“It’s okay until I move. I think I need a bigger size.”
Mr. Reynolds held his measuring tape across Owen’s shoulders. “I thought it might be a little snug. Thankfully, we have the next size in our storeroom. I’ll be back in a minute.”
After he’d left, Steve grinned. “Mr. Reynolds isn’t impressed that you’ve left your fitting until now.”
“I was hoping Daniella would change her mind about me needing a suit.” With a frown, Owen slipped off the jacket. “Are you bringing someone to the wedding?”
Steve hadn’t expected to be invited to Daniella and Harrison’s wedding, but he’d received an invitation anyway. “No date, and don’t mention it to your sister. She said she’d sit me beside another single wedding guest if I didn’t bring anyone.”
Owen laughed. “That sounds like Daniella. What about asking the woman who rescued Rex?”
Steve’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t know Eden well enough to ask her to a wedding. We’ve barely spoken to each other.”
Owen took a black bow tie off the shelves. “Daniella said she’s great. I can’t think of a better way of getting to know someone than asking them to a wedding. If you run out of things to say, there’ll be plenty of other people you can talk to.”
Steve wouldn’t have to worry about that. They’d talked non-stop while they’d cleaned the kitchen after the community dinner. But asking her to go to a wedding with him was a whole lot different. “She’ll probably have something else planned.”
Owen shrugged. “It’s up to you, but she might want to go. The wedding reception will be amazing. Daniella’s decorating my studio with some props from The Fairy Forest. She even found a huge canvas a film company used in a remake of Cinderella. I still have to figure out how to hang it on the back wall of the studio, but it’ll look great.”
Steve had been to a couple of events at The Fairy Forest and knew just how incredible the decorations were. “How’s the rest of the planning going?”
