Lynda shook her head, a sense of certainty settling deep in her bones. “Not after the meeting.” She gestured toward the twinkling lights of Sapphire Bay in the distance. “I’ve found my place, Matt. I belong here.”
“I’ll second that,” he agreed, slipping an arm around her waist.
As they stood together in comfortable silence, Lynda marveled at how her life had changed. In just a few months, she’d gone from a Denver veterinarian visiting old friends to creating a much-needed wildlife rehabilitation center. Before she’d arrived in Sapphire Bay, she was defined by her past. But now, she was someone who embraced new possibilities and had found a wonderful friendship with Matt.
In her carefully ordered life in Denver, she’d protected herself from disappointment by keeping her expectations low and her heart guarded. But standing here now, with Matt beside her, she knew she’d made the right choice in opening herself to change, to risk, and to love.
CHAPTER 23
Three days later, Lynda stood on the veranda of the second house she’d viewed that morning, watching her daughter walk around the garden. The property was perched on a gentle slope overlooking Flathead Lake. Pine trees framed a view that took Lynda’s breath away even after months of living in Sapphire Bay.
“What do you think of this one?” she called to Amy, who was examining an old apple tree in one corner of the yard.
Amy turned, shielding her eyes against the sun. Her auburn hair caught the light, reminding Lynda of autumn leaves. “Much better than the first one. The garden alone makes it worth considering.” She gestured toward the gnarled tree. “This has to be at least fifty years old. Dylan and Eddie would love climbing it.”
Lynda smiled at the mention of her grandsons. “I was thinking the same thing. It reminds me of the tree you used to climb at your grandparents’ house.”
The real estate agent, Denise Smith, appeared in the doorway behind her. “The previous owners planted that tree when they first moved in. They raised three children here before downsizing to a condo in Bozeman.”
“It has good bones,” Amy said, rejoining them on the veranda. “The kitchen needs updating, and the bathroom wallpaper is a crime against humanity, but the layout is perfect.”
Lynda nodded in agreement. The house wasn’t as polished as her Denver home had been, but it had character and warmth that appealed to her far more than sleek modern finishes. With three bedrooms, a spacious living area with a stone fireplace, and a wonderful veranda wrapping around two sides of the house, it felt like somewhere she could belong.
Amy looked down the sloping lawn toward the blue water visible between the trees. “The location is perfect. It’s close enough to walk to town but private enough to feel like a retreat.”
Denise smiled, clearly sensing a potential sale. “An electrician has checked all the wiring, and the roof is only three years old. The owners are motivated to sell—they’ve already purchased their new home.”
Amy walked to the railing. “It’s so different from your house in Denver,” she said to Lynda. “But it suits you better, somehow.”
Lynda joined her daughter, their arms touching as they both gazed at the view. It was still remarkable to her how supportive Amy had been about this move. After the initial shock of learning her mother was uprooting her entire life, she’d thrown herself into helping with the transition—organizing the Denver house sale, sorting through decades of accumulated belongings, and now flying to Montana to help Lynda choose her new home.
“I think this is the one,” Lynda said softly. “I can see myself here.”
Denise took a measuring tape out of her bag. “Would you like to take some measurements or see any part of the house again before we wrap up?”
Lynda ran her gaze along the old wooden siding. “I’d like to check the basement one more time, just to be sure aboutthe potential for storage.” With the sale of her Denver home finalizing next week, she needed to know exactly how much of her remaining belongings would fit in the new space.
As they moved through the house again, Lynda mentally placed her furniture in each room. She could read by the bay window in the living room before she went to work. Evenings could be spent cooking in the kitchen while gazing out at the lake. The house needed work, but nothing that couldn’t be done over time. The essential elements were already there—light, space, and character.
“Are you sure you want to make an offer?” Amy asked as they finally returned to Denise’s car. “What about asking a builder to inspect the house?”
Lynda shook her head. “It’s an old house. There are bound to be things that need fixing. Besides, I won’t be offering the asking price. The kitchen and bathroom need updating, and I’ll allow a little more room in my offer for unexpected expenses.”
Amy looked back at the house. “I can see why you like it so much. If you need to save money on your remodel budget, Steven and I could do some painting. His parents could look after the boys while we helped you.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Lynda told her daughter.
Denise beamed. “I can have the paperwork ready this afternoon, if you’d like to come by the office around four.”
“Perfect,” Lynda agreed. She checked her watch. “That gives us time for lunch and to stop by the clinic afterward to see Matt.”
“The mysterious Matt I’ve heard so much about but still haven’t met,” Amy said, sliding into the passenger seat of Denise’s car. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Lynda felt a tinge of nervousness at the thought of Amy meeting Matt. It was ridiculous, of course. They were both adults, not teenagers being introduced to each other’s parents.But there was something significant about her daughter meeting the man who’d become such an important part of her new life.
“He’s looking forward to meeting you, too,” Lynda said, which was true. Matt was genuinely interested in getting to know her daughter. It was one of the many things she appreciated about him—his understanding of how important family was to her.
After Denise dropped them off at Kathleen’s house, Lynda drove her car into town, pointing out the landmarks to Amy as they went—Isabel’s bookstore, Casey’s jewelry store, Sweet Treats, and The Welcome Center, where they’d held events for the shelter.
