Page 21 of Finding Forever

“You don’t have to know today.” Laurel reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Whatever happens has to feel right. And when it does, you’ll know what to do.”

Beth returned Laurel’s smile and felt the tightness in her chest loosen. “Thank you for not trying to fix anything.”

Laurel smiled. “Even if I did have some wise words, I’m nowhere near an expert on relationships. But I hoped it helped to know I’ll always be here for you.”

Beth walked around the table and hugged her friend. “It does help. Thank you.”

As she sat down to enjoy the rest of their catch-up, Beth thought about her friend’s words, the kindness and caution behind them.

Maybe it was time to forget about what everything meant, and simply enjoy Dave’s company. Regardless of how long it lasted.

Chapter 14

Dave crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at Beth. “You want me to come with you to a place called the Fairy Forest,” he said, in the tone of a man double-checking he’d heard right.

“I want your professional opinion before the gallery wall goes up,” Beth said, already reaching for her coat. “I need to see how someone else handles displaying art and running an event space at the same time. Daniella has built the best version that I know about. I’d rather have your opinion than assume different options will work for the arts center.”

It was, Dave had to admit, a perfectly sensible reason. He told himself that twice on the drive over, which was usually a sign that he wasn’t convinced Beth was right.

The Fairy Forest was in the center of town, and even in the flat gray light of a winter afternoon, it looked like something out of a storybook. Sparkling fairy lights created a festive entrance, and the murals of castles and pirate ships that decorated the walls hinted at hidden treasures within the building.

But it wasn’t until Dave stepped through a door shaped like an ancient tree that he truly appreciated the workmanship that had gone into creating the enchanted forest.

Other towering artificial trees transformed the main events room into a visual feast for anyone who loved fairytales and make-believe. Squirrels, owls, and fairies were hidden in the branches and flowers filling the Fairy Forest to overflowing.

Dave smiled at the candy cane furniture and the chocolate fountain.

“It’s not what you were expecting, is it?” Beth asked as she watched his face.

He shook his head. “I build things out of two-by-fours and drywall. This is incredible.”

Daniella came out from behind a workbench wiping paint off her hands. She greeted Beth with the easy warmth of an old friend before turning that same warmth on Dave. “So, you’re the contractor everyone’s talking about.”

Dave smiled. “Everyone must be talking about me too much.”

Beth rolled her eyes. “Dave’s being modest. He’s built some of the best homes and commercial buildings in Montana. That’s why I’ve brought him here. I want his opinion on lighting and flow before we finish the gallery wall at the arts center.”

Daniella walked them through the room, explaining how the trees hid the wiring, how the fabric canopy diffused the light so nothing threw a hard shadow on the displays, and how she’d built the whole thing in stages without closing for more than a few days at a time.

Despite his original misgivings, Dave was genuinely interested in what Daniella had done. She’d built this with a purpose, to make people feel something the moment they walked in the door, and that was the same discipline he brought to his buildings.

“This is Owen’s.” Daniella stopped in front of a low glass case where a cluster of glass birds caught the light. “Owen’s my brother,” she told Dave. “He works out of a studio in town. If you want an incredible exhibition for the arts center, talk to him. He’s really talented, and so are his students.”

Beth studied the small birds. “I hadn’t thought of asking Owen to hold an exhibition. I thought he’d be too busy.”

Dave watched something quietly click into place behind Beth’s expression. He liked watching her think. She did it visibly, her expression changing as she thought through a problem. And he knew at the exact moment when she’d come to some kind of conclusion.

“I’ve been focused on contacting artists who live outside of Sapphire Bay,” Beth told Daniella. “But our local artists should be showcased first and everyone else slotted in around them.”

“I think they’d appreciate the extra publicity,” Daniella said as she walked them through a room that had been set up for a birthday party.

After studying the lighting tracks and taking lots of photos, Daniella let them roam around the building while she answered a phone call.

“What do you think?” Beth asked Dave.

“We can definitely use some of the lighting techniques Daniella has here. It wasn’t the wasted trip I thought it would be.”

Beth grinned. “Can I have that in writing?”