The Magic of Summer

Daniella Judd moved to Sapphire Bay to keep a promise she’d made to her brother. If anyone told her she’d be happy living in a small Montana town, she’d tell them they were crazy. But, here she is, baking cookies for a church fundraiser, organizing events at The Fairy Forest, and dreaming of a little cottage on Anchor Lane.

Harrison James knows all about love and loss. After the devastating death of his wife, he doesn’t think he’ll ever be happy again. Working on the cottages on Anchor Lane is giving him time to plan the next phase of his life and to re-evaluate what’s important. And none of his plans involve staying in Sapphire Bay.

When Daniella and Harrison meet, their worlds collide in a whirlwind of emotions. Can Daniella forgive herself and build a happier future? Will Harrison find the courage to let go of his fears and embrace the love that awaits him?

Join Daniella and Harrison in this heartwarming story set against the backdrop of Sapphire Bay, where love, joy, and happiness intertwine in unexpected ways.

Daniella stood in the middle of The Fairy Forest, the fairy-themed events center she’d opened nearly two years ago. It had taken a lot of imagination and more money than she thought to create a little piece of fairy magic in the picturesque town of Sapphire Bay. But, looking back, it was all worth it. 

Filled with twinkling lights, large artificial trees, and gardens overflowing with pretty flowers, it made Daniella happy each time she arrived at work. But what she loved the most about her job was creating unforgettable experiences that brought joy to others.

This afternoon, three groups of children were in The Fairy Forest, celebrating different birthday parties. Daniella’s pink fairy wings crinkled as she turned in a slow circle to make sure all the children were where they were supposed to be. There was only one problem with transforming a large room into an enchanted forest. There were too many places an adventurous child could hide.

Once they were all accounted for, she looked at the children who’d arrived first. With smiles on their faces, they were devouring the beautifully decorated party food. From cupcakes that looked like flowers, fruit skewers shaped like butterflies, and pink lemonade served in sparkly goblets, there was something to suit everyone.

One of the moms walked toward her. “I don’t know how you do it. Everyone’s having such a great time.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourselves,” Daniella said with a smile. “We work hard to make sure each event is as stress-free as possible.”

“Well, I just wanted you to know I appreciate everything you’ve done. Alicia will be talking about her birthday party for weeks.”

“That’s wonderful. If you need anything while you’re here, come and see me.”

Alicia’s mom smiled and walked back to her daughter’s party.

As Daniella watched one of the groups play musical chairs, a pang of loneliness settled in her heart. Despite being surrounded by happy children and parents, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was missing from her life. 

A lifetime ago, she was a manager in a large advertising agency in Atlanta. Her days were filled with meetings and deadlines. It wasn’t until her eldest brother was diagnosed with cancer that she looked at her life and decided something needed to change.

She’d tried working fewer hours. She’d even joined a social basketball team to make friends outside of work. But the after-hours meetings and late-night phone calls from clients had crept back into her life. 

A promise she’d made to her brother before he’d died had changed everything. Now, here she was, in the town she’d grown up in, creating special memories for the people she’d left behind.

A little girl tugged on Daniella’s tulle skirt. “I can’t find a wand.”

“That’s no good, Phoebe. How about we find a special one to go with your princess dress?”

The little girl nodded and held Daniella’s hand as they crossed the room. “I’m Snow White,” Phoebe whispered. “I wanted to be Ariel, but my friend wanted to be her because she’s got a mermaid’s tail.”

“She’s lucky.”

Phoebe looked up at Daniella and grinned. “My brother said her bedroom must smell fishy, but it doesn’t. It smells nice.”

Daniella smiled and stopped in front of some shelves. The best thing about being around children was that even when she was feeling down, they’d say something to make her day better. 

Taking a glittery blue wand out of a container, she handed it to Phoebe.  “Here you go. Make sure you make a special wish for your friend.”

“I will. Thank you.” And with a dimple-laden grin, Phoebe hurried back to the group of children on the far side of the room.

The main doors opened and Daniella’s friend, Jackie, came into the room pushing a food cart.

Daniella hurried across to her. “You didn’t have to bring in the birthday cakes.”

“It’s okay. I saw Megan in the foyer. She has to collect Nora from the after-school program at the church, so I said I’d bring them in.” She looked at the parties going on around them. “I wish I’d had a place like this when I was younger.”

“You don’t have to be young to enjoy The Fairy Forest. Why don’t you come here for your next birthday?”

Jackie’s eyes gleamed. “I might just do that. Aidan would look incredible in a pirate costume. I just popped in to see if you’re still coming to dinner tonight.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Are you sure you don’t want me to bring anything?”

“I’ve got everything we’ll need.” With a quick look at her watch, Jackie pushed the cart closer to Daniella. “I have to get back to work. Is six o’clock okay?”

“Perfect.” With a wave to her friend, she wheeled the birthday cakes across to each party. 

As giggles and laughter filled the room, Daniella couldn’t help but smile. This was where she belonged, surrounded by The Fairy Forest’s magic, the children’s joy, and the support of friends like Jackie. 

* * *

Harrison balanced a length of timber on his shoulder and lifted it into a cottage on Anchor Lane. If they kept to schedule, the building should be ready for the rental market in a couple of weeks.

Moving to Sapphire Bay was the best thing he’d done in a long time. It’d been hard leaving his family and friends but, after his wife died, he’d needed time away from everyone. 

For ten years, he’d built a life with Audra, planning a future that wasn’t meant to be. Even now, three years after they’d said their final goodbye, his heart ached for what they’d shared, the tender moments that meant more than either of them realized.

Penny Terry, the property developer who was managing this project, walked toward him holding her clipboard. The gleam in her eyes didn’t bode well for a peaceful afternoon.

“We can’t change the layout,” he told her firmly. “And that includes adding another bathroom.”

Penny’s eyebrows rose. “It was only a suggestion. Why are you grumpier than usual?”

“I’m not grumpy. I’m tired. You asked us to keep working until the interior painting was finished. It was a late night.”

“And I’m incredibly grateful,” Penny told him. “We couldn’t have installed the kitchen and bathroom without having the walls painted.”

Harrison placed the length of timber with the others he’d moved inside. “I thought you’d be more interested in what’s happening in the next cottage.”

“I’m not here about the remodeling. I’ve asked a friend to organize an event to celebrate the official opening of the community housing project. I need someone to help her, and you’d be perfect.”

Harrison didn’t know if Penny was serious or trying to be funny. “I’m not a balloons and flowers kind of guy.”

“You don’t need to be. Daniella has a great imagination and she’ll make the opening a huge success. What I need is someone to help her. She might need some frames made or a few pieces of furniture carried into the cottages. I don’t think it’ll take a long time.”

Harrison had no problem moving a few pieces of furniture around, especially if it meant he didn’t have to organize anything. “When are the cottages officially opening?”

“In three weeks. This cottage will be the only one that’s finished, but everyone can look at the others to see how far we’ve come.”

Harrison was a little in awe of what Penny had achieved. According to a local historian, the eight cottages on Anchor Lane were built more than a hundred years ago as vacation homes for the staff of the Polson Steamboat Company. 

After the steamboats stopped crossing Flathead Lake, the cottages fell into disrepair. If Penny hadn’t returned to Sapphire Bay and seen their potential, they’d still be full of rotten timber, decades of dust, and leaking roofs.

Because of what Penny and her construction crew had achieved, Anchor Lane had become one of the most visited streets in Sapphire Bay. With a florist, a café, a quilting store, and a knitting and yarn store renting the first four cottages, it was the perfect place to find a special gift.

The last four cottages were being remodeled into community housing. With rental accomodation hard to find, these buildings would provide warm, comfortable homes for people who struggled to find anywhere to live. 

Even though they’d contain all the features you’d expect in a modern house, Penny had done her best to keep their original character.

Harrison studied the business card Penny gave him and frowned. A photo of a little girl dressed as a fairy covered one side. On the back, were the contact details of something called The Fairy Forest. 

His frown deepened when he saw the smile on Penny’s face. “I’m confused.”

“I thought you might be,” she admitted. “My friend Daniella owns a business called The Fairy Forest. It’s the best events center in Montana.”

“And Daniella’s the person you want me to help?”

Penny nodded. “She’s incredible. Booking her to organize an event is almost impossible, especially if it isn’t in The Fairy Forest. But she squeezed the opening of the community housing into her schedule. I told her you’ll visit The Fairy Forest on your way home and introduce yourself.”

Harrison’s eyebrows rose. “A phone call won’t be enough?”

“Don’t worry,” Penny told him as she waved to someone who’d knocked on the front door. “As well as being super smart and amazing at what she does, Daniella’s one of the nicest people I’ve met.”

Harrison didn’t care how nice she was. As long as she could organize something that gave Penny what she wanted, he was happy. And if he only had to carry a few pieces of furniture inside, it’d be even better.