The Magic of Rainbows

  A Sweet Small Town Romance

  Love on Anchor Lane,Book 3

  Leeanna Morgan

  Copyright © 2024 by Leeanna Morgan

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  ISBN: 9781738604319

  Dedication

  To Rex and all fur babies.

  * * *

  Thank you for your unconditional love, for the comfort you provide, and for making our days brighter and our hearts fuller.

  Contents

  About This Book

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Thank you

  Excerpt From ‘The Magic of Christmas’

  Enjoy More Books By Leeanna Morgan

  About This Book

  Fans of Pamela Kelley and Robyn Carr will love this small-town, feel-good romance!

  Eden adores teaching but, after a terrifying incident, she moves to Sapphire Bay, looking for a new beginning and the sense of security she’s lost.

  * * *

  Surrounded by stunning scenery and charming locals, she finds herself drawn to Steve, a former soldier grappling with the haunting memories of war, and his adorable puppy, Rex.

  * * *

  Together, they navigate the turbulent journey of healing, discovering that some wounds run deeper than they appear. Can their newfound connection withstand the weight of their personal struggles? And will Eden and Steve find the strength to rebuild their lives and embrace a future that's better than they imagined?

  * * *

  THE MAGIC OF RAINBOWS is the third book in the Love on Anchor Lane series and can easily be read as a stand-alone. All of Leeanna's series are linked. If you find a character you like, they could be in another novel.

  * * *

  If you’d like to know when Leeanna’s next book is released, please visit leeannamorgan.com and sign up for her newsletter. Happy reading!

  Chapter 1

  Eden’s heart pounded as she pulled up to the beautiful home she’d heard so much about. Sapphire Bay was everything her friend, Shelley, had described in Eden’s long, often tear-filled phone calls. Tranquil streets lined with pretty gardens, locals greeting each other with warm smiles, and the endless stretch of serene water that gave the bay its name.

  As she stepped out of her rental car with one of her suitcases, the tight coil of tension in her chest began to unwind.

  A very pregnant Shelley was already on the veranda, her face breaking into a broad grin as she came down the steps. “Eden!” she called out, her arms open wide.

  Eden managed a wobbly smile and allowed herself to be swept into Shelley’s embrace. “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”

  “You’re going to love it,” Shelley reassured her as she stepped back, her hands gripping Eden’s. “Come on in. Let’s get you settled.”

  As they walked into the living room, Shelley’s husband, John, rose from an armchair. “We’re so glad you’re here, Eden.”

  She gave John a hug. He had a way of making you feel like everything would be all right. Whether that was a skill he’d learned as the pastor of the local church or if he’d always been like that, she didn’t know.

  “Thanks for having me,” Eden replied, her voice stronger than she felt.

  John nodded and sent her an understanding smile. “Is there anything else you’d like me to bring inside?”

  Eden’s grip tightened on her suitcase. “There are two more suitcases on the back seat of my rental, but I can bring them inside later.”

  “Let me help,” John said. “If I don’t, Shelley will get them. And given that she can’t see over her baby bump, it wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  Shelley grinned. “That’s one of the perks of being pregnant. John’s doing all the heavy lifting. Come on, Eden. I’ll show you to your room.”

  Eden handed John her keys. “Thank you. The blue suitcase is extra heavy.”

  Shelley wrapped her hand around Eden’s arm as she led her down the hallway. “You’ll love your bedroom. We painted it last summer and it always makes me feel happy.”

  Eden enjoyed seeing the quirky knickknacks on the narrow hall table, the framed photographs on the walls. Everything about Shelley and John’s house reminded her of what a home should be like.

  She stopped in front of a dried flower wreath hanging from a hook. “This is gorgeous.”

  Shelley smiled. “My friend, Kylie, made the wreath for John and I last Christmas. She owns Blooming Lovely, a flower shop in town. Here’s your room.”

  Eden stepped into a small but sunny bedroom painted a cheerful shade of yellow. A vase of fresh wildflowers sat on the bedside table, and a cozy armchair was beside the window.

  “It’s perfect. The wall color reminds me of daffodils.” Leaving her suitcase beside the bed, Eden took a deep breath. It’d taken nine hours to get here, but every minute spent in airports and driving was worth it.

  Shelley opened a drawer and handed her a set of towels. “I thought you’d like this room. You told me once that yellow was your favorite color.”

  “It still is,” Eden said, feeling a pang of nostalgia for simpler times. She wandered over to the window and looked outside at the quiet street. There were no honking horns, impatient drivers, or crowds jostling for position on busy sidewalks. This was the small Montana town that had changed her friend’s life and, Eden hoped, hers.

  “Dinner will be ready in about an hour,” Shelley said, her tone casual but her eyes scanning Eden’s face with concern. “Why don’t you unpack, take a shower, or just rest.”

  Eden nodded, turning to face her friend. “Thanks for everything, Shelley. This means …” She paused, her throat tight with emotion. “It means a lot.”

  Shelley hugged her again, this time with a gentle squeeze. “You’re my friend. We’ll get through this together, you’ll see.”

  As Shelley left the room, Eden felt the first real sense of peace wash over her since she’d left Campden Elementary School.

  In this small, close-knit community, she wouldn’t have to worry about students bringing guns to school; the chaos that had ended the life of a little girl, or the fear that kept her awake at night.

  Here, in this little sanctuary, she prayed she could finally start to heal.

  Steve wiped the sweat from his brow and stepped back to assess the sculpture in front of him. It was a tangled mass of metal and glass that somehow captured the chaos and the beauty of a stormy sea.

  He’d been working on this piece for the last three months. Finally, it was at the stage where he was happy with it.

  Taking off his gloves, he left them beside the sculpture. His workshop, in the old steamboat museum, was full of tools, steel rods, and heavy-duty machinery. It was one of the few places where he could forget about his past and create unforgettable art.

  The wooden door opened, and his friend Owen walked toward him.

  “Hi, Steve. It’s good to see you in your workshop. I thought you’d be building the tiny homes,” Owen said as he scanned the room.

  “I’ve spent the last three Saturdays working on them. If I don’t get this commission finished, I’ll have an unhappy customer calling me. Aren’t you supposed to be helping your sister with her wedding plans?”

  Owen’s gaze lingered on the sculpture beside Steve. “I was, but I needed a break. Plus, I wanted to see how your latest project’s coming along.”

  Steve stepped aside to give Owen a better view. Out of everyone he knew, Owen’s opinion mattered the most. As well as being a good friend, he’d opened a glass studio in Sapphire Bay. His bowls, paperweights, vases, and other pieces were some of the best Steve had ever seen.

  “It’s called Ferocity of the Ocean,” Steve told his friend. “What do you think?”

  “I think you need to start exhibiting your work. It’s amazing.”

  Amazing or not, Steve wasn’t prepared to show anyone apart from Owen and his close friends what he did when he wasn’t building the tiny homes. If too many people knew about the sculptures, someone would realize who he was.

  “I’m happy creating a few sculptures a year for other people. Besides, it’s more therapy than art.”

  Owen touched the edge of a curling, stainless-steel wave, poised as if caught in the moment before crashing into the ocean. “If you change your mind, there’s a gallery in Polson that’d be perfect. Their last exhibition was full of sculptures that weren’t nearly as good as yours.”

  A familiar twinge of anxiety knotted Steve’s stomach at the thought of people judging his work. “I’m impressed you went to the exhibition. I thought you’d prefer to look at other glassblowers’
work.”

  Owen grinned. “Art is art, and I was curious. If I can open my studio to the public and exhibit my pieces, you can, too. It might be good for you.”

  Steve gave a non-committal shrug, his gaze drifting back to the sculpture. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Why don’t I believe you?” Owen said with an understanding smile. “How much longer will you be here?”

  Steve checked the time. It was a lot later than he thought. “I’ll be going home soon. Why?”

  “How about we finish the day with a run? It’s the perfect weather—cool and crisp with just the right amount of daylight left.”

  Steve looked at the half-finished sculptures and tools scattered around his workshop. Getting out would do him good. He could step away from the pressure of his latest commission and the shadows that crept into his safe space.

  “All right, let me grab my gear,” Steve said, his decision prompting a broad smile from Owen. “Don’t think I’m going easy on you, though. I was distracted on our last run. This time, I plan on beating you.”

  “Famous last words,” Owen said as he turned off the air compressor.

  Steve took off his welding jacket. “When do you need to be back?”

  “Preferably after the stores in Polson close. Daniella’s threatening to take me shopping for a suit. I keep telling her I’m not the one getting married, but she’s not listening. I hope Harrison’s prepared for a life with a woman who doesn’t take no for an answer.”

  Crossing the room, Steve took his running gear out of a locker. “Harrison knows exactly what he’s doing, and so will you when you marry Harper.”

  Owen grinned. “We’re thinking of tying the knot in mid-December. In case you think you can wiggle out of all the craziness that happens before a wedding, think again. I’d like you to be my best man.”

  Steve’s eyebrows rose. “I’m honored, but why me?”

  Owen started stretching. “You understand me better than anyone else. Plus, you know Harper almost as well as I do. It feels right.”

  Even though he wasn’t good around large groups of people, Steve couldn’t let his friend down. “Then how can I refuse? I’d enjoy being your best man.”

  “That’s great.” Owen pointed to Steve’s gym bag. “Now, hurry up and get ready. If I’m not on one of the trails in the next ten minutes, Daniella will track me down and take me shopping.”

  Steve wasn’t about to stand between Owen and his sister. So, he threw on his running gear, grabbed his water bottle, and headed for the door.

  Without taking a step outside, his mood was already lighter. Owen had a way of ironing out life’s issues and finding what really mattered; good friends, incredible scenery, and the best pizza in town when they finished each run.

  Chapter 2

  Shelley led Eden through The Welcome Center, her voice bright as she explained what her job involved. From next week, Eden would take over as office manager while Shelley was on maternity leave.

  “And over here is my office. It’s where I do most of the financial work,” Shelley said, gesturing toward a room with a neatly organized desk, two monitors, and a stack of color-coded folders.

  “I’ll make sure everything’s labeled and sorted so you won’t have any trouble finding what you need.”

  Eden nodded. “I really appreciate the detailed handover. It’ll make everything so much easier.”

  “I’m just happy you’re helping us.” Shelley’s hand rested briefly on her baby bump. “Our other staff weren’t able to do any extra hours.”

  “I’m glad it all worked out.” If Shelley hadn’t offered Eden this part-time job, she didn’t know what she would’ve done. After she’d resigned from her teaching job, she couldn’t afford to stay in her apartment. She’d had to return to her parent’s house and pick up any work she could find. It’d been tough and made even worse by her PTSD.

  Shelley placed another folder beside the computer. “At least it’s only twenty hours a week. You’ll still have plenty of time to explore Sapphire Bay and settle in.”

  As they moved through The Welcome Center, Eden was struck by the vibrancy and the sense of community John and Shelley had created. Posters and flyers decorated the walls, advertising various programs and events. One flyer caught her eye—a baking class led by a young woman named Chloe.

  “That’s Chloe over there,” Shelley said, pointing to the windows separating the commercial kitchen and the dining area. “She started volunteering six months ago and now runs her own baking class every Thursday. It’s one of our most popular mid-week programs.”

  Peering through the glass, Eden watched as Chloe, with flour dusting her apron, laughed with a group of enthusiastic attendees. Everyone looked as though they were having a great time.

  “What you’ve created is wonderful,” Eden remarked, her voice tinged with admiration.

  “John does most of the work,” Shelley told her. “He’s constantly expanding our programs so there’s always something going on. If you’d like to tutor a workshop or start a new program, let us know.”

  As they ended the tour back at Shelley’s desk, Eden felt a genuine excitement about her role. “After everything that’s happened, I’m glad I can help,” Eden told her friend. “I think I’m going to like it here.”

  Shelley grinned. “We’re thrilled to have you, too. And remember, I’m only a phone call away. If anything strange or unusual happens, let me know. Before we finish, I’d better show you how I organize the budget.”

  Eden took the folder Shelley handed to her. Inside were color-coded spreadsheets and account statements.

  “That’s the last three month’s accounts and our projected budgets.” Shelley pulled another chair behind the desk. “I always like to keep a printed copy on me in case I need to take the information out of the building. Have a seat and I’ll show you where everything’s saved.”

  As Shelley worked her way through the step-by-step instructions she’d made, Eden saw how important it was to keep on top of the accounts. Most of the church’s activities were funded through sponsorship and donations. Each donor received a breakdown of how their money was spent. If Eden got behind on her work, it made a difference to the statements they produced at the end of each month.

  “There’s one last thing you should be aware of,” Shelley added with a knowing look. “John’s brilliant with community work and pastoral duties, but he has no patience for budgets and invoices. You’ll need to keep a close eye on him when it comes to anything money related.”

  Eden smiled. They’d had more than one discussion about how frustrating Shelley’s husband could be. “I’ll make sure to remind him about the budget. Is it hard to get him to hand over the receipts?”

  “Oh, you have no idea,” Shelley laughed. “Bribing him with a bag of fudge from Sweet Treats helps. And make sure he signs the invoices we need to pay. If left to his own devices, he’d try to pay everything with goodwill and a prayer.”

  “I’ll stay on top of it,” Eden promised.

  Shelley clicked open another folder on the computer. “If the fudge doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to use a little assertiveness. John respects that.”

  As Eden watched Shelley save some scanned invoices, she felt a twinge of excitement mixed with the responsibility of her new role. Keeping John on track with the finances might be a challenge, but she was ready for it. Especially if it made a difference to the number of programs the church could run.