do that here in Eternity Springs. It’s the most neighborly place I’ve ever lived.” He glanced at his wife. “I need to stop by the Callahans’ and talk to Gabe about the rocking chair he wants me to build for one of his sisters-in-law. Want me to take the little man? You know Meg and Cari will want to play with him.”
“The Callahan twins are almost four. Alex is their own living, breathing doll,” Sage explained to Savannah. “I’ll be thrilled if you take him, Colt. I need to do some paperwork this afternoon, and that would make it so much easier.”
While the Raffertys spent the next few minutes making child care arrangements, Savannah led Snowdrop to the backyard. Inny barked an excited hello and the two dogs began to scamper. Savannah returned to the front room just as Colt and his son departed.
“We are still trying to find our way when it comes to balancing parenting and work,” Sage said, watching them go. “Nic and Gabe make it look so easy—with twins—that I thought Colt and I would have smooth sailing. Boy, was I naive.”
“Have you considered putting him into day care?”
“We have a babysitter lined up for him once tourist season starts and I need to spend more time at the gallery. The problem is that the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has called Colt in to consult about last week’s plant explosion in Ohio.”
“Oh, the one that killed so many people?”
Sage nodded. “It’s just horrible. Thirty-three dead, sixty-seven hospitalized. He’s leaving tomorrow, and I’ll be on full-time mommy duty for at least the next two weeks, which is fine with me—except that I need to spend most of my time in the studio or I won’t be ready for my next show.”
“I’ll be happy to watch this little bit of sugar for you some while Colt is out of town, Sage.” A bittersweet memory washed over Savannah as she added, “I do have some experience with toddlers. My nephew lived with me when he was the same age as Alex.”
“Really? I’ll be thrilled to take you up on it. Thank you.” Sage reached out and gave Savannah a quick, friendly hug.
Instinctively Savannah stiffened. She didn’t like being touched—a remnant of the Emmanuel years.
Luckily, Sage didn’t appear to notice, and Savannah felt a wave of relief. The last thing she wanted to do was to offend her new friend.
“Now,” Sage continued, “let me show you what I’ve come up with for your logos. They’re only sketches, mind you, and if they’re not what you had in mind, don’t hesitate to say so. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
“I love your work, Sage,” Savannah said as the other woman flipped open her sketchbook. “I can’t imagine not … oh, wow.” In front of her were three different conceptualizations of the word Heavenscents done in shades of peach and blue. Each of them was wonderful, but Savannah’s eyes were immediately drawn to one with a halo hovering over the t. “I love them all, but the halo … it’s perfect. Just perfect.”
Sage beamed. “It’s my favorite, too. The font gives it a floaty feel, and the halo is fun. It’s inviting, and it suits a shop in Eternity Springs.”
“It suits me.”
“I figured it would. After all, you named your dog Innocent.” Sage flipped the page and continued, “I went with a different look for the Savannah Soap Company. Clean and natural, feminine but not frilly.”
“Simple. I love it, too, Sage.” The artist had taken her vague ideas and created something special and unique. Excitement swelled inside Savannah. After months—actually years—of planning, her dream was about to come true. “Again, I can’t thank you enough. These are wonderful, and you are wonderful, and your husband is wonderful. Your baby and dog are wonderful. Eternity Springs is the most wonderful place in the world.”
Laughing, Sage said, “Tell me what you really think.”
Savannah gave a bashful smile. “A little over the top, hmm?”
“Maybe a little. That’s okay, though. We are pretty wonderful, if I say so myself.” Sage glanced around the room and added, “Speaking of wonderful, I love the colors you’ve chosen to represent your business. Peach is so warm and inviting—it looks great on the walls. The complementary shade of blue you’ve used is the perfect accent color. With the fresh scents … I predict that people will come into your shop and linger. And buy.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you think so. That’s the idea.” Savannah couldn’t contain her enthusiasm