Lighthouse Way (Huckleberry Bay 1)

“It just needed a little TLC,” he agrees. “A little paint, some new tires, and elbow grease. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it myself.”

We both turn when there’s a light knock on the door and Sarah pokes her head in the garage with a tentative smile.

“Hi. Sorry to interrupt.”

“You’re not interrupting,” I assure her. “Come on in.”

“I wanted to stop down and give you something.” She bites her lip and steps inside, a large, brown package in her hand. “I made you a thank-you gift. It’s really for both of you. To show my appreciation for letting me live upstairs.”

“You pay rent,” I remind her. “You don’t have to give us gifts.”

“It’s just a little something.” She awkwardly passes it over. I hold it up, tear off the paper, and then Zeke and I stare at it in awe. “It won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t like it or if you don’t want to display it in here. I just thought it was something fun.”

I look from the painting in my hands to Sarah and back again.

“Are you kidding? This is so great, Sarah.”

“It’s the garage,” Zeke says, stepping closer. “But made to look like it would have in the 1950s.”

Watercolor paints depict Wolfe Automotive with our logo over the big garage bay and several old-fashioned cars parked outside.

Luna’s Ford is on the lift inside.

“I have just the spot for it.”

Zeke nods. “With you there. I’ll grab the hammer and nail.”

Immediately, we get to work hanging the art on the wall behind our counter where customers come when they drop off their automobiles, and again to pay and take them home.

“Everyone will see it here.” I nod in satisfaction as Zeke levels it out. “Did you paint it on this canvas with this particular place in mind? Because it fits perfectly.”

“Actually, I did,” Sarah says with a proud smile. “It was just a blank wall, and it needed a little pizzazz but still in a very masculine way.”

“You did that,” Zeke says. “That’s kick-ass, Sarah. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she says, clearly relieved that we both like the painting. “I have to admit, it looks really nice. I’m glad you like it.”

My phone rings, and I frown at John’s name on the screen. “Hey, John.”

“Hey, I was wondering if you had some time? I could use you here at your place.”

“Sure, I’m on my way.”

“Great.”

I hang up and let out a gusty breath. “Something’s wrong at the new garage. I need to swing over there. Why don’t we take the Ford to Luna? Show it off?”

“It’s done?” Sarah asks. “It’s so pretty.”

“All finished,” I confirm.

“Yeah, let’s do it,” Zeke says.

“I’m coming, too,” Sarah says, looking as excited as we are that the car is finished. “I can’t wait to see the look on Luna’s face when she sees it.”

Zeke and Sarah ride in the Ford, and I follow behind them, stewing.

What’s wrong now? I swear, it’s been one thing after another with the new garage. After they tore down the house and hauled the debris away, they found a busted water main that had to be fixed. Then, because of all the water, we had other issues.

I just can’t take any more bad news about this thing.

I pull into the driveway and frown. All the trucks are gone. The dumpster that’s been a permanent fixture for more than a month? Gone, too. The only one here is John, who’s walking out from the garage’s side door.

“What’s wrong?” I ask when I approach him.

He smiles, shakes his head, and looks back at my building.

“Not a damn thing. We’re done.”

I blink at him and then look at the new garage. “What?”

“Done.” He passes me a box. “Your keys, garage door openers, and everything else you might need is in there. Of course, everything is passcoded and state-of-the-art, so you don’t actually need the keys or the openers, but just in case, here they are. I keyed in all the codes you gave me. There are instructions in here on how to change them, should you ever need to.”

He goes on to tell me about the security system, the heating and cooling units, air purifiers, and everything else I’ll need to know, but I can’t stop staring at the building.

From the outside, it looks like a rustic barn. Someone who’s never seen it before might believe it’s been here for decades.

Which is exactly what I wanted.

“Why don’t I stop talking, and you go on inside? I’ll give you a minute.”

I hear Zeke and Sarah pull in behind me, but I don’t look back as I head to the door, push it open, and walk in.

Of course, I’ve been in here many times since the project started, but it has a completely different vibe now. It’s quiet and clean. There’s absolutely no dust—though, given the air filtration system I had built in, there shouldn’t be.