Lighthouse Way (Huckleberry Bay 1)
“You have to sleep sometime,” Sarah says softly. “You can’t do everything, even though you want to.”
June shrugs a shoulder. “Yeah, well, I am busy.”
“Exactly.”
“I started painting again,” Sarah announces with a satisfied grin.
“What? That’s awesome.”
“I got my studio set up in the extra bedroom, and I was up all night last night, painting with some pretty watercolors I picked up. It feels so damn good, you guys.”
“I’m so glad,” I say and reach out to take her hand. “You look like a huge weight has been lifted compared to the day you got here.”
“Are you kidding? I’m safe. For the first time in more than a decade, I feel totally safe. It’s the best feeling, and I have you guys to thank for that.”
“You have yourself to thank,” June says.
“For some of it,” she concedes. “But, honestly, if he hadn’t thrown me out, I don’t know if I would have left—even with the affairs. Because I was afraid. I hadn’t talked to you in so long, I didn’t know if I should come here. But I’m so glad I did. The apartment is perfect for me, I love working at the diner, and I finally feel…secure.”
“Because you are,” I reply. “And I want to see what you’ve painted.”
“I need a little more practice,” she says with a smile. “But, trust me, you’ll get to see. I’m hoping that maybe I can paint some pieces for your guest rooms in the B&B.”
“Oh, my God. I would love that, Sarah. It’ll have a piece of all three of us in it, just as it should. Because even though I might own it, you two put so much soul into this property over the years, you’re a part of it. And having you be part of it in a tangible way just makes me so emotional.”
“Oh, Lord, she’s going to leak,” June says to Sarah. “Good going.”
“I can’t help it.” I laugh and wipe away a tear. “It’s happening, finally, and I’m so damn excited. I think I should get a website built, and maybe even start taking reservations for late next summer.”
June narrows her eyes. “Are you giving me a deadline, Winchester?”
“Uh, yeah. I have to be able to pay you, you know. And I need customers for that.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Sarah says. “I could probably draw up some artist renderings of what it’ll all look like until you have actual photos to add to the site. I bet you’ll get reservations.”
“I think you’re right. Let’s get started on that next week.”
“I’m down,” Sarah says and taps something into her phone. “This is fun.”
“Maybe you should start lighthouse tours in the early summer before the B&B is open for business,” June muses. “I loved it when you told us the history of the light. You should have a big sign made with the story on it, and I can set it up by the entrance to the lighthouse.”
“That’s a good idea,” I reply. “And I could set the tours up as by appointment only so I don’t have a bunch of people roaming around the property.”
“You can run that through your website,” Sarah adds.
“See?” I ask and sit back in satisfaction. “It’s all coming together.”
April 15, 2020
* * *
Dear Diary,
We have the BEST new restaurant in town! It’s called Three Sisters Kitchen, and the sweetest women own it. They moved here from South Carolina, I think, and I am obsessed with the fresh food they offer. It’s a farm-to-table restaurant, and we’re so lucky to have it here in HB! Getting new things in town is rare, and I’m thrilled.
I’ve been pondering the idea of opening my own business. I’d love to convert the old barn into a bed and breakfast. I think it would be so fun! I’m going to start asking around about how to get started on it. I have a business degree to put to use.
Love,
Luna
Chapter Eleven
Wolfe
“Start her up,” Zeke says as he leans over the engine of Luna’s classic Ford. I press the button on the floor, and the engine roars to life. Zeke’s head pops up, and he’s grinning from ear to ear. “We did it.”
“It’s so sexy,” I mutter, running my hand over the leather bench seat.
“I can’t believe it was in a barn all those years and not inside of a garage,” he says as he wipes his hands on a rag. “It was in such good condition.”
“I think the ghost was looking out for it,” I reply and turn the car off, then look up when Zeke barks out a laugh. “What?”
“Sure. A ghost made sure that it didn’t mold or rust or fall apart.”
“Do you have a different explanation, Einstein?”
“Luck?”
I raise an eyebrow and step out of the car, carefully closing the door. “I don’t buy that it was luck. I’m just grateful that it was in such good shape, or it would have taken much longer than a month to rebuild it.”