Lighthouse Way (Huckleberry Bay 1)

“I’m going to blindfold you,” I announce and watch as Luna’s eyebrows climb into her hairline in surprise.

“I didn’t realize you were into that sort of thing. But, okay, if you insist.”

“Not like that, smartass, although that might be something to play with later. I’m going to blindfold you as I lead you outside. I have something for you.”

“Is it a new car?”

I blink. “Uh, no. I didn’t realize you were in the market for one. I’ll happily buy you any car you want. You know that’s my thing.”

“No, sorry.” She shakes her head and laughs. “That was a bad joke. My vehicle is just fine.”

“Well, it runs, anyway.”

“Not all of us need a fancy ride, Mr. Conrad.”

“I disagree. But stop changing the subject and come here.”

She complies and smiles as I tie the black silk fabric over her eyes. “Can you see?”

“Nope.”

“No peeking.”

“I’m not, but you’d better hold my hand, or I’ll fall on my face.”

“I’ve got you, babe.” I take her hand in mine and guide her out the front door, down the steps of the porch, and over to the gazebo. It’s a fantastic sunset tonight, and I brought home some of her favorite things to help cheer her up.

Once I have her seated at the picnic table, I take off the blindfold and grin as she looks around, her eyes going wide.

“Holy crap, there must be a hundred candles lit,” she says and then launches herself into my arms. “This is so romantic.”

“I thought you could use a pick-me-up.” I kiss her, drag my hands down her sides, and then gesture to the table. “Dinner isn’t fancy, it’s pizza.”

“Pizza.” She sighs and sits, eyeing the box as she might a lover. “I love pizza, and I try not to eat it often. This makes twice in one week.”

“That’s okay. I brought fruit, as well.”

She glances around, frowning. “Where?”

I hold up a wine bottle. “Grapes.”

Luna giggles as I pour her a glass, and then she taps hers to mine.

“This is so nice,” she says as I open the box of pizza. “And you brought me more yellow roses.”

“They remind me of you.” I offer her a slice and then plate mine before securing the box lid. “They’re happy. Cheerful.”

“I haven’t felt happy or cheerful this week.”

“I know. I thought maybe this would help.”

“It does.” She chews and looks around at all the candles. “Wait, these are the flameless kind.”

“I didn’t want to burn anything down. After the barn incident, I wasn’t taking any chances.”

She smiles, then nods in agreement. “Good call on that one. I thought I’d put candles like these in all the guest rooms of the B&B to offer the romantic candlelight but also to avoid any fire hazards.”

“You can keep these for it,” I offer.

“But they’re expensive, and this is a lot.”

I just sip my wine, watching her. “Trust me, it’s fine. You’ll put them to good use, and I’ll know where I can borrow some from time to time.”

She smiles. “Thanks. Thank you for all of this.”

I take her hand in mine, and we watch as the sun slips into the water to the west. Birds dip and dive in the wind, and we can hear the waves crashing on the rocks below.

“It’s a special spot,” I say, breaking the silence. “I lived on the water in Monaco, and it was beautiful.”

“I can only imagine.”

“No, I’ll take you there one day. It’s something I want to share with you. It’s beautiful in its own way, but this…it’s just so dramatic. Moody. And when I’m up here, a calmness just settles into my chest. It wasn’t always that way. I couldn’t wait to leave when I graduated. To see the world. I loved going at top speed and didn’t plan to ever slow down.

“If the accident hadn’t happened, I likely wouldn’t have. I would have left as planned and gone back to my life. I don’t think I would have even given Huckleberry Bay a glance in the rearview mirror on my way out of town.”

Luna squeezes my hand, letting me talk.

“I loved my life, Luna. The money, the cars. And, yeah, the women—please don’t take that the wrong way.”

“I’m not,” she says, and I can see by the calmness in her eyes that she means it.

“I had no intention of slowing down. But now, with so much changing in my life over the past six months or so, I can’t imagine going back to that. It was exhausting, and there was so much pressure in every area of my life. To drive faster, better, cleaner. To make more money. To win. Always, to win.”

“And you did. A lot,” she reminds me.

“Did you watch?” I ask, surprised.

“Sometimes. If I knew it would be televised here, I’d watch. You were so…sure. Calm and confident. And maybe a little arrogant. You’re still those things.”