Adrift

by Robin Wainwright

such a beautiful piece of history.

  His anger boiled over when he entered the lantern room and saw the destruction. Someone had broken the lens and large pieces of glass lay scattered around the room. These old lenses were damn expensive to replace. He’d have to shop around for a replacement and then give the village the option of an authentic replacement or a reproduction. Either way this damage was going to add a lot to his quote.

  He put away his notebook and allowed himself to feel his anger.

  These old lenses were pieces of art, as well as pieces of history, and this one would never help refract the light out into the distance again.

  Shaking his head, Daniel moved over to check out the gallery that ran along the outside of the lantern room. He opened the door, and while gripping the doorjamb, he carefully put one foot on the metal walkway. With a scraping sound, the walkway moved under his foot. He quickly withdrew before he could do any real damage, and nodding his head, scribbled some more notes.

  Heather was leaning against the open door enjoying the warm ocean breeze when she got the feeling that she was being watched. She looked outside, scanning the area around the lighthouse, but she didn’t see anyone. She looked up at the cottage and thought she saw a curtain in one of the upstairs windows twitch, but then she remembered that the glass in that window was broken. Just the wind, she assured herself and tried to relax.

  A frigid wind whirled by her and whipped the trash in the room behind her into a cyclone. Heather cried out and covered her eyes from the debris that swirled around her and stepped out of the lighthouse. The door slammed behind her.

  Daniel walked around the inside of the lantern room peering out through the broken windows, trying to see what he could of the gallery. He took a moment to enjoy the amazing view. On the one side was the cliffs and ocean, and on the other was the colorful village. The wind whipped around the lantern room, and Daniel sighed in contentment. He loved his job, and he really wanted to help this beautiful lighthouse return to its former glory. He imagined tourists pouring in to see her all fresh and clean, and he hoped that her beauty would touch some kid so that the next time he picked up a spray can he would think twice before he defaced a piece of history.

  Daniel heard the sound of the door of the watch room opening and heavy footfalls on the stairs below him. He turned with a smile on his face, glad that Heather had decided to join him; he wanted to share this amazing view with her.

  He rushed over to open the door for her, but when he swung the door wide there was no one there. He peered down the stairs into the watch room, but it was empty. Daniel shrugged. Old buildings made odd noises, he thought, as he rubbed his arms and glanced out the windows wondering when it had gotten so cold.

  Not wanting to keep Heather waiting much longer, he started down the staircase. Daniel was surprised to find her outside sitting on a bench in the shade of a beautiful tree.

  “Got tired of waiting, huh?” he asked.

  Smiling up at Daniel, she patted the space next to her. “Nope, just got a blast of cold wind that stirred up all the junk in the bottom of the lighthouse, and I figured I’d be more comfortable here. So, what did you find?”

  “Not good news I’m afraid. Some graffiti, some windows are broken, a little wood rot, and it looks like the gallery is going to have to be reinforced, but the worst thing is that the lens is broken.”

  “Oh no,” Heather said, trying to sound like this was news; luckily, Daniel didn’t know her well enough to tell otherwise. “What exactly does that mean?”

  “It means about $100,000 added to my bid.”

  “Yikes!”

  “Yeah and it just pisses me off. Why destroy something like that? It makes no sense to me.” All Heather could do was shrug.

  Daniel glanced at his cell phone and looked surprised. “It never ceases to surprise me how quickly time passes when I’m doing an inspection.”

  Heather laughed, “Daniel, I’ve watched you. it’s like you go into a trance.”

  Daniel smiled sheepishly and nodded his head. “Everyone else sees the damage and destruction, and I see that too, but it’s like I can see beyond that. When I’m walking these old buildings I can see the ghost of their former glory, and I burn to bring it back to life.”

  Impulsively Heather leaned forward and kissed him. Daniel was startled, but then his arms came around her and he dove into the kiss. Heather lost herself in his arms, swimming in the sensations of his lips and tongue, marveling at how good it felt to be gently held and thoroughly kissed.

  When he lifted his head, Daniel’s eyes were dark and smoky and his voice was husky when he asked, “What did I do to deserve that?”

  “You were just being you. You have such a passion for what you do.”

  Daniel smiled wickedly, “Good, then it shouldn’t be too hard to get another kiss, or perhaps a little more.”

  Chuckling Heather shook her head, “You sure are incorrigible.”

  “Maybe, but I’m also “encourageable.” Kiss me again.”

  Laughing Heather stood up, “I think not, we are probably safe here from the Scuttlebutt, but you can’t be sure. Come on and walk me home.”

  Daniel stood and took her hand in his. They walked back to the village holding hands, laughing and flirting.

  They were standing in front of Java Junction still holding hands, neither of them wanting to part company.

  “Thank you for taking me up to the lighthouse,” Daniel said.

  Heather smiled and nodded her head, “No problem, it is so beautiful out there.”

  “It is, but now I must do the not so beautiful part of my job. I have to go do some research and put together a bid. Hopefully I can see you again soon, maybe dinner tomorrow night?”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Good, I’ll swing in tomorrow morning for some coffee and we can figure out the details.”

  Heather froze as Daniel bent toward her, she thought he was going to kiss her goodbye, but at the last second, he whispered, “Scuttlebutt.” Heather burst out laughing because the tone he used made the word sound like an endearment. Grinning he turned around and headed down the street.

  13

  Looking through the front door of Java Junction Heather saw that Jennifer had a huge smile on her face and that she was actually rubbing her hands together in anticipation. The customers waiting in line turned to see why Jennifer was grinning.

  Once again, Heather decided to avoid an interrogation and went straight up to her apartment instead of checking in.

  She wanted to hold this feeling close to her heart instead of sharing it with the world, but once she entered her apartment she found that she couldn’t settle down. She felt like dancing or singing. Her body was as tense as a coiled spring. When she couldn’t stand it anymore, she changed into a tank top and shorts and headed out to see if Sarah was busy.

  Heather opened the door to Sarah’s B&B and saw a sign on the check in counter reading, Be right with you.

  Sarah’s voice called from somewhere upstairs, “I’m coming.”

  “It’s just me, Sarah,” Heather called back.

  Sarah appeared at the top of the stairs, smiling down at Heather. “Hi Heather, Daniel’s not here right now.”

  “Argh!” Heather cried, making Sarah laugh.

  “Yep, I’ve heard about your torrid love affair. I have to admit I’m a little disappointed that I had to hear about it from the Scuttlebutt. My love life is like the Sahara Desert Heather, please come up and share the details, convince me that love is more than a mirage on the horizon.”

  Heather laughed, “You are so dramatic.”

  “I’m just feeling sorry for myself. Come up and share some drinking chocolate with me. I was trying to adjust my mood with something really decadent.”

  Heather followed Sarah up to the third floor. She had never been in Sarah’s apartment and was surprised at how open and bright it was. The third floor had been converted into an open loft style home with beautiful wooden flo
ors. The different living areas flowed freely from one into another. Bright tie-dyed pillows where thrown casually on the sofa and chairs. Crystals glistened in the windows causing rainbows to dance throughout the loft. The overall feeling was very bohemian and new-agey.

  Sarah led Heather to the kitchen and placed two mugs on the table.

  “Drinking chocolate huh? I’ve never had it.”

  “Oh my god, you are in for a life changing cup of chocolate. But be warned, it is very rich.”

  Taking a careful sip Heather thought that Sarah was right; the drinking chocolate was very decadent. It was like drinking a chocolate bar.

  Seeing Heather’s face, Sarah grinned. “I told you.”

  “Amazing.”

  “Heather!” Sarah exclaimed reaching for Heather’s arm. “Who did this to you? Please don’t tell me that Daniel did this!”

  Heather looked down and saw the bruises on her arm. Damn she thought. When she’d dressed, she’d forgotten about them and put on a tank top, now she was going to have to explain the bruises. She couldn’t even explain them to herself. How could she explain them to Sarah?

  When Heather didn’t immediately respond Sarah became even more concerned. “Honey you can trust me. Let me help you.”

  “Sarah it’s nothing like that, I’m just not sure how to explain what happened.” Sarah sat quietly trying to be patient so that Heather would trust her and open up.

  Heather decided that even though it made no sense the truth was better than whatever fiction Sarah’s mind was creating.

  “Okay, I swear this is