The Spyglass Portal: A Lighthouse Novel

by Coverstone, Stacey

  “Aidan Gallagher,” he answered, re-introducing himself, while exploring her face and squeezing her hand.

  Tears threatened to spring from her eyes, the second time in as many days. Aidan looked and sounded so much like Chad, who lay far away in a hospital bed, perhaps asleep for eternity. She didn’t know how long she could stand there before breaking down.

  Slipping free of his hand, she changed the subject back to the dog as a way of trying to still her racing heart. “What kind of a name is Paddy for a German breed? That is a German shepherd, right?”

  With his intense gaze riveted to her, Aidan hesitated before answering. “Yes, he’s German, but I’m Irish. Thus, the name Paddy.”

  “Oh. I should have known Gallagher was Irish.” She searched her memory, trying to recall whether Chad had ever mentioned having Irish roots. She couldn’t remember that, or much of anything else about his family he’d ever told her. Her brain felt fuzzy. It was more than strange, the way she suddenly felt that small details about Chad were fading.

  “The Irish half of me comes from my mom,” Aidan said, drawing her back to the conversation.

  No mention of a father, she noted. Perhaps the two of them had that in common—an absentee dad. “You don’t have an Irish accent,” she said.

  “I lost it years ago.”

  “I didn’t know people could lose their accent.” Before he could comment further, Paddy bent his head and clamped his teeth around a yellow Frisbee, distracting them both. It was the first time she’d noticed the toy. “Were you playing Frisbee with him earlier?”

  “Yeah. I’m afraid I threw it too high a couple of times and it thumped against your window.”

  So, that was the bump she’d heard. A wave of relief flowed through her knowing she wasn’t sharing the lighthouse with a ghost.

  Aidan’s gaze continued to scorch her like a burning torch. Confusion ran havoc over her. She wanted to continue standing there and looking at him while suppressing the urge to flee. “Well, nice to see you again.” She moved toward the open door. It had only been an hour or so since they’d first met on the beach. If there was a reason he’d stopped by, he wasn’t saying. “Bye, Paddy.” She maintained her distance from the dog but hoped Aidan realized she harbored no hard feelings toward either of them for what had happened.

  “Sam?”

  She turned. “Yes?”

  “I actually came by to apologize. I’d like to make up for being a jerk earlier. Will you have dinner with me tonight?”

  “That’s not necessary.”

  “I disagree. Although it wasn’t my intention, you probably thought I was hitting on you when I asked you out for a drink. I inserted my foot in my mouth without thinking. It was stupid, in light of what you were obviously going through.”

  “Well…” Being a jerk was exactly what she’d thought he’d been. But it seemed Aidan’s true colors were coming out.

  “There aren’t any fancy restaurants in Pavee Cove, but there’s a seafood place that offers delicious food and a wonderful ambiance right on the water. I’ve been going there so often, the hostess, Marianne, and I are on a first-name basis. Do you like seafood?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “Great! Meet me at six o’clock at The Catch. Ask anyone in town and they’ll point you in the right direction.”

  Samantha didn’t have time to refuse. Aidan flashed her a dimpled smile, and he and his dog trotted down the beach before she could muster an excuse.

  CHAPTER SIX

  After Aidan unlocked the door to his stone cottage, he nearly tripped over Paddy while hauling the cooler he’d left on the beach into the kitchen. The dog scuttled to his water bowl and slurped up half of it and then scampered to the living room where he flopped onto his dog bed.

  While standing at the sink draining out the melted ice, Aidan’s mind wandered back to the woman he’d just invited to dinner. When they’d touched, memories of Remy had pushed through layers of deeply held memories. Remy’s innocent face and Samantha’s had comingled to render him speechless for a minute.

  The unusual sensation of having known Samantha a long time ago had his nerves twitching. He’d never believed in past lives, but something powerful drew him to her. If it was simple sexual attraction, why did he feel there was a connection between her and Remy? He shoved the cooler into the pantry closet and shook his head, thinking himself a fool. There was no connection. Remy had vanished long ago under mysterious circumstances. And he’d never met Sam before today.

  He sauntered into his art studio, an enclosed sun porch with three large windows covering one wall, which offered southern exposure and natural light to paint by. Completed paintings hung on the other three walls. Empty canvases were stacked in one corner, easels were scattered about, and tubes of paint and mason jars full of brushes littered a table that was splattered with paint. This porch was the reason he’d purchased the cottage. And because the house sat a stone’s throw away from the beach.

  Aidan had come to Pavee Cove for two reasons: to paint, and because for the first time in over twenty years, he’d felt driven to return. Now he couldn’t help but wonder if something supernatural had happened, and that uncontrollable driving force had to do with Samantha Landers.

  As he prepared a canvas for the stretcher, he remembered the stunned look that had filled her face when she toppled out the lighthouse door the exact moment he’d knocked. Although her behavior earlier on the beach had been baffling, and a little scary, she’d intrigued him. He’d wanted to see her again. Not having made such a good first impression on the first go around, he’d thought he’d give it another shot. She was one of the most interesting women he’d met in a very long time. Not to mention gorgeous. He was glad he’d taken the chance. A stirring deep in his gut hinted that fate had brought them together for a reason.

  Whistling as he began to work, Aidan laughed out loud, realizing it had been years since he’d felt in such high spirits.

  * * * *

  It felt strange to be picking out what to wear on a date with a man who was the spitting image of her friend and partner. Samantha and Chad had never gone on an official date, though not from his lack of asking.

  Again, a deep sense of regret washed over her. Chad was a good man she’d come to trust and respect. Yes, she could finally admit to herself that she’d been physically attracted to him, and she’d felt emotionally linked. But pursuing any kind of personal relationship had not been in her immediate game plan. Plus, dating her business partner hadn’t seemed like a smart idea. Linda had dated a co-worker for six months once, and when the relationship went south, so did the working environment. It had become so awkward between them that the man had resigned. Now Samantha wondered what would have happened had she accepted one of Chad’s invitations. Would their relationship had progressed into something more? Or would it have been a mistake, ruining their friendship and business?

  She chose one of the sundresses, a white halter dress with blue polka dots to match her eyes, and made up her mind to stop dwelling on what could have been, and what would never be. Poor Chad was in a coma—essentially gone as she’d known him—and there was no changing that. She was here to accept the inevitable truth and try to erase the guilt and move on with her life.

  She ran a brush through her long hair thinking how odd how life could turn out. At her blackest moment, Aidan Gallagher had magically stepped into hers. While trying to understand how such a thing could happen, she remembered something Dr. Teagan had told her in one session: There is no such thing as coincidence. Everything happens for a reason. Embrace what might seem impossible and you’ll be rewarded. Nothing is gained without taking a risk.

  It was very good advice from a wise woman.

  Once she was dressed and had coiled the ends of her hair with a curling iron, Samantha applied fresh makeup and dabbed on some light perfume. Being in the construction business, and rarely dating, there weren’t many opportunities to get dressed up, or to wear perfume. It felt nic
e to look and smell like a woman. Smiling at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, she inhaled deeply, feeling both nervous and energized. It had been a long time since she’d gone out and had some fun.

  It was five-thirty. It wouldn’t take but ten minutes to drive to town. Still, Sam wanted to arrive at the restaurant before Aidan. Earlier, she’d discovered a phone directory in one of the kitchen drawers and had called to get the directions to The Catch, so she felt confident in being able to locate it easily.

  As she slid her feet into another pair of sandals, she suddenly remembered she’d forgotten to return to the light tower and properly stow the spyglass back in its case. So much had happened today that it had completely slipped her mind. Being an antique, she was sure its history was special, so it was important to protect it from the salty sea air. Jogging up the curving staircase, she found the telescope on the floor right where she’d left it.

  “Let’s take one more quick look before I put you away for the night.” She placed it to her eye and scanned the horizon. Once again, blue haze floated across the lens. She rubbed her finger across the glass, which seemed to take care of it. The sun glowing in the sky was magnified like a brilliant gold disco ball. Pink and orange stripes popped with vibrancy across the horizon, as if a painter had created the most beautiful sunset ever with his brush.

  Prepared for anything since believing she’d seen the little girl on the beach, Sam dropped her gaze to the ground and moved the spyglass back and forth slowly. A few people walked next to the water, two were collecting shells and one strolled alone. All were adults. No children. She released the breath she held and lowered the instrument. In the hours that had passed, she’d nearly convinced herself the little girl had been a figment of her overworked imagination, so she carefully placed the telescope in the wooden case and closed the lid.

  “Where would be the best place to keep this?”

  Now that it had resurfaced from its hiding place after God knew how many years, it deserved to be admired and used again. And enjoying it anytime she wanted was going to be Samantha’s reward for having discovered it. She descended the stairs that led to the bedroom and set the box on the dresser and checked her watch. It was time to go.

  * * * *

  The first person she saw when she stepped into The Catch was Jason Murphy. “What a surprise,” she said, greeting him. “You’re one of only two people I know in Pavee Cove and here you are at the same restaurant tonight. What a coincidence.”

  “Hello, Miss Landers.”

  “You can call me Sam if you’d like. There’s no need to be so formal. I’m guessing we’re around the same age.”

  A lopsided, child-like grin filled his face. “Okay,” he blushed.

  “Are you here alone?” She gazed around to see if Aidan had beaten her there.

  “No. My mom is in the ladies’ room. She’ll be out in a minute.”

  “Good. I’d like to meet her and thank her personally for the groceries you brought over today.”

  “Okay.” Jason chewed his lower lip and stared at his shoes. “It’s lobster night tonight,” he said. “Mom loves lobster.”

  “So do I. You can’t grow up in Maine and not like lobster,” she chuckled.

  The hostess interrupted their banter. “Table for one ma’am?” she asked Samantha.

  She noticed the young woman’s nametag read Marianne. “There will be two of us.”

  “Would you like to sit outside on the deck?”

  “Yes. That would be great.”

  The hostess checked her roster and told Sam it would be a couple of minutes.

  “No problem.” Samantha checked her watch. It was five minutes till six. Her heart started beating faster with anticipation at seeing Aidan again.

  A tap on the shoulder interrupted her daydream. Expecting it to be her date, she plastered on a big smile and pivoted to face a lady with eyes the color of a foggy morning. Her hair, which was the same shade, hung in a long braid down her back. “You must be Samantha,” she said. “I’m Claire Murphy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Hello. Nice to meet you, too.” They shook hands. “Thank you for sending your son over today with the groceries. That was very thoughtful of you.”

  “You’re quite welcome. It was just a few things to get you started. I do that for all the newcomers in the cove. I’m sure Jay told you we own the market in town.”

  “He did. I’ll stop by one day soon and check out your store.”

  “Murphy. Party of two,” Marianne announced, even though there were only the three of them waiting for tables.

  “Right here,” Jason said, tugging on Claire’s arm. “Let’s go, Mom. She called our name.”

  Claire chuckled. “All right, Jason.” She whispered behind her hand to Sam, “He just loves lobster, and tonight is lobster night. See you again soon.”

  As Sam watched them follow the hostess to their table, she realized Jason wasn’t limping anymore. Maybe he’d had a cramp in his leg today.

  When Marianne returned, she asked Sam if she’d like to sit down or wait for her dining companion in the lobby. Samantha looked at her watch again—it was almost five after six—and glanced around. Hoping nothing had happened to Aidan, but suspecting he was just running late, she said she’d wait at the table.

  She was seated at a table for two on the deck under a big umbrella next to a wooden railing one story above the water. The water splashing onto the shore below was a soothing balm for her soul. Although she’d been raised in Maine, she hadn’t spent much time on the beach or near water as a child. Her mom had been too busy working, trying to make ends meet, for them to enjoy many outings together.

  Something about the steady rhythm of the rocking waves drew Sam’s thoughts inward, to a place inside where scattered memories were buried like broken shells in the sand. Although she always loved her mother, some memories were not pleasant, such as long lonely hours spent alone as a young girl.

  She inhaled a cleansing breath. Chad had been right when he said she worked too hard. Coming here at Dr. Teagan’s suggestion had been both a good decision and a blessing. A feeling of tranquility washed over her as she listened to the ebb and flow of the waves as they splashed upon the dock pilings. She happily sighed and stretched her gaze across the deep sea, basking in the strong sense of being home.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  By six-forty, Samantha was worried. Aidan had seemed anxious to get together tonight, so she didn’t think she’d been stood up. But one never knew. Most people disappointed you sooner or later she’d come to learn. In her opinion, it was better to discover someone’s true intentions before any emotional investment was made.

  Aidan had seemed different, she reminded herself. Something must have happened. Maybe he’d been in an accident, or had gotten sick. Perhaps Paddy had run away and Aidan was out searching for him. She realized she knew no details about him—where he lived or what his phone number was. Was she giving him a break because he reminded her so much of Chad? Maybe he was just a jerk, after all, who liked messing with women.

  She glanced at the door again. She’d simply have to wait and hope he strolled through with a good excuse.

  When the waitress brought her a second glass of iced tea, Samantha accepted it and told her she’d wait a few more minutes before ordering. “My friend should be arriving any minute.” The waitress gave her a sympathetic look, like she knew what it felt like to be stood up.

  Claire and Jason were seated nearby with plastic bibs hanging from their necks, eating lobster. She’d noticed them staring at her for the past half hour. When Claire wiped her hands on a napkin, stood up and walked over, Samantha sucked in a breath, anticipating words of pity, or at least questions she didn’t feel like answering.

  “I see you’re dining alone,” Claire said with eyes beaming and with what appeared to be genuine compassion. “Would you like to join us, dear?”

  “No, thanks. I appreciate the offer, but I’m waiting for someone. He should
be here soon.”

  “Oh. I see. All right then.” Claire turned to leave and then spun around again. “I thought you didn’t know anyone in Pavee Cove.”

  Claire’s nosy comment and sharp look caught Sam off guard. Feeling her face warm, she replied, “I met someone on the beach today. He’s fairly new to the area, but you’ve probably heard of him. Aidan Gallagher?” When the name didn’t seem to ring a bell for Claire, Sam went on. “He’s a painter, and he has a German shepherd dog named Paddy. Surely you know him. Pavee Cove isn’t that big.” Samantha was also thinking that Claire had somehow known of her arrival today. The village was a small place where everyone knew everyone, and there were probably no secrets.

  Claire thought a moment and shook her head. “No. The name is not familiar. Believe me I’d know if someone new had come to the cove.” She winked to make her point clear.

  Sam found it hard to swallow that Claire, an obvious busy body, had never heard of Aidan. What was the harm in admitting she knew him?

  “Feel free to join us if your friend doesn’t show up,” Claire said before returning to her own table.

  Fifteen minutes later, Sam decided to call it a night. It had become embarrassing, sitting alone and not ordering, with more patrons coming in and gawking at her. She doubted they intended on making her feel self-conscious, but the result was the same. “I’ll take the check for my tea,” she told the waitress after flagging her down. All she wanted was to get out of the restaurant in a hurry.

  As she stood and pushed in her chair, Claire and Jason sidled up next to her. “Tired of waiting?” Claire asked.

  Sam nodded and forced a weak smile to her lips.

  “Come see me next time you’re in the village,” Claire said, patting her arm. “We can share some girl talk. Jay is a good boy, but he’s not much of a conversationalist, as you might have noticed.”

  Jason shoved his hands into his pants pockets and rolled his eyes.