Lighthouse Cove (South Carolina Sunsets Book 7)

by Rachel Hanna

  Emma laughed. That was the first time she’d seen her really loosen up since they met her. “I can totally see him doing that. But, he seems like a nice guy. I haven’t quite pegged Henrietta yet.”

  Janine chuckled under her breath. “Henrietta is an acquired taste. She has become best friends with my mom who, as you know, is also an acquired taste.”

  “She’s definitely something else.”

  “Oh, honey, it’s okay if you call it like it is. My mother is a bit of a difficult person, but she tries. Or, I should say sometimes she tries.”

  “Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?”

  Janine was surprised that she was inviting her in given how much she probably had on her plate for the big opening. She also didn’t want to be rude, but if she was being honest with herself, a little adult company would be welcome. Spending time with Vivi was fun, but she didn’t really have any friends on the island to hang out with that weren’t directly related to her.

  “Sure. I mean I don’t want to impose since I know you’re busy.”

  Emma shook her head. “Pretty much everything that I need to get done for tomorrow has already been done. I mean, there’s not a whole lot you have to do when it comes to a lighthouse. All of the heavy lifting of remodeling it has been done, and I’ve memorized my script. Now it’s just a waiting game, and honestly I could use the company to distract myself.”

  “Great. I’d love to have coffee,” Janine said as Emma turned and started walking toward the cottage. Janine followed her, excited that she was getting to make a new friend. Maybe she and Emma wouldn’t hit it off, but if they did then she would be happy to have someone to hang out with from time to time.

  Of course, she loved being with William, but women needed friends. They needed to vent about their lives to another person who could understand. After all, a woman’s journey was very different from a man’s.

  Chapter 5

  As they walked into the house, Emma immediately second-guessed herself. What on earth was she thinking inviting Janine in? What if she started asking questions that Emma didn’t want to answer? What if she said something that revealed her past?

  “Excuse the mess. I’m still trying to get this place set up. I need to do a little shopping for home decor,” Emma said.

  “Oh please, your place is cleaner than mine. It seems like I’m never home these days. I’m either with my boyfriend or my sister or at work. Tonight I even did some babysitting for my niece.”

  “Sounds wonderful to have all of those people around you,” Emma said as she poured water in the coffee pot. She pointed for Janine to have a seat at the kitchen table.

  “It’s great. I spent so many years traveling around by myself, teaching yoga in just about every corner of the world. It’s nice to have roots again.”

  “So you did a lot of traveling? That sounds really fun. I’ve pretty much stayed on this side of the United States for my whole life. I’d like to see some other places eventually.”

  “Do you have someone special in your life?”

  Emma shook her head. “I used to. But it didn’t work out.”

  She prayed that Janine didn’t ask any additional questions about her personal life since she really hadn’t prepared any answers. But Janine struck her as someone who had been through her share of dark moments, and she felt an immediate kinship with her for some reason.

  “I’m really blessed to have my boyfriend, William. I went through a lot of relationships that were definitely not good for me.”

  “I understand how that is. My last boyfriend was a wonderful man, but there was just too much water under the bridge. A lot of memories that I would rather forget, if you know what I mean.”

  Why was she opening up? Why was she starting to say things that were only going to lead people to ask more questions about her past?

  “Well, enough talk about that sort of thing,” Janine said, smiling. “Do you have any family that will be coming to see the lighthouse?”

  “No, not really. The only family I ever really had was my grandmother and my mother, and they’ve both passed away. So, it’s just me.”

  Janine looked at her, a compassionate expression on her face. “Well, what you’ll learn about Seagrove is that we all become family. No matter what your background, you are going to be enveloped by the wonderful people of this area.”

  Emma smiled. “I hope so. This is the first time I’ve ever just moved away to someplace where I don’t know anyone. But eventually I think I’d really like that sense of community.”

  Janine reached across the counter and patted her on the hand. “I know it’s hard to start over somewhere new. I felt that way even though I had family here when I arrived. We were all pretty estranged at that point. But you’re going to do great here.”

  “It’s hard to imagine that you had any kind of fracture in your relationship with your sister.”

  Janine chuckled under her breath. “Oh, that was a work in progress for a very long time. But now we’re good. She’s my best friend.”

  “I have a best friend back home. Her name is Caroline. She keeps begging me to come back.”

  “Do you regret moving here?”

  “No. I feel peaceful here for the first time in a long time. I mean I still have my moments…” She had almost said too much. What was she thinking? If she started mentioning nightmares, Janine was surely going to ask more questions.

  “Look, I understand when we have things in our past that are dark and upsetting, it’s really hard to start a new life. I was attacked a few years ago when I was teaching yoga on an island. I didn’t tell anyone what happened, and I tried to keep it hidden. But, over time, all it did was separate me further and further from my loved ones. And they thought I was doing things for one reason when it was really because I had this severe trauma I was keeping a secret.”

  Emma swallowed hard, doing everything within her power not to well up with tears. It was the first time anyone really gave words to her thoughts.”I’m so sorry that happened to you,” was all that she could choke out. Janine met her eyes for a long moment, and it was obvious that she was already aware of the fact that Emma was hiding her own trauma.

  “Thank you. I went through a lot of therapy, and I still have to go at times, but I’m a lot better now. I found that pushing it down all of those years just made me miserable. Sometimes, those things that we try to keep in the dark start to eat away at our souls. As soon as we bring them out into the light, they dissipate. They lose their power. And that allowed me to get my power back.”

  Emma smiled. “I’m happy for you. Now, why don’t we have that cup of coffee? I thought this machine would never finish brewing!”

  As she hurried to pour the cups of coffee and stop the conversation, Emma couldn’t help but feel great relief that she had met Janine. Even though she never planned to tell her what was causing her so much pain, it was nice to know that she had someone who truly understood what she was going through.

  Julie, Meg and Colleen walked up the pathway toward the lighthouse. They could’ve driven Julie’s car, but today there were already so many cars on the island going to the lighthouse opening. In fact, Julie couldn’t believe how many vehicles were passing them on the gravel road. Normally, it was very rare to see another car moving on this road, but she realized she’d better get used to some level of traffic now that the lighthouse was open.

  They had intended to go on the first tour of the day, but Julie was so exhausted between work and wedding planning for Meg that she just didn’t have it in her. Plus, Vivi had spent the night with her and had kept the whole household up. Apparently Dawson had slipped her way too much sugar after dinner time.

  “I can’t believe how many people are here!” Colleen said, looking ahead of them at the parking lot adjoining the lighthouse property.

  “It’s kind of sad. I don’t really want this many people on the island all the time,” Julie said.

  “Maybe it will be good busine
ss for the inn,” Meg said, always choosing to look at the bright side.

  “So Christian is taking Vivi on a little daddy daughter date?” Julie asked.

  “Yes. I think they are going to the park and then to get ice cream. And I have to admit that I’m glad to get a little time off today.”

  “How’s work going?” Colleen asked.

  “It’s fine. I enjoy working at the college, but I’m not sure it’s where I want to be long-term. We’ll see.”

  “Have you thought any more about the wedding invitations?” Julie asked.

  Meg stopped in her tracks and looked at her mother. “Mom, I thought we agreed that we’re not going to talk about the wedding today. We’re just taking a nice, peaceful tour of the lighthouse and then getting lunch. You promised.”

  “Sorry. It’s just that it’s your wedding, and it’s coming up quickly. There’s so many decisions you still haven’t made, honey.”

  “We will get it done. Keep your promise,” she said before she started walking again.

  Even though she was the smaller in stature of her two daughters, Meg had the stronger personality. She was also way more stubborn than Colleen had ever been.

  “Okay. But I can’t promise I won’t talk about it at lunch.”

  Meg rolled her eyes. “Oh, Mom…”

  “Let’s change the subject,” Colleen said. “So, Tucker is busy working on Christmas toy ideas. This is going to be an amazing fourth quarter.”

  “But it’s only spring time,” Meg said.

  “You would be surprised at how far in advance toy companies have to plan for a Christmas selling season.”

  They finally arrived at the parking lot. Julie looked up at the beautiful blue sky. The black and white striped lighthouse set against it perfectly and looked like a postcard.

  “Have you met Emma yet?” Julie asked.

  “No. I haven’t had a chance because of working so much. But Aunt Janine said that she’s really sweet,” Colleen said.

  “Yeah, she seems to be really nice. Of course, your grandmother wants to know her entire life history. She’s convinced that she’s harboring some deep, dark secret,” Julie said, laughing.

  “Well, I wouldn’t expect anything less of Grandma, She should’ve been a private investigator,” Meg said.

  They stood in line to get their tickets and then finally arrived at the door to the lighthouse. At first, Julie didn’t see Emma anywhere. She assumed that she was finishing up with a group before them and would be down shortly. Sure enough, several people exited the building and then Emma was standing at her podium.

  “Oh, hey, Julie! I’m so glad you got to come today,” Emma said, smiling.

  “We planned to come this morning but we just couldn’t make it work. These are my daughters, Colleen and Meg,” Julie said, pointing at each of them.

  “So nice to meet you both.”

  “I know we haven’t met, but you look so familiar to me,” Colleen said. She squinted her eyes and tilted her head like she was really trying to figure it out. Emma looked slightly uncomfortable.

  “I’m not sure why that would be. I’m new around here, and I haven’t even had a chance to go into town yet.”

  “I guess some people just look familiar.”

  “Let me take your tickets, and we will get started,” Emma said, barely making eye contact. Julie chalked it up to just being nervous with the line of people behind them.

  The next twenty minutes consisted of walking up the spiral staircase and feeling her legs burn more than they ever had in her life. As she listened to Emma recite all the facts about the area and the lighthouse restoration, Julie found herself worrying that she needed to get more physical exercise. Her legs felt like they were literally going to burn right off her body. Lots of squats were in her future.

  When they got to the top, Emma gave them all some time to take pictures of the view and really take it all in. Then, they were right back down the stairs so that she could take up the next group.

  “Thanks so much for the tour,” Julie said. “You must have superhuman leg muscles to be able to do this all day.”

  Emma leaned closer. “Trust me, I’m going to be soaking in an Epsom salt bath tonight and taking as many pain relievers as I can get away with.”

  Julie laughed. “Listen, why don’t you come over for dinner this evening? You’re going to be exhausted from all of this, and I would love to serve you a home-cooked meal.”

  She considered it for a moment. “You know what? I think I might just take you up on that.”

  “Oh, good! I think Lucy is making pot roast tonight. Is that okay with you?”

  Emma nodded. “That would be wonderful.”

  “Excellent. Let’s say seven o’clock?”

  “That should work perfect. This place closes at six, so that will give me time to take a shower and head over to the inn.”

  Julie smiled and walked back toward Colleen and Meg who were waiting in the parking lot. As they walked back down the pathway, she was happy to have had this time with her daughters. It wasn’t often that they hung out together anymore what with all of them working so much of the time. But she also wondered about Emma. Did she have family? Or was she all alone?

  Julie knew what it felt like to move to a new area and not know anyone. She wanted to do anything she could to make sure that Emma had a support system just like the one she had been blessed with when she moved to Seagrove. People became family very quickly, and she was hoping to extend that kindness to her new neighbor.

  Colleen sat in front of the café with Janine, sipping on an expensive coffee drink and catching up. It seemed like they never got time to just sit and chat anymore. All of the women in the family were busy running their businesses or taking care of their families. Of course, Colleen didn’t have a family yet, but she was looking forward to the day that she and Tucker would get married and settle down. For now, she was happy running their business and dreaming about the future.

  “I swear she just looks so familiar,” Colleen said.

  “Maybe she just has that kind of face. You know, some people just look familiar for no real reason.”

  Colleen took a bite of her biscotti and then dipped it into her coffee. “I guess it’s possible. She seems like a nice person. Definitely not a serial killer or anything.”

  Janine laughed. “You really watch too much of that true crime stuff now. What got you interested in that?”

  Colleen shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. Tucker and I started watching a documentary one night, and I’ve just been interested in that kind of stuff ever since. I think I just like to know what makes the human mind tick.”

  “Well, you can have it. I don’t like any of that dark stuff. Especially not at night time when I have to go to bed.”

  “What’s this about going to bed?” William said as he walked up to the table. Colleen loved to see the two of them together. He adored her aunt, and she wanted nothing more than for Janine to finally be happy and settle down. She had been absent from the family for so many years when she was traveling and estranged from Colleen’s mother. Now, it just seemed like the time was right for her to finally put down roots and get married.

  “I was just telling Colleen that I couldn’t watch that crime stuff that she does. It would give me nightmares.”

  He leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “I don’t know, some of that stuff is interesting. I prefer to listen to the podcasts because I’m always on the boat.”

  “Want to sit down? We can get another chair,” Colleen offered.

  “No, thanks. I actually need to get home and take a shower. I somehow managed to get fish guts all over me today on one of my charters,” he said, pulling at his shirt. Colleen scrunched her nose.

  “You know, I could’ve gone the rest of my life without hearing you say that.”

  “Sorry. I thought you could take it,” he said, poking her in the arm. “Besides, I just came by to say hello to my beautiful gi
rlfriend and ask her if she would like to go on a fancy date with me tomorrow night?”

  “A fancy date? What’s the occasion?” Janine asked, looking up at him.

  “Do I have to have a special reason to take you out?”

  “I guess not. It’s just that we’ve both been so busy lately that I wasn’t expecting something like this.”

  He walked around behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them before pressing his lips to the top of her curly hair. “You just get all dolled up and I will pick you up at six o’clock.”

  As he started to walk away, Janine called him. “Where are we going?”

  He didn’t turn around but yelled back, “Just make sure you wear shoes you can dance in.”

  Janine stared at Colleen, a smile forming on her face. “What is he up to?”

  “I don’t know, but it sure sounds fun whatever it is.”

  Chapter 6

  Emma nervously walked down the road toward the inn. Why on earth would she agree to this? It had already been a long, tiring day and now she had to stay on her game while eating dinner with a bunch of strangers.

  It was already obvious that some of the women she met were picking up on the fact that she had run away from her old life. Nobody was asking any direct questions, although she was sure that would be coming soon. Julie and Janine’s mother wanted to know her backstory, that much was obvious.

  As she walked up the front steps, she tried to gather herself. Just act normal. Just act normal. She’d been undercover enough times in her career to get through a simple dinner.

  Before she could knock, Julie opened the door, a big smile on her face. “Emma, I’m so glad that you could make it. Come on in!”

  As she walked inside, she was struck at how quaint and beautiful the place was. Obviously a historic home, it had been renovated in a way that preserved the history while also still feeling comfortable and modern.