And she had no idea what she was going to do with the lighthouse on the lake because she had just recently inherited her own piece of family history, two properties in her hometown.
When Liesel, on the phone with Amelia and Megan and Kate and Clara, had used that phrase, they knew that things would fall into place. That they could accept that Liesel, though their sister in blood, had her own life. That she was doing as well as they were. And, in fact, Liesel offered to transfer the deed to the Hannigans. But that wasn’t all. Included in her envelope was the key to the lighthouse. It was a gesture of sisterhood and of family and one of a promise that one day, they would have a great big Hannigan reunion in the lighthouse on the lake.
Now, as Megan scraped the last of the ice cream from her bowl, her phone flashed alive. A text from Sarah with an image.
Megan flipped it over and studied it. There her sister stood, in the doorway of the attached home on the lighthouse, a broad paint brush in one hand and a sloppy paint bucket dangling from the other. Michael was in the picture, too, staring down at Amelia with a look of love that Megan admired so. They were a great couple, and she would know. He wielded a hammer, and around his waist was a leather apron with other tools sticking out at odd angles.
Behind the camera was Megan and Brian’s daughter, happy to be part of a great, big, messy family for a summer on the shore. Megan smiled and read Sarah’s message.
Just you wait! Birch Harbor is getting a museum! Aunt Amelia said I can work here until it’s time to go back to school!
Brian interrupted her with a loud gulp of water. In the past, the habit was a pet peeve of hers. Now, she tried to embrace it as one of the sounds of her life, of her marriage. “Have you heard back about that job yet?” His voice was gentle, but the words cut through her heart.
“Yes.” Megan had applied for a position in Detroit at Make Me a Match, a service for senior citizens who were looking for love in their golden years. Well, technically, she emailed them and suggested they develop a new position.
“And?” he pressed, biting his lower lip.
“They aren’t interested in a social media manager after all. I guess their demographic is looking for something else.” She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck.
A sly smile spread across his face. “Have you ever thought of starting your own company?”
***
I hope you enjoyed Lighthouse on the Lake. The next story in this saga is Fireflies in the Field, available widely.
Other Titles by Elizabeth Bromke
Birch Harbor:
House on the Harbor
Fireflies in the Field
Hickory Grove:
The Schoolhouse
The Christmas House
The Farmhouse
The Innkeeper’s House
Maplewood:
Christmas on Maplewood Mountain
Return to Maplewood
Missing in Maplewood
The Billionaire’s Mountain Bride
The Ranger’s Mountain Bride
The Cowboy’s Mountain Bride
Acknowledgements
I started writing this book during a family trip to Disneyland. It was the best vacation I’ve been on. My husband planned it with enthusiasm and heart, and every moment was magical, especially the whole “seeing it through my son’s eyes.” It took my breath away, in fact.
As I write my thank yous, the world has morphed into something out of a post-apocalyptic science fiction. The Coronavirus has brought us to our knees. People have fallen sick and died. Half the world or more has lost employment. Businesses have shuttered and National Parks have closed in an effort to slow the spread of a new and vicious virus. Healthcare workers, scientists, and our essential workforce are standing in the way of certain doom and offering us hope. You are our heroes.
No matter whether we’re braving exposure to fill prescriptions or huddling at home, afraid to tear our eyes away from the news, we’re stressed. I’ve been stressed. And yet, I have my readers. My friends! I see you on social media and in my email. I see you in my reviews. I see what escaping in a book means for others (not just me). Thank you. Thank you for reminding me how much we need the distraction of far-away stories to cope.
A huge thanks to Wilette Cruz, who put together gorgeous design. Lisa Lee and Krissy Moran: you’re also weathering the storm of COVID, but you’re still there for me. Thank you. For your patience and flexibility and prowess. Thank you!
My advanced readers are invaluable to my process. Without you, I would not publish. Thank you!
Mom and Dad, thank you for always believing in me. Your support of my creative spirit has been crucial. To all my family, thank you.
Ed, thank you for encouraging and inspiring me. Little E., you too. Through it all, I love being stuck at home with my two favorite guys.
About the Author
Elizabeth Bromke is the author of the Maplewood series, the Hickory Grove series, and the Birch Harbor series. Each set of stories incorporates family, friends, and love.
Elizabeth lives in the mountains of Arizona, where she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family.
Learn more about the author by visiting elizabethbromke.com today.
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