Page 93 of The Lightkeeper

“Is that…”

“I fixed it… finished it.” Kit cleared his throat, handing me the frame. “I was going to drive to Boston to bring it to you.”

I tried to say his name and choked on my effort. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at—couldn’t believe this was the same ominous, stormy painting of the lighthouse I’d stared at for weeks.

Gone were the storm clouds that darkened the horizon, instead a vibrant red dawn welcomed the sunrise. The sea that had appeared tumultuous and angry before now crashed eagerly onthe shore, as though beckoning whoever was near to explore its depths. And the lighthouse…

Tears sped down my cheeks, and I didn’t bother to stop them as I reached out and let my finger trace over the windows of the house that now glowed with a warm light and then slid them up the height of the tower, the brightest light beaming out to the very edges of the canvas from its peak.

He hadn’t just changed the tone of the scene; he’d given the lighthouse back its light.

“All this time, it was missing its light,” he rumbled low. “Just like I was missing you.”

My shoulders started to shake.

“I wasn’t the lighthouse, Aurora, you were. You were the one that continued to shine no matter what storms I threw against you. You were the one who reached out in the depths of my darkness and guided me safely to shore. You didn’t save me, but I couldn’t have saved myself without you.”

“Kit.” My lip wobbled traitorously.

“I love you,” he murmured, dropping his head close to mine, his lips teasing mine with the warmth of his breath. “Will you stay with me? Be with me?”

I let out a sob and wrapped my arms around his neck, nodding.

“Is that a yes, sea star?” he rumbled low. “Tell me that’s a yes.”

“That’s more than a yes.” I threaded my hands through his hair and pulled his mouth to mine. “That’s a ‘I don’t belong anywhere else.’”

“Good,” he growled, pressing a kiss to my lips. “Because I’m never letting you go.”

“Promise?” I shivered, desire warming my blood.

Another kiss to my cheek. “Better than a promise.” And to the soft skin just below my ear.

“Kit…”

“An experiment,” he whispered, dragging his mouth back to mine. “An experiment in forever.”

And then he kissed me. Deeply. Madly.Consumingly.

Distantly, I heard cheers erupt from outside the house.

“The plan worked!”Frankie’s shout echoed through the house’s walls, announcing to the rest of his—our—family how this ended.

Kit growled and broke the kiss. “Hold that thought.” He strode to the door and pulled it open again. “Show’s over, Frankie. Take everyone home.”

“Aurora’s staying?” I heard her ask.

“Only if you’re going,” he warned.

“We’re going,” she squeaked, and I heard her retreat across the gravel as she yelled, “See you soon, Aurora!”

I bit my lip, doing a poor job of holding back my laugh as he shut the door. “What plan?”

My mouth opened and shut, and I pulled my lower lip between my teeth. “Frankie… came to see me in Boston.”

He arched a brow, his eyes tracking me as I went to my bag that I’d set on the counter earlier, pulling out the worn leather journal tucked inside.

His gaze went wide. “I wondered where the hell…” He shook his head and came over to me.

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