Page 37 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
“Please, Mom?” Jules turned to Caroline once again.
“You’d better ask Connor’s father,” Caroline told her and looked pointedly at her wristwatch. “Please hurry. I have to get back to the library.”
The teens nodded, downed their juice, put the glasses in the sink, and dashed from the kitchen while Caroline messaged her brother to tell him Connor had no allergies. Twenty minutes later, Caroline drove Jules and Connor to the Cobble Cove Restaurant.
“I’ll see you after the party tonight,” Jules leaned over and pecked Caroline on the cheek.
She smiled. She was still getting used to this new loving Jules. “Okay, honey. Please be careful and safe.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll look out for her,” Connor said gallantly.
“Thank you, Connor.” Caroline watched them pile out of her car.
“Love you, Mom,” Jules called, blowing a kiss before slamming the car door.
Caroline saw Reef walk out of the restaurant, and her eyes narrowed when she noticed how Reef and Jules looked at each other.
“Nope!” Caroline muttered, shaking her head as she started reversing out of the parking space. “I’m not ready for teenage crushes!”
At least Jules’s crush was Reef Donovan, Carly’s teenage son and Tucker’s best friend, and not a Danes. Although Connor had surprised her at how he’d immediately stood up and took responsibility for Jules’s safety. It was gallant and sweet.
Caroline drove the winding road into Plum Island. She went down Main Street, turning off when she came to the library and pulling into the back-parking lot. Caroline parked in her parking space with her name on a small board. When she exited the car, she stopped and looked at the trim board with her name on it. Her heart felt heavy in her chest. This wouldn’t be her allocated spot in a few weeks. It would be Daniella’s.
Caroline entered the library, the familiar creak of the old door accompanying her entrance. The air inside was a comforting blend of aged paper and polished wood—a scent that held the essence of countless stories and memories. As she strolled through the central area, the shelves stood like silent sentinels, each book a portal to a different world. The soft murmur of pages turning and distant whispers of conversations added to the symphony of the library.
Her gaze wandered over the well-loved reading nooks, where patrons had spent hours lost in the magic of words. The cozy chairs, bathed in the warm glow of reading lamps, beckoned with the promise of literary adventures. A nostalgic smile played on Caroline’s lips as she remembered the countless hours she had spent here, escaping into different realms crafted by wordsmiths.
The library had been a second home to her, a sanctuary where creativity flourished and imaginations soared. She glanced at the recreation room, remembering the vibrant energy that filled the space during community gatherings and events. The upcoming changes weighed on her, and a subtle melancholy settled in her heart.
Caroline meandered past the shelves, her fingertips lightly tracing the spines of familiar titles. The music room whispered memories of Jules’s laughter as she explored her musical talents. The gymnasium echoed with the sounds of lively activities and celebrations that had brought the community together.
Stopping in the middle of the library, Caroline allowed herself a moment to absorb the atmosphere. With its multifaceted rooms, the library held the essence of a shared history—a chronicle of joy, sorrow, growth, and connection. It was a place where stories unfolded within the pages of books and in the lives of those who frequented its halls.
As Caroline walked further, she reached the recreation room, a space that had been a labor of love for her. The memories of shared smiles, laughter, and the vibrant energy of the younger islanders flooded her mind. The room had become a haven for community bonding, and the bittersweet realization that she would soon part ways with this cherished space tugged at her heart.
Caroline continued her journey through the library, reliving moments etched into its walls. Each room held a piece of her past, and as she approached her office, a mix of nostalgia and gratitude enveloped her. The door to her office stood ajar, and as she entered, the familiar sight of her desk, adorned with notes and manuscripts, brought a sense of closure.
With a deep breath, Caroline embraced the transient nature of life. The library, with its timeless stories and the imprints of countless lives, stood as a testament to the enduringspirit of Plum Island. As she lingered in her office, a silent acknowledgment passed between her and the space that had been an integral part of her journey.
“Caroline, the high school bus has pulled up,” Tanith’s voice echoed from behind her, breaking the nostalgic spell.
Caroline turned toward Tanith, nodding. She picked up the clipboard on her desk. “Everything’s ready for them.” She straightened her shirt and smoothed her skirt. “Let’s go welcome our guests.”
“I know most kids hated summer school,” Tanith said, following Caroline out the library’s front door. “But I loved it. Especially all the trips to the library.”
“I loved summer school too,” Caroline confessed.
“You went to summer school?” Tanith gaped at Caroline in disbelief. “I always pictured you as a straight-A student who wouldn’t have to attend summer school.”
“You’re right.” Caroline nodded. “I got excellent grades. But I helped by tutoring the other kids who needed summer school.”
“You really are a saint!” Tanith breathed in awe. “I’m going to miss you when you leave.”
“I’m not leaving Plum Island,” Caroline reminded her. “Now that my writing career has taken off, I can’t balance the library and my writing.”
“Daniella is going to run a small surgery while doing the job!” Tanith’s brows raised.
“Daniella is going to be relying on the best assistant librarian in the county to help her keep it running smoothly when the clinic opens,” Caroline explained. “Besides, the clinic will only be open three days a week and mornings only.”
