Page 10 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
Piper joined in with the jumping and chanting. “Please, Daddy? Pretty please with sugar on top?”
Becca shook her head and then took Astrid by the hand. “Not tonight, honey. We need to get home. Your dad will be there soon.” She smiled at Kaiah. “Enjoy your time in Coral Cove.”
“Thanks.”
Becca turned to her twin brother. “Can we come by for supper tomorrow?”
“You bet.”
“Good, because we need to talk about the festival. The mayor’s talking about pulling the plug on the whole thing, but I’m trying to figure out how to get her to keep it.”
“Chad Morris mentioned something about that at the Roast Shack today. Glad you’re on it, though. It’d be a shame to shut it down.”
“My thoughts exactly. We’ll talk more tomorrow. See you then.” Becca waved to her niece and then loaded Astrid into the 4Runner and pulled out of the driveway.
Piper took Kaiah’s hand and steered her toward the house. “Let’s go see Ariel. She’s a really nice cat. She sleeps with me every night. She likes my feet. Do you have a cat?”
Kaiah flicked her eyes over her shoulder at Reid, who gave her an apologetic look. “Not a cat, but I used to have a dog.”
“Oh no.” Piper stopped and frowned. “Did your dog go to heaven?”
“No. My friend took him.”
“Likestolehim?” she squeaked. “My friend Jasmine stole her friend Emma’s favorite eraser at school, and she had to give it back and say she was sorry.” Her expression became very somber. “It’s not nice to steal.”
“You’re right,” Kaiah said, trying her best not to smile. “It isn’t nice to steal.”
“Did you call the police?” Piper asked.
“No.” Kaiah shook her head. “I just let my friend keep him.”Though I should’ve fought more for you, sweet friend.
Piper patted her hand. “I bet you miss your dog.”
Kaiah nodded. She did. In fact, she missed him so much that her heart hurt.
“What’s your dog’s name?”
“George.”
Piper’s wide smile was back. “That’s a great name.” Then she took Kaiah’s hand and yanked her. “Come meet Ariel.”
Piper led Kaiah around the house—through the foyer to the kitchen and breakfast nook, past a large den, and into the laundry room—in search of the cat.
“She has to be around her somewhere,” Piper muttered, her hands on her little waist while they stood in the doorway leading to the laundry room.
“Piper.” Reid rested on the doorway, and at that moment Kaiah realized just how tall he was. He had to be at least six inches taller than her own height of five-foot-eight. “I think Miss Kaiah is tired of searching for the cat.”
Kaiah waved him off. “It’s okay. Really.”
He rubbed a spot on his neck. “You’re very patient.”
“Oh!” Piper took Kaiah’s hand in hers again. “Maybe she’s in my room.” She started toward the doorway, which was blocked by her father. “Excuse us, Daddy.”
Reid’s lips twitched. “You’re going to scare Miss Kaiah away on her first day.”
“Nope. She’ll stay if you get us pizza.” Then Piper full-on grinned, and Kaiah spotted Reid’s smile reflected in his daughter’s.
Kaiah couldn’t stop her laugh.
