Page 100 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
Keep it together, Ky! If you lose it now, you’re going to be a snotty waterfall for the next twelve hours.
“Everything okay?” Reid asked.
Kaiah wiped her eyes and smiled at Reid. His handsome face flashed with concern, and the warmth in his expression made herwant to sob like an idiot. Why did this man have so much power over her emotions?
She laughed it off. “Just sharing a girl’s moment.”
He held out pink cotton candy to her. “Want some?”
“No, thanks.”
His eyebrows careened toward his hairline. “You don’t like cotton candy?”
“I’m more of a big pretzel fan.”
“Coming right up.” He sauntered toward a vendor selling pretzels and popcorn.
Kaiah started after him. “Wait, Reid. You don’t have to—” She stopped short when her phone rang in her pocket.
When she spottedCoral Cove Car Careon the screen, her hands trembled. She found a quieter corner near the far end of the parking lot. “Hello,” she answered.
“Ms. Ross, this is Bill at Coral Cove Car Care. I was just wrapping up for the day, but I wanted to tell you that your car is ready.”
“Oh. Already?” she asked, and then she covered her face with her free hand. What a stupid thing to say when she was expecting his call.
Bill chuckled. “I appreciate how patient you’ve been with us. We got the parts in yesterday, and we were able to fix it today. The mechanic just got back from a test drive, and it’s running great.”
Her eyes pinged to Reid and Piper standing by a row of dunk tanks where teachers, Principal Roberts, and Superintendent Edwards took turns sitting on the dunking platforms. The students were having a ball, literally—the line to dunk their superiors was too much for dozens of them to resist.
Reid’s eyes met hers, and he waved.
Kaiah waved back, but her throat felt tight as the reality hither: Her car was ready to drive, and the festival was coming to a close. She only had one last article to write about Coral Cove. Then it would be time for her to move on.
“Are you still there, Ms. Ross?” Bill asked over the line.
“Yes, I’m sorry,” she said as sadness rolled in like a heavy fog. “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll pick it up tomorrow.”
“Perfect. We’ll see you then.”
Kaiah dropped her phone into the back pocket of her jean shorts and made her way over to Reid. Piper stood with Astrid, Becca, and Cash while they watched a boy take a turn pitching a ball toward a dunk tank where Superintendent Edwards sat looking nervous.
Reid handed Kaiah a large pretzel, and she thanked him. His dark eyes studied her. “Your phone call seemed kinda intense. Everything all right?”
“Yeah.” She found her smile again and ate a piece of the pretzel before handing him one. “It was just my sister checking in.”
He didn’t look convinced. “Is she okay?”
“She’s fine.” She pointed to the dunk tank. “Look! That kid actually dunked the superintendent.” She forced a laugh while the boy traded high fives with a group of kids.
Reid’s warm hand was on her shoulder. “Kaiah. Do you want to talk?”
“I’m fine, Reid.” She craned her neck, and her eyes met his. “Why?”
“You seem... distracted.”
Her eyes slid across the parking lot. “Let’s ride the roller coaster.”
“What? Why?”
