Page 20 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
“Sure. I need to get some stuff too.” She stood and shouldered her purse.
“I had so much fun today,” Piper announced as her dad parked his SUV in the driveway later that afternoon.
Kaiah rotated to face her little friend in the back seat. “I did too. Thank you for taking me to see your fun town.”
“You’re welcome.” Piper unbuckled her seat belt and pushed the door open.
Kaiah had not only enjoyed getting a tour of the town, but she cherished her talk with Reid on the boardwalk, where she’d somehow managed to unload her feelings about her family. Opening up to Reid had felt natural, even though she’d only known him for twenty-four hours. Was that because he was a stranger who didn’t know her past? She was sure she hadn’t felt that comfortable so quickly with her ex. There was something about Reid that she couldn’t comprehend. It was as if she’d known him for years. They seemed never to run out of things to talk about. Goodness, she’d even enjoyed something as mundane as grocery shopping with him!
“Thanks for joining us.” Reid climbed out of the car, and Kaiah met him at the back hatch.
She gathered up her grocery bags while he lifted his. “I guess I’ll see you later.” When she turned, something buzzed past her face, and she yelped while swatting it away.
“You okay?” Reid asked.
“Yeah.” She tried to smile, hoping Reid didn’t see her freaking out under the surface. “I think it was a bee or a wasp. I’m super allergic to bees.”
“Oh.” His lips twitched.
“Sorry. Kam always says I overreact when I hear something buzz, but I can’t help it. I was stung by a bee when I was around Piper’s age and had the worst reaction—lots of hives and I couldn’t breathe well. Then I was stung by a wasp in high school, and it wassopainful, plus my arm blew up like a balloon. So let’s just say the buzzing things and I just don’t mix.” She started across the driveway toward the stairs leading to the apartment.
“Kaiah,” Reid called after her, and she spun to face him. “Supper with my family is at six. Join us.”
She was almost certain she saw hope in his eyes. “Thanks, but I don’t want to impo—”
“You’re not imposing.” He finished her sentence, holding up his hand. “I have plenty of burgers.”
“Yeah, Miss Kaiah. Have supper with us.” Piper clung to three grocery bags in her hands.
Kaiah was tempted, but she didn’t want to interfere with their family time. “I’m going to get started on my next article, but I’m sure I’ll see you around tomorrow.”
Reid appeared disappointed, which she found fascinating. Perhaps he also felt a warm friendship growing between them. Such a shame she would have to get back on the road as soon as Daisy was fixed. “If you change your mind, come on down and join us,” he said.
“I will,” she promised.
“Bye, Miss Kaiah.” Piper flailed her arms around, jostling her grocery bags.
Kaiah waved and then scooted up the steps to her apartment. After putting her snacks in the cabinet and the six-pack of diet soda in the refrigerator, she settled on the sofa with her computer.
She opened her laptop and she couldn’t stop herself from searching for information on Coral Cove. Soon she was readingabout the history of the beautiful black-and-white lighthouse and surfing web pages displaying drawings of the ship that it saved.
As she settled back on the softa, she began to wonder if she should stop in Coral Cove on her way home and write a story about this fascinating little place. She’d have to run that idea by her editor...
Chapter 5
“I’ll get it!”
Later that evening, Piper rushed to the door. She threw it open and clapped when she found her aunt, uncle, and cousin standing on the porch. “Hi!” She grabbed her cousin’s hand, and the girls ran down the hallway toward Piper’s room, giggling the whole way.
Cash, Becca’s husband, held the door open for his wife while balancing a covered dish in his other hand. “They act like they haven’t seen each other in years every time they get together.”
“How come you’re never that happy to see me?” Reid teased his twin.
Becca rolled her eyes. “I see you enough.” She held out a cake server. “We brought baked beans and a chocolate cake.”
“My favorites.” Reid took the cake server from her and opened the lid, the rich cocoa scent filling the room. “Yum.”
His sister followed him to the kitchen and swiveled her head back and forth. “Where’s the pretty blonde?” she demanded.
