Page 39 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
She nodded and studied his profile as she remembered recalling the text Kam had sent earlier. She hoped Reid hadn’t seen it, but she was pretty sure he had. Embarrassment swamped her once again. She’d had to tell Kam to cool it with those messages including “Mr. TDH.”
Reid lifted a dark eyebrow. “Something on your mind?”
Oh no!
He’d caught her staring. She was certain her face was as red as a ripe tomato. She sat up straight. “Uh, I was just thinking about the festival. I have an idea for an event.”
“Great,” he said. “What is it?”
“Well, you already know I love photography, and I’m obsessed with the lighthouse. It hit me that we need to have a photo contest. We could charge an entry fee, and folks can submit their best photos of the lighthouse in different seasons or times of day. Then we’ll use the winning photo in promotional materials for the festival. We can call it ‘the Shining Light Photo Contest.’ What do you think?”
His expression warmed her from the inside out. “I think you’re brilliant.”
She beamed at him. “Thank you.”
“I talked to Becks, and she’s going to arrange for a town meeting tonight to talk about the festival. She said she was going to call the mayor’s office first thing. That’s when we can talk about your idea for the photo contest and how people can submit photos for judging.”
“Right. We’ll have to set up a website for the event and take submissions. And maybe we can have people vote on the best photoonline and then use it for the promotional materials. I should probably talk to the managing editor of the local paper too.”
“How about we get some breakfast at Pancake Palace and make a list of everything we need to do and then go to the newspaper? Sound like a good plan?”
She grinned at him. “I can’t wait to get started.”
“Those were some of the best pancakes I’ve ever had,” Kaiah said as she and Reid stepped out onto the sidewalk. Then her eyes widened, and she held up her hand. “But not as good as the ones you and Piper made for me.”
Reid chuckled at her adorable expression. “This restaurant is known for its fabulous breakfast, so you can be honest.”
“That reminds me.” Kaiah snapped her fingers. “Those lighthouse-shaped calzones were so fun and delicious. I was thinking: We should have a themed food event where vendors sell lighthouse-themed décor and food. We can call it a Light Snack. We’ll sell tickets, and the proceeds can go to the fundraising goal. What do you think?” She clasped her hands together, and her eager expression filled his stomach with butterflies.
“I love it.”
“Awesome!” she exclaimed. But then something buzzed past her head, and her eyes rounded as fear etched her face. “Oh my goodness! Where did it go?” She whipped around, looking frantically up and down. “Is it gone?”
“Is what gone?” he asked, glancing around.
“Was it a bee or a wasp?” She gripped his bicep as if it were a lifeboat. “Is it in my hair?” she asked. “Reid. Where. Did. It. Go?”
Reid peeked around and shook his head. “I don’t see anything—no bee and no wasp. Scout’s honor.”
She took a deep, cleansing breath, and her expression relaxed. “Gotcha. Thanks for not making fun of my winged-creature paranoia. You’re nice.” Then she opened her notebook, pulled a pen from her pocket, and wrote something down. She was back to all business. “I’ll add the photo contest and lighthouse snack to the list of events. Now we need to get the newspaper on board so we can get the word out locally.”
Without thinking, he rested his hand on her shoulder. And when she smiled up at him, he had the feeling she liked the closeness as much as he did. “The Coral Cove Timesoffice is just a few blocks from here.”
Reid held the door open for Kaiah as she walked into the newspaper office. She crossed to the front desk where a middle-aged woman spoke on the phone. A name plate on the counter read “Ingrid Miller.”
Kaiah glanced around the office before giving Reid a warm smile that quickened his pulse. Then she turned to the woman after she hung up the phone. “Hi there. I’m Kaiah Ross. I was hoping to speak with the managing editor.”
The woman looked down at the desk and then eyed Kaiah with skepticism. “I don’t see you on the schedule, Ms. Ross.”
“No, I don’t have an appointment.” Kaiah took a business card from her pocket and handed it to the receptionist. “I’m a journalist forThe Travelermagazine, and I’m in town. I was hoping your managing editor might have a few moments to discuss a collaboration.”
The receptionist’s expression warmed slightly as she stood,grabbed the business card, and started down the hallway. “I’ll see if Mr. Murray has time to see you.”
“Thank you.” Kaiah flashed a winning smile. Once the woman was gone, she pivoted toward Reid. “Let’s hope he’s impressed with my credentials.”
“I am, even if he’s not.”
She laughed.
