Page 44 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
Joanna came to stand with them, and she nodded a greeting before addressing the mayor. “I think the kids would benefit from being a part of the festival. I’m going to talk to the school board about making the festival part of the curriculum. They can volunteer their time or even help with fundraising. We can make it a field trip—or, come to think of it, we could schedule a long weekend to coincide with the festival. It would benefit the community and let the kids learn while having fun.”
“I agree. That’s a fantastic idea,” the mayor said.
Joanna shook her hand. “Great. I’ll talk to the school board.” Then she started across the parking lot again.
“This has turned out even better than I thought it would,” the mayor told Kaiah, Becca, and Reid. “I’ll be in touch.”
“I’ll call Brenda Jones and talk to her about working on thewebsite and social media tonight. We can incorporate the events and have sign-ups for volunteers.” Becca hugged Kaiah. “I’m so glad you’re here. We couldn’t have made this happen without you.”
Kaiah’s heart swelled as she and Reid climbed into his Suburban.
“Tonight was amazing,” Kaiah told Reid while they drove down Main Street. “You’re my hero now.”
Reid sneaked a glance her way. Although he was touched by the compliment, he couldn’t understand howhecould beherhero. “And why is that?”
“The way you told the audience to get their act together and to be respectful was just... it was amazing, Reid. You said all the right words and made them realize they were being immature and rude. I’m super proud of you.”
Her words sent a ribbon of warmth through his chest.
“I’m going to stay up all night and finish my article,” she continued. “I’m going to add the details about the festival to the one I already started and then send it off to my editor. Then I’ll contact Clint and asked him to share it on the local paper’s website.”
She continued to talk about plans for the festival, but he was still playing backI’m super proud of youover and over in his head. He was sure he felt a connection growing between them. And for a moment he allowed himself to wonder what would happen if Kaiah decided to stay in Coral Cove. For the first time since he’d lost Brynn, he wondered what it would like to date again. To fall in love again.
No, no, no.He was being crazy. He didn’t have room in his life for a relationship. And how would Piper feel about it when it all fell apart?
He already knew the answer to that question. Piper was growing attached to Kaiah too, and that was a slippery slope. They would both be heartbroken when Kaiah left. And okay, hypothetically, why would a sophisticated woman like her want to stay in a small town like Coral Cove? She told him she dreamed of going to exotic places and writing about them for a huge magazine. Staying in a small town like Coral Cove? That would be torture for her. Even if shewantedto stay, he couldn’t imagine asking her to give up her dreams. And he never wanted to leave Coral Cove. His family was too important to him. So maybe they were just destined to live their lives apa—
A hand on his arm jolted him from his thoughts.
“Reid?” Kaiah asked, worry coloring her features. “You okay?”
He motored through an intersection and turned onto the road leading to his neighborhood. “Yeah.”
“You seem preoccupied,” she said. “Want to talk about it?”
He glanced over at the radiant woman in the seat beside him. How could he begin to express his confusing feelings for her? He hadn’t even known her a week, and he was already feeling something deep and powerful for her.
“Sorry. I was thinking about the festival and everything we have to do.”
“No worries. We’ll work on it together tomorrow, right?”
“Right.”
Reid parked in the driveway, and they climbed out. His eyes wandered to the clear, dark sky where stars sparkled above them and the moon sent bright beams cascading through the dark. He turned toward Kaiah, and for a moment he was struck by how beautiful she was standing haloed by the moonlight with her golden hair falling in waves past her shoulders.
“You said I’m your hero, but you were great tonight too,” he said. “You made the audience understand how special the festival will be.”
She wagged a finger at him. “But you convinced them to listen. I couldn’t have done my part without you.” She touched his hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She sauntered toward the stairs leading to the apartment, then turned around. The smile lighting up her face was nearly as warm as the midday sun. “Good night, Reid.”
He couldn’t help but beam back at her. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Helping to save our town.”
She did a mock curtsy. “My pleasure.”
