Page 55 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
The warmth in his kind brown eyes made her soul take a leap. “You’re welcome. I had fun too.”
Reid parked his Suburban in front of Johnson’s Electric, a storefront a few blocks from the beach, and then killed the engine. “Let’sgo see if we’re actually going to have a lighthouse brightening the sky next week.”
Kaiah followed him to the door, and he held it open for her. A bell rang announcing their entrance, and a young man wearing a shirt withRobsewn above the breast pocket met them at the front desk.
“How can I help you?” Rob asked.
“We’re looking for Duke,” Reid said. “Is he around?”
“One sec.” The young man disappeared through a doorway, and a few moments later Duke appeared.
“Reid, right?” Duke asked, and Reid nodded. Then he pointed at Kaiah. “And you’re the journalist.”
“Kaiah Ross.” She shook his hand. “We wanted to check on the lighthouse.”
Reid relaxed against the counter. “My sister said you got a key from Jimmy Barnes so you could check out the wiring in the lighthouse. Have you found a contractor who could help you fix the wiring issues?”
Duke’s grim expression sent worry threading through Kaiah. “Not yet. I’ve been calling around, and I’ve done a bunch of research, but no luck so far.”
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Kaiah offered.
“Not unless you know some electricians,” he said, but both Kaiah and Reid shook their heads. “I’m not giving up yet. I have some calls in to the union, and I’m also reaching out to some old friends on the West Coast. I’ll let you know when I find something out.”
Reid stood up straight. “We want to kick off the festival with a lighting ceremony, so we only have a week to get it done.”
“I know.” Duke nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you,” Kaiah said. “We appreciate your help.”
Reid shook his hand, and Duke promised to keep in touch.
They were silent while Reid drove down the road. The only sound came from the rumble of the SUV’s engine and a country song playing through the speakers. Reid’s stiff posture and the crease in his brow illustrated his worry.
“I think it’s going to be fine,” Kaiah told him. “Duke has contacts, and I’m sure there’s someone out there who will want to help us.”
Reid sighed. “I know.” He moved his fingers over the steering wheel. “But if the lighthouse isn’t lit up...”
“It’s going to work out, Reid,” she said. “Have faith.”
He smiled at her. “You’re right. We’ll concentrate on talking to the merchants for now. Let’s swing by the graphic designer and talk to them about donating banners too.”
Reid drove to the oceanfront, and after he found a parking spot, they went into Stuart’s Signs and Print Shop, where the owners, Daphne and Dan Stuart, agreed to donate banners for the event. They gave them flyers for inspiration and stopped by Baudo’s Trattoria to leave a few flyers and discuss featuring the lighthouse-shaped calzones at the Light Snack food event.
They walked outside, and Kaiah breathed in the fresh scent of the ocean while the sun kissed her cheeks.
She grabbed Reid’s hand and tugged. “Let’s go to the boardwalk.”
He allowed her to tow him down the sidewalk, past a group of young adults who left the scent of sunscreen in their wake. When they reached the boardwalk, Kaiah took in the row of storefronts, along with the clusters of people moving in and out their doors. Out on the beach, she found knots of people sunbathing and playing in the sand.
She faced Reid and said, “Last one in is a rotten egg!” Then she jogged down the steps and stopped when she realized he wasn’t chasing her. She tented her hands over her eyes and studied him standing on the boardwalk. “Are you coming?”
“Where are you going?” he asked with a chuckle.
She pointed toward the waves. “To dip my toes in the water.”
“It’s April. The water’s still cold.”
“But we’re at the beach, Lieutenant Turner!” She ran down to the water, dropped her sandals on the sand, and stood by the waves lapping on the shore.
