Page 93 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
“Yeah,” Piper agreed with a sniff.
“I’m so sorry for scaring you.” Kaiah worked to keep her voice even despite the guilt rushing through her. “I’m going to carry medicine with me so that if I ever get stung again, I can take care of myself. I’ll do my best never to scare you like that again.”
Piper held her arms out, and Kaiah pulled her in for a hug. “I love you, Miss Kaiah.”
Kaiah swallowed her own sob, and she sniffed. “I love you too, Piper.” Then she touched Astrid’s arm. “I love you too, Astrid.” Shedropped the tissues into a nearby trash can. “Now we all need some sleep. We’ve had a very busy day.”
She slipped out into the hallway, leaving Piper’s door cracked for the cat to escape if she needed. Then she found Becca in the den.
Becca had changed into gray yoga pants and a red tank top, and she was eating a bowl of ice cream and watchingRunaway Bride.
A woman after my own heart,Kaiah thought.
“Hey, where are your parents?” she asked Becca.
“They headed home. How were the girls?”
She handed Kaiah a bowl of ice cream and a spoon, and Kaiah ate a spoonful.
“A little teary.” Kaiah summarized their conversation before she’d left them. “I had a hard time not crying along with them.”
An unreadable expression rippled over Becca’s features as she spooned more ice cream into her mouth.
Kaiah waited for her to speak, but when she remained silent, Kaiah set her bowl and spoon on the coffee table. “Just say it.”
“What?” Becca gave her feigned confusion.
“Whatever you’re thinking. I can tell you’re holding something back.”
Becca also set her bowl and spoon down. “I’m not surprised about Piper.”
“What do you mean?”
“Think about it, Ky. Her mom didn’t come home one day.” Becca smoothed her hands over her yoga pants. “Yes, she was only two, but she still feels that loss.” She hesitated. “And you’ve become really important to her... and to my brother.”
Kaiah’s nose began to prickle as her eyes welled up with tears. Why was she emotional today? Maybe it was the EpiPen. Yup, thatwas it. She was having another reaction, but this time it was to the medications.
Kaiah collapsed against the back of the sofa. If she were being honest, she knew the medicine wasn’t the culprit for her tears. The problem was that her feelings were mutual. Both Reid and Piper had become important to her too. She would have to leave them behind in a few days. That idea was starting to get a little more real. She and Reid could call each other “boyfriend” and “girlfriend” all they wanted, but the fact was that her life was in New York. Theirs was in Coral Cove, hundreds of miles away. She didn’t know how she was going to get along without seeing them every day, let alone if her relationship with Reid would survive at such a long distance.
Picking up her bowl, Kaiah began to eat her ice cream while the ridiculously attractive Richard Gere and Julia Roberts shared a passionate kiss on-screen. All of her own passionate kisses with Reid filled her mind, sending flutters through her chest. He was her boyfriend. This strong, kind man, seemingly filled with integrity, had committed himself to her. She wanted to see where a relationship with him might lead. But was she ready to give up her dreams of traveling the world and writing meaningful stories to settle down in a small town? And was she ready to be somebody’s mother?
Oh my goodness. I would be a mother. I don’t know how to be a mother.
Kaiah’s heart began to beat wildly. She could only manage tiny gulps of air as her vision blurred and her ears began to pound.
Stop torturing yourself, Ky!
“Hey, you okay?” Becca’s face was etched with concern, and she began to rub Kaiah’s back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overwhelm you. I think I overstepped.”
“It’s okay,” Kaiah said. “They’re important to me too. You all are.” Her eyes stung, and she wiped them again. “I think I’m justtired.” She took another bite of ice cream and then stood. “I’m going to go to bed.”
“All right. Call me if you feel like you’re having a relapse, okay? I’ll be right next door in Reid’s room.”
“I promise I will.”
“You’d better. Reid will have my head if I don’t take care of you.”
Kaiah laughed. “Thank you, Becca. Good night.” She washed her bowl and headed back to the guest room, changing into her pajamas and climbing into bed.
