Page 8 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
“I’m working on a series about hidden travel gems. I started in Maryland.”
“Hidden travel gems?” he asked. “Like cool places no one knows about?”
“Exactly.”
“So you’re a journalist?” he asked. And he actually sounded impressed.
Score.
“Yup.”
“That’s pretty cool. I bet you’ve been to some interesting places.”
She shrugged. “Yeah, I’ve traveled a bit and done some fun stories, but my dream is to write for a big magazine likeTravel and Culture. I want to go to remote areas and write about interesting people and stories that matter. Not just fluff pieces, you know? I don’t want to stick to beach towns. I want to update the world on the state of the rainforest and write about traditions in the Indigenous communities of Alaska. I want to change people’s minds, not just tell them where to find the best corn dog on vacation.”
Reid chuckled. “That sounds like a real adventure.”
He steered into a residential area as she cracked the window and basked in the cool, salty air. She scanned the brightly colored beach homes sitting quietly along the street. Each home was a different shape and style—no two were alike—and each house sported a cute and creative name likeRock ’n’ Reel,Catch ’n’ Relax, orAbsolute Beach. The neighborhood felt warm and welcoming, and for a moment she wondered what it would’ve been like to grow up here.
Reid motored slowly down the road before pulling into the driveway leading to a bright blue, one-story clapboard house withBeachy Keenwritten on a driftwood sign in a fun script font. A detached garage with an apartment above sat beside the home.
“What a cute place!” she exclaimed.
“Thanks,” he said. “My wife picked it out. We got this place for a song after we were married. Our folks helped us with the offer, and the house needed a lot of work. We actually lived in the apartment above the garage while we fixed it up.”
So hewasmarried. She nodded slowly, trying to make her voice sound as normal as possible. “That’s great.”
He checked his watch. “My daughter should be home any minute now.” He faced her and seemed almost apologetic. “I have to warn you—she’s a chatterbox.”
“No problem.” Kaiah chuckled. “I love chatterboxes.”
“Good.” He pushed his door open. “Let’s get you settled.”
Reid carried her suitcase up the outside staircase leading to the apartment and punched in a code to the lock. He pushed the door open and made a sweeping gesture. “It’s not much, but it’s clean. I’ll get you some linens.”
Kaiah stood in the middle of the spacious den and turned, taking in the sofa, flat-screen television, and galley kitchen complete with a breakfast bar. Through an open door she spotted a large bedroom. “This place is actually bigger than my apartment back home.”
He laughed and then stopped when he saw her expression. “Oh, you’re serious?”
She nodded. “This is perfect.”
He smiled. “Make yourself comfortable.” He found a notepad and pen on the kitchen counter. “I’ll write down the code for the door. Are you hungry? I can see if I have any food in the house.”
“I can order something in. Just give me the address, and I’ll be all set.”
“Sure,” he said before writing on the notepad again.
The rumble of an engine announced a vehicle pulling into the driveway, and Reid crossed to the window. “She’s home.”
Kaiah inclined her head to the side. He’d said, “She’s home,” not “They’re home.” So, where was his wife?
He pointed to the door. “You can come with me if you want, and I can get your linens. Or you can get unpacked, and I’ll bring them up later.”
“I don’t have much to unpack,” she said.
She followed him down the stairs to where a gray Toyota 4Runner sat in the driveway behind the Suburban. A tall brunette with long, thick hair and an athletic figure climbed out of the driver’s seat while two little girls clambered out of the back. One resembled thegirl in the photo on Reid’s phone, and the other seemed to be about the same age and had light brown hair and hazel eyes.
“Dad! Dad! Dad!” The little girl with dark hair and chocolate-brown eyes bounced over to Reid.
