The revelation did nothing to uplift his mood as he started downstairs.
Suddenly, an all-too-familiar laugh rang out in the foyer and he peered down to the lower level. He heard the owner, Angie, speaking to another guest who was signing in. He halted midway, and after realizing he barred the only way up, took two steps at a time and disappeared out the main doors before the woman finished at the registration desk. Craig was not ready to face his biggest rejection and raced all the way to the beach before he stopped. Bending over, he attempted to bring his ragged breathing under control.
What were the chances, Jolene would be at this resort, this week? He’d opened his heart to her, dared to picture her as his happy-ever-after, but she had other plans. He stretched, and fanned his fingers through his hair. Modern women were independent, to the point of shutting out what really mattered in life. Maybe he’d need to wed an older like-minded woman. He was old fashioned and he wanted some of that character in his future wife – and he’d wait, even if it took his entire life to find her. Now Craig felt unexpectedly pleased that he had Selene to show off; that would show his ex that he’d moved on. He’d flaunt his new girlfriend in Jolene’s face for a while and see how she liked that.
Craig’s breathing returned to normal and he moved toward the lighthouse. Now, that was one spectacle onsite he wanted to see, firsthand, and without Selene, who would find its historic value worthless in the greater scheme of her modern existence. As he maneuvered around the stones, he lost himself in the richness of history, the feel of slippery moss against cool cement, and the towering structure and rotating light that had undoubtedly saved many a ship from crashing ashore. He pushed his failed love-life into the back recesses of his mind.
A voice startled him. He turned and noticed a lone woman sitting on a bench. “The place is magical, is it not?”
“Interesting to be sure, but haven’t experienced any magic yet,” Craig said.
“Of course, you haven’t,” she said smiling and pushing to her feet. “You’ve just arrived, right? And in time for the Christmas in July celebrations. The best month of the year here at the Inn – besides December, of course.”
“You come here often?” Craig asked.
“Oh, I live here now. In a wonderful cottage on the property. My son married the owner of the resort and they in turn gave me the cottage as a wedding gift when I tied the knot shortly after.”
“You’re married?”
“Yes, to Robert.” She was closer now. “My name is Sandra Fredricks. Pleased to meet you.”
He took the hand of greeting she offered. “Craig Landers.” He raised an eyebrow and grinned. “You are looking at me like the cat who swallowed the mouse.”
“Thought I saw a bit of magic dust falling around you is all.”
“Are you a magician or something?” he asked.
“Not at all, but I am a believer, and have seen some of His greatest handywork come to fruition in this place; all at the hand of His dearest right-hand worker.”
“Who would that be?” Craig asked, trying to be polite but mostly because she’d caught his interest in a bizarre kind of way. If anyone around here was sprinkled with magic dust, it would be her.
Sandra studied his face and smiled. “Too early in the game for me to be telling all the secrets of Heritage Inn. Just be watching for a miracle to come your way, young man. I feel it in my bones that you’re the one.”
Craig shrugged his shoulders and wrote this one off as a loonie. “Nice meeting you, ma’am. Just doing some sight-seeing.”
She came and looped her arm through his. “Now you’ll be wanting the same story I heard from the owner of this place. Heritage Inn has been in the family for generations. But the lighthouse was here before any of them. Walk with me.”
Craig had no choice but to oblige the woman, and try as he might, he could not dislike her. Her spirit was truly contagious, and he drank in the peace that ran like a slow-running river, until it reached his heart.
Chapter 4
For dinner, Jolene put on a daisy flowered summer dress with matching sandals, grabbed a clutch purse and headed to the dining room. She loved this place from the moment she set eyes on it. This would be the best gift she’d ever received and she didn’t even know who to thank.
She followed her nose and soon heard the voices of diners conversing. When she entered, she scanned the room for a small table but then noticed Angie, the owner, wave her hand to beckon her over.
“Come, sit here with us and meet some of the guests. Can’t have you alone on your first evening at Heritage Inn.”
Jolene obliged, and as she neared the table, she gasped. “Father – what on earth are you doing here?”
Trace Sumpter jumped to his feet, rushed toward her, and gathered her into his arms. “Jolene, what a wonderful surprise.” He grabbed her hand and brought her to the table. “I’m on my honeymoon. Sit next to me and your new step-mother.” He looked at his wife. “Barbie, look who’s here.”
The woman stood to her feet and smiled, genuinely. In her expression, Jolene saw no hint of the fortune-hunter that she’d first labeled her father’s young bride. Trace Sumpter had done well in business, made a lot of money in the stock market, and had grown a sizeable portfolio – which he flaunted before the women he dated wining and dining them at top-end restaurants. Of course, he’d never planned on marrying any of
