She blushed. “I was hungry…”
He laughed. “Never understood women picking at their food or insisting on only eating salads with no dressing with an air of self-righteousness.”
Well, he’d never see her be one of those women. She loved her food. A lot. And had a healthy appetite and was lucky that it didn’t pack pounds on her. She set down her empty cup. “I’m ready to go.” Enough of this talk about her eating.
When they got outside, she tilted her face to the sun, feeling the warm rays wash over her. It was going to be a scorcher today. Hardly any wind, and bright sunny skies. Seemed strange to think a big storm was headed their way with clear skies like this.
They headed down the sidewalk toward the community center, side by side. His arm brushed hers every once and again but she ignored it. Really.
They passed by Cone Corner and she reminded herself it was ridiculous to be craving an ice cream cone after the big breakfast she’d just consumed. But maybe she’d grab one later…
Noah greeted them as they walked into the center. “Ah, workers.” Noah gave her a quick hug.
“Where can we help?” Mason asked.
“Mind getting the rest of the shutters up?”
“Sure thing,” Mason readily agreed.
“I’m going to set up some tables. Some of the ladies from town are already bringing food here. Cookies. Cakes. And the fridge is starting to fill up, too. We’ll at least be eating good while we wait out the storm.” Noah headed off to the storeroom to grab the tables.
Never let it be said that the townsfolk of Belle Island would ever let anyone go hungry.
Chapter 5
Lillian wandered back to The Nest after dealing with a late evening guest issue. Gary was out walking Lucky—which was where she’d planned on being, too, before she was called away. She slipped inside and peace settled around her. The Nest. Her sanctuary, her refuge, her haven. Inside these walls, she could almost—almost—believe all the problems in the world didn’t exist. Not even the storm.
She sat down in her recliner and picked up the leather journal sitting on the table beside her. Gary had found it hidden in Magnolia House when he was doing some rehab on the house, and she hadn’t had much luck finding the family of the young woman, Anna, who’d written it. She’d love to return this piece of history to them. If only she could actually locate who the family was.
She read a few more entries but found out nothing to help her with her search for Anna’s family. She turned one more page and exclaimed as she read the words. Johnny’s father was the lightkeeper at the lighthouse. Now that was a clue that might help. Reading the journal had shown her one thing for certain, though. This Anna who wrote in the journal was in love with Johnny. And Anna’s father did not approve of Johnny. Not one bit.
She let out a long sigh, admitting she was a hopeless romantic. She just hoped Anna had ended up with her Johnny. But would she ever find out if Anna did?
She set down the journal and picked up her knitting, hoping to settle her nervous energy as well as her racing mind before Gary came back. Her mind galloped along as she worked on her knitting in spite of every effort to quit thinking about the upcoming storm or the mysterious Anna and Johnny.
Gary walked in from the deck. “Ah, you’re here.” He smiled at her and let Lucky off the leash.
“Did you have a nice walk?”
“We did. Missed you, though.” He walked over and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“The guest problem was really a non-problem, but I do like to keep them all happy. There are hardly any guests left now that they’ve said the storm has intensified. No evacuation orders, though.”
“Maybe it will fizzle out at sea.”
“We can only hope.” She looked down at her knitting and realized she’d dropped a stitch. Maybe now wasn’t the best time to knit.
“Want something to drink?” Gary headed toward the kitchen.
“No, I’m fine.”
He returned with a glass of ice water and sat on the couch across from her. He nodded at the leather journal beside her chair. “Have you been reading more of it?”
“Just a bit. I did get one more clue. It’s clear that Anna loved this Johnny she wrote about. And she said that Johnny’s father is the lightkeeper.”
“Really? That’s interesting.”
“I wonder if there’s a list of lightkeepers at the historical society. Maybe a history of the lighthouse. If I can find out more about Johnny, maybe I can find out more about Anna.” She gave him a sheepish smile. “And I hope to find out they ended up together.
“Ah, my sweet, sentimental wife.” His eyes glowed with tenderness. “Just one of the many things I love about you.
Lillian set down her knitting. “Well, there’s not really time to search now. Maybe after the storm.” She stood up. “You ready for bed?”
“I am. It’s been a long day.”
“And another long one tomorrow while we wait and watch the storm.”
Gary stood, took her hand, and they headed off to bed. She was very grateful to have him by her side this week while they prepared for the storm.
Late that evening Robin and Jay walked home from the inn. She wanted to walk hand-in-hand with him, but she was sure someone would see them. Then within minutes, everyone in town would know about them.
She really needed to find time to talk to Sara and Charlotte first. They’d be mad at her if they found out from town gossip. She’d tell them both tomorrow. With that decision made, she felt better. Tomorrow she’d walk home with Jay’s arm around her and wouldn’t care who saw them.
“I need to let Barney out. Mind if we stop by my house first?” Jay asked, oblivious to her decision and the fact they’d be walking home arm in
