Just before the turn to the cottage, she looked up ahead and saw the lighthouse. For once, it was lit up and it stood out in a beautiful way against the sky. It was getting close to sunset, and she wondered how Emma was doing since tomorrow was opening day for tours.
Deciding that she wasn’t quite ready to be alone for the evening, she continued walking straight until she came to the lighthouse. She saw Emma coming down the stairs and walking out of the lighthouse. She imagined that she was probably frantic trying to get everything ready for the big opening.
“How’s it going?” Janine called to her. Emma, obviously startled, stopped in her tracks, her hand over her heart. “Oh, gosh, I’m so sorry if I scared you.”
She paused for a moment before she finally seemed to relax. “It’s okay. I’m just still kind of getting used to my surroundings.”
Janine thought about that one memory that she wanted to forget more than anything when she got attacked several years ago. It made her wonder if Emma was feeling something similar, being a woman basically alone on an island.
“I know it must be difficult being out here by yourself. My niece lives with me, so at least I’m not alone. The island is completely safe, of course, but it can still make you worry a little bit when you’re a woman alone and new in town.”
Emma walked closer. “I’m pretty confident in my ability to take care of myself,” she said. There was something behind her words, but Janine couldn’t put her finger on what it was. She seemed both scared and tough at the same time.
“So, the big opening is tomorrow?”
Emma nodded. “Yes, it is. I’m not nearly as nervous as I thought I would be, although I am a bit concerned that I might forget some of the script that Roger gave me to say on tours. I’ve never met someone who knew so much about the history of an area.”
Janine smiled. “I’ve met him before. His wife comes to some of my yoga classes from time to time. And you’re right, he’s very serious about his historical facts. I recall one time getting cornered by him after class while he explained to me little known facts about the Civil War and what happened in this area. Interesting, but a wee bit exhausting when you’ve been teaching yoga for several hours.”
Emma laughed. That was the first time she’d seen her really loosen up since they met her. “I can totally see him doing that. But, he seems like a nice guy. I haven’t quite pegged Henrietta yet.”
Janine chuckled under her breath. “Henrietta is an acquired taste. She has become best friends with my mom who, as you know, is also an acquired taste.”
“She’s definitely something else.”
“Oh, honey, it’s okay if you call it like it is. My mother is a bit of a difficult person, but she tries. Or, I should say sometimes she tries.”
“Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?”
Janine was surprised that she was inviting her in given how much she probably had on her plate for the big opening. She also didn’t want to be rude, but if she was being honest with herself, a little adult company would be welcome. Spending time with Vivi was fun, but she didn’t really have any friends on the island to hang out with that weren’t directly related to her.
“Sure. I mean I don’t want to impose since I know you’re busy.”
Emma shook her head. “Pretty much everything that I need to get done for tomorrow has already been done. I mean, there’s not a whole lot you have to do when it comes to a lighthouse. All of the heavy lifting of remodeling it has been done, and I’ve memorized my script. Now it’s just a waiting game, and honestly I could use the company to distract myself.”
“Great. I’d love to have coffee,” Janine said as Emma turned and started walking toward the cottage. Janine followed her, excited that she was getting to make a new friend. Maybe she and Emma wouldn’t hit it off, but if they did then she would be happy to have someone to hang out with from time to time.
Of course, she loved being with William, but women needed friends. They needed to vent about their lives to another person who could understand. After all, a woman’s journey was very different from a man’s.
Chapter 5
As they walked into the house, Emma immediately second-guessed herself. What on earth was she thinking inviting Janine in? What if she started asking questions that Emma didn’t want to answer? What if she said something that revealed her past?
“Excuse the mess. I’m still trying to get this place set up. I need to do a little shopping for home decor,” Emma said.
“Oh please, your place is cleaner than mine. It seems like I’m never home these days. I’m either with my boyfriend or my sister or at work. Tonight I even did some babysitting for my niece.”
“Sounds wonderful to have all of those people around you,” Emma said as she poured water in the coffee pot. She pointed for Janine to have a seat at the kitchen table.
“It’s great. I spent so many years traveling around by myself, teaching yoga in just about every corner of the world. It’s nice to have roots again.”
“So you did a lot of traveling? That sounds really fun. I’ve pretty much stayed on this side of the United States for my whole life. I’d like to see some other places eventually.”
“Do you have someone special in your life?”
Emma shook her head. “I used to. But it didn’t work out.”
She prayed that Janine didn’t ask any additional questions about her personal life since she really hadn’t prepared any answers. But Janine struck her as someone who had been through her share of dark moments, and she felt an immediate kinship with her for some reason.
“I’m
