Page 48 of Since the Day We Wished

A wooden sign, bearing a picture of the lighthouse and an arrow pointing forward, stood beside the path.

Luke extended his hand toward Emma, a glint of adventure in his eyes. “Shall we?”

Emma’s heart skipped a beat as she clasped his hand. “Let’s go.”

They followed the winding path through the trees, which dipped and rose with the contours of the woods. The fireflies Emma had spotted earlier seemed to be even more abundant here, flickering their lights on and off in the darkness, creating a magical ambiance. Every now and then, they caught glimpses of the lighthouse through the trees, reassuring them they were on the right track. As they emerged from the trees, the towering structure stood before them, casting its shadow on the water. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore added to the enchantment of the moment.

Luke broke the silence with a question. “Do they still have lighthouse keepers?”

Emma shook her head. “No, lighthouses are automated nowadays. This one is still maintained though, but only comes on for certain occasions, so there’s no one inside.”

Luke sighed wistfully. “It’s a shame. I always imagined some quirky old guy living at the top of a lighthouse.”

Emma’s eyes glimmered mischievously. “Well, there’s only one way to find out.”

Luke turned his head, looking down at her. “What do you mean?”

Emma led Luke to a door at the base of the lighthouse. “They never lock it up. Come on.”

She opened the door and pulled him inside, illuminating their path with the flashlight on her phone.

“Isn’t this illegal?” Luke asked, his flashlight beam darting around the room. “Maybe we shouldn’t be here.”

“It’s going to be fine. We’ll just go up the steps and come back down,” Emma reassured him. “I want you to see the view up top.”

Sighing, Luke reluctantly took out his phone and turned on the flashlight. “Alright, but only if we’re quick.”

They ascended the spiral staircase, picking up the pace at first but slowing down as they continued.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Emma asked, her breathing labored and body slumped over with hands on her knees.

Luke shook his head and leaned against the wall, massaging a cramp out of his leg. “No, not at all.”

Emma grinned. “Well, it’s not over yet.”

When they reached the top, Emma pushed open the door, and took Luke’s hand, pulling him outside onto the balcony.

“Should we take a picture?” Luke suggested.

Emma grinned as she adjusted her hair. “My hair isn’t too crazy, is it?”

Luke shook his head and held up his phone. “Not at all. You look perfect.”

Emma giggled as he snapped a few photos of them.

Luke turned his attention to the view below, marveling at the sight. “Wow, is that all of Hadley Cove down there?”

Emma’s gaze swept across the panoramic view, her face beaming as she nodded. “It almost looks magical from this viewpoint, don’t you think? The beach, Main Street with its shops and businesses, and all of those tiny houses dotted here and there.”

He drew closer to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “It really does look magical. A storybook type of town, especially with all the places along the water too.”

She pointed down to the beach, tracing her finger along the coastline. “Do you see how the beach curves? There’s The Point, and then if you go down a little further, there’s my cottage. And past there is where the marsh begins.” She gestured across the cove to a spot a more inland. “And of course, there’s my old house, or your new one, rather.”

Luke followed her eyes, taking in the distance between the two houses. “I didn’t realize they were so far away. It’s amazing that Riley traveled all that way back to his old house.”

Emma glanced up at him. “That house is special, and Riley knows it.”

A smile lit up Luke’s face. “You’re probably right, but what’s even more special than the house is you, Emma.”

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