Page 18 of Play Action Pass

“Really? What’d she say?”

“Her name is Mallory and she met my brother when she came to New York City on a tour. They spent the weekend together and then he came here to Anchorridge Cove. I think he was planning on moving here to be with her.”

He rested his hands on her shoulders. “He loved her.”

“Yeah, I think so. She definitely loved him. I could see it on her face. Hear it in her voice. She thought he abandoned her.”

“I’m glad she talked to you.”

“Me too,” Emmie said.

“Do you still want to trace his steps?”

“Absolutely,” she replied. “Also, I’d like to take his ashes out to the Atlantic. I think if I had to ask my brother where he’dwant his ashes to be scattered, I’m pretty sure he’d say the ocean. He’ll ride the waves for the rest of eternity.”

“All right. I pick Thomas’s ashes up at the end of the week. How about we go then?”

“Perfect.”

He linked his fingers with hers. “Ready?”

She tugged on their connection and he glanced down at her. “Thank you for being with me.”

He nodded and kissed her gently on the mouth. “Let’s go find your brother’s memory.”

Chapter Ten

They arrived at the lighthouse parking lot and Emmie had to crane her head back to take it all in. The imposing structure towered over its dominion, bright white paint covered the conical tower, reaching about two hundred feet in the sky. It made her feel tiny and insignificant.

Coleson slipped on his dark sunglasses and plopped his baseball cap backward on his head before he gripped her hand. He led her to the large house that served as the family quarters for the men who maintained their watch over the bay. Nowadays, it was a gift store. With the advancement of more sophisticated and effective navigational technology, lighthouses were an outdated maritime tool. Still, they were a gorgeous shoreline décor.

They entered the cool interior of the gift shop, with wooden floorboards that creaked as they walked. There was a stillness in the atmosphere of the old house, as if it cried out to be rescued from the archaic service.

“Hello,” a woman said as she came from a different part of the house. “Welcome to the Parrmer Point Lighthouse.”

“Thank you,” Coleson said.

Emmie pulled up a photo of her brother and held it out to the woman. “Does this man look familiar? He visited sometime last year.”

The woman looked and immediately smiled. “Oh, yes, I do remember him. He was with his girlfriend and they didn’t stray too far from one another.”

Emmie smiled. “They were in love.”

“Very much.”

“He was my brother,” Emmie explained and slipped her phone back into her pocket. “He, um, passed away and I just…”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, my dear,” the woman said.

“Thanks.” She cleared her throat. “He was happy here. I’m just trying to find a way to let him rest in peace.”

The woman walked over to her and took hold of Emmie’s hand. “He and his girlfriend went to the top. Please, feel free to explore.”

Coleson stepped forward and reached for his wallet. “How much?”

The woman shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. I offer my condolences.”

“Thank you,” Emmie whispered, blinking rapidly to halt the imminent fall of tears.

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