Page 19 of Play Action Pass

Coleson took her hand again and led her back outside to the footpath that led to the lighthouse’s entrance. Emmie wiped the moisture from her cheeks.

“I very much hate crying,” she muttered.

“Crying helps you heal.”

“It makes me feel weak.”

“You’re not weak.” He squeezed her hand. “You’ve handled all this by yourself, so your shoulders are heavy. But that doesn’t make you weak.”

She didn’t reply. Truth was, Jacoby had always teased her when she’d cry over the dumbest stuff, and she knew he wouldn’t want her to do that over his memory.

When they entered the lighthouse, a sign proclaimed that there were two hundred and nineteen steps and they walked up at their own risk. Several people came down the spiral, metal staircase. They smiled at Emmie and Coleson. Then, it was their time to go up.

Walking up a winding two hundred and nineteen steps was no laughing matter. By the time they reached the top, both were panting. Sweat dotted their foreheads.

“Jesus,” Coleson muttered. “I thought I was in shape.”

“Oh, good,” she huffed. “I don’t feel so bad now we’re bothhacking up a lung.”

He grinned and once they got their heart rates under control, they explored the watch room, where obviously men watched for any ships getting too close to the rocky shore. Emmie suddenly understood how Rapunzel felt trapped in her tower. They continued up and came out on the gallery deck. A high railing encircled the perimeter, offering a false sense of security. The cool breeze coming off the bay fluttered her hair as she breathed in the brine-scented air.

The view took her breath away.

Gripping the railing, she closed her eyes and thought of Jacoby. She could almost feel him with her, his ghostly presence using the breath of wind as his own, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek. One more piece of her broken heart mended. In her head, she wished him goodbye. When she opened her eyes, Coleson’s attention centered on her, offering a tender smile.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“We’ve just begun.”

She looked at him with uncertainty. “Are you sure? I don’t want to bore you with…”

He placed a finger over her mouth, effectively shutting her up. “I wouldn’t have volunteered if I didn’t want to, and I’m not bored.”

Emmie nodded. For a moment, their gazes locked and something sparked within her soul. More than desire. Deeper than a craving. By the way his finger traced her lip, she knew he had to be on the same wavelength.

“Are you hungry?” he asked, and for a moment she thought he meant the carnal kind of hunger. Then her belly rumbled and one of his eyebrows shot upward mockingly. “I think that answers my question. How about we get some lunch and figure out our next destination?”

“Okay,” she agreed.

****

He drove them through town, stopping at a bustling diner at the end of Main Street. A plethora of delicious scents greeted them as they stepped inside.

“You can sit anywhere,” one of waitresses called out.

Coleson took hold of her hand and led her over to a booth. As soon as they sat, another waitress hurried over with menus.

“What can I get you to drink?”

“Iced tea, please,” she replied.

“Same.”

With a smile, the woman hurried away.

“What are you in the mood for?” Coleson asked, looking over his menu.

He hadn’t taken off his sunglasses or his baseball cap, and she wished she could see his beautiful cerulean eyes. She perused the menu.

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