Page 49 of Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse
“I’m trying to find Captain Gene.” Shea leaned against the counter at the diner, very aware of Pete hovering behind her and making a pretense of looking at postcards on a rack. It was obvious that even though he’d come with her with an intent to protect, he was trying to be considerate and stay out of her way.
Marnie gave Shea an apologetic smile. “Hon, I don’t know what to tell you. The last time the captain was in the diner was just after Christmas.”
“I have this gut feeling he could fill in some of the blanks surrounding the history of the lighthouse,” Shea said, her shoulders dipping in disappointment. Out of all the locals she’d beenadvised to chat with, Captain Gene seemed too interesting not to try to find.
Marnie tucked a piece of graying hair behind her ear. “And Mom couldn’t give you enough info?”
Shea smiled kindly. “We were interrupted by the windshield thing.”
Marnie rolled her eyes. “That was awful. Mom is still talking about it. But seriously, she’d love to still chat with you! Fill in any blanks she can for your research.”
Shea glanced over her shoulder at Pete, then back at Marnie. “Do you know anything about a woman named Rebecca? Apparently, she was tied to the lighthouse as well, and Jonathan Marks had been digging into her story when things got ... weird.”
Marnie’s face fell, and a shadow crossed her eyes. “Oh. That story.”
Shea waited.
Marnie tapped her fingernail on the counter and gave Shea a frank stare. “I don’t understand what all the hoopla was about. Jonathan was so interested in it, though, and then ... well, you know. Just everything about that lighthouse consumed him.”
“You knew Jonathan too?” Shea asked.
“Too?” Marnie questioned.
“I was talking to Penny at the Dipstick Saloon and—”
“Oh.” Marnie shook her head. “Penny.” Then she glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping and lowered her voice. “Penny gets a little vicious. You need to be careful with her.”
“What do you mean?” Shea asked. She felt Pete step closer behind her and knew something in Marnie’s tone had piqued his curiosity.
Marnie sighed, “Oh, gosh, I hate talking ill about folks, but Penny sort of had athingfor Jonathan. Even back in high school. And when he moved back to the area, at first it was like he was too good for her, and then for some reason things changed.While staying at the lighthouse, he started confiding in her or ... or something.”
Shea waited.
Marnie sniffed, straightening a pile of diner receipts, stabbing them through with the metal prong of the receipt holder. “Penny never really liked me. She thinks my mother tells stories. She has all sorts of her own theories—especially when it comes to Jonathan being killed.”
“What do you think happened?” Shea was willing to set aside her quest to find the elusive legend, Captain Gene, in light of Marnie’s willingness to confide.
“I don’t know.” Marnie’s gaze was direct and honest. “I really don’t. Whether he was just done with life or something more nefarious happened.” Marnie sighed. “I just know that nothing about Annabel’s Lighthouse has ever been just nice, sweet history. There’s something off there, like a curse. And thisRebecca... I don’t know about her. My mother might.” Marnie reached out and gave Shea’s arm a pat. “Believe me, there are times I wish that lighthouse didn’t exist.” Her eyes brightened then. “Oh! Did you chat with August Fronell? Remember how I mentioned to you a few days ago that he’s the other whiz about the area? He might know about this Rebecca character.”
Shea had forgotten about him. Shehadheard his name the first day scouting in Ontonagon, so it’d be worth following up on.
“Thanks, Marnie.” She offered a grateful smile to the woman, who returned it.
“Anytime, hon. And, really, don’t be shy to knock on Mom’s door. I promise, we don’t make it a habit to have bricks thrown through the windshields of our guests’ cars.”
Shea laughed even as Marnie lifted her hand in a wave to Pete. “Nice to meet you!”
He dipped his head in his silent way.
Marnie leaned forward. “Gosh, hon, you do have a looker of a hubby, I tell you!” A conspiratorial wink and her declarationfloated over Shea’s shoulders right to Pete, whose mouth twitched only slightly in the wake of the compliment.
Shea led the way out of the diner. She’d not told Marnie that Pete was her husband, but apparently word had gotten around town fast. And a looker? Shea gave Pete a sideways glance. Dark hair. Blue eyes. Average.Averagewas the word she’d always used to describe Pete. But for a moment, she saw him through Marnie’s eyes. Square jaw, broad shoulders, unshaven whiskers ... he was all right, she supposed.
But all right didn’t make up for everything else. Everything she thought she wanted but didn’t have. Everything she had but didn’t think she wanted.
“Fronell?”
“Hmm?” Shea’s head shot up, and she realized they were standing next to Pete’s truck. He was waiting for her next move. “Oh. Sure. Yes.”
