Page 22 of Love Takes A Tumble
Audrey's soft laugh warmed him. "So we're really doing this? Seeing where this goes?"
"One day at a time," he said, turning to face her more fully. "No pressure. No expectations. Just exploring the possibility."
"I'd like that." She leaned into him slightly. "I've spent most of my life making safe choices. Maybe it's time to try something a little riskier."
"Like falling for a man you've known less than a month?"
"Like falling for a man who carries women off beaches and fixes things without being asked," she corrected, her tone teasing but her eyes serious. "A man who makes me want to be braver than I am."
Harrison brushed a strand of hair from her face, marveling at how natural it felt to touch her this way. "You're plenty brave already. Coming here alone. Starting over. Writing your story."
"Our stories," she amended softly. "I think they might be intertwined now."
The porch light cast a gentle glow over her features, highlighting the fine lines around her eyes that spoke of years lived and experiences weathered. In that moment, Harrison couldn't imagine wanting anything more than this. The simple perfection of sitting beside someone who understood what it meant to rebuild yourself from the ground up.
"I'd like that," he said, echoing her earlier words. "Very much."
Epilogue
Palmar Island, three months later…
Audrey sat cross-legged in the window seat of the Magnolia Suite, laptop balanced on her knees, the cursor blinking at the end of her manuscript. The late September sunshine streamed through the windows, warming her shoulders as she read the final paragraph one more time:
As Daniel descended the lighthouse steps for the last time, he didn't look back. The beam would continue its sweep across the water, guiding others to safety, but his own journey was taking him somewhere new. Somewhere he'd never expected to find himself—toward love, toward home, toward the greatest adventure of all.
With a deep breath, Audrey clicked "send," watching the email disappear into the digital ether. Just like that—after decades of dreaming, months of writing, and countless revisions—her novel was on its way to her agent.
"Done?" Harrison's voice came from the doorway, where he leaned against the frame, tool belt slung low on his hips.
Audrey looked up, a smile spreading across her face. "Done. Just sent it to Maggie."
"Congratulations." He crossed the room, bending to kiss her softly. He smelled of sawdust and the faint hint of lemon polish.Remnants of his morning spent repairing bookshelves at the island library. "How does it feel?"
"Terrifying," she admitted. "Exhilarating. Like I've jumped off a cliff and haven't hit the water yet."
Harrison laughed, the sound warm and familiar. Over the past three months, they'd settled into a rhythm that felt both comfortable and exciting. Harrison divided his time between odd jobs around the island and helping Jacob with the inn's ongoing renovations. Audrey worked on her novel and occasionally contributed book reviews to the local paper.
"This calls for a celebration," Harrison said, taking her laptop and setting it aside. "Get your sweater. I have something to show you."
"What is it?" Audrey asked, rising from her seat.
Harrison's smile was enigmatic. "You'll see."
An hour and a short boat ride later, they stood at the base of the island's lighthouse, its red and white stripes gleaming in the afternoon sun. Audrey looked at Harrison questioningly.
"You said your novel needed a better ending," he reminded her. "I thought this might help with inspiration for the sequel."
"How did you arrange this?" Audrey asked as he produced a key to the normally locked door. "Private tours aren't even offered anymore."
Harrison's smile was tinged with satisfaction. "Fixed the historical society president’s back steps last week. He owed me a favor."
They climbed the spiral staircase together, the familiar soft ache in Audrey's ankle a distant memory now. Harrison led the way, pausing occasionally to point out interesting architectural details. The craftsmanship of the curved walls, the ingenious ventilation system, the perfect balance of the structure.
When they reached the top, Audrey gasped. The view was spectacular. The island spread beneath them, the oceanstretching to the horizon, and the Pelican Inn visible in the distance, its white clapboard gleaming in the sun.
"Now I understand why my lighthouse keeper was so reluctant to leave his post," she said softly. "It's like being on top of the world."
Harrison moved to stand beside her at the railing, his arm sliding naturally around her waist. "Worth the climb?"
