Page 76 of The Glass Dolphin

She reached out and placed her hand on the roof of the car she stood by, quickly pulling it back when the heat registered. “Oh, thank goodness.” Relief ran through her so swiftly, her fingers trembled and trembled.

“It’s got my name on it,” Reuben said.

“Alice,” Kristen whispered, pure gratitude overwhelming her now. She drew in a long breath. “We should celebrate. I just picked up Maddy’s kids, and we’re headed to Mort’s.”

“We’ll join you,” Reuben said. “I could really use that cole slaw from Mort’s.” He laughed again, and it sounded so good in Kristen’s ears. Her son was so good and so hardworking, and he deserved to own the lighthouse.

She turned back to her car, her happiness filling her over and over again. “We’ll see you there.” She ended the call and lowered her phone. “Is it okay if my son and daughter-in-law meet us? We just got good news.”

“Of course.” Bea grinned and wrapped her arms around Kyle’s waist. “Maybe we can meet your mom on the ferry if we stay here long enough.”

Kyle seemed to resign himself to whatever his wife wanted. “Sure,” he said. “I’m fine with whatever.”

Kristen smiled, wondering who would be able to come to Mort’s on zero notice. She got behind the wheel and started the car so the air conditioning would start to blow. She tapped to open her group text, but Jean had already sent the news. In all caps.

She just laughed and then added,We’re celebrating at Mort’s with Maddy’s kids. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come.

Of course, not everyone would be able to come. Kelli and Eloise, Jean and Clara, all lived or worked off-Diamond. Maddy hadn’t been able to pick up her son, because she had to work. Alice and Robin had jobs they couldn’t always just walk away from.

Congratulations started to come in, and AJ said she’d stop by Mort’s, because she was already out and about and could.

Kristen told Kyle and Bea the good news as she pulled out of the parking spot, and pure joy filled her the same way the rays of sunlight spanned the entire breadth and width of the sky.

The lighthouse was hers, and that history had been such a huge part of her life. The lighthouse had defined her for so long, and now she didn’t have to abandon it and try to find something else to establish her history.

Now, it was time to celebrate with good friends and good food.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

Maddy stood at the window in her master bedroom in her house on Rocky Ridge, the morning of her wedding dawning. The sky moved from dark gray to light, then to sky blue which would deepen throughout the day.

She’d once thought she would not be able to have her outdoor beach wedding. She’d booked the Rock House on Diamond Island, and she had to decide in the next thirty minutes where to say her vows.

Still, she didn’t move from the windows, and instead, lifted her coffee mug to her lips. After taking a sip of her lukewarm tea, she sighed and turned to her nightstand. She and Ben had texted a lot last night, as he had returned to his barracks at the Coast Guard station.

He’d moved into her house already, so everything would be set and ready once they returned from their honeymoon. But she didn’t want to wake up next to him this morning—but tomorrow.

The first full day of her second marriage. She wasn’t sure why, but Maddy wanted to pay attention to every detail of this marriage. Maybe because she’d gotten married so young the first time. Maybe because her memories of the day, and the early days of her marriage with her first husband, were fuzzy and hazy.

She didn’t want to forget anything about her relationship with Ben, though she realistically knew everything faded.

Inside or out?she sent to Ben.What are your thoughts?

Despite the early hour, Ben started typing immediately. The man didn’t sleep much, or maybe he was nervous and couldn’t sleep.

I don’t care, honey.

But I need you to vote, she said. He’d left so much of the wedding up to her, which Maddy appreciated. But at this moment, her decision fatigue overwhelmed her, and she just wanted someone to tell her where to have the wedding.

No matter what, she’d lose a deposit.

You love the beach, he said.But honey, just because it’s warm doesn’t mean it won’t be windy. Think of your dress and your hair. I think you’ll be happier at Rock House, and I just want you to be happy.

Maddy nodded as she read his text, and instead of answering him, she quickly fired off a text to Robin. She felt like she was being a pain in the neck for her friend and wedding planner, but Robin came back with,Perfect, Maddy. I’ll get it done, and I’ll see you there at two.

“Two.” Maddy took a deep breath and looked up from her phone. She went to shower, and when she stepped out, the scent of frying bacon met her nose. Chelsea.

She got dressed in her wedding day sweats—and outfit she’d gone shopping with Julia to buy—and she went into the kitchen. Her daughter had made herself right at home, and she stood at the stove, moving something around in a pan.

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