Page 64 of Escape to Lighthouse Cove

He was just passing Ned’s cottage when he saw Grace walking toward him, her blonde hair blowing in the breeze. From this distance, he couldn’t assess the expression on her face, but he took it as a hopeful sign that she’d been walking toward Grayhaven.

Unless she’d been coming to tell him she was leaving.

Suddenly that seemed all too possible.

“Hey.” Her voice was soft as she stopped a dozen feet in front of him. “I thought I’d see you before this. I guess it was both of our faults.”

Noah came to a stop, even though he wanted to run forward and sweep her into his arms. “My fault,” he said quickly. “I’m sorry. I should have come and explained about Brad.”

“I don’t think you need to explain,” Grace replied. “I kind of figured it out.”

“You… did?” Figuredwhatout, exactly?

“I just mean that you gave me enough clues about your life in New York. I know you didn’t like the person you were back then, so it makes sense you might not now like the friends you had… like Brad.”

“We weren’t really friends,” Noah said quickly. “I mean yes, we hung out. I fully fess up to that. But I don’t think he’d call me his friend, and I wouldn’t call him mine. Even then, I mean, and definitely not now.” He was officially babbling.

“Noah, it’s okay.” She took a few steps toward him, smiling. “I think we needed these few days apart to get things straight in our own minds. Because seeing Brad again… it made me realize I don’t want to lose myself over a guy ever again. I was a shadow of myself for so long when I was with him, and I don’t want that to happen with you.”

Noah blinked at her. This was an angle he hadn’t even considered, and it didn’t sound promising. “I don’t want that either, Grace, I promise.”

“I know you don’t. And you’re nothing like Brad. And I’m nothing like what I was when I was with him. So.” She let out a huff of breath, smiling. “I’ve decided that I have pretty much nothing to worry about there.”

Noah felt a grin tugging at his mouth. Was she saying what he thought—and hoped—she was? “Nothing at all?” he asked, daring to arch an eyebrow.

“Well, there’s always something to worry about,” Grace amended. “And all sorts of challenges to face, especially if we go ahead with this project with the cottages… and I still want to do that.” A thrum of intensity entered her voice. “I’ve spent a lot of time over the last few days drawing up a proposal. I think this could be really something special, Noah. Something important… for both of us.”

“I do, too.” In the midst of all the emotional stuff going on, he’d thought about the cottages, too. He wanted to turn them into something useful and good, to redeem Grayhaven and the whole island along with himself, and he wanted to do it with Grace. “I talked to my mother about it, and she thinks it’s a wonderful idea. She said this place has been like a mausoleum long enough.”

Grace goggled, her gray eyes widening. “Wait… yourmom?”

Noah nodded, still smiling. “She came over on the boat with Brad, so it really was a day for unexpected reunions. But it’s been good… we’re talking, and she’s helped me to realize the past is a complicated place. And maybe it’s not as black and white as me blaming myself for everything.”

Grace’s expression softened, her mouth curving as she stepped closer so he could see the golden glints in her eyes. “Oh, Noah,” she said softly, “I’m so glad.”

“Me, too.”

“Jacob’s speaking again,” she told him. “Not a lot, but a little. There’s a lot to explain about that—about why he didn’t, but right now I’m just glad that he is.”

“Oh, Grace.” Noah was genuinely moved by the thought of Jacob finally having a voice. “That’s wonderful news.”

She nodded, brushing at her eyes. “It really is, isn’t it?”

They stared at each other, smiling rather foolishly, and Noah wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms, but even now he felt a little hesitant. She’d talked about his mom, and Jacob, and the cottages, but they hadn’t really talked aboutthem. As a concept. As a reality.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” The words exploded from the front porch of Jethro’s cottage. “I had to go all the way to Florida and back to realize what I had right here. Why can’t you two see what’s as plain as the noses on your faces?”

Noah glanced at the cantankerous old man—someone he’d barely exchanged a few words with—in surprise. “Pardon?” he asked politely.

Grace started laughing. “I think, Noah,” she told him gently, “he’s saying you should kiss me. Or maybe I’m saying that.”

Noah turned back to Grace. “You are?”

She shrugged, smiling.

“Kiss her already!” Bab shouted from her kitchen window. “Before my potatoes boil dry. I’ve been standing at this window waiting for at least ten minutes.”

“This is the most excitement anyone on this island has had in years,” Noah murmured, and stepped toward her. Grace tilted her head toward his.