Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“I may never walk again,” Luna says, patting her stomach. “That was delicious.”
“Wait until next time, when I show off the seasonal and rotation recipes,” Mira promises with a satisfied smile. “Now, let’s go see the inn and daydream, shall we?”
“Yes, let’s walk off all of those calories,” I agree.
The walk from Luna’s house to the inn only takes a few minutes, and once inside, June flips on the lights.
“There’s paint,” I say in surprise when I see the pretty light blues on the walls that accent the white.
“There’s still a lot of work to do,” June says, then looks around, taking it all in. “But we’re coming along, and it’ll be done by this fall, like Luna wants.”
“What’s that rag on the wall?” I ask, pointing just left of the main entrance.
June and Luna share a smile.
“Why don’t you take the rag down?” Luna suggests.
“Uh, okay.” I eye my friends as they all share a look, and then I pull on the rag, uncovering a plaque.
Three young girls played and dreamed here.
Luna, who is the lighthouse and inn keeper.
June, who built the inn with her own two hands.
And Sarah, who created all of the paintings in the guest rooms.
Three best friends, whose love will always be a piece of Luna’s Light.
* * *
I read it twice and then feel two sets of arms wrap around me from behind in a tight hug.
“I’m so grateful,” I whisper through the tears. “So grateful that I’m home and that I have the two of you in my life. You’re my family.”
“Same goes,” June says and kisses my cheek.
I smell roses fill the room and glance over at Luna. “Do you smell her?”
“Hell, we can all smell her,” Cordelia says from behind us.
“She’s happy,” Luna says. “I think she loves having so many of us here, and that we’re making this place something special.”
A door gently closes upstairs.
“Looks like you’re right,” I reply. “She talks to me a lot when I’m in here alone, painting. She doesn’t say words, but I smell and hear her. I know what she’s trying to say.”
“Me, too,” June says. “She’s here often when we’re working.”
“Us, as well,” Mira adds. “But she never tries to scare us. I think she’s just here to see what we’re doing and to be a small part of it. This was her home, and I hope she thinks that we’re respectful and doing something she would be proud of.”
The door closes again, harder this time.
“See? She talks.” I laugh and wipe away the last of the tears. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen, you guys. Thank you for including me.”
“Your heart is in here as much as ours is,” June says. “You should be included. And I think guests will find it to be a sweet anecdote to read when they check in.”
“You’re right.” I turn to the three sisters. “Now, let’s check out the kitchen.”
“We thought you’d never ask,” Darla says and leads the way down the hall, toward the back of the inn, where the kitchen sits.
There will be double doors that lead out to an amazing patio where guests can sit outside and enjoy the view of the water.
And the kitchen…Mira’s kitchen is just gorgeous.
“Countertops will be installed in two weeks,” June informs us as I walk around the giant island in the middle of the room.
“There’s so much countertop space here for you, Mira,” Luna says. “Once it’s installed, that is.”
“I can bake and chop and do all the things without worrying about space,” Mira agrees. “Oh, and my stand mixer will be hidden in a cabinet that will pop up when I need it. It’s so cool.”
“Oh, speaking of hidden things,” June says, snapping her fingers. “I have to show Luna and Sarah something in the next few days at the chapel. No rush, I just found some cool stuff.”
“Love that,” I reply on my way to the double doors. I open them and step outside, breathing in the salty ocean air. Water hits the cliffs with high tide and sends sprays up into the air.
It’s always dramatic. Always gorgeous.
“It’s such a special place, Luna.” She takes my hand as she joins me out here. “You’re going to be full all the time. People will flock here. I think it’s wonderful, and Huckleberry Bay will only be better for it.”
“I hope so,” she says with a long, deep breath. “Because if the community hates it, I’m screwed.”
“No one will hate it.” I lean my head on her shoulder. “It’s way too cool to hate it.”
“Hey, you guys,” June says from the doorway. “Let’s go drink some martinis. Darla brought all the fixin’s for them.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely.” Hand in hand, Luna and I turn for the door. “I need a drink.”
“Why aren’t you ladies dating?” I ask once we all have a concoction in our hands, and we’re sitting in Luna’s living room. “All three of you are gorgeous, smart, and wonderful.”