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Clara took a sip of ice water. “I don’t know. She seemed really sad to part with the chapel. It means so much to her.”
“What if you promised to preserve the building? Isn’t that your plan—to fix it up and use it for weddings?”
“I’m sure others will make the same promise, well, until they own the land and then they can do whatever they want with it.”
Just then their salads and fresh baked bread were delivered to their table. It gave Clara a chance to think through the situation with the chapel. Andrew might be on to something.
Clara loved that little chapel almost as much as Mabel did. That was what Clara could offer that the other buyers couldn’t. But it still wasn’t enough.
Andrew’s gaze met hers from across the table. “Is the chapel registered with the historical society?”
She paused to think about it. “Not that I know of.”
“Maybe it’s something to consider to protect it.”
She liked the idea. In fact, she loved the idea. The little chapel by the ocean would be around for future generations. She smiled at him. “I like the way you think.”
“See you do have something unique to offer—the protection of the chapel backed up with registration with the historical society.”
“But I still can’t offer her much financially—certainly not market price.”
“I could help you out—”
“No.” It was important to her to do this alone, even if it meant not buying the chapel. And then seeing the hurt reflected in his eyes, she said, “Your offer means a lot to me, but I hope you’ll respect the fact that I need to do this on my own.”
He didn’t look happy about it, but he nodded. “I get it.”
The rest of the meal, their conversation moved to more casual topics, but all the while hovering at the back of her mind was the fact that Andrew thought she should try to buy the chapel.
His encouragement meant a lot to her. A part of her was leery of letting him get too close. Another part was happy to have her friend back in her life. She hadn’t realized until that moment how much she’d missed him.
This hadn’t been the evening he’d been expecting.
It was better. So much better.
Soon Andrew was standing next to Clara outside on the little island. Evening had settled upon the bay, and the setting sun sent brilliant hues of orange, pink, and purple across the sky.
Clara’s face beamed with excitement. He followed her gaze to the black and white lighthouse with the bright light at the top. A nearby sign let them know it was open to visitors. Uneasiness churned in his gut. His leg wasn’t up for that climb. He didn’t even want to imagine how many steps would be involved.
She turned to him. “Do you want to visit it?”
He was all set to back out when the words that came tumbling out of his mouth were totally different than he’d been thinking. “Sure. Lead the way.”
He desperately wanted to physically be the same old Andrew she once knew. He followed her inside the lighthouse. She took off up the twisting stairs, quickly leaving him behind. He inwardly groaned.
He’d dodged her questions about his injuries up until this point, but he knew Clara wouldn’t give up. Sooner or later, he’d have to delve into those painful memories and tell her what had happened. It looked like that confession was going to be sooner rather than later.
Clara’s excited voice drifted down to him. Soon she’d realize he wasn’t right behind her. The thought of her having to wait up for him, or worse, having to backtrack, pricked his already wounded pride. Still, he kept putting one foot in front of the other, doing his best to ignore the throbbing pain.
There was a rush of footsteps, and then Clara appeared before him. “I’m sorry.”
“No apology necessary. Go on ahead. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Nonsense. I should never have suggested this.”
“Yes, you should have. I don’t want my slowness to hold you back.” When she didn’t move, he took on a serious tone. “I mean it.”
She crossed her arms. “Quit being so stubborn. Let’s go catch the pontoon back to the mainland.”
