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She cleared her throat. “What about the lighthouse itself?”
“It would still be functional and operated by the coast guard. It would be open for tours. Private access would be offered to guests staying on-site,” Sebastian said confidently.
“An exclusive perk,” she said, nodding. It was a great idea. Kind of like how theme parks offered early access to guests staying in their featured hotels. It was a huge draw for people.
“And...beyond vacation stays, in addition to the B and B capabilities, the lighthouse grand room is the perfect size to host events. Guests could book weddings, parties, anniversaries...”
“And locals could as well in the off-season,” she said, loving the idea.
The lighthouse had always held such a romantic charm and she could envision that great room transformed into the most elegant of events with a spectacular view. Christmas parties for companies and all the town’s corporate events... A community summer BBQ... So many ideas came to mind and her heart raced. The town held most things at the local community hall, but this would be so much nicer. The revenue they could make from these lighthouse grand room event bookings alone would justify the expansion costs within a year.
Guilt fought with her enthusiasm.
All this meant the man she was in love with having to give up his home, his family’s heritage... But it was for the good of the community and Oliver hadn’t been truly happy in the lighthouse for years. He’d recently voiced the idea that maybe it was time to move on, and he had his woodworking, which could turn into a lucrative business. That sailboat contract could ensure he wouldn’t have to worry about financials—if he ever finished the boat and delivered it.
She was justifying...
Sebastian studied her, his dark eyes holding a rare look of empathy. He obviously sensed the object of her hesitancy. “You’re worried about the impact this has on the Kleins.”
She nodded. How could she not? Even before they’d taken their relationship to a new level, Carly had loved and respected Oliver and she adored Tess with all her being. This idea affected them in a huge way, and therefore, it also impacted her.
“Look, while they don’t officially have any legal claims to the land, I’m putting forth a proposed payout that will cover the costs of their relocation and setup costs in a new home,” Sebastian said reasonably. He’d obviously covered all angles, including the town’s empathetic nature. Carly wouldn’t be the only one with mixed emotions about this and Sebastian was definitely hoping to offset any resistance from the community by offering something to the Kleins in return. “And Oliver is more than welcome to continue running the tour groups. He knows the history better than anyone.”
He wouldn’t. Carly suspected if this plan went through, Oliver would rather make a clean break from the lighthouse. Maybe this would be best—having the decision taken from him. Then he wouldn’t have to feel guilty and Tess would have a better understanding...
Oliver could focus on the woodworking business he loved and he’d never have to face another tourist season he hated.
She was really reaching, but she was desperate to feel better about this idea.
“So? What do you think? Do I have your support?” Sebastian asked directly.
Carly sighed as she hesitated. Did he have the support of Carly, the woman in love with Oliver? No. But Carly, Sealena Bookstore owner and tourism board member? Yes. “Is it okay if I talk to Oliver about this first?”
Sebastian shook his head. “We’d prefer to keep this under wraps for now. He’s been made aware of changes happening.”
She swallowed hard and nodded. “I think it looks wonderful. I think it’s a well-thought-out proposal. And I think it could be a great boost for tourism.” There was really nothing she could argue.
“Is that a yes?” Sebastian coaxed, his charming grin back on his face.
“It’s a yes,” she said, knowing it was the right decision.
So why had her heart just fallen into the pit of her stomach?
IFHEWANTEDto move forward with a relationship—a life—with Carly, Oliver needed to make peace with the past. Telling his story and moving on was one way he could do that. He’d resisted Rachel’s interview requests for long enough, and that day, he was determined to go through with it. It would mean opening himself up to the feelings he’d struggled to contain, but he needed to do that in order to fully be emotionally available for Carly.
Sitting in his kitchen two days later, with family photo albums next to him, he watched Rachel set up her recording app on her phone. She smiled encouragingly at him. “Ready?”
Not entirely, but maybe the time had come to open up and reconnect with the community. It had been three long years, locking himself and his emotions away, and maybe it was time, maybe it was okay to start living again. If he proved he had nothing to hide and that he was willing to discuss everything that had happened years before—without any resentment or hurt—it would lighten the load he’d been carrying.
He nodded, wrapping his hands around his coffee mug. “Let’s do it.”
“Okay...just a sec.” Rachel hit Record on the app, announced the date and the interview and glanced at her notes. “Let’s start with your great-grandfather. Tell me about him. How did he end up here in Port Serenity? How did he become the lighthouse keeper?”
Easing in. Starting with safe facts and history.
Oliver cleared his throat. “Great-Grandpa Henry Klein was a lobster fisherman for most of his life. He suffered an injury with a fish hook and lost an eye,” he said, retelling the details he’d heard through family stories. “He was off the coast of Port Serenity at the time and was taken to the local hospital, where he met my great-grandma Bertha, a nurse. The two fell in love and they settled here in Port Serenity.” He opened the photo album and pointed to a photo of his grandparents—his grandpa wearing the eye patch he’d been known for around town.
Rachel looked at it and nodded. “If it’s okay, I’ll take some of these with me to scan in for the article?”
