Chapter 23
Kaiah examined her makeup in the mirror one last time and brushed her hands down her purple sundress. She’d awakened feeling
refreshed after her reaction to the beestings yesterday, and after having breakfast with Reid, Becca, and the girls, she had
hurried up to the apartment to shower and get ready to spend the day at the festival.
She checked the time on her phone. She had fifteen minutes before they’d planned to leave, which meant she could check her
email. Kaiah climbed onto the sofa and opened her laptop. She checked her third Coral Cove article—and was shocked to find
thousands of people had shared it, and more than fifty thousand had liked it.
Okay, this has to be some sort of record. Viral again? Am I the Shakespeare of small towns?
Basking in the glow of her success, she clicked around to see if anyone famous had seen it—Simone Biles shared it on her Instagram Stories! Ahh! She clicked around some more, hoping to see another famous name among the shares. But one second later, her blood ran cold.
Under the Likes, near the very top, was Hayes Walker.
Ugh.
“Just go away, Hayes,” she muttered before opening her email. She found the usual messages with news updates, ads for clothing
sales, and requests for donations. But nestled in the digital junk mail was an unexpected name, Anita Williams. Kaiah read
the subject line attached to her message: Possible Interview, and she froze. Then, taking a deep breath, she clicked on the message:
Dear Kaiah,
A colleague at US Road Trip brought your Hidden Gems: Coral Cove articles to my attention. I’m impressed not only with how you’ve painted a picture of
this charming place but also by how you highlighted its small-town community spirit. A deeper dive into your stories further
showcased your talent at painting pictures with your words.
Needless to say, I’m impressed with your talent, and you might just be what we need here at US Road Trip. Our goal at our magazine is to highlight different places around the globe, from the exotic to the ordinary but unknown.
We also believe in featuring compelling stories about those living in our global community. Your articles seem to embody our
values.
I’m excited to share that we have an opening on our staff, and I’d love to discuss this with you. Our home office is located
in Washington, DC. We take pride in having our staff writers based on-site to foster a collaborative environment.
We’d love to have you on our team. If this sounds like something that might interest you, please reach out to me at your earliest convenience. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Anita Williams
Managing Editor
US Road Trip, Washington, DC Bureau
Oh. My. Word.
It was happening. US Road Trip was interested in her.
US Road Trip!
She swallowed a screech. A premier travel magazine wanted her to write for them. This was a huge step forward, getting her even closer to writing for Travel and Culture. It was the kind of job she’d been dreaming of since she was a little girl, filling notebooks with stories. No more scrounging
for freelance gigs. No more endless pitching to land a story. A real travel budget. A 401(k). Dental! She was growing giddier by the second.
She skimmed the email one more time, pinching herself to make sure it was real. But something stuck out on her second read.
“Our home office is located in Washington, DC. We take pride in having our staff writers based on-site . . .”
Oh.
Oh no.
She’d have to move to Washington, DC.
Not only would she have to leave New York, but she’d also have to leave the dream of Coral Cove behind. Which meant leaving
Reid and Piper behind.
Kaiah pressed her fingers to her temples as her head started to spin. This was too much. She’d gotten so caught up in the business of planning the festival and writing about the town that it hadn’t occurred to her what these articles could mean for her career.
A burning sensation bubbled low in her stomach as she processed the tidal wave of emotions roiling through her body. Anger.
Fear. Sadness.
Why do all of these dreams have to come with conditions attached? she thought. Why can’t they all just happen for me? Twin streams of tears began to cascade down her face. Why do I have to choose?
What was she going to do? Should she call this Anita Williams and discuss the position? Or should she ignore the email altogether?
She couldn’t decide this minute. She needed time to think. She didn’t have much time left with Reid and Piper as it was. Maybe
she should keep her focus on them. She’d figure out what to do later. Maybe.
A knock sounded on her door.
“Hey, Ky? Are you ready?” Reid’s warm voice was a welcome balm, and her heart ached, knowing she may not hear it much longer.
She wiped away her tears and checked her makeup one last time. Then she squared her shoulders and cleared her throat.
“Coming!” she called, rushing toward the door.
“Thank you for coming to see our lighthouse,” Reid told a group of visitors. It was midmorning, and he and other members of
the Coral Cove Historical Society were giving tours of the lighthouse while other events went on outside.
An elderly couple stopped by the donation box and slipped a few bills inside.
Reid smiled. Although the tours cost ten dollars a person, with all of the money going into the fundraiser, they also had a donation box for folks who were feeling extra generous.
“Thank you for helping our school,” he told them.
He loved how his community had come together for this festival.
It was just another reason why he enjoyed living in this place.
The couple shared a smile before turning their bright countenances toward Reid.
“We raised our family here, and we’re so grateful our children and grandchildren have chosen to do the same,” the woman said.
“Do you have a family, young man?”
“Yes, ma’am. A daughter.”
“I hope she grows and flourishes here as we all have.”
“I do too.”
The elderly couple held hands and then headed toward the door.
He watched them go, and his chest felt tight. He’d always imagined he and Brynn would resemble that older couple someday,
spending their golden years together while enjoying their grandchildren. But that dream was ripped from his grasp the day
a dump truck driver came across the centerline and stole Brynn from Reid and Piper forever.
“Hey, Reid. Wanna take a break?”
He pivoted to where Ashley Humphrey, another tour guide, stood at the doorway leading to the spiral staircase. “You sure?”
“Now’s the best time.” She pointed to the doorway. “The line for tours has died down. Take a half hour. I’ll take a break
when you get back.”
“Great. Thanks.” Reid hurried out into the midmorning sunshine and down the long boardwalk toward the road.
The marketplace was in full swing with people walking in and out of the tents at the base of the lighthouse.
Nearby a local historian stood onstage and shared the story of the sailors who were saved by the lighthouse.
Reid picked up his pace on his way to the tent across the way where a large sign read “Arts and Crafts, Sponsored by Crafty Creations.”
Something inside him shifted as soon as he spotted Kaiah working with a group of children who were creating lighthouses out
of Pringles cans. She crouched down next to a little boy who looked to be about five. His tongue was slipped out the corner
of his mouth as he concentrated on following Kaiah’s instructions for gluing a piece of white construction paper onto the
cardboard tube.
Kaiah was lovely in a purple sundress with her hair roped into a braid that hung to the middle of her back. He’d tossed and
turned most of the night at the station, worrying about her, and he’d even texted his sister three times to check on her.
He grinned recalling his twin’s predictable answers.
Becca: She’s fine! I got it handled. Now get back to work.
Becca: I told you she’s okay, Reid! Stop worrying already!
Becca: It’s midnight, Reid. Go to sleep.
The little boy said something to Kaiah, and she helped him finish gluing the paper before she instructed him on what to do
next. Reid’s heart swelled as he watched her talking with the child. She was always so patient and sweet to Piper, and it
was evident that she enjoyed interacting with kids.
Would she consider having a family with me?
The question sent a shudder through him.
Kaiah rotated toward him, and a warm expression overtook her face. “Hey, Mr. TDH.”
“Hello, ma’am. I was wondering if I could make a lighthouse.” Reid pointed to the little boy’s project. “Do you think you
could help me?”
A flirtatious smile overtook her lips. “Hmm. Have you done arts and crafts before? This one might be too complicated for you.”
“I’ll help you, mister,” the little boy said.
Reid and Kaiah shared a grin.
Kaiah pointed to the boy. “Noah is happy to help you. Would you like me to get you some supplies?”
“You have to make a donation, mister,” Noah explained. “But the money goes to a good cause. Mrs. Witherspoon from Crafty Creations
gave all the supplies.”
“That’s fantastic, Noah. Thanks for telling me,” Reid said. Then he held his hand out to Kaiah, and she walked over to him.
“Any chance you can take a break?” he asked her softly.
She seemed surprised. “Oh. Let me ask Mia if she can take over.” Kaiah scooted over to talk to a young woman with blonde hair
with pink highlights and a nose ring. Kaiah said something to the woman, and she nodded before Kaiah hurried back over to
him. “I’m free for a break.” She touched Noah’s shoulder. “You’re doing great. Mia is going to help you finish up.”
Noah appeared disappointed. “You’re not going to try to make one? I think you can do it, mister. You just have to try.” He
tapped the chair beside him. “Sit by me. I’ll help you.”
Kaiah touched her hand to her pink lips, trying to hide a smile.
Reid worked to keep his grin at bay. “Thank you, Noah. I’ll give it a try later.”