“Knock, knock,” SuAnn said as she walked into the bookstore. Even though the door chimed, Julie’s mother insisted on saying knock knock every time she came into the store.

“Hey, Mom,” Julie said, waving from the back wall.

“What are y’all doing back here?”

“Setting up a new Charlotte McLemore display,” Dixie said.

“Oh, I love her books! Have you read her latest one with the magnolia flower on the cover?” SuAnn asked, excited. Julie had never known her mother to be a reader.

“Since when do you read?”

“Oh, dear, you can’t help it if you ever read one of her books. She will draw you right in with her emotional stories, and they all have a little mystery too.”

“They really are good, Julie. You should read one,” Dixie said, reaching over to hand her a book.

Julie laughed and held up her hand. “Do y’all understand that I’m planning a wedding, running an inn, working here, raising a new son and helping to plan Meg’s wedding? I have no time to read!”

Dixie nodded. “You’re right. There is a lot on your plate. Why don’t you let us help you? I can make phone calls or watch Dylan…”

Julie rubbed her arm. “Thank you. And I may take you up on that soon.”

“And seeing as how I am Meg’s grandmother, it would be nice if you’d let me help with something too,” SuAnn said, her voice giving Julie the distinct impression that she was feeling left out.

“I wanted to talk to you about that. Meg wants to have a dessert bar instead of a big cake. She wondered if you’d make a variety of desserts?”

“Of course. I’ll work on a menu.”

“Thanks. So, what’s going on with you today?”

“Well, I came to tell you the latest gossip.”

“Oh, do tell,” Julie said, pretending to be overly interested. Actually, she was a little curious.

“Well, Darcy heard from her friend Avery that there’s a new lighthouse keeper.”

“Lighthouse keeper? That place has been closed down for years,” Dixie said.

“Well, apparently the county has restored it, and they hired someone to live in that little house next to it. They’re going to be starting tours and opening a little gift shop. Whoever this mystery person is will be running all of that.”

“That’s great! Anything that brings more tourists,” Julie said.

“Well, I just hope the person is decent and not some troublemaker who will wreak havoc in our beloved town,” SuAnn said.

Julie rolled her eyes. “Oh, yes, let’s not have any troublemakers move here, Mom.”

SuAnn tossed a magazine at her as they all laughed.

As she stood there, staring up at the tall black and white lighthouse, she wondered if she was up to this task. The last few months had taken a toll on her in a way she couldn’t really describe in words, and it wasn’t often that her words failed her.