“Thank you for dinner. It was wonderful.”

“You’re welcome. Lucy does all the heavy lifting. I like to cook, but she rarely lets me in the kitchen,” she said, giggling.

“It sounds like you’re a very busy woman anyway. I’m sure you enjoy the extra help.”

“I do. I complain, but I secretly love it.”

“You have a great family, Julie. You’re very blessed.”

She took a sip of her wine and nodded. “I am very blessed, for sure. Can I ask you something?”

Emma froze in her seat, her breath catching in her throat. Was she going to start asking her personal questions? She felt the sudden urge to bolt and run straight back to lighthouse.

“Of course.”

“Have you ever heard of an author named Charlotte McLemore?”

Emma let her breath out. “I think I’ve heard of her in passing. From a couple of friends. Why?”

“Everybody is talking about her books, and I have one I’m supposed to start reading but every time I get started, I get distracted by something else. I promised myself that I would sit in bed tonight and at least read the first chapter. If I like it, I’ll continue.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” Emma said, laughing. “Every time I try to read in bed, I fall asleep within minutes.”

“Same here. I’ve given Dawson permission to elbow me until I finish chapter one.”

She really enjoyed talking to Julie. Emma really understood her. Even though she hadn’t been married or had a cheating husband, she certainly knew what it was like to run away from her old life and try to start a new one. She hoped that she would be as lucky as Julie had been.

“Well, I better get back. I’m so exhausted from today, and I want to get a really good night of sleep before tours start in the morning. I understand we have a third grade class coming for a field trip.”

Julie laughed. “You better get a lot of extra sleep for that.”

Emma stood up and gave Julie a quick hug. She was so thankful to already be making new friends. There was just something special about Seagrove Island, and she was thankful that God had somehow led her there. She felt like she had support, even from the people she hadn’t met yet.

“I’ll see you soon. I want to come by the bookstore.”

Julie smiled. “You’re going to love this little town. Let it support you, Emma. Whatever situation you came from, you can always find a new start in Seagrove. I am a testament to that.”

William couldn’t remember a time when he had felt more nervous than he did right now. After picking up Janine, who was dressed for a night on the town, they had gone dancing at an adorable jazz club in Charleston. The whole time they were dancing, he was afraid that she could feel his heart pounding out of his chest. Or could she feel that little black box with the diamond ring shoved down in his dress pants pocket.