“You said you have a business meeting here? That’s pretty unusual for Seagrove.”

“Yes. Just so happens that my business associate lives here. I’m actually staying over in Charleston, though.”

“Oh, darn. My husband and I own an adorable little inn over on the island. I was going to tell you that you might want to consider staying there. It’s right on the ocean.”

“Really? I’m not too fond of my hotel. Too much traffic noise. Do you have a room available?”

“Of course! Here, I’ll write down the information and you can drive over when you leave here if you’d like. My husband is there and can get your room all set up.”

She smiled. “That sounds fantastic. I’m looking forward to staying there for a couple of nights.”

“Oh, and I hope you’ll be here for our spring festival. It starts the day after tomorrow. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”

“I might just check that out. Thanks for the hospitality.”

Julie walked back behind the register. “I forgot to ask your name?”

The woman looked up and smiled. “Oh, it’s Anna.”

“Well it’s nice to meet you Anna. My name is Julie.”

Janine sat there picking at her salad, staring off into the distance. She just couldn’t believe what had happened at the restaurant the night before with William. Something just wasn’t right.

“Hey, Janine!” Emma said, standing beside her. Janine hadn’t even noticed her walk up. She was just too lost in her own thoughts.

“Oh, hey. I figured you’d be over at the lighthouse giving tours today.”

“We’re actually only open half a day. Something went wrong with the light, and they’ve got the repair guy up there. We had a field trip group this morning, and I swear one of them unplugged something,” she said, laughing. “Mind if I join you?”

Janine smiled and nodded, pointing at the chair across from her. “Please.”

“You look a little sad today. Is everything all right?”

“Honestly, I have no idea.”

“What can I get you, honey?” the server asked Emma.

“I’ll just take a club sandwich and a glass of water. Thanks.” She immediately turned back to Janine with a concerned look on her face. “What’s going on? I know we just met, but if you need somebody to talk to, it’s not like I can gossip. I don’t know anybody else really,” Emma said, laughing.

Janine smiled. “Last night my boyfriend took me on a very fancy date. We went dancing and then we went to the most expensive restaurant I’ve ever been to.”

“That sounds nice. So what’s wrong?”

“Well, I had the distinct impression that he might have been proposing last night. Another couple in the restaurant even got engaged. But then suddenly something changed. It was like he had second thoughts or cold feet. He barely spoke to me the rest of the night, and he definitely didn’t propose.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing. It sounds like he loves you very much. Maybe he just decided to go a different route.”