Page 22 of Love Like Ours

Chapter Seven

Sophia’s clammy hands gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly, but she tried to convince herself her nerves had nothing to do with seeing Max again. As she headed towards the lighthouse perched on the bluff between Pride and the state park, she repeated the same mantra in her head: It isn’t Max making me nervous. It is just the thought of having to tell him that I’m not interested in him any longer.

So much had changed since she’d returned home. Her perspective on life was completely different than it had been when she’d been in New York.

Back then, she’d fantasized for months about her life with Max. She had been sure things had been progressing with him. Even though he was the strong silent type, he’d obviously shown interest in her. The brief kiss they’d shared had been full of heat and passion. But her reaction to that kiss had been nothing like her reaction to the kiss from Palmer. Not even close.

Did Max still feel that way towards her?

When the paved road turned to dirt, she slowed down, thankful the snow had finally stopped so she could see the divots in the dirt and avoid the worst of them.

When she rounded the hillside and the lighthouse finally came into view, she stopped and took it all in.

She had always enjoyed seeing the tall white building along the rocky coastline. From her bedroom, on clear nights, she could see the light that still warned ships of danger. She knew that the light had been fully automated years earlier.

The buildings that accompanied the lighthouse were also beautiful. Each of the four buildings, ranging from a small well house to the massive main building that was attached to the lighthouse, were all painted the same stark white.

The top of the lighthouse itself was painted a deep black that matched the window frames, doors, shutters, and gutters on all of the buildings on the property.

If the inside of the place was as nice as the outside, then she was sure Max wouldn’t need Palmer’s help.

She continued down the winding dirt road and parked next to a massive black truck. No doubt Max’s.

“Hey,” someone called out as she stepped out of her car.

Glancing over, she saw Max come out of one of the other large buildings and realized it was a barn of sorts.

He was wearing worn jeans, a thick leather jacket, boots, and a black beanie cap. Damn, he looked good. No wonder she’d fallen for him. But then she remembered seeing Palmer the other night in nothing but a towel. Yeah, there really wasn’t any competition. Not when her heart skipped for Palmer the way it never did for Max.

“Hey.” She smiled. “Nice place you have here.”

He chuckled. “It’s a work in progress.” He stepped up to her and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m glad I have someone to show it off to. My mom and sisters refuse to visit until I fix up the guest rooms for them.” He laughed and took her hand in his as he walked towards the main building while chatting about the property.

He didn’t seem to notice her discomfort and, to be honest, the more he chatted, the more comfortable she grew.

By the time they stepped through the massive black iron front door, she was more focused on exploring everything than explaining her changed feelings for him.

“The main lighthouse was built in 1872 along with what I’m calling the barn and the well house. This building we’re standing in, which I’m calling home”—he winked at her—“was built in the 1920s. It’s a four-bedroom dwelling with four and a half bathrooms. For years, fundraising paid for the maintenance of the exterior, which accounts for the new paint and the well-maintained yard. The interior, however, needs work.”

Sure enough, the old cream-colored tiles on the floors were chipped and cracked. Some were missing. The walls were a deep brown in places and yellow in others.

There was old furniture everywhere—stacked against walls, piled up along the hallways, and tossed into a pile in a corner.

“You know, there’s an old rumor that’s gone around about this place forever,” she teased, looking around.

“Yeah, about the heiress who lived here in the nineteen hundreds and lost a bunch of diamonds.” He chuckled. “I’ll let you know if I find any while we work.” He motioned for her to follow. “I was clearing this mess out when I heard you drive up.” He sighed. “I’m moving it all to the barn for now until I can get some work done in here. Then I’ll see what I can salvage or have repaired.”

“You should let Lilly at Classy and Sassy take a look at what you have. She’s our local furniture expert. I bet she’d love to get her hands on some of this stuff and refurbish it.” She walked into what she imagined was the living room and ran her hand over an old dresser. “You’re not staying here while it’s like this, are you?”

“I cleaned up a room and have a bed all set up for me. It’s cozy for now. Come, take a look at the rest.” He took her hand and led her through the kitchen, which was very dated but charming. There was a massive standalone stove that had to be from the early nineteen hundreds.

“It works. Well, sort of,” he said when he noticed her looking at it. “It’s wood burning, so you have to plan ahead for meals.”

The cupboards were old and in need of fresh paint or replacement. There were massive arched windows in a small dining area that overlooked the water. The view was breathtaking.

“I have this same view in half the house.” He smiled. “On this floor, it’s this room, the formal dining room, the great room, and what I’m going to turn into my office. On the second floor, my bedroom and bathroom, along with a second bedroom. The rest have a view of the barn and driveway.”

He walked over and opened a door. “I plan on making this closet into a butler’s pantry.” It was a closet full of boxes that sat off the kitchen. “There are stairs at the back of the space that go down to a cellar, or so I’m told. I hope to have a good selection of wine down there,” he said as he shut the door.