I glanced down at the papers in my hand and furrowed my brow. “Historic Lighthouse Restoration Grant Application?”
“Yeah, we won a government grant to restore the lighthouse. I was surprised your pack didn’t apply for it.”
“I didn’t even know this was a thing.” My heart raced, and I could see everything coming together like magic, likedestiny. “When’s the deadline to apply?”
“5:00 p.m. today,” Carmen said.
I fixed her with my most charming smile. “Have I mentioned how radiant you look?”
Carmen pursed her lips, but there was a twinkle in her eye. “What, are you interested in applying?”
“You know how much I care about the lighthouse.”But especially the lighthouse keeper.
Carmen fixed me with a piercing expression as if she could hear my unspoken words. “How about this—I was going to drop these off and head to Rosie’s for dinner, but I could inconveniently leave them in my office, forcing me to come back here after dinner to give them to Stanley.”
“You are an angel, Carmen.” I took all the papers from her hand and ran inside the store to her office.
This was it. I would apply for the grant. We would get it,of course. Finn was a literal restoration architect, and Lars and I covered woodwork and electrical.
I started filling out the forms with a shaking hand. I couldn’t believe Finn hadn’t heard of this application. My pack brothers would be so excited when I told them I won this grant for us, and it would perfectly position them to fall in love with Olive like I had. Then we would be a pack, and everything would be perfect.
7
OLIVE
I huffed asI pulled on my sweater. I hated today.
My calendar app had rudely reminded me of tonight’s event:Town Meeting, 8pm.
I’d been trying to ignore it ever since that guy—Stanley?—had showed up at my door. He had introduced himself as the mayor of Starlight Grove before telling me that the town had received a government grant for lighthouse restoration, and they would decide which company would get the job at an upcoming town meeting.
I’d told him I would just do the work myself, but he had hand-waved my suggestion. Apparently, I didn’t hold the proper qualifications to take on a historical restoration. Which, okay, might be true, but I still hated the idea of anyone entering my space. The restoration was focused on the lighthouse itself, but since my cottage was connected to it, I wouldn’t be able to avoid whoever they hired. They would invade my space, get it all dusty and messy, leave their scents lingering around, and probably want totalkto me.
I reached for my glass of water on the counter and accidentally knocked it over. Water splashed on the front of my sweater, and bits of glass littered the floor.
Perfect.
When I’d asked if I had to attend the town meeting,Stanley had sputtered before jumping into a never-ending lecture about community involvement and town pride. I didn’t care about any of that—I didn’twantto be involved in the community—but he’d also said if I didn’t attend, I wouldn’t have any input on which restoration team they chose. So now I had to drag myself out of the safety of my new home.
I quickly cleaned up the spilled water and bits of glass, promising myself I would sweep the floor more thoroughly when I got back. I locked the door behind me and looked around for Sir Cat. It was silly, but I wished he was here with me, giving me the courage to face the townspeople. I hadn’t seen him all day and hoped he was okay. I’d gotten unexpectedly attached to him.
I got on my bike, awkwardly holding a flashlight under my chin. The path from the lighthouse to town was unlit, and fall’s shorter days meant I would be biking in the dark. It seemed a little ridiculous that the town was focusing on lighthouse restoration when they couldn’t even be bothered to light this path. I switched the flashlight to my hand as I made my way into town, clenching my teeth at every dip and bump in the road. I wasn’t afraid of the darkexactly.I just didn’t like it.
I let out a sigh of relief as the town lights came into focus. I had to admit, it was pretty like this. Old-fashioned gas lamps lined Main Street, and the storefronts were lit up with string lights and decorations for the upcoming Harvest Festival, which just happened to be on my birthday.
Another day that would just come and go.
My brakes squealed as I parked in front of Town Hall, garnering curious glances from the people mingling outside. I broke out into a sweat as I locked my bike. I hated being perceived.
I wrapped my arms around myself and ducked my head as I entered the building. It wasn’t like anyone in town had been mean to me—quite the opposite—but I felt like I was being constantly watched. And in my experience, being perceived eventually led to being judged. How long would the kindness of the Starlight Grove townspeople last?
The town hall meeting room was already packed at 8:02, so I slipped into an empty row of seats in the back.
Stanley called the meeting to order and launched into the evening’s agenda. Most of it had to do with preparations for the Harvest Festival, including arguments on whether they needed a hot chocolate stand and an apple cider stand (in my opinion,yes). I focused on keeping my breathing steady, refusing to give into my panic at being surrounded by so many people. Now, an elderly woman named Mrs. Cassini was arguing passionately with a younger beta about what alternatives to grass should be allowed for lawns.
I’d known Starlight Grove was cute and charming from when I visited with my parents, but I hadn’t quite realized how involved everyone would be in town things. Growing up on the docks, there had always been a sense of support and camaraderie between the lobstermen. When something happened to one of our own, we rallied. But most days, we kept to ourselves. Spending our days out on the boat, checking traps. Maybe grabbing a quick bite to eat before heading home to shower, sleep, and do it all again. But in Starlight Grove, someone deciding to plant a clover lawn instead of grass was apparently momentous enough to merit a full-town discussion.
I jolted when Stanley banged his gavel. “It’s time for our final agenda item of the night. As many of you know, the historic Star Lighthouse has been an essential part of our town for over two hundred years. The lighthouse is a beacon of hope for all those weary souls lost at sea. In the words of the great American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: ‘Sail on, ye stately ships! And with your floating bridge the ocean span; be mine to guard this light from all eclipse, be yours to bring man nearer unto man!’”
