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  I stopped breathing and had to tell myself to inhale before I passed out. Josh draped an arm over Kaylee’s shoulder.

  Isaac pushed off the locker. “I was hoping I’d find you here.”

  His words melted the frost inside me and freed my heart. He was waiting for me. Overtaken by relief, I completely forgot how to speak. In my peripheral vision, I saw Mark scowl and stalk away with Ben in tow.

  Isaac stepped forward and brushed his hand over my sleeve. “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah.” I squashed all thoughts of Paige from my mind. “How have your first few days been?”

  “Not bad. Most my classes are blow-offs,” he admitted. “How’s your week been?”

  It’s getting better. Out loud, I said, “Okay.”

  We walked to the parking lot with Josh and Kaylee. When we reached their three cars, I took the necklace off and slipped it over Kaylee’s head.

  “Just don’t let Mark see it,” I whispered. “He may get mad if he finds out I gave it to you.”

  “Kaylee?” Isaac asked. “Do you mind if I steal Madison from you?”

  I was about to point out that he should be asking me if I wanted to be stolen. It wasn’t like I was a child or couldn’t speak for myself. Well, most of the time.

  But before I could say anything, Kaylee replied, “I think I can get by.”

  Isaac shifted so that I could walk by him to the passenger side of his Jeep. Kaylee took this opportunity to wink at me. And, because I did want to spend time with Isaac, I obligingly climbed in.

  Chapter 5

  Nearly Dead

  THE DOORS WERE OFF the Jeep, allowing the cool autumn breeze to rush past us as we cruised down the street. The sweet scent of burning wood filled the air.

  Isaac held the gearshift as he drove. I reached for the radio, planning to nonchalantly brush my hand against his as I went to change the station; only, he moved his hand to the steering wheel. I ended up surfing through the channels until I found a decent song, which just so happened to be the same song that had been playing on the other station. So much for smooth moves.

  Several questions warred with my excitement about being with Isaac. I didn’t want to ruin the afternoon playing inquisitor, but I wanted answers. Certainly some of my questions wouldn’t cause him to turn the car around and take me home. Where have you been? seemed innocent enough. Is there something between you and Paige? seemed like something I should know. Are you playing with my emotions? was the question on the tip of my tongue.

  I never would’ve asked him the last one, but I did wonder. Damn near three days had gone by without a word from him, and then he shows up and whisks me away. What was I supposed to think?

  One question couldn’t hurt. If Isaac said he was out on dates with other girls, what right did I have to be upset? This was only our second date, if it was a date. He might not have liked me that way. Maybe after spending a day with me he’d realized we’d be better off as friends. Maybe that was why he had disappeared for three days.

  Please don’t let that be it, I prayed. I tucked my hands under my thighs to keep them from shaking.

  “Do anything interesting the last couple of days?” I finally asked.

  “I was in Amesbury with my dad. We had a few things to grab from our old house.”

  I wanted to scream YES! I didn’t. I nodded to show my interest.

  He had helped his parents, like Josh had said. He hadn’t been out with Paige or anyone else. I believed Isaac. I’m not sure why, maybe because he didn’t have a reason to lie. I really needed to stop letting my imagination run away with me or I was going to drive myself crazy.

  When Isaac reached Washington Street, I asked, “Where are we going?”

  “I want to show you something.”

  That was all he said until we pulled up to Annisquam Lighthouse, which I’d seen more than a dozen times. You don’t live in Gloucester with a father who wished he painted murals instead of buildings and not have seen the lighthouses. Isaac parked in the fifteen-minute parking lot and got out.

  “Did you want to take a picture of it?” I asked, knowing that was all a person could do with limited time there.

  He gave me one of his dazzling smiles and turned toward the lighthouse. “Come on.”

  He didn’t take my hand, just showed the way. Our footsteps thudded softly over the ramp that led to a large wooden door. Isaac’s hand hesitated over the doorknob before he quickly turned it. To my surprise, it wasn’t locked.

  “My father’s friends with a couple guys from the Coast Guard,” he explained. “I like to come here to clear my mind.”

  Inside, we made our way up the long, winding stairs, through the trapdoor that led to the top, and out on the balcony. The white light flashed inside the tower every seven-plus seconds, warning ships and boats to stay clear of the rocks below. I kept one hand on the dark bricks of the tower and looked out past the black iron railing. My head swam as my stomach tightened. I pressed my back against one of the windows.

  “Are you afraid of heights?” Isaac asked.

  “A little,” I confessed.

  A stillness filled the air, a calm serenity that wrapped around me like the wings of an angel. A moment later, Isaac’s strong arms circled me, pinning my back to his chest. His breath smelled of spearmint. It brushed the side of my neck and sent an excited shiver through my entire body.

  “Better?” he asked.

  “Much.” And not just because I felt safe nestled in his arms. His gallant behavior had to mean he hadn’t dragged me to the top of a tower to give me the old It’s not you, it’s me speech. I melted into him, knowing he didn’t want to be just friends.

  He guided me forward, stopping when we were peering out over Annisquam Harbor. We were hidden from view of the parking lot now.

  I glanced over my shoulder and up into his sultry brown eyes. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Yeah.” He gave me a little squeeze. “View’s not bad either.”

  I smiled and looked back at the bay. Seagulls soared gracefully, following the shoreline and settling on the rocks below us. The water glistened like diamonds in the sunlight. The view was stunning.

  “I could get used to coming here,” I admitted.

  “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  Isaac released his grip on my waist, taking my hand before he sat down, and I settled next to him. I’d never seen the harbor from this height. I knew from maps that it connected Ipswich Bay to the Annisquam River but hadn’t had an opportunity to see it for myself. “I find it relaxing. The water, the air, it—” Isaac stopped, seeming to consider his words. When he spoke, he did it slowly, as if weighing his response before saying it. “I always feel renewed when I come here. Recharged.”

  In the distance, boats glided across the smooth surface of the river. With my arms behind me, I dropped my head back and let the sun’s warmth wash over my face. The breeze, like long fingers, played with my hair.

  “You know this town has a history?” he went on, his voice far away as if deep in thought. “Every town in Essex County does. You can find the particulars if you do a little research. Most just choose not to.”

  I opened one eye quizzically.

  He smiled. “My parents were history majors. You don’t grow up in their house and not develop a hunger for the past.”

  “My mom liked history. Salem’s especially. She was always reading some old book on it. My dad was an art major. They met in college.”

  Isaac appeared to watch me with admiration. “There’s a magic around you in this light.”

  I smiled and let myself get lost in his gaze. His hand ran the length of my arm in a lazy movement, sending a familiar tingling sensation all the way to my toes. Instinctively, we leaned closer to each other. His fingers trailed their way up to my shoulder, along my cheek, and over my mouth. My breath caught in my throat, and my heart went into a sprint. Our lips met naturally. His tongue brushed mine with just enough tenderness to awaken all my senses.
Time seemed to stand still, but I’m pretty sure our kiss lasted only a few seconds. Isaac kissed my forehead before pulling me closer so that my back was against his chest.

  It took my brain a moment to start working again. No one had ever managed to jumble up my thoughts with one kiss, not even Kevin. I knew it was too late. I’d already fallen for Isaac. It scared me, wanting this much to be with someone I’d just met. One kiss and I felt as if I couldn’t live without him. It was silly and exciting and unsettling and wonderful all at the same time.

  A satiny caress—like the softest feathers—encompassed me. The air even seemed alive. I’d heard people say that everything around them had disappeared when they’d kissed their special someone, but I had never experienced it until now.

  Isaac intertwined his fingers in mine. “Is your father originally from Boston?”

  “Boston?” I couldn’t imagine where he’d gotten the idea my dad was from Massachusetts. If anything, his accent was more Chicago-meets-Kentucky.

  “That’s where you said he went to college. Right? I wasn’t sure if he was from the Boston area, then.”

  I honestly didn’t remember saying where my parents went to college. Being with Isaac was making my mind all loopy. “No. He’s from Illinois, but he wanted to go to school out east. He felt there’d be more inspiration for his paintings. As it turned out, he does better with latex paint and large walls than he did with oils and canvas. Still, my mom used to joke that the magic of Essex County pulled him here.” I laughed at the memory and how absurd a statement like that was.

  “Well, I’m glad he ended up here.”

  My cheeks grew warm, hoping he meant what I thought he did. I wanted to hear what he’d say, so I asked, “Why’s that?”

  “Because if he hadn’t, you wouldn’t be here.”

  Those few words were like icing on a cake, sweet and delicious.

  The sun singed the harbor as we descended the wooden stairs. I was so elated I could have danced to the Jeep.

  There was a sheet of paper in the middle of the kitchen table when I got home. Scrawled across the top of it in red ink read, Kaylee called, then below that were three ticks to say, Three times. I checked my cell phone. No missed calls. I plopped down onto one of the wooden chairs with a plate of leftover pizza, a bottle of water, and the phone.

  “Not so fast,” my dad said before I could dial. “The school called.”

  Uh-oh. I put on my best innocent expression.

  He placed his hands on the table and bent forward so that his face was inches from mine. “You’ve been late to three classes this week.”

  It was actually four. I wondered which teacher hadn’t ratted me out to the attendance office.

  “Madison, I don’t want you ruining your attendance record.”

  “I was only a few minutes late. I didn’t miss anything.”

  “That’s not the point, young lady.” He scowled. “You better not be late again. Do you understand me?”

  “Yeah.” I understood I’d be grounded if I didn’t manage to get to my classes on time, at least for the next few weeks.

  After spending the next twenty-gazillion minutes reiterating this to me, he stalked out of the kitchen. I dialed Kaylee, and she answered on the second ring.

  “You will not believe what happened,” she said. She didn’t even say hello. And here I’d thought she’d called to see how my afternoon with Isaac went.

  There was silence on the other end of the line. I could practically see Kaylee drumming her fingers on her leg waiting impatiently for a reply.

  “What happened?” I asked dutifully and took a bite of pizza.

  “A truck nearly turned me and my MINI into scrap metal. That’s what happened.”

  I choked. A girl needs warning not to have her mouth full of food when someone’s about to tell her that her best friend could have died. After downing a third of my bottle of water to get the half-chewed food pushed to my stomach, I screamed into the phone, “Omigod! Kaylee, what happened? Are you okay? Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Because, as it turns out, I’m okay, and Josh was there, and I didn’t think they had a phone at the top of the lighthouse.”

  She knew damn well I meant on my cell phone, but since she was all right I didn’t point this out.

  “How’d you know where we went?” I asked.

  “Josh.”

  I rolled my eyes. Of course Josh would know. He would have told Isaac where to find me after school. That still didn’t tell me what had happened with Kaylee. She didn’t weave in and out of traffic, let alone cut in front of eighteen-wheelers.

  “Well, spill!”

  “Damn car was acting up. Sputtering. Jerking forward. About halfway home it seemed like it was finally running right when bam, the steering sticks and the brakes go out. Next thing I know, I’m in the middle of an intersection, and all I can see out my driver side window is the grill of a semi-truck. I should be dead. Seriously Madison, my life flashed before my eyes, and for a moment I—” She paused. “Never mind, forget it.”

  “You what?”

  “It’s silly now that I think about it, but for a moment I thought I saw a dark hooded figure. You know, the ones that schlep souls to the afterlife.”

  “A reaper?” I asked. We were definitely laying off horror films.

  “Yeah. But that’s totally ridiculous, right?” She let out a nervous laugh. “Because when I looked again, there was a group of kids with skateboards. One of them had on a hooded sweatshirt.”

  Or it was ridiculous because reapers aren’t exactly strolling down Main Street with the living. I kept that thought to myself.

  “Kaylee, I’m sure it was one of the boys.” When she didn’t say anything else about it, I asked, “Where’s your car now?”

  “Josh had it towed to his house. His guess is the computer shorted out. His uncle’s a mechanic. He’s going to have him give it a once-over this weekend.”

  “Are you okay? Do you want me to come over? I can probably borrow my dad’s truck and be there in ten minutes.”

  “I’m a little shaken, but I’m okay. I’m going to go to bed. Look, Josh’s picking me up tomorrow. We’ll swing by and get you before school. Okay?”

  “Sure. Kaylee?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Are you sure you’re okay? If you need me, I’ll ride my bike over if I have to.” I was pretty sure it was buried in the garage under my dad’s tent and Chase’s pitcher’s net, behind the cooler, old crates, and other treasures my family no longer used.

  “I’m fine. Really. We’ll be by at the normal time.”

  Kaylee hung up. I hadn’t gotten to tell her about my afternoon, but that seemed insignificant now.

  Chapter 6

  Deception

  IN THE MORNING, TWO sharp honks let me know my ride had arrived. I grabbed a slice of toast from the table, tousled Chase’s hair, and said goodbye to my dad on my way to the front door. With the toast clenched between my teeth, purse slung over my shoulder, and backpack dangling from my elbow, I stepped outside and froze when I saw the deep green Jeep waiting in front of my house.

  I had to be a sight, and not in a beautiful goddess way. I looked through a veil of wet hair and tried to straighten my top, bounce my backpack up to my shoulder, and walk with some dignity to the passenger door. I’d forgotten about the toast sticking out of my mouth until I was sitting next to him and went to say hi. I quickly removed it.

  “Hi.” Isaac fought back a chuckle. “I take it you’re not a morning person.”

  “I was expecting Josh and Kaylee.” And I wanted to hit myself in the forehead for saying that out loud.

  “Josh told me what happened with Kaylee’s car. I hope you don’t mind, but I told him I’d pick you up.”

  “Not at all.” My heart danced in my chest to confirm it.

  “I was going to ask if you’d like to grab a latte and a muffin or something, but I see you already have breakfast.” He indicated with his chin to the toast
in my hand.

  I looked at the meager piece of wheat toast, opened the door, and tossed it out.

  Isaac let out a hearty laugh that wrapped me in its joy. He shifted into drive. “The coffee house it is.”

  I could get used to Isaac picking me up in the morning. We walked into school hand in hand. We were greeted by several curious stares from our classmates. Isaac didn’t seem to notice or care. For me, it marked a step forward in our relationship. It was public, which made it all the more real.

  Isaac leaned down and gave me a soft kiss. “I’ll see you after school.”

  I made it to English class with four seconds to spare. Kaylee was already there.

  “You should have told me Isaac was picking me up,” I scolded. “I would have at least dried my hair.”

  “I didn’t know until Josh drove right by your street. I was going to call you, but my phone’s dead, and Josh wouldn’t give me his. He insisted I let Isaac surprise you.”

  I dropped my backpack on the floor and tried to get my bagel out of the bag as quietly as I could while the rest of the class settled into their seats.

  “Want half?” I offered to Kaylee.

  She stared blankly at my outstretched hand.

  “I got you jelly,” I added, knowing she never ate a bagel plain. When she continued to watch my hand with intrigue, I said, “Earth to Kaylee?”

  She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. I shrugged, guessing she’d already eaten at home.

  Sarah Johnson took a seat at the desk in front of Kaylee. “I spoke to Mr. Hoffman.” She looked so excited you would have thought he was a jewelry broker and not a farmer. “He’ll sell us as many cornstalks and bales of hay as we need for seventy percent off. He even offered to deliver it. I’m going to ask Mrs. Sheppard if her Food classes can do some baking for us. Did you check the props?”

  Kaylee and I had been assigned prop-duty with Mark and Ben less than twenty-four hours earlier. I wasn’t sure when Miss Sunshine thought we would have had time to check them, and I wanted to know what she drank in the morning, because she had enough energy to fuel the seniors at the old folks’ home for a week.