The Ghosts of Aquinnah Read Free Page B

conservative.”
    “ She must be. But that still doesn’t explain why she’s wandering around alone in the pitch black.” Hannah lifted another fork full of salad to her mouth. “You need to look at this webcam and see how creepy it is up there at night. The fog is so thick and it’s so dark that I don’t think you’d be able to see your hand in front of your face. I’d be scared to death up there at night by myself.”
    “ What does Jon think about her?”
    “ I haven’t shown him. Are you kidding? He’s not even interested in my book, let alone some woman on a webcam. His eyes would glaze over the second I mentioned it.”
    Sarah shrugged and pushed her long brown hair back from her face. “I don’t know why you two even stay together.”
    “ I don’t either. I keep thinking I’ll move out once I finish my book.”
    “ Why wait?”
    “ It’s just too much to think about right now. Looking for a new place and packing everything…”
    “ When do you think you’ll be finished with the book?”
    “ God knows. I’m totally stuck on it.”
    “ What’s got you stuck?”
    Hannah shrugged. “More like what doesn’t. I just feel like it’s going nowhere. I think maybe Jon was right that it was a bad idea.”
    “ Don’t go by what he says. He’s always been critical of your writing.”
    “ I know but in this case I think he’s right. I need something more for the book. Something to pull it all together.”
    “ It’s New England lighthouses. Doesn’t that pull it together?”
    “ Yeah, but it’s boring. I need a hook. Something more than just describing a bunch of lighthouses.”
    Sarah nodded. “I can see that. What kind of ideas do you have?”
    “ None. That’s the problem.” Hannah took another bite of salad. “So that’s why all I do is try to figure out why this strange woman is wandering around the cliffs at night dressed like she just stepped out of the 1800s.”
    “ Maybe you should just head down to Woods Hole and take the ferry over to the island. You could hang out at Gay Head and wait for this woman, then demand answers.”
    “ How crazy would you say I am if I told you I’ve been thinking about doing just that?”
    Sarah put down her sandwich. “I’d say you’re certifiable.”
    Hannah chuckled. “I know. Don’t worry though, I haven’t turned in to some kind of crazy stalker.”
    “ Good.”
    “ But whatever this woman is doing, I’m almost certain it’s more interesting than my book is right now. Can I help it if I’m curious?”
    “ Maybe you need to put this lighthouse book aside if you’re bored with it. Try writing something else.”
    “ I’ve thought of that. Like maybe writing about what this woman is up to.”
    “ Hannah!”
    “ I’m kidding.”
    Sarah finished the last bite of her cheeseburger and glanced at her watch. “Yikes, I didn’t realize how late it was. I need to get back to work.”
    “ Okay. Thanks for meeting me. It was great to see you.”
    “ You too. We need to do this more often.” Sarah grabbed her phone from the table and lifted her purse from the back of her chair. She pulled some cash out of her wallet and left it on the table. “Do you mind waiting for the check? I need to hurry.”
    “ That’s fine.”
    “ And don’t get discouraged about the book. You’ll come up with something.”
    “ Thanks. I hope so.”
    Hannah watched as her friend made her way out of the crowded café and onto the equally crowded Boston sidewalk. She had worked with Sarah at Green Label Design marketing for years, and she couldn’t deny that, while she didn’t miss her job, she did miss the companionship of her friends and colleagues. Working from home had its benefits, but there were definite drawbacks, too. Especially now when she felt so stuck.
    She toyed with the remainder of her salad and thought back to Sarah’s reaction to her trip to Gay Head. Hannah knew the idea was preposterous, and she had no intention of stalking the woman