The Body in the Lighthouse by Katherine Hall Page Read Free Book Online Page A

Ursula’s larder for a family of four at Trade Winds, the large Hannaford in Blue Hill, Faith had almost finished her list when she narrowly avoided ramming her laden cart into Jill Merriwether’s. Jill owned the Blueberry Patch, a combination bookstore/gift shop in Sanpere Village. Jill, who had been raised by her grandparents on the island after her parents’ deaths, looked as guilty as Faith at being caught outside the aisles of their local IGA.
    â€œEarl’s coming for dinner and I wanted to get one of those big porterhouse steaks he likes so much.”
    Earl was Sgt. Earl Dickinson of the Maine State Police, responsible for patrolling Sanpere. After years of patient persistence on his part, he’d finally gotten engaged to Jill. The wedding was planned for the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Jill would make a beautiful bride. She had straight dark brown hair that grazed her shoulders in a shining curtain, and deep brown eyes to match. She was tall and had a serious, quiet air about her. Faith had known her for a long time before Jill had spoken to her with the ease they now shared. Perhaps it was being raised by her grandparents, growing up in a taciturn household. Perhaps it was learning loss at such an early age. But Jill was beaming at the moment, her generous mouth, the feature that most broadcast her warm nature, curved in a big smile.
    Faith gave her a hug.
    â€œIt’s wonderful to see you, and your groom deserves the best. Are you very, very happy and very, very crazed?”
    â€œBoth, and more. I wanted to elope somewhere or just go up to Ellsworth and get married in the courthouse, but Earl says he’s only doing this once and wants to do it right. I was down in Portland for the final fitting of my dress. I do love the dress, but I hated to close the store when the island is filled with tourists. I haven’t been able to find anyone to work for me. It’s the same all over the island. They’re offering dishwashers eight dollars an hour at the inn. I could make more money there!”
    Faith had noticed that Jill’s store was closed and had wondered where she was.
    â€œIf there’s anything I can do to help, you know you can call me. We’re staying at Ursula’s. The house isn’t anywhere near finished, so I have plenty of time.”
    â€œThere is a God!” Jill exclaimed.
    While assuming that Jill held such a belief—after all, she was getting married in the Congregational church, with Tom assisting—Faith was surprised by the outburst and wasn’t sure whether to respond, “Praise be!” or “Are you okay?” She said nothing, waiting for a further cue.
    Jill grabbed Faith’s arm excitedly. “I’ve beendesperate. You know we’ve been working on a production of Romeo and Juliet —an updated, Down East version—as a fund-raiser for the swimming pool project, right? Pix must have told you; she’s been involved from the beginning.”
    This was one of the things Pix had mentioned, and Faith had been amused at the prospect of Romeo and Juliet in bright orange oil pants and hip boots. The swimming pool fund-raising had been going on for years. There were swimming lessons at the lily pond every summer, but only a few children took them. In the winter, there was more free time, but no place to go either to practice or to learn. The nearest available indoor pool was over an hour away. Most adults couldn’t swim, and every year there were tragedies, especially among the fishermen, who regarded their life jackets as an impediment. Faith had also heard the fatalistic view that when your number was up, it was up, so why bother? The Fairchilds had supported all the fund-raising efforts for the planned indoor pool, and now Faith got her checkbook out to buy tickets or be a patron—whatever Jill wanted. Surprisingly, Jill waved Faith’s checkbook away.
    â€œWe don’t need money. I mean, of