Marne Marriner left Point Harbor in the Outer Banks of North Carolina when she was a child of ten years old. It broke her heart to leave the only home she had ever known for a strange place called Hawaii; but go she must for her parents' work was taking them to that lush tropical paradise. Marne grows up learning to accept what she cannot change. She becomes interested in photography and learns to freelance from her father who is the best in his field, and goes on to become a well known freelancer. However, she comes to a turning point in her life when her parents are killed tragically in a car accident, but finds strength and learns to go on through the faith taught her by her mother. Marne is finally moving on with her life when she receives the letter, and learns that she is destined to walk the windswept Outer Banks once again, where wild mustangs roam free. She finds she has inherited the tall old house in Point Harbor, the place she loved so much as a child, but finds that things have changed. With no one to welcome her except her aunt's attorney, who isn't anxious to make her acquaintance, and a housekeeper with hostility in the depths of her guarded eyes, Marne is unprepared for the dark secrets she has come home to. Leaving behind a young man who secretly cares, and puts his life on hold for her, Marne finds comfort in a stranger, a man from Manteo; a man without a past, whose kindness sees her through a time of great despair such as she has never known. She ultimately finds that faith sees her through once again, and that love heals all wounds, no matter how deep.

Point Harbor Lights

By E.M. Williams

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 E.M. Williams
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4520-4812-3

Chapter One

Marne Marriner walked briskly down the boardwalk, the wind blowing in from the sound whipping her long, dark hair. The day was overcast, with cloud castles banking up along the horizon. She sat down on the bench in the gazebo and stared out over the water, but her mind was not registering her surroundings. Her thoughts were back where palm trees sway and balmy breezes blow. Pulling her thin shirt around her more snugly, she shivered. The sailboats, usually seen with sails unfurled, were anchored today, because of the choppy seas, as were many other boats moored at the dock. She sat looking out at the gray, rolling waves, white–capped, surging plumes of water breaking along the bank. A week ago she was in a much different place, almost a different world.

Marne was in her studio in Honolulu, Hawaii, working on her photo exhibit when the phone rang. Putting a poster-size photograph featuring a surfer riding a brilliant blue wave into place, she picked up the phone. "Hey what's up Haley?"

"Not much, just thought you'd like to know you have a letter from the Outer Banks of North Carolina ... attorneys, looks mysterious, Marn."

"Really? Okay, I'll be home as soon as I can, maybe fifteen minutes." She hung the phone up, getting back to work, looking through a stack of her most recent prints.

Marne realized she would have to talk to her assistant, Gary Brandt, who had been working tirelessly getting everything ready for this her first exhibit, which was to be held in a couple of months. She relied on Gary completely for his expertise to ensure it was a success.

Marne had many clients, but this was to be an exhibit of her entire works, including her most recent, which would bring her clients together to view them collectively at the gallery—the same gallery that had held her father's renowned works. It was an exciting time, and Marne wanted it to be perfect.

Marne had so much on her mind that she didn't need any distractions, but Haley's call kept intruding into her thoughts. She sighed, laying the picture aside. "I can't do this right now. I have to get home and find out what that letter is about."

Pausing to turn off the computer, she picked up her briefcase and purse and closed the studio door.

As she walked slowly out to the car, Aunt Mary was uppermost in her thoughts. Marne couldn't remember much about her aunt but had vague memories of visiting and playing in her costume jewelry. She's the only one I know in Carolina.

She thought with sadness of her parents and missed not having them to talk things over with. This letter made her uneasy for some reason, like a premonition of some kind.

Being a freelance photographer since college, Marne had spent every free moment pursuing her career, with no time for personal or romantic relationships. Now that her parents were gone, photography was the love of her life. Traveling and seeing different and unusual places was what she lived for now; and she had a gallery of photographs to show for it. She made a very good living and had some very prestigious clients who sought her work. Marne had learned from the very best. Her father had been a professional freelance photographer and her mother an artist. Her father had trained her in the art of photography, and her mother had taught her to view her subjects with an artist's eye. Their work was the reason they had left Carolina when Marne was a child. She didn't remember much about that time of her life. There were so many questions she wished she had asked them, but it never crossed her mind that they wouldn't be here with her, as they always had been.

It happened one rainy night five years ago, the night that changed her life forever. Her parents had been driving home from an awards ceremony they were attending with fellow artists, when a sudden tropical storm blew in. They had been trying to get home through the wind and rain when the car skidded off the road, hitting an embankment, killing them instantly. The only consolation for her now was to know they hadn't had time to suffer. Marne was alone, except for her Aunt Mary who lived in Carolina. Even though good friends surrounded her, no one on earth could really comfort her. Her mother had been her best friend. She had taught her to have faith in God, not by words only but also by example. That faith was what sustained her through that terrible time.

Could this letter be about Aunt Mary? she wondered. She searched her mind carefully for another possible connection.

The silver Impala swung into traffic and cruised along, music playing softly on the radio. Within minutes she was pulling up in front of her yellow beach house on Waikiki beach.

She entered the front door, tossed her bag and keys on the foyer table, and picked up the letter. Looking at the return address, she went into the kitchen, poured herself a tall glass of mango tea, and took it back to the great room. Kicking off her shoes, she sat back on the sofa.

Marne sipped the cold tea and studied the return address, frowning in concentration. "Why attorneys?" She hadn't heard from her aunt, except for a card when her parents died, saying that she regrettably was unable to attend the funeral, as the distance was too far. Aunt Mary had wished her the best and said to let her know if she ever needed anything. Since then they hadn't really been in touch, except for exchanging cards at Christmas.

Marne felt badly about not keeping in touch more but had no time it seemed for anything but work. She looked at the letter again, still hesitating. She tapped the letter thoughtfully against her knee as thoughts crowded her mind.

Looking around the room, she contemplated the circumstances that must have led to this letter.

Long, white sofas faced each other in front of a fireplace. Modern lighting, long, low tables, and large pillows in colors of aqua and coral brightened the decor. Her mother's painting of hazy skies in the misty morning light, featuring a lone fisherman in his old boat, hung over the fireplace mantle. Marne loved that painting. It always comforted her and made her feel close to her mom.

She sighed, looking at the letter again with a feeling of dread. She sat her glass down and opened it. Marne wasn't prepared for what she was about to read.

Dear Ms. Marriner: I regret to inform you that your aunt, Mary Hunter, has passed away. You, being her next of kin, have inherited her estate. Your presence is requested here at your earliest convenience. Please call the enclosed number and let me know when you will be arriving. Sincerely, Nathan Kirk LLP COLLINS & KIRK

Marne read through the letter again, trying to take it all in. Suddenly the realization hit her. She jumped off the couch and yelled, "Haley!" at the top of her voice. Haley, who was in the bathroom, came running out, fresh from the bath, with a towel wrapped around her blond hair in her baggy old terrycloth robe. "Good grief, Marn! What happened?"

"My great aunt Mary passed away, and I have just inherited her estate. I can't believe it." Marne sat down, in a daze, trying to take in all that it meant. Her dark-lashed, pale gray eyes grew wider as it dawned on her.

"Gee, I'm sorry about your aunt, Marn." Haley put a hand on her arm to comfort her.

Marne spoke quietly, "I haven't seen her since I was a child, but I have wonderful memories of her. She was a kind lady. The attorney is expecting me within the next few days." She began talking faster, thinking of all that needed to be done.

"I have to call Gary and ask him to finish getting my exhibit ready for me. He'll have to get help, of course. I have so much to do! I have to go shopping. I have to get packed. I have no clue what the weather is like there, not having been there since I was a kid." Marne put her hand to her forehead and closed her eyes.

"Hey! Slow down, Marn," the ever-practical Haley chimed in. "Take a deep breath and just relax. We'll have a good dinner, listen to some good music with friends, and tackle this first thing tomorrow. Remember we're supposed to go to a cookout tonight at Jerry and Jan's place? Try to enjoy the evening, and I promise to help as I said first thing in the morning." Suddenly her eyes sparkled. "I'm supposed to meet Brent there, you know?"

Marne smiled and tried to calm down. "Well in that case, we definitely have to be there, but I probably won't be able to eat a thing."

Marne and Haley arrived at Jerry and Jan's around seven. Several guests had already arrived and were sitting around the pool talking and listening to music. Haley spotted Brent Taylor, smiled, and waved. He made his way over, stopping to say a word or two to friends on the way. Haley's eyes lit up at the way he smiled in her direction. He was tall and tan, his brown hair sun streaked from days on the beach. Haley, too, looked stunning in a pale blue sundress. Her blond hair was pulled up in a charming style, her golden tan making her eyes even bluer. Marne sat back, trying to enjoy the evening, despite all she had to think about and get done in the following days. Everyone sat around, plates filled with food, laughing and talking. The aroma was tantalizing. She discovered she really was hungry. Haley was right; this was just what she needed.

Tom Bailey, a friend of Jerry's from Texas, came over and sat down by Marne. He had been watching her from the moment she arrived. He was a nice guy, and handsome wasn't the word for him. He was dark tan, with wavy dark brown hair and warm brown eyes, every bit of six-foot–two, and built like a quarterback, from his broad shoulders to his slim-hipped waist, and it was all muscle. He had a plate full to the brim, and then some. Jim Rheys, who built like a toothpick, thin and tall, noticed and decided to kid him about it. "You know, Tom, many more plates like that and you're going to out grow those extra large shorts of yours."

Tom smiled and said in his pleasant southern Texas drawl, "You skinny boys eat to live. I, on the other hand, live to eat, and as long as the Good Lord lets my elbow bend and my mouth fly open, I don't plan on stopping."

Everyone laughed, and Marne patted him on the back. "That's telling him, Tom." He looked at her and smiled that one-sided smile, showing perfect white teeth.

Tom turned to Marne. "All kidding aside, how are you Marne? I haven't seen you in a while. What you been up to? I've missed you." Marne sighed resignedly,

"Oh, I've been busy getting things ready for my exhibit, my first big one, you know; and I still have a lot to do. I still have film to develop, dozens of pictures to get matted and framed, and now on top of everything else, I have to go to the mainland and leave it all to Gary to finish for me."

"I guess I won't be seeing you around for a long time." Marne sighed regretfully. Looking up at him, she found his deep brown eyes watching her intently.

"I have to be leaving the first of next week. My aunt passed away, and I have to take care of her affairs in Carolina." She shook her head, slowly raising her perfect brows, "and with a show scheduled, it's really not a good time to be away ... but what else can I do?"

"Sorry to hear it. Look, Marne," he put an arm around her shoulder, "if you need anything, just let me know, even if it means flying to the mainland. Just call, and I'll be over there in a jiffy."

Marne looked at him, surprised at the depth of feeling in his voice, but the look in his brown eyes told her he was very serious. She looked down and toyed with her food. "That's sweet of you, Tom, I'll remember that, and thank you. It means a lot, because I believe you mean it."

"You better believe I do, Marne."

"Well, I have to be getting home. I really have a lot to do tomorrow." Marne stood, looking around for Haley. "Bye, Tom, it was really nice to see you."

Tom stood, bent, and kissed her cheek. "Take care, Marne, and remember what I said." As she walked away, Tom's eyes followed her. "That girl's one in a million," he murmured quietly.

Marne saw Haley over by the pool talking to Brent. The party was winding down, so she went to find Jan. "Thanks for a lovely evening, Jan. I have to collect Haley and head for home. I'll be out of town for a while. I'll call you when I get back. Thanks again."

Almost everyone knew Marne traveled a lot, so Jan didn't ask questions. "Glad you could come; keep in touch."

Marne nodded, waved to Haley, and started to the car, stopping to say good night along the way. Haley met her at the car, and they were home in no time, since Jan lived only about a five-minute drive away.

Marne was tired. She and Haley talked awhile and then said goodnight and turned in. She expected to lie awake thinking about that place on the other side of the world, or so it seemed. "It's so far away." She yawned and fell asleep almost instantly. But she tossed and turned restlessly, with haunting dreams of a tall old house and a smiling lady, talking sweetly to a little girl.

Marne awoke with sunlight streaming in through the tall windows. Sitting up in bed, she extended her arms into a full stretch and smiled. The birds were in full chorus perched in the tree outside her window. Turning back the sheet, she sat up on the edge of the bed, and then it all came rushing back—the letter and all she had to do. Getting up and making her bed, Marne hurriedly got her clothes together and jumped in the shower, making mental notes of what to do first. She dried her hair and brushed it until it hung shining down her back and then hurriedly dressed in tan shorts and a pale yellow top, which made her tan skin seem to glow.

No heavy make-up was required. Her healthy tan complexion was already soft and glowing. Quickly going into the kitchen, she poured juice, popped a slice of bread in the toaster, grabbed a fruited yogurt, and took the tray out to the table by the pool. Reading the letter through again, she sat thinking about everything that had happened since yesterday.

Haley was up and gone already. Her work day had started early, so Marne finished breakfast, tidied up the kitchen, and picked up the phone. She decided to make the call to Collins and Kirk—the attorneys for the estate in North Carolina—before she forgot.

The phone rang on the other end of the line. Marne waited, and then a female voice came on the line, "Collins and Kirk, may I help you?"

"Yes, this is Marne Marriner calling from Honolulu, Hawaii. May I speak with Mr. Kirk, please?"

"One moment please." The secretary put her on hold. A male voice came on the line. "This is Nathan Kirk, Ms. Marriner. I am pleased to hear you received our letter. However, I'm sorry about the circumstances in which it was sent."

"Thank you," said Marne. "I am calling to let you know, I will be arriving the first of next week. I regret that I couldn't be there for the funeral, and I want to thank you for taking care of the arrangements. I will be there as soon as possible."

"I understand," Nathan Kirk replied in a deep, reserved voice. "The house will be at your disposal when you arrive. Have a safe trip." After thanking him, she hung up the phone and sat staring at the floor a moment, gathering her thoughts.

Marne put a call through to Gary, filling him in on her news, and to see about getting together later to go over everything. After working with her for so long, he almost knew what she was thinking before she did. She felt confident about that part of it.

"Sure thing, Marne," Gary replied. "What time do you want to go over things?"

"How about in an hour if that's okay?"

"Make it 11:30," Gary said. "And we can grab some lunch first."

"Sounds great, see you then."

Marne looked at her watch. 10:17. If she left now, she could get to the studio early and go over a few prints Gary hadn't seen yet, new ones she had just taken on her trip to Montana. She grabbed her purse and keys and went outside in the breathtaking beauty of the day.

Driving along, taking in the blue skies and swaying palms, made her wonder how long this estate business would take. I know ... I'll take my camera equipment and get some work done while I'm there. That sounds like a plan, she mused. She turned into the studio parking lot, pulled into her spot, went in, and started putting together the new prints from the Montana file. As she was finishing up, Gary walked in.

"What's happening?" he said by way of greeting, his sandy hair slightly tousled as usual. His tan muscles rippled, as his tank shirt showed off his well-toned physique. He was usually found on the beach when he wasn't in the studio. Those were his two loves, and a girl named Kim, although most of the time, Marne couldn't tell her from Barbie, her twin. Gary didn't have any problem in that department.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Point Harbor Lightsby E.M. Williams Copyright © 2010 by E.M. Williams. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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