Pathway Home

Chapter 1

It had been the longest year of Cami’s life. The longest, the hardest, and easily the worst year she’d ever lived through.

Living without her husband, Dallin, was like trying to learn how to breathe without oxygen, or experience a sunset without having eyes.

They’d only had eighteen months together. Eighteen wonderful, blissful months. Cami had never known such happiness was possible. Dallin had been the love of her life. And then, one night, everything had changed . . .

* * *

"I don’t understand why he’s so late, Ashlyn." Panic filled Cami’s heart as she spoke to her friend. The storm outside seemed to rage with heightened intensity. Icy drops of sleet pounded the windows.

"Maybe he stopped for gas." Ashlyn offered. "I’m sure he’s fine."

Cami wanted to believe her friend’s words of comfort, but something inside of her wouldn’t let her.

"Why was he in Portland anyway?" Ashlyn asked.

"You know how he’s been looking for a new job and went to interview with an accounting firm."

"A job in Portland!" Ashlyn exclaimed.

"Don’t worry," Cami said with a laugh. "He’d be able to work in their branch here in Seamist."

Ashlyn expressed her relief, then she asked, "How did the interview go? Did he get the job?"

"The interview went great, and they said they’d call in a few days. When I find out, I’ll let you know." If he ever gets home, she thought.

"Well, call me as soon as he shows up so I’ll know he made it okay."

"I will," Cami said. "Thanks."

Cami hung up the phone and went to the window. The storm had pounded the coastline the entire day, and the wet roads had turned into sheets of ice.

Twenty minutes passed. Thirty.

A constant prayer ran through her mind, but still, fear for the worst consumed her.

Just when she thought she’d lose her mind, the phone rang.

A chill tore up her spine. She stared at the phone. Please, Father, she prayed as she picked up the phone, let it be Dallin. Let him be okay.

"This is Sergeant Bridger. I’m trying to reach Mrs. Dallin Gardner," a voice said.

Tears filled Cami’s eyes, and her knees went weak. "This is Mrs. Gardner."

"I’m sorry to have to tell you this, ma’am, but your husband was involved in a fatal car accident on Highway 26," he said. "His body . . ."

Cami didn’t hear the rest of his words. Her mind went blank, her body went numb, and bit by bit, her world crumbled around her.

* * *

Tears filled Cami’s eyes even now as she remembered the shocking news that had seemed unreal and impossible to accept. Today marked the painful anniversary of Dallin’s death.

And now, here she was, twenty-six years old and wondering what to do with the rest of her life. If one year had seemed like eternity, how was she supposed to live the rest of the years of her life?

Wiping at her eyes, Cami opened the front door of the Sea Rose Bed and Breakfast, which she managed with her Grandfather, and walked outside.

She stepped over the morning paper onto the lovely, wraparound porch and pulled in a breath of fresh air . . . then froze. Turning back to the paper, she read the headline, "Heceta Head Lighthouse Murder Suspect Brought in for Questioning." A sense of relief washed over her. The news of the brutal murder several months ago had struck terror in the hearts of everyone living along the coastline.

"Thank goodness," Cami said as she set the paper back on the doorstep, knowing that her grandfather would be out shortly looking for it. She was grateful there had been a break in the case. The circumstances surrounding the murder had left authorities baffled and residents nervous.

The murder of a local fisherman who was found at the bottom of the rocky point below the lighthouse had been front-page news in all the papers throughout the state. Along with being the scene of the murder, the lighthouse had also been broken into and vandalized. Strangely enough, nothing had been taken. But even more curious was all the digging along the coastline below and around the lighthouse.

Authorities didn’t come out and say it, but people talked and speculated about what was going on. Many believed it was treasure hunters digging for buried gold. But never before had someone been murdered in the process.

She walked across the expansive lawn, which was already lush and green, and headed for the stairs leading to the beach. The least it could do is rain, she thought wryly, wanting the weather to match her mood.

Descending the wooden steps that led to the rugged beach nestled at the base of the jutting precipice, Cami drank in the beauty of the crashing surf and the long, sandy shore stretching north toward Misty Harbor and the town of Seamist.

The wind kicked up and whipped Cami’s shoulder-length blonde hair into her face and tugged at her windbreaker. She tilted her face toward the sky and shut her eyes.

Please help me, Heavenly Father. How do I go on?

Her prayer echoed in her thoughts. It was the same prayer she offered morning, noon, and night. She pleaded constantly for God to help her.

"Cami!"

The voice startled her. She’d heard it as plain as the biting wind on her face. Someone had called her name. Had the heaven’s finally answered her?

She forced herself to turn slowly toward the sound of the voice.

"Hey there," Ashlyn called, and waved as she scurried down the steps to the beach. "I’ve been looking all over for you."

Cami returned the wave to her friend, decidedly disappointed that her prayer hadn’t summoned a heavenly being to answer all her questions.

Ashlyn studied her friend’s face for a moment. "How are you doing?"

"Oh," Cami pulled in a long breath then released it, "I guess I’m okay. Heck, I don’t know. I mean, am I supposed to be over him after a year?" she asked, not necessarily expecting an answer. Her throat tightened. "I just can’t stop thinking about him."

Ashlyn took her friend in her arms and hugged her. Cami released her tears and fought for control. Not a day had gone by in the last year—not one—that she hadn’t shed a tear for Dallin.

Ashlyn stroked Cami’s hair and spoke soothingly. "I’m sorry. I am so sorry. This must be so hard for you. You know what I think?"

Cami stepped back and wiped at her eyes.

"I think we need to do something to get your mind off things."

"I don’t know." Cami shook her head. "I won’t be much fun."

"That’s okay, I’ll be fun enough for both of us. Besides, Mitch is going to be gone until late this evening, and I’ll be all alone. You’d be helping me out too. Please?"

Cami stared at her friend’s insistent expression. Maybe Ashlyn was right—perhaps getting out would do her some good. It certainly couldn’t hurt.