Chapter 1: The Invitation

Sarah Cooper loved the familiarity of her small coastal town, Harmony Bay, where time seemed to slow down and the ocean whispered secrets. As the daughter of Pastor Daniel Cooper, she had always been the dependable one—the woman who organized Sunday school, led the church choir, and baked pies for fundraisers. Yet, a lingering ache remained. At 29, Sarah dreamed of something more—a purpose beyond the walls of Harmony Bay and a love story worthy of the novels she secretly devoured.

That morning, as she arranged bouquets for the church's annual Harvest Festival, her routine was disrupted. A plain envelope, sealed with no return address, lay atop the pile of hymnals in the church office. Sarah hesitated before picking it up, her name written in careful, unfamiliar script.

She unfolded the note and read:

"Dear Sarah,

There is something I must tell you, something that could change everything. Please meet me at the lighthouse at sunset. Come alone.

Yours, A Friend."

Her heart skipped a beat. Sunset was only a few hours away. She reread the note, searching for clues. Was this some kind of prank? Yet the words seemed deliberate, as though they carried weight.

The old lighthouse had been out of use for years, standing as a silent sentinel on the edge of the cliff. Few ventured there; it was said to be haunted, though Sarah dismissed such superstitions. Still, the note unsettled her.

By the time evening fell, curiosity outweighed caution. She found herself walking the rocky path to the lighthouse, the ocean breeze tugging at her hair. The sky blazed with the colors of dusk, the lighthouse silhouetted against the fading light.

As she approached, the rhythmic crash of waves was interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her. Sarah froze and turned.

Standing in the dim light was a man—tall, broad-shouldered, and unfamiliar.

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