The Lost Bones (Widow's Island #8)

The Lost Bones (Widow's Island #8)

Kendra Elliot


1


Cate Wilde jerked Henry’s hand into the air as three boys darted between them. The children were playing an intense game of tag, weaving in and out of the crowds strolling the streets of North Sound during the outdoor market. Dr. Henry Powers whirled to say something after the boys and then shrugged it off, a grin crossing his face as he met Cate’s gaze. “I don’t think they’d hear me, let alone care, if I told them to slow down.”

“Nope,” Cate agreed. The daily outdoor market during July and August brought locals and tourists together on Widow’s Island. Moods were cheerful and smiles were plentiful. The sky was blue, the few clouds were fluffy and white, and the temperature was perfect. Music filled the street as a young man with a guitar and speaker sang halfway decent covers of Bruno Mars. No one noticeably winced as he hit an occasional flat note.

They headed for the shade in front of the Shiny Objects trinket store and joined Henry’s nurse, Julie Sanchez, who was taking a break from the warm sun.

“Watch this,” Julie told them with a nod to direct their attention across the street. Julie’s fiancé, Bruce Taylor, was in his deputy uniform and deep in conversation with the Bruno Mars wannabe. The young man handed the deputy the guitar, gestured at the microphone stand, and stepped back.

Bruce strummed the guitar for a few seconds and began to sing. Cate recognized Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.”

“Bruce is amazing,” she murmured, unable to take her gaze away from the deputy. People stopped in the street and turned to listen, pointing at the law enforcement officer with the incredible voice.

“I know,” Julie said smugly. “His whole family is musically talented. Did you know he can play a half dozen instruments? His sisters are going to be in town for the Widow’s Day celebration. He’s scheduled to do a set with them that evening at the park.”

“We won’t miss it,” said Henry.

Cate and Henry had been together for eight months. She barely remembered what life was like before she’d returned to Widow’s Island last winter and met Henry.

That’s a lie. My life was work and not much else.

Cate had come to her childhood island home to recover mentally and physically after being shot on the job. Her FBI coworker had died in the shooting. After several months of indecision, Cate had resigned from the bureau. It’d been a hard choice. She’d loved her job, but the stress had worn her down, and she’d reconnected on a deep level with her island home after being away for nearly fifteen years. Now she was a bakery and bookstore owner, her stress at an all-time low and her happiness at an all-time high.

Bruce finished his song, and Julie gave a whoop as she dashed across the street and rewarded the deputy with a hug and big kiss.

“They’re cute,” Cate admitted. So young.

“I expect a wedding date announcement any day,” Henry said. “Speaking of . . .” He lifted a brow at her.

Cate knew exactly what he was speaking of. He wanted to set their wedding date, but Cate had struggled to find a date that felt just right. “I talked to Tessa about it the other day,” Cate told him. Tessa Black was her best friend and was engaged to Cate’s brother, Logan.

“She thinks I’m having a hard time deciding on a date because I don’t want to detract from her and Logan’s wedding plans. I believe she’s right. They’re working frantically to get everything arranged by September. It’s important that it goes smoothly, and I’m focused on doing what I can to help.”

Henry’s face cleared. He understood what Cate hadn’t said out loud. Tessa’s mother was losing her memory day by day, stolen by worsening dementia. Because of that the couple had planned a short engagement.

It really wasn’t that short. Tessa had had a crush on Logan ever since they were kids.

“What about late December for us?” asked Henry, pulling her into his arms. “A Christmas wedding? Maybe we’ll even have snow.”

Cate pictured the island with a light dusting of snow, its hills and trees gently frosted in white. She lived in one of the most beautiful places in the world. A cluster of hilly evergreen islands far off the Washington coast. A piece of the Pacific Northwest completely surrounded by blue ocean.

The image of Widow’s covered in a rare snowfall made Cate’s heart skip a beat, and she felt the perfection of Henry’s suggestion down to her toes.

“I love that idea,” she said, surprised by her acceptance.

Talking with Tessa gave me freedom to decide.

“Good,” said Henry. “I was starting to worry that you were having second thoughts about getting married.”

She looked quickly at him but saw only teasing in his eyes. “How about if I tattoo our names on my arm? Would that reassure you?”

“That doesn’t sound like something you’d do.”

She laughed. “You’re absolutely right.”

A woman spoke behind her. “Hey, Cate. I’ve got something for you.”

Cate reluctantly pulled away from Henry’s embrace, recognizing the voice of Marsha Bishop, owner of the Shiny Objects store and mother of her other close friend, Samantha.

“Morning, Marsha,” she said, visually evaluating the woman. Samantha’s mom had been a wreck for years after her daughter had been kidnapped, but Sam’s return last winter had turned Marsha into a new woman. For too many years Marsha had been a wisp, floating around the island, never quite mentally present.