Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(17)
“Not much, but I could tell he didn’t like it.” Kate sank onto the chair and doubled over with a moan. “And I was so close. He said he wanted to think about it overnight, but I bet he doesn’t call in the morning.”
Claire flipped on the porch light, then sat beside her in the other rocker. “Maybe it’s not as bad as you think. How did the girls react?”
Kate sat up and exhaled. “Like you’d expect. They whined about it. At least he didn’t make me give the tablets back. We ate dinner, and he hardly asked me any questions other than what were my worst traits that the pastor wouldn’t tell him.” She let out a chuckle. “I told him I don’t like whining and I speak my mind. I bet that sealed my fate.” A grin spread over her face. “Guess I proved what I was saying. And I’m crossing into whining territory myself, so I deserve to be given a job I hate, like planting roses.”
Kate’s smile faded. “And the worst faux pas was that I got Emma to talking about her book and she wondered if her parents were in Camazotz and not in heaven. I just thought Drake was a good uncle taking them while they were on a trip or something. I obviously upset them.”
It didn’t sound good, but Kate was such a crusader. She wanted to help everyone she saw, and she often rushed in without thinking through the consequences. But now wasn’t the time to harangue her. “I could go see him. Maybe try to smooth it over. Or we could get the pastor to call him.”
Kate shook her head. “It won’t do any good. Let’s talk about something else other than my lacking social skills. The house looks great. Everything ready for next weekend?”
“Everything.” Claire ticked the items off on her fingers. “My RSVPs are back, the reception is planned and ready, the house is done, the hotel reservations for guests are made, and my dress has been tailored to fit. Luke won’t tell me where we’re going on our honeymoon, but he told me to pack a bathing suit and not much else. I’m hoping for Hawaii.”
Amusement lit Kate’s eyes. “I’m not telling.”
“You know? You little traitor. Come on, tell me where we’re going.”
“Only if you take me with you.”
“Not a chance.” Claire smiled at her sister. “Isn’t this the best thing ever? I mean, you and me together after all these years, and it’s like we were never apart. I can talk to you about anything.”
The smile on Kate’s face stumbled and fell. “It’s the glue that keeps me together.” Her gaze searched Claire’s. “Will you still have time for me after you’re married?” She bit her lip and looked away as scarlet swept up her face.
Claire took her sister’s hand. “Nothing will change, Kate. You’ll just have a brother as well as a sister. Luke loves you. He’d never come between us. You have to know that.”
“Why does everything have to change? Everyone I love is in jail except for you. I know that sounds needy, but I’m scared you’ll leave me too. What if Luke gets transferred to somewhere else and you have to move?”
A brief spasm of panic tightened Claire’s chest. There was no guarantee Luke would stay at this post, and she’d go wherever he went. She forced a smile and squeezed Kate’s fingers. “Nothing can come between us ever again. Please trust my promise. I won’t let you go again. Never.”
Before Kate could answer, something zipped by Claire’s cheek, and her hair fluttered in its wake. Something thunked the wall behind her, and she turned around to see a crossbow bolt sticking into the brand-new clapboard siding.
Something trickled down her cheek, and she touched it, then looked at her fingertips. “I’m bleeding,” she whispered.
“Into the house!” Kate grabbed her arm and hoisted her out of the chair and through the door. “Luke, there’s an intruder!”
NINE
In the sleek new kitchen Kate dabbed a wet paper towel on Claire’s cheek. “Thank the Lord it’s superficial. I don’t even think it will leave a scar. Hold that against the cut.”
While Claire pressed the towel against her cheek, Kate peered out the window into the dusk-shrouded backyard. Luke, gun out and at the ready, crept around the edge of the house. In his other hand he held his cell phone to his ear, and she exhaled. He must be calling for help.
She looked out over the new back deck, elegantly furnished in blue and white. As Claire had said, everything was ready for the wedding, but would it even be safe to hold it out in the open? Kate had a sinking feeling she might know who had shot that arrow.
Claire tossed the paper towel into the cabinet trash can. “It’s stopped bleeding. You think it was an accident?” Her face was a little pale, and the mark on her cheek looked like a faint scratch now.
Kate turned and raised a brow. “Only an idiot would aim a bolt toward a house.”
“Maybe it was a kid with his first crossbow, and he lost control.”
It made for a nice explanation, but still staring at the line of trees behind the house, Kate shook her head. “I think it was Uncle Paul.”
Claire’s eyes widened, and she took a step back. “Why would you say that?”
“His favorite weapon is a crossbow. It’s how he has taken down every deer and moose he’s brought home to the freezer.” Kate shivered and hugged herself. “The thing is, if he wanted to hit you, he would have. So what’s his game? Is he just trying to terrify you to get back at you for him being sent to prison?”