Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(39)

The sheriff nodded. “I called in a dog SAR team, but they lost his scent at the road. I think maybe he’s not on foot.”

“And he’s probably long gone.” Kate waited for her sister to take a seat, then moved to the one on her left.

Danny lowered his tall form into his chair, then took an Altoids tin out of his pocket and shook a mint into his hand. “Every entry is posted.”

Luke shook his head. “He wouldn’t need a formal road to get in. He could drive to an entry point, then slip in through the woods.”

Danny popped the mint into his mouth and glanced at Claire. “I’m afraid he might not be done with Claire here. He seems to hold a mighty big grudge.”

Kate’s chest squeezed at Claire’s deer-in-the-headlights expression. She sat on the edge of the chair next to Claire’s. “Why are you saying that? Maybe he just took the food and gifts to scare her. There’s no reason to think he’ll hurt her.”

But she hadn’t told them what he said about burning down Claire’s house with her in it. She opened her mouth to tell Danny, but he turned his computer screen around to face them.

“Here’s a scanned copy of that note.” His voice was grim.

The handwriting wasn’t familiar. This note was a scrawl that she had to squint to make out. Practice makes perfect, and I have all the time in the world. Kate frowned and glanced at her sister. “What does that mean?”

Claire shook her head. “I have no idea.”

Danny popped another mint. “Recognize your uncle’s handwriting, Kate?”

“I’ve never seen him write in cursive. I’m sure he has, but I’ve never seen it. Can you get a copy of his signature on a legal document or something? It might be his handwriting, but I just don’t know.”

Danny turned the monitor back around to face him. “I’ll see what I can find out. I was sure you’d recognize Paul’s handwriting.”

Luke leaned forward. “It has to be Paul though, doesn’t it? I mean, with the crossbow bolt and all.”

“You know as well as I do that there are too many bow hunters up here to count. Paul seemed the likely culprit, but since Kate doesn’t recognize the handwriting, I don’t think we can rule out anything. I’ll keep digging.”

Kate glanced at her sister. It had to be Paul, didn’t it? The thought of some unknown man targeting Claire seemed even more ominous.

Jonas walked them to the door, then put his hand on Kate’s arm. “You doing okay? You’re a little green.”

“Just a little shook up. Thanks for all you’re doing to help.”

“It’s what friends are for. I’ve got a little time. Want to grab some lunch with me?”

She smiled up at him. “It’s sweet of you to try to cheer me up, but I need to get back to watch the girls. Thanks, Jonas. You’re a good friend.”

She followed Claire out into the sunshine. “What a homecoming for you.”

Claire had regained a bit of her color, and she smiled. “We got a great discount at the Tourmaline, so we’re just extending our honeymoon a couple more days.” She hugged Kate. “You be careful.”

“You’re the one who needs to be careful.” Anxiety gnawed at Kate as she watched her sister get into the truck with Luke. Uncle Paul’s hatred of Claire seemed to have no bounds.





NINETEEN


The girls hadn’t stopped talking about their day with Aunt Dixie until they were tucked into bed at eight. As Drake prayed with them before bed, he glanced up to see Kate in the doorway. She must have come in to get Jackson. She turned away but not before he caught sight of the tears on her cheeks. What was that about? He focused his attention back on the girls, then kissed them and turned out the light.

He found her in the living room petting the dog.

“Good boy.” She rubbed his head, then looked up at Drake. She moved over so he could sit beside her. The dog lay down at her feet. “Are the girls all right?”

He went back to his seat on the sofa. “They had a great time at Dixie’s. She took them to an old swimming hole and let them swim and fish. They’re in bed.” Her face was still a little tear-stained. “Are you okay?”

Her eyes watered again, but she smiled and nodded. “It was precious seeing you pray with the girls. Like something from a Norman Rockwell painting.”

His face grew warm, and he looked away. “Your mom and uncle never prayed with you?”

“They never even went to church with me. I don’t know what they think about God. Did Heath and Melissa teach the girls too?”

“Yeah. Heath was two when his dad died, and then Mom married Dad two years later. I came along ten months after that.”

“That’s why your last names are different.”

The memories flashed through his mind like reels of an old movie. His parents had taught them well.

“Are they still alive?”

He nodded. “They live in Costa Rica, and I don’t get to see them very often.” He glanced at her and saw her tears had dried up.

“I can be back to work tomorrow. Is that okay?” She clasped her hands together on her jean-clad lap. “I mean, you’re not going to fire me, are you? I wouldn’t blame you if you did. My family is a train wreck.”