Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(5)



“It’s worse. I checked there first. I should have rented honeybee hives. It’s my own fault.” Kate held up her hand as her sister started to speak again. “And no, I won’t take any money from you. I’ve been thinking about getting a job anyway. Maybe it’s time I looked for a life apart from the barrens. Shelley mentioned it when she left a couple of weeks ago.”

Shelley’s words about leaving this area came back to haunt her, too, but Kate pushed them away. Nothing could induce her to leave Downeast Maine. It was home and always would be. If she’d been sharper and more aware of things right after her stem-cell transplant eighteen months ago, maybe she would have made a different choice about the bees. But it was no use crying over it now. She had to figure out a way to survive until next year.

A frown formed between Claire’s eyes. “But you love growing blueberries. It’s been your life. We’ll figure this out together.”

“I’ve just tried to make the best of it. It’s not my first choice of a career, and it’s not all I can do either. There are other jobs out there, ones I might really like. I’ll give it some thought.”

Claire pressed her lips together and looked away. Kate knew what she was thinking. There weren’t many jobs in this depressed area other than fishing, lobstering, and serving tables—all careers Kate wasn’t qualified for. She’d tried serving tables once, and she was fired after a day for dropping three trays and being brusque to customers who were too fresh.

God always provided a way out of her difficulties. He wasn’t going to fail her now. And the thought of leaving these blueberry barrens behind felt a little like a fresh start—something she desperately needed. But that didn’t mean she’d have to leave Claire to find a new profession.

Claire tucked a blonde lock that had escaped her updo back into place. “You could let me pay you to take over planning my wedding. I’m about to pull out my hair.”

“You’re quite competent to plan your own wedding, and you know perfectly well that everything has been done. I don’t want your money.” Kate turned to stare back over the fields.

The two had been separated for most of their growing-up years. Claire had been raised with the best of everything in Boston while Kate had stayed here on the blueberry barrens. She’d never thought to leave this place of rocky shores, but maybe she would have to.

The thought brought a lump to her throat. She would do anything she could to stay near Claire, even if it meant waiting tables. Her sister was the most important thing in her life.

Kate gazed at the empty cottage across the road from the one she occupied. It had potential with its steep gabled roof and dormers. “What if I fixed up the cottage and rented it out? Is that a stupid idea?” The thought filled her with energy. If there was one thing she loved, it was decorating and home-improvement projects.

Claire’s eyes widened. “That’s a great idea! You don’t have a mortgage, so it would at least provide you with a little money to live on. I could give you the money to fix it up.”

“Only if it’s a loan. I can pay you back after harvest next year. It won’t take much, maybe two thousand or so. I can do a lot of the work myself.” Her thoughts raced through what needed to be done: fresh paint, new hardware on the cabinets, fresh bedding, and some decent used furniture. “There are never enough rentals for tourists this time of year with the blueberry festivals coming.”

“Luke and I will help.” Claire shaded her eyes with her hand and looked toward the road as her fiancé’s new black truck rumbled to a stop. “He’s right on time.” She waved as Luke Rocco climbed out of a big Dodge four-by-four. “I’ll see you later. Lunch tomorrow at the hotel?”

“You bet.” Kate hugged her and waved at Luke, a dark-haired, handsome man in his early thirties.

He draped his arm around Claire and gave her a lingering kiss before escorting her to the passenger side of his truck. A wistful pang struck Kate. She was unlikely to ever have a man look at her the way Luke looked at Claire. Kate could never have a child, and what man would want a wife as barren as these fields?

She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. That didn’t mean she couldn’t have a full life though. She was alive, and two years ago she’d thought she was facing the end. She’d found her twin sister, a sister she’d only dimly remembered as a “secret” friend during her childhood. Kate had nothing to complain about.

The sun fell fast, plunging the landscape into darkness. The lights of her house beckoned, and foliage snapped under her sneakers as she picked up her pace. A cup of coffee and a square of dark chocolate would raise her spirits. She’d put on a CD and belt out her favorite songs along with Adele while she fixed dinner. After dinner she’d play an old movie and cuddle up with Jackson, her new twelve-week-old furball.

She whistled for her golden retriever and smiled when he shot around the side of the house toward her. She knelt to rub his fuzzy pelt. “Good boy. Did you miss me? I bet you’re hungry.”

He yapped at her and raced for the back door. She started to follow, then paused at the front of the yard to pick up an empty Coke bottle someone had tossed out. Flatlanders, most likely. She went to the side of the house and squinted in the dark until she made out the vague shape of the trash can. Hadn’t she left on the porch light?

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