Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(55)
His head went under, and Kate knew he was playing along with the little girl. She moved beside the girls. “Good job, Emma. You’re so strong.”
Drake’s head emerged from the sea. “You’re all ganging up on me. No fair.” He scooped Emma up into the air, then launched her back into the water.
Her grin was wide as she hit the water and came up sputtering. “Get him, Miss Kate.”
Jackson leaped from his nap and began to bark, then ran headlong into the waves to join the fun.
Kate put her hands on Drake’s shoulders and shoved, but he didn’t move. “You must be stronger than me, Emma. I can’t dunk him.”
“We’ll help you. Come on, Phoebe.” Both girls leaped on top of their uncle, and his head went under the waves again.
Kate grinned at the girls. “Good job.” The words were barely out of her mouth when a hand grabbed her ankle and yanked her under the water. His hand came around her waist, and a shiver raced up her spine at his touch. It took all her strength not to turn and shift closer. What was it about this man that moved her? She’d thought she was immune to attraction this overpowering. For the first time she realized how strong physical attraction could be.
She shook free of his touch and shot for the top of the waves. His head bobbed up behind her. His crooked grin told her he’d felt something in that moment too. It was pure craziness. Even if she wanted to, she’d never fit in the world where he lived. And she didn’t want to try. Claire was here, and so was Kate’s entire life. She didn’t want to change it for anyone.
“Time for lunch.” She turned and walked through the waves toward the shore.
Shivering as the wind hit her wet skin, she reached the cloth and grabbed her cover-up. The warmth of the terry cloth enveloped her, but her shaking didn’t stop. It was from being so close to Drake. Maybe she should quit this job. Nothing good was going to come from an attraction this powerful.
Drake rubbed a towel over his hair and wet skin. His cell phone rang, and he glanced at the screen, then swiped it on. “Hello, Lakesha. Yes, I’ve been working on the modifications.” He listened a moment. “Okay, let me give him a call. Text me his number.” He ended the call and frowned.
“Trouble?
He shook his head. “Not really. She wants me to call the assistant director and let him know how I plan to modify the drone. I’ll do it when we get home. I wish this issue hadn’t come up right now. It’s hard to stay focused when I want to find a killer, but my business needs attention too.” He sighed. “And I want the girls to know they are a top priority for me.”
“You’re juggling everything, but the girls seem to be settling in well.” She bent over the picnic basket and began to unload it away from Jackson’s interested sniffs. Nothing made her as hungry as swimming. Lobster rolls, coleslaw, Jell-O squares for the kids, and fruit salad would fill the void in their bellies. She frowned when she felt something in the lining of the basket. Though she hadn’t checked the pocket when she was packing the lunch, there shouldn’t have been anything inside. She reached into the slit and touched cardboard.
The sunlight hit the candy box, and she dropped it and stepped back.
“What’s wrong?” Drake frowned as he reached her side.
She stared at the brown box of DeBrand truffles. “Did you pack those?”
“I didn’t pack anything.” He stooped and picked up the box. “These look like premium chocolates.”
“They are.” Her lips felt numb. “No one knows they are my favorite. I had them once when a tourist from Indiana stopped at our blueberry market and traded them for blueberries. They’re a local Indiana brand, made in Fort Wayne. You never find them here. Someone would have had to order them.”
“You think your uncle put them there?”
She clutched herself and nodded. Hoping for reassurance, she stared up into Drake’s face. “It had to have been Uncle Paul. No one else would know.” Jackson whined and pressed against her as if sensing she was upset.
“I think we’d better have Gwen help you figure out who else you might have told.”
TWENTY-SIX
Ellsworth Police Station, about half an hour west of Summer Harbor, was a big brick structure that sat on a small hill. Kate’s stomach ached as they were guided down a tiled hallway to a small conference room. Claire was being interviewed after her, but she stayed behind in a waiting room. The room was occupied by only the sheriff and a woman dressed in a well-cut jacket and slacks. Her short blonde hair held a bit of a wave, and her only makeup was lip gloss. Sleek metal chairs upholstered in burgundy surrounded a long conference table.
The woman held Kate’s gaze for a moment, then held out her hand. “Gwen Marcey. Please call me Gwen.”
Kate liked her warm, confident manner and relaxed a bit. “Kate Mason. Thanks for taking time to meet with us today.”
Drake extended his hand. “Drake Newham.”
“Sheriff Colton explained the situation, and I am happy to help.” She gestured to the table. “Have a seat and we’ll get started.” She sat in the chair opposite Kate, and the sheriff sat next to her. “I read the police report as well.”
Kate settled onto a padded seat and forced herself to unclench her fists. There was nothing to fear from this nice woman, and maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to remember something that helped. Drake settled beside her.