Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(61)

“Of course!” Claire wanted to see Kate break free from the blueberry barrens. She had so much talent.

“And he flirted with me all evening. I wasn’t sure how to even react.” Kate’s cell phone rang, and she went to the table to grab it. “Hello?” After a few seconds the color washed from her face. “Who is this?” She punched the phone off and tossed it back to the table. “Jerk.”

“What did he say?”

“Nothing. He just breathed in my ear. It was creepy.”

Claire frowned. “I don’t like all this stuff, Kate. That truffle incident in the picnic basket was really creepy, and now this. I mean, even I didn’t know the DeBrands were your favorite. Luke thinks it’s someone you know, maybe someone you went to school with.”

“I thought it was Uncle Paul, but he wouldn’t call and just breathe in the phone. That’s just weird. Maybe it’s someone else. I have no idea.”

“What if he’s not? What if it’s the same guy who killed Whitney Peece? She looked a little like you. Blue eyes, blonde hair.”

A troubled frown lined Kate’s forehead. “You’re scaring me, Claire.”

“I haven’t heard how the investigation is going. Someone broke in and watched her shower. Maybe it wasn’t the boyfriend at all. I want you on high alert.”

Kate turned to the phone and grabbed it. “The caller ID reads Anonymous, so he must have blocked his information. I wonder if the sheriff could track it.”

“It’s worth asking.” Claire listened as Kate reported the nuisance call to the sheriff’s department.

Kate ended the call, then glanced out the window at the girls. “Jonas answered, thank goodness. I was glad it was someone who knew the situation. He took down all the information and said he’d look into it. He sounded determined.”

“Everyone likes you and wants to keep you safe.” Claire bit her lip and stared at her sister. “Back to Drake. Did you tell him about not being able to have kids?”

Kate looked away. “Not yet. I know I need to, but it seems a little presumptuous to think our relationship will go that far.”

“It’s a lot better to tell him now. Otherwise he might think you were being dishonest by not telling him.”

Kate went to the sink and turned on the water. “I’ll tell him as soon as I get a chance.” Her tone indicated she’d rather face a snarling lion than tell Drake.

Claire touched her on the shoulder. “I just want you to be happy. If he’s the man we think he is, this won’t faze Drake at all.”

“I hope you’re right.”

*

Drake watched Kate standing with the girls and her dog at Mount Desert Ice Cream. Bar Harbor tourists jostled past, and the festive atmosphere of the Wednesday night Seaside Cinema brought excited chatter wafting around him. The quaint seaside shops and boats dotting Frenchman Bay made for a picturesque setting. He was ready for some relaxation, especially with Kate along.

He tucked a bag of books they’d bought from Sherman’s Books and Stationery under his arm. His gaze lingered on her as she exited the gray-shingled building trimmed in green. The wind blew her blonde hair around her head, and her sun-kissed face kept his attention riveted on her beautiful form. Her gaze caught his, and she smiled back at him.

She reached him with the girls in tow and handed him a cup of ice cream. “You said to surprise you, so I got Maine sea salt caramel. You can try my maple walnut though.” She held up a spoonful. “This is the second time I’ve had sugar in a week. You’re being a bad influence on me.”

He slid the cold confection into his mouth. It hit his taste buds and exploded with flavor. “Wow, intense flavors! Pretty good.” He offered her a bite of his.

She licked it off his spoon. “Yummy.”

There was something curiously intimate about sharing food with her. The tension of the past few weeks eased away, and he wished their relationship had progressed far enough to hold her hand and stroll to a jewelry shop to buy her something. He was sure she wasn’t quite ready for that.

“I got Maine maple pecan,” Emma said.

“Me too.” Phoebe skipped along at his side while Emma clung close to Kate’s.

The girls were dressed alike today in white shorts and red-and-white tops. Kate had put their hair in ponytails with big red bows. They looked like any other typical family on vacation. He imagined a little girl with Kate’s big blue eyes and a little boy with his curly hair. Crazy thought when they hadn’t known each other that long, but he was tired of being alone. His career had taken everything out of him, and it was time to have a family. His house had echoed with loneliness for too long. His nieces would bring some liveliness, but it wouldn’t be the same without Kate. He was getting used to seeing her tending to the girls with such sweet consideration.

They walked down the hill toward Frenchman Bay. It took a few minutes longer than usual because people kept stopping and asking to pet Jackson. His tail wagged so hard, Drake thought he might fling it right off. By the time they reached the park, people were already spreading blankets on the grass to watch the cinema even though the sun wouldn’t set for several hours. He pointed to a prime spot. “Think we should grab that while we can?”

She nodded. “My feet are tired anyway. I shouldn’t have worn these new sandals.” She stopped and waved. “There’s Jonas.”