Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(66)

*

Kate sat across the table from Claire in the Oyster Bistro as dawn lit the horizon with pink and gold. Only a few early risers occupied the restaurant, and they held to their coffee cups like a boat to an anchor. Claire still looked a little sleepy, and her long, blonde hair was still damp. Kate felt like death warmed over, which was no surprise after the night she’d had. She kept replaying the events of the evening over and over in her head. And heart.

This place always soothed her. The pale-green coffee cups added to the pink-and-green decor, and the booths were private and plush.

Claire examined her sister’s face. “You’ve got dark circles under your eyes. Did you get any sleep at all?”

Kate shook her head and took a sip of coffee. The strong taste awakened her senses. “Not much. I’m not going to run from that maniac, Claire.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve got bear spray and my gun. Let him just try to grab me, and I’ll show him what resistance looks like. I’m done hiding out.”

“Don’t do anything stupid. I don’t want you to be hurt—or worse.”

She’d run the plan over and over in her head all night, mostly as a way to keep from thinking about Drake. “I’m not going to get hurt. I’m going to catch him.”

“What are you going to do?”

Kate waited for a moment to answer as the server brought their breakfast of omelets and bacon. “I’m going to set up a decoy. I’m going to ask Danny for a wire and have the deputies surrounding the spot.” She held up her hand when Claire’s eyes went wide. “It will be totally safe. I’ll pick a place where Danny and his deputies can hide without being seen.”

“Like where?”

“I was thinking about Mermaid Point. There are plenty of places to hide in the vegetation. Plus a couple of officers could be just offshore in what appears to be a fishing boat. I think it’s foolproof.”

Claire folded her arms across her chest and sat back. “A million things could go wrong, Kate. I can’t believe Drake would agree to this either. What did he say about this harebrained idea?”

“I didn’t tell him yet. We, um, we had an interesting evening.” She told her sister about the kiss and what he said in the hotel suite. When she’d called Claire last night, she hadn’t mentioned anything but the note.

Claire said nothing for a long moment. Her blue eyes were shadowed with worry. “Kate, you are worthy of love. Where did you ever get the idea that your only value is in bearing children? God has a plan for your life, and he’s your real security. Whether that includes children or not is immaterial. The right man will love you for you and not for anything else. And Drake told you it didn’t matter, so why do you cling to your childlessness? It doesn’t define you. The way you love others is your defining attribute.”

Kate put her head in her hands. She kept replaying that kiss over and over in her head. But then she would remember the way he looked when he talked about children. “But if I really love Drake, wouldn’t I want what was best for him? I wouldn’t want to deprive him of his dream. That’s not real love either.” She straightened and reached for her coffee.

Claire shook her head and sighed. “Why aren’t you letting Drake decide? What gives you the right to make the decision for him about what his dream really is? And who among us hasn’t had to adjust a dream we thought we wanted? You thought you wanted a father who would love you for you. My life took a radical change once the truth about our families came out. But I’m happy with the change that’s happened. Events alter our wants and dreams, Kate. You should know that better than anyone.”

Kate studied her sister’s face. Two years ago, she didn’t even know her sister existed other than faint memories of a pretend friend. Two years ago she’d thought trying to please her mother was the only important thing in life. She wanted people to like her no matter what the cost to her peace of mind because she always knew she had to earn any love she got. Her life had proven it, so of course that’s what she worked for. Her heart recognized the truth in Claire’s words. She was unconditionally loved by real friends, by her sister, by God. Maybe even by Drake.

“It’s too soon to know if what Drake and I have is love,” she finally managed to say.

“Yes, it is. But you’ll never know if you don’t quit making assumptions.”

Kate picked up her fork. “I’ll try my best.”

Relief lit Claire’s eyes. “And tell Drake about this idea for rooting out the stalker. I have a feeling he isn’t going to be in favor of it.”

Kate narrowed her eyes and shook her head. “I’m going to do it anyway. That guy took pictures of us with the girls. What if he hurts them because they’re in his way? I can’t let anything happen to them. I love them dearly. I have to do this.”

Claire held her gaze, then nodded. “Okay, I understand that. But I want Luke involved in this too. He can be in his cutter offshore too. I’m not saying Danny and his deputies are inept, but you’re my sister, and I want all the firepower around you that we can get.”

Kate forked up a bite of her omelet. “I’ll take that help.”





THIRTY-ONE


Drake tossed the note Kate left onto the bed and looked at the bereft dog. “You know how it feels to be left, huh?” He hadn’t taken her for a coward, yet she’d skipped out this morning without a word. She was going to have to talk to him sometime though.