Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(85)

Kate gave a kick to get the swing moving. “Let’s be realistic. That’s not going to work. The girls need him every day, not just on the occasional weekend. And I love him. I want to be with him every moment I can. A long-distance relationship like that will never last for long.”

Claire stopped the movement of the swing with her foot. “So what do you want to do?”

“What if I went with him? I don’t think he’ll ask me because he knows I love my home here. He’ll try to make the sacrifice for me, but I don’t think that’s right. The girls will have a lot of opportunity in Boston. I’ve seen him sketching out drone ideas on scrap paper. It’s part of who he is, not just what he does. He’d never be happy for long if he gave it up. He’d say he would, but I don’t think it would last.”

Something like relief lit Claire’s blue eyes. “You always said you’d never leave here. I think it’s about time you spread your wings and flew off to an adventure. You know what this means? You’re finally beginning to see people can love you for yourself. You don’t have to cling to the old life for fear of not fitting into the new one. You’ve discovered confidence in who you are and what you can offer to those you love.” Claire grabbed her in a tight, fierce hug. “I’m proud of you.”

Kate hugged her back and inhaled the aroma of her expensive cologne. They were so different yet so alike. Her eyes stung, and she blinked against the tears. Losing Claire was her biggest fear, but they could stay close with video calls and visits. Claire was a pilot. She could fly to Boston every week if she wanted to. And she would want to. Kate knew Claire loved her just as fiercely back.

She pulled away and dabbed at her eyes. “Look what you’ve made me do. You’ll come see me all the time, right? It’s nothing for you to fly to Boston.”

Claire hesitated and a bit of color crept up her neck. “I have some news of my own to tell you. Two bits actually. Let me tell you the most important first. I’m pregnant.” Her gaze locked with Kate’s and held a bit of fear.

A slight pang struck Kate, but joy quickly washed it away. “I’m going to be an aunt!” She grabbed her sister again and hugged her. “I’m so happy.” She released her and studied her reserved expression. “That’s why you seemed a little scared to tell me. You thought I’d change my mind about going. I admit it gave me pause, but I can still see the baby all the time. You’ll fly to Boston to see your mom and me. I’ll get to babysit.” She realized Claire’s smile hadn’t returned. “What is it?”

“There’s more.” Claire wet her lips and twisted her hands in her lap. “All that talk about being ready to fly to a new adventure? That was a pep talk for me too. Luke is getting transferred to Washington State.”

Kate gasped and her arms fell away from her sister. “No.” She shook her head. “No, no! I can’t lose you, Claire! You’ll be all the way across the country. I’ll go too. You can get a house with a nanny suite, and I’ll help you take care of the baby.” Tears sprang to her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She felt as though she couldn’t catch her breath. It was one thing to be a few hours from Claire, but it was something else altogether to be clear across the country from her. Not now when they’d just found each other after all these years.

Claire took her by the shoulders and gave her a slight shake. “You love Drake. You’re ready for this, Kate. We’re ready for it. Families survive separation like this all the time. Nothing can tear apart the bond we have. You’ll always be part of me, and I’ll be part of you. Can’t you sense God’s plan in this? We were getting too dependent on one another and weren’t listening for what God wanted us to do. This is healthy.”

Kate’s tears fell faster. “You’re right. I know you’re right. But it hurts.” She embraced her sister again and their tears mingled. She jumped to her feet. “I-I have to go right now.”

Claire bolted to her feet as Kate ran for her yellow Bug. “Wait, let’s talk about this.”

“I’ll call you later.” She needed to process this. Jackson leaped into the car with her and she drove off, not daring to look behind her.





THIRTY-NINE


By the time Kate reached the turnoff onto Highway 1, the tears had stopped flowing. A sense of rightness settled over her. She was leaving Downeast Maine herself, so how could she expect Claire’s life to stop and never change? Change was good. Last week’s sermon about how adversity helps people grow was a good example. God would go with them both.

She slowed the car when she reached Machias. A crowd was gathered around the sheriff’s office and jail, and she slowed even more, then slammed on her brakes when she recognized her uncle standing in cuffs beside the sheriff.

She parked at the curb, ran the windows down partway, and leaped out. “Stay,” she told her dog.

Using her elbows and determination, she fought her way through the throng crowding the steps to the brick building. “Danny!”

The sheriff turned and saw her, then motioned for his deputies to part the crowd to let her through. “I was going to call you as soon as I had him in a cell.”

Her gaze went past him to Uncle Paul, who looked older and more shrunken than the last time she’d seen him. Had he been eating? Defiance was in the slant of his mouth and the depths of his eyes.