Twilight at Blueberry Barrens (Sunset Cove #3)(88)
Claire’s fingers bit into Kate’s shoulders, and she gave her a little shake. “Stop it right now. I see you second-guessing yourself. Change is hard, but you’re ready, Kate. Drake is wonderful, and you’re going to have a great life in Boston.”
“I already love it there.” Kate blinked and forced back the moisture in her eyes. “When God decided to bring in the right man for me, he chose a special one.”
“And a ready-made family. God went all out.” Claire messed with Kate’s hair, affixing a pin in a different place. “You look beautiful. Drake may pass out when he sees you.”
“Let’s hope not.” She moved toward the door.
Sheriff Colton met her outside the bedroom door. His shirt and tie looked like they were about to choke him, but he was smiling. “I wouldn’t dress like this for anyone but you, Katie girl.” He offered her his arm, and she took it.
She’d been feeling a little low about not having anyone to give her away. Luke had offered, of course, but in the planning for the wedding, she’d keenly missed having a dad around. Both her real dad and her uncle were in jail. But Danny had shown up at her cottage one day, hat in hand, to ask if he might give her away. She’d thrown her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek until his face was as red as her fields.
The music started up outside. Claire waved at her, then took Luke’s arm and went out the kitchen door. Kate saw them move past the window toward the blueberry field where Drake and the minister waited at the arbor. Her pulse tried to jump out of her chest, and she took a deep, calming breath.
Dixie opened the kitchen door. “Let’s get this party started, sugar.” She twirled in the doorway. “I clean up pretty nice, don’t I?” She wore a lavender dress that showed she wasn’t as shapeless as the overalls usually made her seem.
The flutters in Kate’s stomach intensified as she went out the door with Danny. Her gaze went straight over the heads of the waiting guests to the group standing in the arbor. Pastor Jerry stood tall and distinguished in his black suit, and Drake stood beside him in a gray tux. Her heart squeezed at the sight of him, and a wave of love crashed over her. He was her man in all ways. True, honest, loving, and compassionate. He always tried to do the right thing, and she knew he’d never leave her side while he lived. Luke was beside him and Claire waited on the other side with the girls, who were trying to keep Jackson still beside them.
The music rose in a crescendo, and Danny tugged her forward, across the yard to the blueberry fields, and down the aisle in the middle of the guests. She spotted the O’Connors with their girls and smiled at Mallory as she passed. Other faces passed in a blur: church friends; Claire’s mother, Lisa; Luke’s sister, Megan; and his dad, Walker.
Then her gaze landed on Shelley, and she stopped in her tracks long enough to hug her best friend. “I can’t believe you’re here!”
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” Shelley’s red hair was in a smart updo, and she looked bright and happy. She gave Kate a little shove. “Go get married. We’ll talk later.”
Kate finally dared to lock her gaze with Drake’s, and the love in his eyes nearly buckled her knees. His smile was crooked and tender, and he mouthed I love you as she walked on trembling legs toward him. She reached him, and Danny put her hand on Drake’s. She couldn’t look away from his beloved face and the devotion in his eyes.
Pastor Jerry began to speak, and Kate tried to focus on his words about love and marriage, but a giggle built in her chest as she remembered the priest from The Princess Bride. It was sitting beside Drake that evening watching that movie that she’d felt the first stirrings of what she later came to recognize as love.
He squeezed her hand, and seeing the laughter in his eyes, she knew he was remembering too. She swallowed down the giggle and repeated her vows to the only man who had ever held her heart. Her new life was starting as twilight deepened the colors on the blueberry barrens, and it was just as it should be, with her hand and heart safe in Drake’s embrace.
DEAR READER,
Shew, we made it through another book together! It was great fun for me to go back to Maine in this story. Have you ever been there? It’s like stepping back in time, and I love that beautiful wild coastline.
I wanted to explore how often we try to earn the love of everyone around us. We get so focused on making sure people like us that we never relax and be ourselves. We often even apply that mindset to God and try to earn his love as well. Kate had a lot of growing to do in that area. She had to learn to spread her wings and dream a little.
I love hearing from you! I read and answer all my own e-mail, so let me know your thoughts anytime.
Much love,
Colleen
colleencoble.com
P.S. If you’d like to try Kate’s okra brownies, here is the recipe:
4 ounces Lily’s chocolate chips ? cup butter (1? sticks) ? cup frozen okra
3 large eggs
? cup xylitol
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 pinches mineral salt ? cup coconut flour ? cup coarsely chopped black walnuts (or pecans)
Melt chocolate with butter on low heat. Meanwhile, put partially thawed okra in blender or food processer with eggs and blend until smooth. Add xylitol, vanilla, salt, and flour to chocolate mixture, then add okra/egg mixture and nuts. Stir together and put in greased 8 × 8-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.