Twilight at Blueberry Barrens Read Free Page A

her hands, filthy from changing the tire, then got down two Fiesta bowls in bright orange, Christmas gifts from Claire last December. “The news is all over Downeast Maine, huh?”
    Shelley took the bowls from Kate. “You have no idea. I stopped in to buy the bisque at Ruth & Wimpy’s, and everyone stopped me to ask about it. I couldn’t tell them much, not even the names. Does the sheriff know what happened?”
    “They’re investigating. He thinks it might have been a murder/suicide. The husband might have killed his wife, tossed her over, then jumped himself.” Kate shuddered, remembering the bodies. She pushed the thought away and focused on Shelley. “About ready to go?” Kate hated to ask. Her friend’s looming move didn’t make her happy, but Shelley seemed thrilled. She had taken a teaching position in Rock Harbor, Michigan, half a continent away.
    Shelley nodded. “Tomorrow’s the big day. Pray for me. I’m dreading that drive across country by myself. At least I’m not pulling a trailer full of furniture. Everything is packed up, and the movers come in the morning. I’ll leave right after they do. I’m going to take my time and stop when I feel like it. I want to see Niagara Falls on the way, and I might stop off in Ohio Amish country and have a big plate of homemade noodles and pie.”
    “It’s all about food with you.” The hot bisque, rich with lobster and butter, hit Kate’s taste buds. “Oh man, this is so good. I could eat it every meal.”
    “Me too.” Shelley surveyed her on the other side of the table. “How’s Claire holding up? She’s got a lot going on with the wedding approaching.”
    “She’s okay. Luke arrived on scene right away.” She rubbed her forehead. “Let’s talk about something else, okay? The reason we were even there was because there’s a new puffin nesting site!”
    “No way!”
    “I saw it with my own eyes. I’m going to let Kevin know.” Kate lifted the spoon to her mouth and froze at the purplish mark on her arm. She set her spoon back in the bowl and examined the skin. “I’ve got a bruise. A big one.”
    Shelley studied her extended arm. “Looks like a thumbprint. Did anyone manhandle you today?”
    Kate started to deny it, then remembered her plunge into the water to try to reach the cliffs. “Claire hauled me out of the sea and wouldn’t let me go back in. The riptide was bad. Think I should see the doctor?”
    “Your color looks good. Are you feeling okay? Any weakness, heart palpitations, nosebleeds?”
    “No, nothing. I feel great.” But staring at the bruise made her feel a little light-headed.
    “Then put it out of your mind. You’re cured, Kate. That aplastic anemia is never coming back.”
    Kate reached for her huge blue-and-white bag and pulled out a small amber bottle of lemon oil. She dripped a couple of drops of it into her water. “Can’t hurt.”
    “No, it can’t hurt.” Shelley sat back in her chair. “You have to quit worrying though. You seem to be stuck in yesterday. I want to see you move on and make a new life. Are you going to stay in Folly Shoals forever? You don’t even like working the blueberry barrens. You only quit school and came back because your mother insisted. You don’t have to do that anymore.”
    “With her in jail, there’s no one else to take care of the fields.” She knew her duty even if she didn’t love it.
    “And would that be so bad? The neighbors can harvest any of the berries they want. The rest can rot. It’s not your concern.” Shelley shook her head. “I see you wincing. The entire world doesn’t rest on your shoulders. It’s your turn to find out what you really want out of life. What makes you happy and fulfilled. God gave you specific gifts, and you’re not using them at all.”
    “I’m running the children’s department at church. That’s using my gifts.”
    Shelley rolled her eyes, then smiled. “I’ll give you that. I see your joy in working with kids. But you