Updrift Read Free Page A

at home, nor could she recall a happier time with her mother.
    * * * *
    Kate knew she was responsible for making them late to Gabe’s party, but she needed to review all the options at the store to be sure she brought the perfect gift. Her mother had tried to hurry her by picking out part of their present—a pail and shovel for the beach. Kate selected plastic sea creatures to bury in a nest of shredded paper, refusing to rush. She was determined to delight her new and only friend.
    They were the last to arrive, which was no big deal in her opinion, certainly not worth the irritation her mother and aunt had expressed since leaving the store.
    “Thank God for all these adults,” Dana murmured and then sped toward a group of grown-ups standing by the table.
    Gabe tore around the corner wielding an inflatable shark as big as he was. “Hi, Kate! I was waiting for you. We can play in the sand but Mom says we can’t swim today.” Carmen was right behind him.
    “That’s right,” Carmen said sternly. “There’s too much going on today to watch you kids in the water.” Gabe regarded his mother as if she was nuts while Cara cast her grateful smile.
    “You let me go out on my own all the time!” Gabe protested. Then to Kate, “She’s not making any sense.”
    Carmen’s glare at her son should have blistered him. “Gabriel Jonathon Blake, I do no such thing.” She leaned down to whisper something in his ear. Gabe was subdued but still irritated when she’d finished. “Fine. But can Kate and I go play now?”
    “Let’s introduce them to people first honey; did you have trouble finding us, Cara?”
    “Not a bit,” her mother replied. “Here. I know you didn’t need us to bring anything but I’ve been baking.” She handed Carmen a plate of cookies.
    Carmen peeked under the wrapper and grinned. “Thank you. I love my treats and I’m sure these are yummy. Let’s drop them off where they’ll be safe, and then I’ll show you around.”
    They went into the kitchen and Cara’s mouth fell open as she saw three children between the ages of two and four sitting at the table. “Um, are they eating sushi ?”
    Carmen avoided Cara’s eyes. “Why, yes! Kids will eat anything if they’re encouraged.”
    The children really were eating raw fish and seaweed, as if these were their favorite things in the world to munch on. Carmen hurried to usher the two of them away but her mother continued to stare over her shoulder. “I couldn’t get my daughter to eat fish sticks,” she murmured.
    “So, you mentioned Kate’s birthday is coming up. When’s the big day?” She winked at Kate.
    “June thirteenth,” Kate answered. “Mom says I can make the cake.”
    “Hey!” Gabe exclaimed. “That’s my real birthday too!” And they jumped up and down singing, “We have the same birthday! We have the same birthday!” Carmen regarded them with bright intensity for several seconds before leading the group to the living room. They approached a threesome of adults and two teenagers.
    “This is my husband, Michael, and my brother-in-law, Samuel, and his wife, Anna, who you met on the beach. And these are their sons, Simon and Aiden.” Carmen linked her arms lightly around her husband’s waist. “This is Cara and little Kate. Cara’s sister, Dana, is over talking to the Mattegins.” Everyone shook hands and a couple of the adults rumpled Kate’s hair. “Cara and Kate just moved here,” Carmen offered. The adults talked about where Cara and Kate had lived in Kansas and what brought them to Griffins Bay.
    Kate stared at the group with open curiosity—which, had Cara noticed, would have earned her a scolding her for being rude. With his fine features and dark hair, Gabe most resembled his father but he had his mother’s eyes. Simon and Aiden could have been twins; both were blond and tanned and wore wild expressions. All of them, including Carmen, had a vague glow about them—hair, skin, and eyes—Kate noticed.