His mouth was dry as he studied that picture. They looked so happy on the front porch of their home. He was looking up at his mom with an adoring expression. For just a moment, he thought he smelled the cranberry candles she used to burn.
His gaze lowered to the casket itself, a plain oak one topped with a flower arrangement that included cranberry blossoms. Finally they had closure. Their lives would have been so different if she’d lived. Claire’s would have been different too. Would they even have met if circumstances had been different? It was hard to unravel the threads and know what might have been and what now was because of this tragedy. His grandmother had always told him God was in the habit of taking the awful things that happened in life and turning them into diamonds in our path.
Maybe she was right.
A murmur went through the church, and he turned to see Aunt Nan wheeling his father toward their pew. Pop had adamantly refused to come, and they’d left him at the house an hour ago. What had changed his mind?
He rose and went to help his aunt. “He call you?”
Aunt Nan nodded. “I was about to leave for the service, so I ran by to get him.”
Pop’s hands gripped the arms of his chair. “No need to talk about me like I’m not here. It’s not a crime to change my mind.” He sniffled and wiped at his face with the back of his hand.
Luke squeezed his dad’s shoulder. “It’s okay to grieve, Pop. It’s been a long time coming.”
His gaze transfixed on the casket, his dad nodded. “She deserved better than to be tossed into a field like a piece of trash.”
Luke’s eyes blurred, and he swallowed hard. “She did.”
The grips of the wheelchair were still warm from his aunt’s hands. Family was all about passing the baton, working together, dealing with the ugliness that existed even in people he loved, weathering the hard knocks of life by linking hands and stepping out in faith.
He pushed the chair beside the pew where Megan and Claire waited. Rest in peace, Mom. Maybe they all could now.
EPILOGUE
The last three weeks had passed in a whirlwind. Kate lay snuggled in the bed of Claire’s hotel room. She had been released from the hospital this morning, and Claire’s grandmother had insisted on bringing her here so she could take care of her. Kate’s small house had only one bedroom, and the hotel had been quick to bring in a rollaway bed for Claire to use.
Claire sat beside Mary, who was out on bail. She faced serious charges and would likely go to jail. Paul was still in jail awaiting trial for a double homicide and attempted murder. The relationship with Mary was still tenuous and guarded. Maybe it always would be. Neither of them could get very far past remembering that she’d so quickly agreed to give her up. Or that her jealousy had taken the life of a little girl. Though no one had confirmed it, Claire also suspected she knew Paul planned to dispose of her.
The door opened behind them, and the scent of corn chowder wafted into the room. Luke pushed the door shut with his foot and came to set the tray down. “Got your lunch. I ran into your grandmother. She’s coming over shortly. How’s Kate doing?”
Claire looked back at her sleeping sister. “Okay. She’s still groggy. But the doctor thinks this will bring about a complete cure since we’re twins, so it’s all worth it.”
The transplant had been a week ago, and Kate had been hospitalized until the transplant team was sure she was stable. Claire still easily tired after the surgery, but she barely felt a twinge in her hip where they’d taken the marrow.
They all turned at a knock on the door. “I’ll get it,” Luke said.
Her eyes red and swollen, Lisa peeked around the side of the door. “C-Can I come in?”
Claire’s pulse jumped. “Of course.”
Lisa faltered when she saw Mary, then tipped up her chin and entered the room. She stepped toward Kate, lying in the bed so still and pale.
Claire rose and stood with her arms awkwardly at her sides. This was the first time she’d seen the woman she called Mom in three weeks. Lisa had gone back to Boston the day after Claire’s rescue, and they hadn’t spoken. Claire had picked up her phone several times to call but couldn’t bring herself to do it. If Mom wanted to talk to her, she was open, but she wasn’t the one who had turned away. Her heart clenched with love and pain. This woman had nurtured her in every possible way. It was impossible to turn off the love she felt for her mother in nearly every sense of the word.
What did she call her? Mom hovered on the edge of Claire’s tongue. If she called her Lisa it might offend her, so she opted not to use any name. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Neither did I.” Lisa’s gaze lingered on Claire with stark hunger. “I-I’ve missed you, Claire.”
Claire. She took so much hope from that one word. “I’ve missed you too.” The words were barely a whisper, and she hadn’t realized she’d moved until she was standing two feet away from the older woman. “Mom.” She choked out the word.
Her mother’s eyes flooded with tears. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry.”
She pulled Claire into a tight embrace, and Claire closed her eyes and breathed in that scent she’d missed so much. Tears burned her eyes and soaked into the silk of her mother’s blouse.
Her mother pulled away. “I realized that I was jealous, plain and simple, that you weren’t mine in every way. Another woman gave you birth. So what? That’s the case with adopted babies too. It doesn’t mean I don’t love you, though I admit I tried not to. But we’re still a family. Your birth circumstances don’t change that. We all know the truth now, and we have to grapple with it.” She glanced at Mary. “I’m willing if you are.”
Mary looked over at Kate, still sleeping. “I think it’s best if we keep our distance, Lisa. I don’t like you. I never did.”
Lisa flinched but she didn’t leave. “Fair enough. I don’t like you either. There will never be friendship between us. But we share a daughter.”
Mary shrugged. “I’d hoped you’d stay out of her life.”
“And I hoped she wouldn’t,” Claire put in. “I love her.”
Her mother’s eyes flooded again. “I don’t know what will happen with me and your dad. We’re talking again, but that’s about all I’m willing to do right now. We might go to counseling. I’m not sure I want to throw away thirty-five years of marriage.” She made a face. “Though he’ll likely have to serve some time. I doubt even his high-priced lawyer can get all the charges dropped.”
Mary pressed her lips together and looked away. Claire could almost see her thoughts hovering in the air. It was always a lie. But was it? Her dad hadn’t had a relationship with Mary in over twenty years. And he’d loved his wife enough to snatch Claire away from this woman, this birth mother of hers with the tight lips and smoldering anger.
Mary moved with jerky steps toward the door. “Call if Kate wants me. She knows my cell.” She slammed the door behind her.
Claire exchanged a long glance with Luke. Mary hadn’t had an easy life, and her future would likely include prison time.
Kate muttered at the noise and opened her eyes. She yawned, then tried to sit up. Claire sprang to plump her pillows. “How do you feel?”
“Pretty good, really.” Kate glanced around the room. “Where’s Mom?”
“She left for a while. I can call her.”
Kate shook her head. “It’s fine. I’d rather just be with you.”
Claire’s mother squeezed her hand. “I think I’ll go let Mother know Kate is awake. She’ll want to check on her. I’ll be back in a little while.” She exited much more quietly than Mary.
Claire moved to Kate’s bedside and handed her a cup of water.
Kate took a sip. “I’ve been reliving everything, Claire. Our dad, mom, and Uncle Paul seemed so responsible and upstanding, but it was all a facade. Our half sister is dead because of all of them. It’s hard to take in.”
“And what does that make us? Are we a product of our environment or our genes? Either way,
we’re in trouble.” The thoughts and worries had troubled Claire all these weeks as she’d prepared to give Kate the bone marrow she needed.
Kate set down her water and reached for Claire’s hand. “It makes us wise enough to learn from their mistakes. You came to my rescue, and I came to yours. We aren’t defined by their mistakes—only by ours, and we can use them to make us better people. That’s how Mom messed up. She never took responsibility for her own actions. She always blamed other people. We won’t do that, Claire.”
Claire pressed her twin’s warm hand. “If you ever see me do that, tell me, okay? And I’ll make sure you don’t either.”
She glanced at Luke and drank in his calm, steady presence. Her grandmother’s words echoed in her head. “God gives you what you need, not necessarily what you thought you wanted.”
If not for this situation, she wouldn’t be the same person. She wouldn’t have this prickly, two-edged family. But most of all she wouldn’t have Luke. Though they were taking it slowly, they had a future together. And she’d found her place here on this rocky island with the wild wind and the even wilder landscape. Though her father insisted her role in the company hadn’t changed, she’d taken a leave of absence to figure out what she wanted to do.
With Kate’s hand clasped in her left, she reached over to clasp her other hand with Luke’s. “God has given us what we needed in every way. Some families are born together, and some are forged in a different way. It’s made us who we are, and I’m content with that.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Reversing roles to care for a sick parent or grandparent can be challenging. Have you ever had to do that? How did you and your parent cope?
2. We live in such an age of consumerism, and it affects children. Our inclination is to give them everything like Claire’s parents did. How do you keep your children grounded?
3. Working the land is almost a lost occupation. Do you ever wish you could go back to a simpler life and farm or do you shudder at the thought?
4. Why do you think Jenny implicated Claire in her letter? Why didn’t she just go to the sheriff with what she knew?
5. Why do you think Sheriff Colton was so determined to find Claire at fault? Do you ever make a snap decision and refuse to look at facts?
6. Claire always wished for siblings. What are some of the challenges of being an only child? Benefits?
7. Do you believe in love at first sight?
8. Do you have an unconventional family? My friend, Diann Hunt, was my sister in every way but blood. How did friends like that or an unusual family circumstance help shape you?
A LETTER FROM THE AUTHOR
Dear Reader,
What a fun ride it was to write this book imagining your gasps with every twist and turn! I wanted to explore family in this story. We all have a blood family as well as people who are such a strong part of our lives that they are like family. Some people become such a part of the fabric of our lives that we know only God could knit us together that strongly.
I firmly believe that every challenge we face in life can make us better people if we let it. We have to accept the things that come from God’s hand and allow him to use them to mold and shape us. I can’t say that I’ve been able to get to the place where I pray for trials, but at least I’ve come to see their value in my life. God gives us what we need to face every curve life throws our way. We just have to let the pressures push us in the right direction—to be more like Jesus.
This is a deeper, more complex story than I’ve ever attempted, and I hope I have done it justice. I’m eager to hear what you think! I’m so grateful for you, dear reader, and the joy you bring to my life every day. E-mail me anytime. I love to hear from you!
Love,
Colleen
[email protected] ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I had some great help on this book from some Maine friends. A special thanks to Rachael Farnsworth-Merritt, who gave me some great inside Mainer tips. And Christine Alexander, who owns Sugar Hill Farms with her husband, John, showed me all around the cranberry bogs. I was able to get a clear picture of where Luke’s mother was found. Thanks so much, friends!
I’m so blessed to belong to the terrific Thomas Nelson dream team! I’ve been with my great fiction team for twelve years, and it’s been such an inspiring time as I’ve learned more and more about the writing process from my terrific editor, Ami McConnell.
Our fiction publisher, Daisy Hutton, is a gale-force wind of fresh air. She thinks outside the box, and I love the way she empowers me and my team. Marketing director Katie Bond is always willing to listen to my harebrained ideas and has been completely supportive for years. Fabulous cover guru Kristen Ingebretson works hard to create the perfect cover—and does. You rock, Kristen! And, of course, I can’t forget the other friends in my amazing fiction family: Amanda Bostic, Becky Monds, Jodi Hughes, Kerri Potts, Karli Jackson, Heather McCulloch, Becky Philpott, and Elizabeth Hudson. You are all such a big part of my life. I wish I could name all the great folks at Thomas Nelson who work on selling my books through different venues. I’m truly blessed!
Julee Schwarzburg is a dream editor to work with. She totally gets romantic suspense, and our partnership is pure joy. She brought some terrific ideas to the table with this book—as always!
My agent, Karen Solem, has helped shape my career in many ways, and that includes kicking an idea to the curb when necessary. And my critique partner, Denise Hunter, is the best sounding board ever. Thanks, friends!
I’m so grateful for my husband, Dave, who carts me around from city to city, washes towels, and chases down dinner without complaint. My kids—Dave, Kara (and now Donna and Mark)—and my grandsons, James and Jorden Packer, love and support me in every way possible, and my little Alexa makes every day a joy. She’s talking like a grown-up now, and having her spend the night is more fun than I can tell you.
Most important, I give my thanks to God, who has opened such amazing doors for me and makes the journey a golden one.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
RITA finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several bestselling romantic suspense novels, including Tidewater Inn, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series.
Photo by Clik Chick Photography
Colleen Coble, The Inn at Ocean's Edge
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