Dana’s situation for very long. You’d figure out in pretty short order just making money isn’t a big enough box to live in. Plus,” she chucked Kate’s chin, “I want grandchildren.” She seemed to consider her next words carefully. “And I wouldn’t necessarily accept Dana’s assertion her life is perfect, Kate.”
By the time Kate was in senior high, she saw more of what her mother meant. She noticed, for instance, Uncle Will drank a lot. So much, she couldn’t tell how much, and so often, she couldn’t discern between when he’d been drinking and when he hadn’t. She saw too how her aunt and uncle’s endearments for each other were easily given but casual, even empty. Their glances darted away from each other when they spoke, and while they were never unkind to one another, neither were they genuinely warm. It was as if they were each too preoccupied with a private dilemma to register the other’s true state of mind.
She caught all of these nuances, which did not alter her overall perception of the Fletchers but did make her doubt the details of the pretty picture she saw when she was with them. She no longer accepted her aunt’s advice and opinions at face value.
Chapter 6
The summer Kate turned seventeen, she often went to Griffins Bay with her mother to spend the day at the library reading or working in the gardens. One such Friday in late June, Cara handed her a packet.
“Would you mind delivering this to the Blakes’? Carmen is researching the first settlers in the area, and I came across some information for her.”
“Sure.” She’d love an excuse to see Carmen, although she’d heard Gabe was in Maine for the week and regretted she’d miss him.
“I get done at three, honey,” Cara reminded her. “Don’t forget and make me wait.”
The day was made for landscape artists and casual strolls, the sky a brilliant blue, the sun a crystalline yellow, and all around were the sounds of people enjoying themselves. With nothing to distract her but the buzz of outdoor activities and a pleasant breeze, her half-mile walk went quickly. She approached the Blake house in high spirits.
The Blakes had made interesting modifications to their traditional beach home over the years, effectively blending modern architectural elements with classic styling to give the structure a freshness that somehow went with its original charm. And despite its expansive setting and prominence, the house gave the impression of privacy. Kate noted how discreet side-mounted box awnings hugged many of the windows from the inland side, presumably directing the view from the interior toward the water but also restricting visibility into the home. Seaside, a series of sculptural, wave-like walls hid an ascending walkway between the ocean and a platform Gabe mentioned had once served as a deck for entertaining. The Blakes had built the deck out as a small guest cottage, offering visitors coming from the water a private path much of the way to the main house.
But she approached from the inland side this time, skipping up the steps of the deep, gray porch to knock at the door. She heard a burst of masculine laughter inside, which was unusual, and she tensed. A few seconds later, an absolutely stunning man opened it, smiling to welcome her in.
The normally tranquil Blake household had transformed into an upscale frat house of sorts with the presence of more than a dozen truly beautiful young men. They were everywhere, milling around and lounging, looking as if a modeling agency had sent them over for a retro, Ivy League fashion shoot. Every single one of them oozed charm, vitality, and—Kate could think of no better word for it—virility. Several stood around a flat screen television to watch qualifying races for the U.S. Olympic men’s swim team. They seemed amused.
She stood wide-eyed inside the front door, not sure she wanted to navigate this group to find Carmen. Maybe she could just hand off the envelope and
By the time Kate was in senior high, she saw more of what her mother meant. She noticed, for instance, Uncle Will drank a lot. So much, she couldn’t tell how much, and so often, she couldn’t discern between when he’d been drinking and when he hadn’t. She saw too how her aunt and uncle’s endearments for each other were easily given but casual, even empty. Their glances darted away from each other when they spoke, and while they were never unkind to one another, neither were they genuinely warm. It was as if they were each too preoccupied with a private dilemma to register the other’s true state of mind.
She caught all of these nuances, which did not alter her overall perception of the Fletchers but did make her doubt the details of the pretty picture she saw when she was with them. She no longer accepted her aunt’s advice and opinions at face value.
Chapter 6
The summer Kate turned seventeen, she often went to Griffins Bay with her mother to spend the day at the library reading or working in the gardens. One such Friday in late June, Cara handed her a packet.
“Would you mind delivering this to the Blakes’? Carmen is researching the first settlers in the area, and I came across some information for her.”
“Sure.” She’d love an excuse to see Carmen, although she’d heard Gabe was in Maine for the week and regretted she’d miss him.
“I get done at three, honey,” Cara reminded her. “Don’t forget and make me wait.”
The day was made for landscape artists and casual strolls, the sky a brilliant blue, the sun a crystalline yellow, and all around were the sounds of people enjoying themselves. With nothing to distract her but the buzz of outdoor activities and a pleasant breeze, her half-mile walk went quickly. She approached the Blake house in high spirits.
The Blakes had made interesting modifications to their traditional beach home over the years, effectively blending modern architectural elements with classic styling to give the structure a freshness that somehow went with its original charm. And despite its expansive setting and prominence, the house gave the impression of privacy. Kate noted how discreet side-mounted box awnings hugged many of the windows from the inland side, presumably directing the view from the interior toward the water but also restricting visibility into the home. Seaside, a series of sculptural, wave-like walls hid an ascending walkway between the ocean and a platform Gabe mentioned had once served as a deck for entertaining. The Blakes had built the deck out as a small guest cottage, offering visitors coming from the water a private path much of the way to the main house.
But she approached from the inland side this time, skipping up the steps of the deep, gray porch to knock at the door. She heard a burst of masculine laughter inside, which was unusual, and she tensed. A few seconds later, an absolutely stunning man opened it, smiling to welcome her in.
The normally tranquil Blake household had transformed into an upscale frat house of sorts with the presence of more than a dozen truly beautiful young men. They were everywhere, milling around and lounging, looking as if a modeling agency had sent them over for a retro, Ivy League fashion shoot. Every single one of them oozed charm, vitality, and—Kate could think of no better word for it—virility. Several stood around a flat screen television to watch qualifying races for the U.S. Olympic men’s swim team. They seemed amused.
She stood wide-eyed inside the front door, not sure she wanted to navigate this group to find Carmen. Maybe she could just hand off the envelope and
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