Breakwater Bay by Shelley Noble

Author:Shelley Noble
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

Chapter 16

Carlyn fetched the first aid kit and began cutting off the old gauze. “Are you sure it’s all right for me to do this?”

“You were there. The doctor said it could be taken off after a few days.”

“And replaced with another one. But are you sure you wouldn’t rather go to him?”

“I’m sure.” Meri began peeling away the layers, a little worried at what she would find. “I’d rather be stripping a ceiling,” she said and carefully lifted off the last layer. There were three strips of clear tape running across the stitched skin. All in all, the cut looked innocuous. She knew that could be misleading, but she wiggled her thumb and other fingers. “It works.”

Carlyn let out a sigh. “I knew it would.”

“Boy, I’m pretty lucky.”

“You are. Between nerves and arteries.” Carlyn shuddered. “But I’m wrapping this up and you’re putting it back in that nasty old sling, because we’re not taking any chances. And don’t you dare try to use your hand.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She watched Carlyn rebandage her hand. “It’s awfully quiet in here. Where is everybody?”

“Coming in late because Doug had to bring in an inspector to make sure there are no current leaks. No reason to restore if it’s just going to get ruined again. So relax. I’ll get coffee and you tell me what the heck’s going on in your life.”

It was almost a relief. Meri knew she couldn’t keep what she’d learned from her best friend. Besides, she needed advice. She pulled her backpack onto the table, opened it with one hand, and rummaged inside for an envelope that she had filled that morning while Peter was shaving.

She placed it on the table.

“What’s that?” Carlyn asked as she put a mug in front of Meri.

“Sit down over here by me and I’ll show you.” Meri glanced over her shoulder to make sure they were alone; it was totally a reflex action.

“Oh boy,” Carlyn said and sat down.

“Before I show you, there are a couple of things you should know. But I’m serious about this; you can never tell. So let me know if you can do that before I go any further.”

Carlyn frowned. One eyebrow slowly lifted as it always did when she was questioning someone’s seriousness. “Pinky swear?”

“Cross your heart and hope to die swear.”

“Shit.” Carlyn got up long enough to shut the door, then pulled her chair closer. “Cross my heart.”

“My mother . . .” She told Carlyn about Alden finding a teenager on the breakwater, about her delivering a baby and running away, about her being killed and how her mother had kept Meri as her own.

Carlyn listened to the whole story in silence. “Did you ever find out who she was?”

Meri nodded, bit her lip. “I have a name and a photo, but I’m not sure I even want to go down that road.”

“Of course you do.” Carlyn reached for the envelope. “May I?”

Meri hesitated. It was too late to go back, and she did need advice . .

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