Secrets at Mermaid Cove by Katlyn Duncan

Author:Katlyn Duncan [Duncan, Katlyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2022-08-24T12:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

The closest store to Rose’s apartment was Stew’s Market. There weren’t as many options as there were in a bigger grocery store, but there were enough unique items and fresh produce to make a satisfying meal for her sister. Rose hadn’t exactly needed Reen to go to the store, but it was the least she could do to repay Rose for allowing her to stay for free at her place.

As she browsed the refrigerated section, she wondered why, after all these years, Rose was still so eager to reunite her family. Stubbornness ran through their blood, but even Reen had given up on a lot in the time she’d been away. Why hadn’t Rose? Especially since Reen hadn’t been the most caring sister to her. Whenever Reen gave Rose any of her temporary addresses – which hadn’t been for a while – there were always greeting cards showing up in her mailbox. If not coming to a physical address, Rose had texted with the same sentiments on the more significant holidays.

Reen didn’t understand the family bonds between some people. Brody and Missy were a strange set of siblings who clung to each other no matter what. Maybe it had been too long for Rose and Reen. As children, they were thicker than thieves and spent every moment they could in the water. Until that bond shattered when Rose’s insane fear of the ocean prevented her from doing anything fun. After that, Reen and Mom became inseparable on the beach. Over the years, well into Reen’s teens, they seemed to have a unique language. Until Dad passed.

Reen rarely dredged up thoughts of Dad. After his car accident, she’d blamed herself for his death, but in the short time she saw a local therapist, he reminded her that she hadn’t caused her father to have a heart attack on the way to her swim meet and crash into a guardrail near the highway.

The series of events clicked into her head like a puzzle with previously missing pieces. First, Rose pulled away, then Mom. Mom couldn’t handle losing Dad and fell into a severe depression. It affected both girls, yet Reen and Rose woke up every morning and moved forward with their lives. It was what people did. It was what they needed from their mother, yet never got.

No wonder Reen didn’t want to be close to anyone. They always abandoned her whenever she needed them.

She wouldn’t make that mistake again.

The summer after graduation, Reen had turned down her full ride to the University of Florida, packed up her things for good and never looked back.

By the time she made it to the checkout counter, a dull buzzing coursed through her body. It was the same feeling she’d had every single day for the last few years. But, unlike those times, she could do something about it.

Knowing Shane was at work, she dropped the groceries at Rose’s apartment before driving to her childhood home. Her mind went on autopilot while her nerves spiked as she neared the familiar street.

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