Page 34 of Strangers She Knows

And, with a grin, Kellen told Max, “She reminds me of my cousin Kellen Rae. My cousin was smart, confident, impatient and brave. Celebrate the fact Rae takes after her. She’s always going to be a leader.”

The Di Lucas discovered that Luna, who could run forever, had a weakness. The grasses and thistles stuck in her tender paws. So much to the dog’s distress, she was frequently sidelined, locked in the house, while Rae bicycled far and wide across the island. Luna made her displeasure at being left behind clear; she hid in the closets or the corners, in unused rooms and the far reaches of the house. They had to find her, coax her, show her their love until she deigned to come out and be her usual cheerful self.

Interestingly enough, Max seemed to be having more trouble adjusting to life on Isla Paraíso than either Kellen or Rae. He had been in charge of so much of the Di Luca businesses for so long, the lack of responsibility made him twitchy. He had even been known to sit at night in the library and listen to Kellen read Ruby’s diary. Luckily, the Ford F-100 didnotrun, and somehow, somewhere in his past, he’d wanted an old pickup to fix up. As a distraction, Kellen judged the F-100 to be a godsend.

All in all, Kellen believed that, as a family, they were doing pretty well. Having all the time in the world had had an odd effect; without structure they constructed their lives along their needs and preferences.

I’ll take everything from her, the way she took everything from me. I’ll make her sorry she betrayed me.

Yet the memory of Mara’s threat cut into Kellen like a wound that threatened to turn gangrenous.

Today, as the sun rose, she ran the narrow path south and downhill, through the waving grasses, east on the winding track through the deeply shaded redwoods. The massive trees muffled the sounds of the waves, and the silence here was old and watchful, as if a soul lived in each redwood, and each soul had seen too much of change and sorrow. She was glad to turn east into the bright sunlight toward the Conkles’ cottage, but when she saw Jamie working in the yard, she veered off.

JAMIE CONKLE:

FEMALE OF COLOR, 32YO, 5'7", 125 LBS. BEAUTIFUL, BUT—BLACK HAIR AND DARK, RESENTFUL EYES BEHIND NARROW BLACK-FRAMED GLASSES. PERPETUAL WARDROBE: LONG SLEEVELESS DRESS THAT SHOWS OFF ARMS SCULPTED BY DAILY SHOVEL AND HAMMER LABOR, AND SNEAKERS WITH SOCKS. LIVING HER DREAM, BUT NEVER HAPPY, AS IF REALITY COULD NEVER COMPETE WITH THE SHANGRI-LA OF HER IDEAL WORLD.

In the first week on the island, Rae had begged to visit Jamie. She didn’t believe Jamie wouldn’t like her. So Kellen and Rae had biked to the small house carrying the gift of one of Olympia’s pound cakes wrapped in a bow.

Jamie had met them at the door, pointed out that baking such a frivolous cake used precious energy better preserved for future generations. When she saw Luna, she informed them the dog might kill the rare fowl in the area and should be kept penned.

Kellen and Rae had retreated.

Five weeks later, Kellen had occasionally seen Jamie bringing the food basket to Olympia, and once she’d caught a glimpse of someone who looked like her on the second floor of the mansion. But when Kellen called her, Jamie had rounded a corner and vanished. Into a secret passage, Kellen supposed. But why would Jamie be inside and upstairs? When she visited to ask, Jamie explained in contemptuous tones that with so many people now living in the mansion,someonehad to check the condition of the water tower on the roof. She managed to make it sound as if Kellen had deliberately made work for her, and when Kellen offered to take over that duty, Jamie had brusquely dismissed her.

Odd. The woman was just odd.

Dylan, when intoxicated, was far too friendly. And he was always intoxicated.

At the low end of the island, Kellen passed the dock where the SkinnySail was moored. She slowed, then stopped. Arm raised, she held her hat firmly on her head, protecting it from the constant breeze, and smiled at the memories.

Max wrapped his arms around Kellen’s shoulders and pointed at the SkinnySail, waiting at the waterline. “Isn’t she a beauty? Want to go out with me? I can teach you to sail.”

Kellen knew nothing about boats or boating; she left that for Max and other enthused family members. To her eyes, this boat was small, sleek, with a mast and a motor. What the motor said to her was,Sailing doesn’t always work and sometimes you have to be saved.“No, that’s fine. You teach Rae. I’ll stay on the beach and read.”

“It’s big enough for the three of us.”

“If one of us wasn’t a former football player, maybe. You weigh a ton! Add me and Rae and the whole thing will founder.”

“Maybe. Then it’s time for swimming lessons.” He laughed at Kellen’s expression, kissed her on the mouth and then yelled, “Come on, Rae, let’s sail!”

Before he finished speaking, Rae prepared the sail to be raised and together, she and Max pushed the boat into the waves.

Kellen watched Max haul out the oars and gesture Rae to her place by the motor. She was going to steer them out beyond the breakers and into open water.

Living at Yearning Sands Resort had taught the child all the things they had hoped when they moved there: she biked, she sailed, she could survive in the wilderness. She had taught adults how to make a fire and tie a rope. Her confidence was as blinding as her smile.

Max cast off.

The waves came into this beach at an angle; Max said that meant it was easier to get out beyond the surf. Easier might not be the correct term, because Max and Rae struggled mightily, using oars and the motor. Then they were out into the ocean and sailing out of sight…

Thatout of sightthing worried Kellen, so next time, she decided to go along. Max removed the motor to save the weight. They all hopped in and sailed away…

Max and Rae had a fabulous time, and returned drenched. Kellen simply returned drenched.

She was, she realized, the official Isla Paraíso party pooper.

On the other hand, she knew how to do enough stuff: rappel out of a helicopter, aim and shoot a weapon and, now, speak Italian well enough to find a bathroom and order a meal. She had even learned to crochet an afghan, which Verona triumphantly pointed out was great physical therapy for her hands.

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