Chapter 4

Josie leaned against her kitchen counter and bit her lip, passing her cell phone back and forth between her hands.

I've never called off sick from work before,she thought. She hated the idea. It made her feel irresponsible. It gave her a kind of itching feeling in her body.

But she had so much that she needed to get done that day. It was overwhelming. Paige was going to be arriving to Blueberry Bay later, and Josie was determined to be ready for her.

She called Dane's number and listened to it ring, wincing.

"Hello?" came his voice through the other end. He sounded a little sleepy, and Josie glanced at the clock on her wall, realizing that it was only seven-thirty.

"Hi, Dane," she said breathlessly. "I'm so sorry to do this, but I have to call in sick to work today."

There were a few seconds of silence, and then Dane said, "Is everything all right?"

She pursed her lips. She'd been hoping the word "sick" would have been explanation enough. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just not feeling well." That was true enough. Her stomach felt like she had some ocean water sloshing around inside of it.

"I'm sorry to hear that." There was another pause. "Well, we'll do our best to get by without you, but it will be difficult."

"You should be fine today, I got most of this week's details aligned yesterday. Feel free to call me if you need any questions answered."

"Okay, we will," Dane said.

Josie felt a pang of wistfulness. Dane often referred to himself and Alissa as a "we." She wished she could say "we" like that. She wished she had someone who could help her turn this problem into a solution. Someone who would keep her from having to go it alone.

"Sounds good. I'll probably see you tomorrow."

"Okay, great. Best of luck with everything."

They hung up, and Josie bit her lip again. Dane knew something was up. He'd said "best of luck" instead of "get well soon."

Well, at least he's not mad,she thought. She lifted her eyes to the doorway to her guest room and sighed. There was so much she needed to do.

First, she cleaned. She'd been keeping some boxes in the guest bedroom, using it as storage, and she carried those down to her storage cage in the basement of the apartment building. Then she vacuumed the guest bedroom, dusted it, and washed the sheets and comforter. She got a soft pink blanket from the linen cupboard and spread it over the white quilt on the bed. When she had been very little, Paige's favorite color had been pink. Josie had no idea if it still was or not. Guilt fluttered through her.

As she worked, she kept getting phone calls. From the social worker who had called her yesterday, and from the school, getting details from her so that Paige would be able to start classes immediately. Some of the details Josie didn't know, and she had to call the social worker back and then call the school again.

Throughout all of it, her mind kept whirring. She wanted to call Paige. She wanted to ask her what kind of things she liked—what was her favorite dessert, or her favorite beverage? Before she went to the grocery store, Josie wanted to know what kind of things to stock up on so that Paige would feel at home. But by the time she finally got up the courage to call Paige, it rang and rang and went to voicemail. Josie sighed, feeling the familiar pang of helplessness. What could she do if Paige didn't want to talk to her?

She decided to text her sister, hoping that opening the lines of communication would ease her mind.

JOSIE: Hey! What foods do you like to eat?

Josie went back to her cleaning, opening the windows to air out the room even though it was chilly, and making sure the drawers of the dresser were dust-free. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She pulled it out eagerly and read the text from Paige.

PAIGE: I'll eat whatever.

Josie's heart sank. The response was noncommittal, and disinterested. Josie felt as though her sister was trying to keep her at arm's length.

Just wait until she gets here, Josie, she told herself. Things will get better when Paige gets here. Or so she hoped, anyway.

She went to the grocery store and bought food that she guessed Paige would like—ingredients for pizzas, some ice cream sandwiches, and a few different kinds of juices, such as Blueberry Pomegranate and Beet Carrot Orange. They were beautiful, rich colors. Josie wanted to buy Paige mainly healthy food, and she stocked up on a lot of fruits and vegetables as well. She wanted to take her guardianship responsibilities seriously.

By the time it was mid-afternoon, Josie felt exhausted. She'd done almost everything she could and had reached the waiting game. All she could do now was wait for other people to call her back. And for Paige to arrive.

She felt nervous and worn out. She sat down in one of her kitchen chairs and rubbed her temples with her fingertips. She glanced at the clock, deciding that she might as well go out. A cup of coffee sounded great right about then.

She strolled down to Tidal Wave Coffee, and the moment she stepped inside the familiar shop, the comforting aroma of coffee filled her nostrils. Josie took a deep breath, feeling some of her nerves settle down.

Everything is going to be fine, she told herself. It's all going to be fine.

She ordered a pumpkin spice latte—absolute comfort coffee—and stood by the window to wait for it. After what seemed like only a few moments, she saw someone approaching her out of the corner of her eye. She turned and saw that it was Michael, carrying her coffee over to her.

"Hi," he said, handing it to her. "Thought I'd bring this over and say hello."

Michael was looking at her a little curiously, with his eyebrows lifted. Almost as if he was worried.

I guess everyone can tell that I'm upset, Josie thought. I'm probably wearing my anxiety on my face.

She smiled at him. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

"How are things going?" Michael asked, his demeanor concerned.

Josie sighed. She didn't even know where to begin. A rush of concerns raced through her mind. Paige didn't really want to move to Blueberry Bay. Josie didn't know how to be a guardian. She wanted to help make Paige's stay in Blueberry Bay as great as possible, but she wasn't sure how to do that.

But she couldn't tell Michael all of that. It was too private.

She opened her mouth to tell him the basic details, and then all of a sudden, she had an idea.

"My sister is coming to Blueberry Bay," she told him. "She's still only a teenager. She has to leave her job at home behind, and I told her I'd help her look for a new one. Would you be open to hiring her for some weekend work? It wouldn't be a lot of hours, since she's still in school."

Michael nodded slowly. He still had that curious, concerned glint in his eyes. "I didn't know you had a sister, Josie," he said.

Josie nodded. "I do."

She didn't know what else to say. She didn't want to tell him all the details. Not only was she just not that close to Michael, but she was also worried that she might break down and start crying in the middle of Tidal Wave Coffee if she started to talk about it.

"Well, yeah, she can definitely work here on the weekends if she wants. We could use the help."

Josie smiled, feeling relieved and grateful. She had a feeling Michael didn't really need the help, and he was mostly agreeing to be kind to her. "Thank you so much, Michael. That will mean a lot to her."

"Don't mention it." Michael smiled. "How's your coffee?"

Josie took a sip. "Incredible as usual."

"What time does your sister get here?" Michael asked, but at that moment, Josie's phone began to ring.

"I'm sorry, I've got to take this," she told him. She didn't recognize the number, but it was probably the local social worker. She was expecting a call from them.

"Not a problem," Michael said. "Catch you later."

She smiled at him and stepped out of the coffee shop, lifting her phone to her ear. "Hello?"

"Hi, is this Josie Garner?" It was a man's voice. Deep and masculine, with a pleasant, clear tone.

"It is." Josie held the phone more tightly and lifted her coffee to her lips again, relishing the comforting flavors of spices and espresso.

"This is Wesley Cliff. I'm a local social worked assigned to your sister's case."

"Okay," Josie said. She didn't know what else to say, although there was a pause after her words, as if he expected her to say more.

"I'll be bringing your sister down from Portland today. Afterward, I'll stick around and make sure that she gets settled in okay."

Josie nodded, and then realized that he couldn't see her. She was distracted! She had been hoping to drive Paige to Blueberry Bay herself. The news that this social worker was going to do it for her was disappointing. She had been hoping to have the car drive as a time for Paige to get used to one thing at a time—first her, and then Blueberry Bay. "Okay, sure."

"I won't have a lot to do with this case, but I'll be making sure she gets everything she needs once she's there."

Josie's lips parted. She felt a surge of frustration. Of course Paige was going to have everything she needed. Josie had spent every hour she could making sure of that.

"She will," Josie said firmly.

"Of course," Wesley said. "I just want to help make sure all the details are smoothed out. She should get started at the Blueberry Bay High School in a few days—"

"I have that all arranged," Josie said crisply. She realized she'd interrupted him, but it was too late now. Her fear that she had been failing Paige was sloshing around in her stomach. She knew this man was just trying to do his job, but she felt like he was telling her she wasn't able to take proper care of her sister without his help. "She's all set to start high school here, and I've even found her a weekend job already, at Tidal Wave Coffee."

There was a brief moment of silence, and then Wesley said, "That's great! That's really great. I'm glad to hear that."

There was another pause. Josie wondered if she should thank him for driving Paige. Him doing that meant that she had more time to finish preparing. But she felt as though she had failed her sister by not being the one to come pick her up.

"Thanks for driving her," Josie said stiffly, deciding to err on the side of politeness. "What time will you be getting here?"

"About four p.m. Can you meet us somewhere then?"

"Of course," Josie said tersely. "How about the waterfront?"

"Sure," Wesley said. "I know it. We'll see you there at four."

"Okay," Josie said. "See you at four. Thanks."

They hung up. Josie stood staring into space for a moment, feeling the wind shift. She looked up and felt two drops of rain fall onto her face.

* * *

Wesley Cliff glanced out of the window of his Jeep and smiled at the sight in front of him. Blueberry Bay's evening lights were turning on already, glowing like stars in the growing dusk. He was fond of his town. He performed his work in the surrounding areas for the most part, and it was rare for him to have a charge here in Blueberry Bay itself.

He glanced at Paige Garner, sitting in the front seat of the Jeep next to him. Her long blond hair was tied back in a long braid that had gotten messy from the long journey. She had her head leaned against the window and was gazing listlessly at the road in front of them.

"There it is!" Wesley said, hoping to inspire some interest in her new home. "Blueberry Bay. It's a great town."

Paige glanced at him, her eyes narrowed. "How do you know?"

He laughed. "I'm not lying to you. I live here. It is a great town."

Paige raised her eyebrows. "That's a long drive for you." It was about two hours from Blueberry Bay's location in Rhode Island to Portland, Maine, which meant that Wesley had just spent four hours in the car.

"Don't mention it." He smiled encouragingly at her. "It's all part of my job."

The next part of his job would be facilitating Paige's guardianship by her sister. Judging from the way Josie Garner had spoken to him on the phone earlier, she might prove a little uncooperative.

Wesley drove his Jeep up to the waterfront. The sunset was casting a sheen of pink and gold across the waves. It was breathtaking. Wesley glanced at Paige, to see if she'd noticed the view, and was pleased to see that she was staring out at the ocean, entranced.

He parked alongside the sidewalk bordering the beach and pier. He and Paige stepped out of the Jeep, stretching their legs after the long drive. Wesley glanced at his watch.

"It's three forty-five," he said. "We're pretty early. Your sister isn't going to meet us here until four."

Paige didn't seem to hear him. She was still gazing out at the ocean. Wesley smiled.

He glanced at his watch again, as a force of habit. Fifteen minutes to spare. Should they just stand here and wait? He looked at Paige again. Now she was turning around slowly, gazing at the buildings located near the waterfront. Her eyebrows were lifted a little; she looked curious.

Wesley was relieved about that. Some of the kids he'd worked with in the past would not have taken to Blueberry Bay. They would have said that the sleepy coastal town was too boring. Paige seemed to be interested in it, however, and that was good news. Wesley thought it would be a great place for her to be in. Not because he was worried about her getting into trouble—there was nothing in her file that implied she had ever gotten into things she shouldn't have—but he felt as though a quiet atmosphere would be good for her. Her home life had been difficult. She seemed like a great kid, but it was clear that her circumstances had taken a toll on her. She hadn't spoken hardly at all on the car ride there, and he'd seen her gazing out the window with a troubled expression.

She's going through something upsetting, Wesley thought. To some extent, her reaction is only to be expected. But she also seems sad.

"We've got about fifteen minutes before your sister gets here," Wesley said, mentioning the wait again in case Paige hadn't heard him the first time. The wind was fairly strong there at the water's edge. "Would you like to get some coffee? My treat. Tidal Wave Coffee is just over there. It's the best coffee around for miles."

Paige shrugged. "Sure. Coffee's good."

They walked to the coffee shop. Wesley didn't try to get her to talk. He figured she was keeping company with her own thoughts, and she probably had plenty of those.

They stepped inside the coffee shop and were greeted by a teenage barista. She looked to be about Paige's age and had on earrings shaped like cupcakes. Her smile was broad and friendly as she asked them what they would like to order.

"You go first," Wesley said to Paige, who was staring at the menu.

"I'll take a white mocha," Paige said, speaking without hesitation. It sounded to Wesley like Paige knew coffee. He'd never even heard of a white mocha before.

"Sure thing." The girl grinned at Paige as if they were old friends, but Paige seemed kind of taken aback. "And for you, sir?"

"Black coffee, please."

Wesley and Paige took seats at a table by the window as they waited for their drinks to be made. It wasn't long until a man with long dark hair approached them, smiling warmly.

"Hello," he said, holding out his hand for a shake. Wesley shook it. "I'm Michael O'Neil, the owner of Tidal Wave Coffee. Your drinks will be ready in just a moment. What brings you folks here?"

Wesley liked Michael. He'd seen him around the coffee shop before, although he'd never met him. He had a warm charisma that seemed to be putting Paige at ease. She was blinking up at him, looking a little starstruck.

"I live here in Blueberry Bay," Wesley said, "but Paige is just moving here."

Michael looked down at Paige, smiling, and then a flicker of recognition passed over his face. "Of course," he said. "You must be Josie Garner's sister. You look just like her."

Paige stiffened a little, but Wesley kept the conversation rolling. "Yes, that's right. We're supposed to be meeting Josie in just a little while."

"Well, I'm glad you stopped in here," Michael said. "This is perfect. Your sister arranged for you to start working here on the weekends, Paige."

Paige sat up straighter, and her eyes shone a little. "Really?"

"Yeah," Michael said. "You'll love Blueberry Bay. And this is the best place to work." He winked at her.

She smiled, but the troubled look had come back into her eyes the moment Michael had told her she would love the small town. She nodded and didn't say anything else.

The barista approached their table with the drinks. "Here you are! White mocha and black coffee. Black and white! That's kind of funny." She laughed and walked away.

Michael chuckled. "That's Stacey. You'll get to know her once you start working here. She's a great kid."

Paige nodded, watching the other girl walk away. She looked a little wary. Wesley could see in the coffee shop's lights that there were dark circles under Paige's eyes. She needed a good meal and a good night's sleep. Michael told them to just ask if they needed anything and went back behind the counter.

"Your sister will be here soon," Wesley said to Paige, trying to be reassuring, but his words only seemed to make Paige paler. He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Josie.

WESLEY: Hello, this is Wesley Cliff. We've arrived and are at Tidal Wave Coffee. We can meet you at the waterfront or here.

Almost immediately, he got a text back.

JOSIE: I'll meet you at Tidal Wave Coffee right away.

Wesley swallowed. He got the impression that both Josie and Paige were nervous about their reunion.

A few minutes later, the door to the coffee shop opened, and a beautiful woman with long blond hair hurried through the doorway. Wesley stood up the moment he saw her. She glanced around the coffee shop for a moment, and then located Wesley and Paige, sitting at the table. Wesley knew this must be Josie Garner—she looked very similar to Paige, just as Michael had said.

Paige stood up. Her eyes were locked onto her sister, but she didn't smile. Josie hurried up to her but slowed down as she reached her. Neither of them initiated a hug. Josie appeared to have some tears in her eyes, and Wesley saw Paige swallow and shift her feet. He remembered reading that they hadn't seen one another in many years. That would explain their strained behavior.

"You must be Josie," he said, reaching his hand out for a shake. "I'm Wesley Cliff. Nice to meet you."

"Hi," Josie said coolly. Her expression was blank, and somewhat hard. Wesley decided not to take it personally—he guessed that she might be trying not to cry. "I'm Josie Garner, Paige's sister."

Wesley nodded. "Nice to meet you."

She didn't return the compliment. She simply nodded curtly at him. He watched her face as she turned back to Paige. He saw a kind of pain in her eyes, and his heart softened toward her despite her curt attitude.

Paige didn't say anything. She looked tired and uncomfortable. Josie's shoulders lifted with an anxious inhale.

"So, Josie," Wesley said. She turned to him and he gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. "I'll go with you and Paige to your place to make sure that Paige gets all settled in, and then I'll be out of your hair."