Harvest Rest: Driftwood Bay, #3

By Teri Blake

USA Today Bestselling author Teri Blake brings you the next installment in this year-long look at a solid relationship.

Karla's perfectionism has crept back…

Every time stress steals into her life, she deals with it by creating a perfect bubble. That bursts when her children come home from their father's smelling of pot and asking to never return. Sawyer has his own troubles. He's doing the work of two since his business partner had to leave suddenly.
Construction on the inn has started and Karla can't get anyone to talk to her or help her when things don't go right. Her sister Channyon would normally be her rock without Sawyer, but she's got pain of her own to go through.

Channyon kept a big secret from her sister Karla for the past five years…her marriage.

Secrets and miscommunication drove Channyon and Becker apart, and she's sure there's been infidelity. She's not sure if the infidelity is worse because it was her spouse…or because it was with her sister.

But what if she's wrong?

Becker Garret married the woman of his dreams.

As a lawyer, he needed someone independent who could think on her feet and who didn't need him constantly by her side to be happy. Channyon was that woman and he believes she still is. But she also believes, erroneously, that he's had an affair with her sister.

Channyon's hurt is deep and unyielding. Will their path lead to reconciliation or separation? Will Karla and Sawyer connect and learn the ins and outs of both their needs?

In this quaint town, where family comes first, neighbors look out for each other, and old wounds run deep, four sisters try to forge a new business and figure out who they are as a group again. But will secrets and the pain of infidelity break them all apart?


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• Language: English
• Publisher: Inked in Faith Publications
• Release date: Aug 24, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393724377

Book preview

Chapter One

Having a distracted Channyon in her kitchen was like having a black lab puppy in a library. Karla held in the retort on the tip of her tongue after asking for the spatula three times. She finally reached over and grabbed it herself. Keeping the peace was more important than letting off steam. But she’d promised this green bean casserole to her guests that evening, and it had to get done.

Cream of mushroom, please? Karla pointed to the can, but whatever was going on out the window distracted her, which was so unlike Channyon. Even after a few months of this, Karla couldn’t get used to it.

"What do you think he’s doing? Channyon dropped her chin into her hands and stared out at the waves, not a hundred feet from their front door.

Two months ago, when Becker Garret, Channyon’s secret husband, had arrived on their doorstep, Karla would’ve thought Channyon’s question signaled genuine curiosity. She’d since learned to avoid questions like that because they sent Channyon into a tailspin of anger and hurt.

Probably not making green bean casserole. Karla reached for the can herself. Part of the problem was she had her own expectations, and she knew it. Channyon had said she wanted to help, so Karla had expected actual participation. What Channyon had really wanted was company so she wasn’t alone with her thoughts. Karla knew the feeling all too well.

Sorry. Channyon closed her eyes and stood from her stool then headed for the fridge. She’d gained a little weight since Becker had gone back home to finish some projects two months before. None of them knew when he would return, but he would. She’d spent more time than usual staring into the refrigerator and snacking when her mood got too low.

I just can’t seem to think. The only place I’m fine, is at work because I have to be. I won’t even have that now with the inn shutting down for construction.

Karla set down her spoon and headed for Channyon. With a slight touch to the shoulder, she turned Channyon to face her. Why don’t you just call him and find out when he’s coming back so you don’t have to worry? Or ask one of us to do it? Or even Sawyer? Though Channyon still didn’t like him very much.

Sawyer? The guy who’s here all the time even though you’re still married and will be until May? That Sawyer? Or maybe I should ask Sonica? Since she’s so willing to talk to my husband anyway. Channyon’s anger burst forth like the scent from a freshly cut onion.

Sawyer is my friend. Nothing more. Maybe we’ll explore deeper possibilities after I’m divorced, maybe not. But I won’t do what Rob did to me. After fifteen years of marriage, she couldn’t just accept another man right away. Even if he was a hundred times the man Rob ever was.

Lashing out at Karla was all right, she could defend herself. Blaming their sister wasn’t, because Sonica would never say anything against Channyon.

And you know better than to continue to blame Sonica. She was on the receiving end, nothing more. She was trying to listen to Becker’s grief. She didn’t cheat. You and I both know that.

Channyon pushed her way free from her spot stuck between Karla and the fridge. "I have a right to be angry. My husband went to my sister with all of our private issues. He looked to her for help. He looked to her for—"

Karla held up her hand and stopped Channyon, though she knew Channyon couldn’t finish the sentence anyway. Not since Becker had come to find her had she been able to express what Sonica had done, though the issue was more with Becker. Channyon just held onto all the pain because she wasn’t ready to heal yet.

He asked her to be a surrogate without talking to you first. I know. It’s horrible and wrong. But she didn’t do it. Maybe he was feeling that biological clock like some women do. I know I said and did some crazy things when I wanted to be pregnant so bad…

She hadn’t had to wait that long though. Even on her honeymoon, she’d hoped for a child. They’d blessedly gotten pregnant almost right away. Channyon and Becker had gone through at least eighteen months of negative tests, if she recalled what Channyon had told her correctly. Hurt at being robbed of the opportunity to be there for her sister again ate at her heart.

Maybe, but that doesn’t make it right. I have every right to be angry about this.

Karla held in another sigh and went back to her casserole. She wasn’t a therapist, which was what Channyon and Becker desperately needed. Probably psychological and eventually fertility, if they ever got that far.

"You do. I’m not saying you don’t. Your feelings are yours. But you’re also taking those feelings out on your sister who literally only listened to a man complain. That’s it. She’s loved you always, supported you. And you still haven’t forgiven her for listening."

Though Channyon claimed she held nothing against Sonica, she was also the first person to bring Sonica up when she was angry.

How can you say I haven’t forgiven her? She’s here, isn’t she? When we came out here to help you, I didn’t leave her behind. I certainly could’ve.

Karla had been thinking about that often in the middle of the night. Thoughts hit her hard, often in clusters, starting with Channyon, then how she would survive when school started in a week, and finally what to do about money with bookings way down due to construction.

Maybe you brought her because if you didn’t, you would’ve had to explain Becker to me, and you weren’t ready to do that. You’re kind of known at this point for following the path of least resistance once it’s started. Whether that path is good or not.

If anyone had a right to feel angry, it was Karla. Channyon had kept her from knowing about her marriage for five whole years and swore the other sisters to secrecy. All because Karla was supposedly too busy with her own life and because Rob wouldn’t have let her visit anyway. That was the excuse, but there had to be more to it than that.

You think I won’t talk to Becker because I’ve chosen this path, so that means I’ll stick to it? You think I’m so stubborn that I would ruin my marriage to maintain consistency? I don’t think you know me as well as you think you do. Channyon turned bright red but wouldn’t meet her eyes.

Don’t I? Five years was a long time to keep a secret, but just because that’s how it started was as much of a reason as Channyon usually needed.

Until the last three months, we hadn’t spoken regularly in years. Don’t act like you can just jump right back in as the oldest sister and know everything. You don’t. You were too busy with that loser husband to know what Aryn, Sonica, and I were going through. I’d go so far as to say you didn’t care. It’s not like you called often enough to say you knew us.

She’d had to look really deeply at herself since Rob left, and Channyon was right. She wasn’t guilt free. Rob hated her sisters and told her not to call them, but was that a good enough excuse? Calling wasn’t difficult, she’d just made her own little world so important that it hadn’t extended beyond her own front door.

Rob had accused her of faking the perfect life for the neighbors, but never actually living up to it. He’d felt ignored and turned to another woman. He’d accused her of treating him like a pet that she told where to go and what to do. Which was true to a point. When she’d joined neighborhood parties, she’d always reminded him to attend and how to act, but only because at that time, she didn’t know him well enough to know how he would behave without direction.

She couldn’t go back and change that.

Life wasn’t perfect and she couldn’t travel back and call Channyon or any of her sisters or change what she’d done and said to Rob. She’d thought keeping up on social media was enough. It hadn’t been.

"I know I made mistakes too. I’m not trying to lay the blame for all of our problems on you. But Sonica still keeps distant because she knows you don’t want to be near her. And you did bring her up when I mentioned calling Becker. Think about it."

Channyon rested her head against the window. Like I think of anything else.

Channyon took in a deep breath and tried to feel calm, but no matter how much she tried to center herself, she was off. As if walking away from hurt were as easy as snapping her fingers. Sonica might not have planned to cheat with Becker, but she hadn’t shared what was going on with him either.

Finding out her husband had been having an emotional affair with her sister was bad. Finding out about it by hearing a private conversation when things had obviously gone on for a while…left scars.

You don’t understand the whole story. I’ve forgiven Sonica as much as I possibly can right now. I’ve lived with her for months… And their relationship wasn’t the same, but it might not ever be. Sonica should’ve told her.

I’m infertile, not blind. Channyon headed for the living room where she wouldn’t have to face Karla or anyone else.

Karla was always right. Even when she was wrong. She had always presented herself as being in the right. Not only was it infuriating, it wasn’t helpful at the moment. Karla was going through her own messy break up after fifteen years of marriage. She shouldn’t be handing out marital advice.

Rob had told the sisters to leave and never come back. It hadn’t been a threat, but since Karla had been so in love at the time, they’d all unwillingly done as he’d asked. With the exception of some chats on text and social media, the sisters had remained apart. Karla, the only one who could break Rob’s rule, had gone along with it.

Karla followed Channyon and stood by the doorway. You might not be infertile. Have you ever thought of that? A year and a half isn’t a long time to try. Just because Rob and I managed to get pregnant right away doesn’t mean you would.

Here we go, Channyon thought. Just as expected. Karla would dole out her wisdom. While they hadn’t tried that long, Becker had gone off the deep end and searched for a surrogate. She might be able to go through fertility treatments, but that hadn’t even been explored. As to having her own child, that wasn’t likely with as few viable eggs as she possessed.

Okay, Dr. Karla, OB/GYN. Channyon did her best not to roll her eyes. I supposed the report I have from the doctor that says that I don’t usually ovulate means nothing? She crossed her arms, waiting.

Well, I didn’t know that part. Karla turned and headed back for the kitchen.

She loved her older sister, but Karla could be a little too pushy in an emotional situation. Aryn popped in from the back patio, a lovely glow in her cheeks.

Take a run? Channyon sat on the sofa and wished she had the energy or the motivational desire to actually run like Aryn did.

Yup. All the way to Tim’s house and back. He has a pretty spectacular garden. Aryn chuckled and headed for the kitchen as she blotted her face with a towel around her neck. She waved to Karla, then peered back at Channyon. Want anything?

Channyon shook her head. Besides time and space, she wanted nothing. In the last month she’d regretted coming to Driftwood Bay. If not for Karla’s situation, Becker never would’ve found her.

He’d gone back to his law practice to finish a few jobs so he could take an extended break. Just like she wasn’t sure when he’d return to North Carolina, she wasn’t sure when he would need to return to work after he came back. He’d wanted to return to Driftwood Bay during construction on the inn. That way, he could see what he’d paid for. Then she could leave again.

But that would again leave her sisters behind.

They’d vowed to remain together now that they were reunited and all living together. Sawyer had purchased the house next to Karla’s Tidewater Inn for them to live in. Karla’s friends Paxton and Quin had owned it. They had enough room for all four sisters plus Karla’s two children, Maisy and Davin, when they were there.

Everyone was happy, except her, knowing Becker would return soon. He’d be staying until Thanksgiving when the construction was supposed to be done. They were adding ten rooms on the back of the house and turning the Tidewater Inn from a five-bedroom bed and breakfast to a fifteen-room genuine inn.

Karla was excited and needed all their help, had actually been using all their help for the last month or so with constant bookings. Channyon was ready to move on. Maybe it was running. Maybe it was self-preservation. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Aryn returned from the fridge, guzzling a whole bottle of water. She set it on the end table and wiped her face one last time with the towel around her neck. Even after a long run, she still managed to look completely normal and calm. If Channyon ran a block, she’d be sweating and panting, probably shaking for the next half hour…

Karla thinks I should call Becker. Aryn had been there when it all happened. She’d seen the hurt. She’d lived through the discomfort in the house. Had even mentioned it a few times. She would know what a colossally bad idea it would be to invite that back into her life.

She’s got a point. Aryn frowned and glanced at the floor. You’ve lived with this odd mix of anger, guilt, and accusation for a long time now. But you never blame Becker. Only those on the fringe. You need to call him, tell him exactly what you think, and go from there.

Of course Aryn would side with Karla, they both had their eyes on new relationships. Why had she thought she might get some good advice out of either of them?

Go from there? Don’t you mean, move on? Because she wasn’t going back to Becker. There was no way.

No. Because before you started trying to have kids, you two were solid. Solid. Like, I was sure you’d be one of those cute old couples in restaurants that sit on the same side of the booth holding hands. That kind of solid.

That pain of too many tears, yet not quite enough, burned in Channyon’s chest. She’d thought the same thing. Becker was so different from her in so many ways, yet they managed to complement each other, not clash. That was, until he’d decided having a child was more important than her feelings.

It may sound weak, but I don’t want to talk to him. I want to get in my truck and go. Go someplace far away where I can start over. Where no one knows who I am.

Aryn rolled her eyes. So, he’s not important enough to give the effort to sort through the mess, but he’s important enough that you’re willing to walk away from your sisters so you don’t have to deal with him? You gave your word. Doesn’t that mean anything anymore?

When they were young, those sister pacts were practically life or death. Now…well, maybe the others considered them to be, but Channyon didn’t feel that anymore. The pain of her marriage ate up too much of her ability to care.

Not when I just want peace and I can’t get it here. Especially with you and Karla fawning over Tim and Sawyer.

Aryn’s mouth dropped open. That’s not fair. I might have a thing for Tim at this moment and that’s my business, but I haven’t seen anything that would suggest Karla is having an affair on Rob. Even if he deserves it. She might like Sawyer, but she has not crossed the line and she won’t.

I wish I could believe that, but I don’t. She still wasn’t completely certain Sonica hadn’t done anything with Becker. They were very good friends, enough that Sonica was the one who reached out to Becker when Karla needed a lawyer. She’d asked if he knew one in North Carolina, making it known right where Channyon was hiding.

Then maybe you should go. If you can’t trust us, your sisters, then you really don’t get what we’re trying to create here.

Aryn stood and flattened her lips in a dramatic scowl. You were always the one fighting to get us back together. You were always the one angry that Karla had married and abandoned us. What happened to you?

The rhetorical question sent many answers rapid-firing in her head and fighting to get out, but she only allowed herself to say one. Putting my sisters first got me nothing but hurt. Why would I opt to do it again?

Aryn’s mouth fell open yet again and she stood