“A job?” It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. Kat, a stay-at-home-mom, has never understood my desire to work, or the line of work I went into. She’s disgusted by bugs, by the very air outside, and can’t imagine why we should conserve land instead of building more townhouses and mini-mansions. What kind of job could she possibly find that I’d be interested in?
“Yes. In Bar Harbor.”
“That’s inMaine!”
She gives me a flat look. “You were always so good at geography. Have you looked at places around here, Roxanne? How do you plan on paying rent for an apartment? You wouldn’t want Andrea to end up in the wrong school?—”
Her voice drones on as anxiety pools in my gut. She’s right, but I figured I’d have time to find a place. Mostly because Kat told me months ago that we could stay “as long as we needed.”
That has apparently changed.
“—this job, it pays well enough that you can save up for a house, and pay off all thatcollege debtyou have. It shouldn’t take very long at all I think.”
Mom’s eyes are narrowed, but she seems intrigued.
“What exactlyisthe job?” I ask.
“Executive assistant for a travel company or something. I’m not sure. Something that has to do with,” she flaps her hand, mouth twisting in distaste, “nature. You know, it’s not too far from that park up there.”
She means Acadia National Park with 47,000 acres of gorgeous coastline. Rocky beaches with a history of glacialinteraction, bustling with wildlife. A thrill of interest goes through me.
“What about Andi?” Mom asks, ever the rational one. Kat shrugs.
“She can stay here. David said they would be willing to put Roxanne up somewhere, a little house or something. Maybe a room on the estate.”
“Estate?” I frown. Suddenly ‘executive assistant’ doesn’t seem like it has any actual connection to nature at all.
Kat sighs and stands to refill her coffee. “I don’t see how you have any other option. And David talked you up, you know, to management, so it wouldn’t look bad.”
She chatters on as Mom leans into me with a gentle nudge. “It might be just what you need,” she whispers.
“But it’s not what Iwant,” I whisper back. She’s already heard my lovelorn pleading over the years, that I want to end up in land management and conservancy—do something meaningful. Which is why her smile makes me second-guess turning this down.
Somehow, Mom always knows best.
“Just think about it. You never know; once you’re up there, another opportunity may arise.”
It’s tempting. I look across the open concept space to Andrea, now curled up on the couch petting the cat. As if she knows I’m watching, her eyes flick upward, and she shoots me a lopsided smile.
“It’s so far away, Mom. I came up here to be closer toyou.”
“I know, love.” She leans in for a hug. “But I’ll be right here, and I’ll take care of Andi while you’re gone. Besides,” she whispers again, “maybe Maine would be more my style… if you find something you like up there.”
Warmth spreads through my chest at the idea of Mom coming to live withme.Of being able to pull that off. It wouldfinally free Kat up, who has martyred herself with “taking on Mom” for years.
Andi would be absolutely thrilled.
Maybe this is the open door I need to be brave enough to walk through.
“Alright,” I interrupt Kat, who’s still grumbling on about something, “send me the job details. I’ll fix up my resume today.”
Chapter 6
Makari
Ajarring rattle draws my attention. The gravel crunches as an SUV pulls slowly around the curve of the drive. It’s not one of ours. It’s a beat-up thing, pale blue, much too small for the estate roads, and dusted with the dull film of long-distance travel.
Crates line the gravel drive like soldiers, each marked with Ursa Arcane’s emblem. Sunlight bounces off the dark paint of the SUVs, glinting through the trees. The air smells of fuel, pine, and the river. It’s a good day for business.
