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  She knew Maggie Heredia was married, with two kids. The family currently lived in Denver, and her husband worked from home. Happy news that meant moving to Blackberry Island wasn’t a big deal for him. The kids were a slightly bigger problem, but Sophie had dug up information on the local schools and had been delighted to learn that Blackberry Island Elementary was one of the top five schools in the state. The high school just off the island was equally well regarded.

  Sophie had put all that information in a brightly colored folder. She’d also done her best to find out what she thought Maggie was currently making and increased the amount by 20 percent. She put together a relocation package, along with the details on the company’s health plan and 401(k). Then she’d read a dozen articles on hiring at the executive level, spent extra time on her hair and makeup, and had actually worn a suit to the office. Ridiculous, but desperate times and all that.

  Now, waiting for Maggie to arrive, Sophie paced the length of the warehouse, her high heels clicking on the concrete floor.

  Bear watched her for a couple of minutes before falling into step with her.

  “Nervous?”

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “Yup.”

  “I want to hire this woman. She’s great at sales and she’s worked with a distributor I’ve been trying to court for three years. It’s so frustrating. He gets product in stores. I have products. Why does it have to be so hard?”

  “He doesn’t like what you have.”

  She stopped and put her hands on her hips. “You don’t know that.”

  “Of course I do. Why else wouldn’t he take you on? He obviously thinks he won’t make money with our inventory. What’s his area of expertise?”

  “Upscale cat boutiques.”

  Bear winced. “I really miss working in fruit.”

  “Cats are a multibillion-dollar business.”

  “So’s fruit.”

  She felt herself relax as she smiled. “You’re a weird old man.”

  “That isn’t news for either of us.” He nodded toward the open warehouse door. “A rental car just parked out there. You might want to get up front to greet your recruit.”

  Sophie pressed a hand to her stomach. “It’s going to be fine. Tell me it’s going to be fine.”

  “You’ll do what you always do, Sophie. You’re a force of nature and that can’t be changed.”

  She wasn’t sure that was the reassurance she was looking for, but it was all she had time for. She hurried up front where Tina was greeting Maggie Heredia.

  The other woman was about Sophie’s age—maybe a year or two older. She was tall, slim and blonde with an air of friendly confidence. She looked like the sort of person you wanted to sit next to when you didn’t know anyone at an event.

  Maggie smiled and held out her hand. “The infamous Sophie Lane. At last we meet.”

  “Welcome to Blackberry Island. How was your flight?”

  “Easy. Denver isn’t that far. Not like my trips to the East Coast that chew up a whole day.”

  They shook hands. Tina motioned to the offices.

  “I’ve set up the conference room for you. Please let me know if you need anything else.”

  Sophie led the way to what had been an empty office just three days ago. Thanks to Tina, a conference table and matching chairs had been delivered yesterday morning. There were dry-erase boards on two walls and a screen for digital presentations.

  As they walked to the table, Sophie saw Tina had left coffee, muffins and a carafe of water. The woman was frighteningly efficient, Sophie thought with a smile. She would have to remember to thank her later.

  Sophie sat at the head of the table. Maggie took the chair on her right.

  “Thanks for coming up here,” Sophie said. “I know you’re happy where you are, but I’m hoping to entice you enough to consider joining us here at CK Industries.”

  Maggie leaned back in her chair. “I’ve done a lot of research on the company. You’ve done well with what you have. You started with nothing but a handful of cute cat videos and created an empire. That’s impressive.”

  Sophie appreciated the compliment. “Timing was a factor. When I started posting the CK videos online, YouTube was new and the concept of going viral had yet to become mainstream. Today CK’s antics would just be part of the background noise.”

  “True, but you knew enough to capitalize on what you had. A lot of people would have missed the opportunity.” Maggie’s gaze moved around the room. “Having said that, you’re missing plenty of opportunities now. My guess is you’re running out of low-hanging fruit and now you’re scrambling to keep the company growing. In a crowded market, CK is having trouble differentiating itself.”

  Maggie returned her attention to Sophie and smiled. “Why buy a CK-branded item when I get a Martha Stewart one for the same price or even cheaper? In the big pet stores you’re competing with a hundred other brands and the boutique stores won’t touch you.”

  Sophie felt her chest getting tight. Maggie’s assessment was both harsh and accurate, and she didn’t like either one.

  “I’ve tried to get into the boutiques but I can’t get a meeting with the distributors.”

  “I know. That’s because you don’t have anything interesting to sell them. You can buy cat litter pretty much anywhere. You’re not going to make it on cat litter.”

  “Cat litter pays the bills.”

  “Not all of them. You’re obviously creative. Why don’t you have products that are unique to CK Industries?”

  “I’ve tried.” More than once, Sophie thought grimly. “The so-called artists aren’t all that fun to work with. They’re demanding, expensive and unreliable.”

  “Then you’re talking to the wrong ones.”

  Sophie suddenly remembered all the articles she’d read about interviewing. She was supposed to be directing the conversation, asking questions and listening to the answers. Somehow she’d gotten off track with Maggie.

  “I want to take CK to the next level,” she said. “Sales isn’t my area of expertise.”

  “I’m sure you have ideas about how the sales department is supposed to work.” Maggie smiled. “You’ve gotten this far without a sales manager.”

  “I’m ready for that to change. You’d have complete control.” Sophie decided she didn’t care about the stupid articles. She wanted Maggie and she was determined to get her. “I know you have a family. I grew up here and it’s a wonderful place for kids. Housing is reasonable and I’m prepared to offer a generous relocation package.”

  Maggie reached for her cup of coffee. “All right. Tell me about the island.”

  * * *

  Kristine hadn’t physically seen Sophie since the “I slept with Jaxsen” confession, although they’d talked and texted regularly. Any concerns she’d had about feeling awkward or upset disappeared the second Sophie spotted her in the CK offices. Her cousin made a beeline for her and hugged her tight.

  “I love you so much,” Sophie murmured. “Thank you for coming to see me.”

  Kristine hugged her back and laughed. “I’m the one who asked for the meeting.”

  “Still, you’re here and sometimes that’s enough. It’s been a tough week.” Sophie led her into her office where they took seats. “So what’s up?”

  Kristine held out a folder, telling herself that even if Sophie hated it, she would have information. A starting point mattered and she valued her cousin’s opinion. Sophie would never hurt her or be mean. She had to trust herself to handle whatever she was told.

  “It’s a business plan to open the old Blackberry Island Bakery,” she said. “I want to bake my cookies and brownies there. I’ll continue to sell to the wineries, of course, as well as in the store. I’ll also offer shipping. I’ve researched the price of remodeling the space. I have projected costs and sales figure
s.”

  Sophie smiled. “Look at you. That’s very entrepreneurial.”

  “I hope. And just to be clear, I’m not here for money. I’m self-funding. I want to use the inheritance from my grandmother and take fifteen thousand from our line of credit on the house.” She pointed to the folder. “Repaying that line of credit is in my budget, too.”

  Something Jaxsen would insist on, she thought. Assuming he agreed to the plan in the first place.

  Cart, meet horse, she reminded herself. First, she wanted Sophie’s opinion on the plan. Her cousin had created CK Industries from nothing. If Sophie thought the plan was a good one, then Kristine would approach Jaxsen. Being able to say Sophie thought it was viable would make a difference.

  “I want you to look at my plan and tell me if it seems viable and if I forgot anything significant.”

  Her cousin opened the folder and flipped through the pages. “I can read this right now, if you want to wait.”

  “I’d prefer that.”

  “Go get a cup of coffee and come back in twenty minutes.”

  Kristine nodded and stepped out into the hall, careful to close Sophie’s door behind her. She glanced at her watch and marked the time, then walked toward what she thought was the break room.

  She passed several offices. There were more people working here than the last time she’d stopped by. She spotted Heather typing intently on a computer and smiled. One day Heather was going to rule the world—assuming she ever got off the island and away from Amber.

  Kristine realized she hadn’t heard anything about the state of the house sale. Maybe Aunt Sonia had changed her mind.

  She walked toward the warehouse and saw that a big eighteen-wheeler had arrived with a delivery. People were busy unloading the truck. A forklift moved pallets wrapped in plastic while in the shipping department, three people were busy filling boxes.

  She watched the bustle in the warehouse until the twenty minutes had passed, then returned to Sophie’s office. Her cousin met her at the door and dragged her to her chair.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were so smart?” Sophie returned to her own chair and grinned. “Your plan is great. You’ve thought of everything. You know about business insurance and getting the right inspections. How long have you been working on this?”

  “A while. You really think it makes sense?”

  “It’s brilliant. You have reserves for cost overruns on your remodel. The cash flow is conservative. I’ve been running CK since I was in college and I don’t think I could have put together a business plan this complete. You’re ready. Do it. Really. You have to do this.”

  Kristine smiled. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

  More than a lot. She felt lighter and happier and empowered.

  “What’s the next step?” Sophie asked. “Sign the lease? You want to get that place before someone else does.”

  “I need to talk to Jaxsen.”

  Sophie rolled her eyes. “This is why I’m never getting married again. I don’t want some man getting between me and what I want.”

  “Somehow I doubt that would happen, even if you were married.”

  “You’re probably right. Anyway, talk to Jaxsen. He’s a good guy—he’ll be on board with this. You’ve really thought it through, Kristine. People come to me all the time with crazy-ass ideas. Most of them are a disaster. But this one is terrific. You should be proud of yourself.”

  “Thank you.” Kristine collected the folder. She was happy and scared and excited. And a little in shock.

  “You look stunned,” Sophie told her. “Even I think my opinion matters, but you’re taking it a little too far.”

  Kristine laughed. “It’s not that, although I really appreciate you telling me what you think. It’s just I’ve realized I’m out of excuses. Now I have to do this.”

  “Have to or want to?”

  Kristine thought for a second, then laughed. “Have to, want to, need to. All of them. It’s time. I’m going to make this happen.”

  * * *

  Sophie knew the last thing she needed right now was more responsibility but the pleading in Jessica’s voice was difficult to ignore.

  “I know what I’m asking,” the animal shelter volunteer told her. “But I’m willing to beg if that makes a difference.”

  “You don’t have to beg.”

  Sophie thought about the third bedroom in her rental. She hadn’t taken out any furniture and she wasn’t sure when she would have time to do that.

  “I’ll bring her to you. I’ll bring the supplies. We are totally out of room and this is a genuine emergency.”

  Sophie nodded before she spoke. “All right. You can bring her by. What’s her name?”

  “Mrs. Bennet. From—”

  “I know what it’s from. Hopefully, all the kittens will be girls. I really don’t want to have to call a kitten Mr. Darcy.”

  They agreed that Sophie would meet Jessica at five.

  Sophie got home a few minutes early. Since giving birth, Lily had free rein of the house, but while a new pregnant cat was moving in, Lily would need to be confined. Sophie greeted her mama cat and explained about their new roommate.

  “The shelter is overwhelmed,” she said, wrestling the mattress off the bed and leaning it up against the wall. “They needed another foster parent so I said yes. I hope you don’t mind sharing.”

  Lily rubbed against her leg, purring as she moved. Sophie assumed that was feline approval. “I told her this is my absolute limit. Two adult females and their kittens is about all I can handle and I don’t want to test my landlord’s patience.”

  She left the box spring in place and covered it with several sheets, then opened the closet doors for the litter box and brought in a large box, similar to the one Lily had used for her crew.

  Right on time, someone rang the doorbell.

  Lily bolted for her bedroom. Sophie closed the door behind her before letting in Jessica. The volunteer had a large carrier in one hand and an empty litter box in the other.

  “I can’t thank you enough,” she said as she hurried inside. “We had three more pregnant cats dropped off today and there’s nowhere to put them. Mrs. Bennet has been checked out by the vet. She’s fairly far along so should be giving birth in the next few days.”

  Sophie was hoping for a little more time for them to get acquainted but it didn’t seem that was going to happen.

  Together they carried in all the supplies. Once the litter box was filled and the food and water were in place, Jessica thanked Sophie again before hurrying out to her car. Sophie sat on the floor by the carrier and unlatched the door.

  “Hello, Mrs. Bennet. I’m Sophie. There’s another cat staying with me. You’ll meet Lily later.”

  Mrs. Bennet’s answer was a loud, unhappy yowl. She stayed where she was in the back of the carrier and hissed.

  “It’s okay,” Sophie told her. “I’d be scared, too. I’ll just leave you to get settled.”

  She used an old towel to anchor the crate door open so the cat wouldn’t get trapped inside, then went out, carefully closing the bedroom door behind her. She checked on Lily, who was watching, wide-eyed.

  “Yes, that was another cat. She’s here and she’s not very happy.”

  Another yowl cut through the house. Lily looked in the direction of the noise before hurrying to her kittens. She jumped into the box and did a nose count before lying down so they could snack.

  Sophie fed Lily, then cooked a frozen dinner for herself. While it heated and over the meal, she reviewed expenses for the past six weeks, wincing at the cost of new shelving and desks and everything else they’d needed to get the business up and running. Yes, the insurance check covered it all, but she still hated the idea of spending money on fixtures and furniture.

  Around seven she decided to check on her new guest. Mrs.
Bennet had moved to the big box Sophie had placed in the corner. Three tiny kittens were huddled next to their mother and as Sophie knelt on the floor next to the box, a fourth was born.

  Mrs. Bennet immediately went to work, licking it all over, nosing it until it gave a little squeak of protest. Sophie’s chest tightened as she watched the skinny tabby guide the newborn to her belly where the kitten latched on.

  “You must have been in labor when Jessica brought you here,” Sophie whispered. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. You’ll be safe here. I’ll take care of you and your babies until they’re old enough to be adopted.”

  She shifted to a sitting position, not sure how to tell when Mrs. Bennet was done giving birth or what she should do to help. She pulled out her phone and read a couple of articles and thought about the “birthing kit” she’d left in the garage. Not that there seemed to be anything for her to do.

  About thirty minutes later another kitten was born. Sophie waited anxiously until she heard the tiny squeak that announced it was alive. Once it was nursing, Mrs. Bennet seemed to relax, as if she was done for the night. Sophie waited another half hour before checking to see if there were any discarded kittens in the corner of the box. Luckily, all the kittens had been born alive.

  Around eight thirty, Mrs. Bennet got up to use the litter box and drink some water. Sophie put on plastic gloves and moved the kittens to a warm towel while she cleaned up the box. She put down fresh bedding and returned the kittens just as Mrs. Bennet finished eating a little dry food. The thin tabby paused by Sophie and looked at her.

  “You did great,” Sophie told her. “You’re a good mom.” She reached out to pet the cat and was surprised when Mrs. Bennet leaned into her and started purring.

  When the cat returned to her family, Sophie stood and backed out of the bedroom.

  “I’ll check on you in a few hours,” she told the cat.

  She made sure the door was shut, then let out Lily, who wanted to sniff all around the second bedroom door. Sophie left her to her explorations, showered and was in bed by nine thirty.