by Cate Beauman
NO MORE SECRETS
Book Three Of The Carter Island Trilogy
Cate Beauman
Contents
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Also by Cate Beauman
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Thank you!
Also by Cate Beauman
About the Author
No More Secrets
Copyright © May 2021 by Cate Beauman.
All rights reserved.
Visit Cate at www.catebeauman.com
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First Edition: June 2021
Print ISBN-13: 979-8518067073
eBook ISBN: 978-0997064155
Editor: Tara Mandarano & the E-book Formatting Fairies
Proofreader: Editing by Kimberly Dawn
Cover: Damonza
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are a work of fiction or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
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Details can be found at the end of No More Secrets.
Also by Cate Beauman
The Bodyguards of L.A. County Series
Morgan’s Hunter
Falling For Sarah
Hailey’s Truth
Forever Alexa
Waiting For Wren
Justice For Abby
Saving Sophie
Reagan’s Redemption
Answers For Julie
Finding Lyla
Deceiving Bella
* * *
The Carter Island Trilogy
Secrets Hidden In The Glass
Aftermath Of Secrets
No More Secrets
For my sweet, beautiful, precious Bear. Ten years together was hardly enough, but love lasts forever.
Chapter 1
Gordonville, Texas
August 2015
* * *
Cade tossed a final glance toward the stunning wood-and-stone community clubhouse he’d worked the past three years to bring to life as he headed for the parking lot. He peeked at his watch, then picked up his pace, eager to get back to the airport and home to Cadence. The ribbon cutting ceremony had dragged on for far longer than he'd expected, and there were still hours left before he touched down again in Portland. These days, every second counted. Cadence was running out of time, and he wanted every moment they had left together.
“Cade.” Jerry Riner, the lead man on the Texas-end of the Estralia Project, jogged Cade’s way in pleated khaki pants and a blue golf shirt.
Dressed more formally in a pale-gray suit and tie, Cade stopped short of his rented pickup, forcing a polite smile. “Jerry, what can I do for you?”
Jerry came to a halt, slightly out of breath in the oppressive, late-morning heat. “I wanted to thank you and Paxton Enterprises for all that you’ve done for us here in Gordonville. You’ve helped us turn this tiny town into a community that all of Texas can be proud of.”
“It’s been a pleasure.”
“You and Cadence outdid yourselves. The Dynamic Duo.”
Cade chuckled at the nickname he and his sister had earned long ago. “The credit belongs entirely to Cadence. She’s the true visionary. I just play while she does the hard work.”
Jerry smiled sadly. “Please tell her she was missed today—and that we wish she could have been here to celebrate with us. I’ve enjoyed working with her immensely. She’s a remarkable lady.”
Truer words had never been spoken. Cade held out his hand. “Thank you, Jerry. I’ll be sure to let her know.” Impatient to be gone, he stepped back. “I should get to the airport.”
“Safe travels.”
“Thank you.” He sent Jerry a nod, then got in the truck. Turning over the ignition, he made quick work of backing up, then pulled onto the main road, starting the ninety-minute journey to Houston with his foot heavy on the gas and the air conditioning pumping through the vents.
Grabbing his phone, he powered it on, hating that he’d turned it off in the first place. But Dad had drilled it into their heads from the moment they’d been old enough to listen, that customer service was always face-to-face and distraction free. “Make everyone feel like someone,” he muttered, repeating Dad’s motto as he noted the message light blinking.
He smiled when his sister’s voice filled his ear, her Americanized Australian accent so much like his own.
“Paxy, it’s me.” Cadence sighed. “I wish you were here with me this morning. It’s so beautiful sitting in my favorite spot on the balcony. The sun is shining. The view of the lake is breathtaking. I can hear the kiddos carrying on down in the pool, laughing and raising a ruckus, driving Jade crazy.” She chuckled. “And, of course, Mum’s fussing at Dad about something. Harrison and Willow have escaped to the store for tonight’s dinner, and you’re off kicking butt, finishing our project because I asked you to. It’s all so normal. Everything seems so normal and perfect.”
She sighed again, far more wearily. “I’m getting worse, Pax. Last night was a tough one. I had another fit—another grand mal. The worst of them yet. I couldn’t see or speak for a little while afterward.”
Cade swallowed, gripping the steering wheel tighter as he pressed harder on the accelerator, loathing the fact that he was in Texas instead of by his sister’s side.
“Mum wanted to call you and tell you what was going on, but I insisted she not,” Cadence continued. “I can feel myself slipping away, Paxy. Each moment, each day. When I look in the mirror, I don’t recognize the frail, bloated woman I see. I know deep down that I’m running out of chances to use the medicine they gave me—to just fall asleep instead of continuing to fight this battle I can’t win.”
She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry I can’t stay. I’m sorry I have to leave you here. You’re the one I’ll miss the most—the one I love best. You’re made for great things, Pax—big, exciting things. You’re the only one of us brave enough to go after everything you want. Get everything you want, Paxy. I’ll never be far. I love you, Cade.”
He pulled the phone away from his ear, blinking at it. Why did that sound so final? Because Cadence never, ever called him Cade. His stomach shuddered, and his heart raced as he jerked the truck to the side of the road with a screech of tires. “You didn’t. Please, tell me you didn’t,” he whispered in a frantic chant, terrified by what he’d ju
st heard—that it sounded like Cadence had said goodbye.
The phone started ringing in his trembling hand. He flinched with the shock of the sudden noise, fumbling it, dropping it. The tears began pouring as he snatched it up off the floor, already knowing—feeling it—as he read his mother’s name on his screen. “Mum—”
“She’s gone!” Mum wailed. “I came up to check on her, and she’s gone.”
Shaking his head, yanking at his tie, Cade got out of the truck, pacing the white line, unable to speak, unable to think—to breathe—as he raked his hand through his hair. Stumbling forward, he collapsed against the blinding glint of the grill, realizing that the deep moaning he heard was coming from him.
Sinking to the pavement, he watched the waves of heat dancing on the stretch of highway in the distance, trying to believe that the person he’d entered this world with was no longer here.
Cadence was gone.
Chapter 2
Carter Island, Massachusetts
June 2018
* * *
Cade picked up a green plastic basket on his way through the automatic doors. He navigated his way through the morning crowds at Sanderson’s only grocery store, on a mission to snag a canister of his favorite vanilla-flavored protein powder. It was barely seven thirty a.m., yet the tourists were up and about, giving the locals a run for their money. The high season was in full swing. Rentals were booked to capacity, and eight to ten thousand visitors invaded the pretty island each day.
He made it to the health-food aisle, grabbing two containers of his preferred whey formula, then headed for the registers, stopping by the selection of local, farm-fresh blueberries in the produce section, figuring they’d make for an easy morning snack. Reaching for a package, he paused, doing a double take when the blue-eyed stunner picking through the tomatoes caught his attention. Five sevenish, slimly built, killer legs, and delicate shoulders showcased in a pale-green strapless sundress.
He watched as she absently swiped long, sun-streaked light-brown locks back from her spectacular face, knowing right away that she was a Carter. Her resemblance to her siblings, Nate and Molly, was unmistakable—the last of the Carter family he had yet to meet.
Lately, he’d been too busy for socializing. For the last few months, he’d been on and off the island—mostly off—as he finalized unfinished projects on the West Coast and moved the final pieces of his life to the east. He was mostly unpacked and willing to give this fresh start an honest try. The Sanderson Compound’s guesthouse was his to call home for as long as he paid the rent.
Choosing a carton of blueberries at random, he added them to his haul, curious about the woman who stroked the small bundle strapped to her front in one of those baby sling gadgets as she moved on to peruse the avocados.
He’d heard rumors here and there. Gwenyth Carter had been married and pregnant one minute, then she’d had a baby and was divorced the next. Whispers of adultery, abandonment, and abuse had rushed around the island, but no one could say for sure what had gone wrong. The Carters and anyone close to the family had closed ranks around the new divorcée.
He glanced at his watch, debating whether he should take a moment to say hello, but decided against it. Carter Island’s newly elected mayor and the town council were expecting updates on the various phase-one projects going on around town. Plus, Gwen was already booked into his calendar for a twelve thirty meeting while he donned his dual professional hats: Paxton Enterprises’ Representative and Chief Consultant for the Carter Island Redevelopment Plan, and the new owner and operator of Carter Island Air.
Not only did he have an island to maximize and develop, but he also had an airline to rebrand and an airport to bring into the twenty-first century—and Rebecca Carter Interiors was going to help him with the latter. One of Boston’s most sought-after freelance interior designers had handed off the project to her oldest daughter.
He turned to be on his way as Gwen headed for the organic greens. He stopped when she stood on her tiptoes, struggling to reach the last package of pre-washed spinach on the top shelf. She moved closer, protecting her daughter’s head from the shelving as she reached again, with no luck. Never one to walk away from someone in need, he headed her way, breathing in subtle French perfume and high-end shampoo as he got closer. “Need a hand?” he asked.
She stopped, cautiously curving her lush, cupid’s bow lips. “Sure.”
Definitely a Carter—Nate and Molly’s smile—but Gwen’s had a bit more punch. He easily snatched up the bag, his six-foot-four height his advantage. “Here you are.”
She took it, their fingers brushing on the plastic. “Thank you.”
He jerked his shoulders. “I figure my giant status should be good for something.”
Her smile was back, friendlier this time, even as she measured him through her big baby blues. “You’re Cade.”
He nodded, holding out his hand. “Cade Paxton.”
Her well-manicured hand was swallowed up by his as she returned his shake. “Gwen Carter.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you.” He peeked at the sleeping baby, mostly sheltered by the gray-and-white striped sling. “Who have you got there?”
Her hand moved to press against her daughter’s back in a protective gesture as she took a slight step away. “This is Kaitlyn. She finds grocery shopping relaxing.”
It was Cade’s turn to smile as he realized Gwen was quick-witted like her sister—and he liked Molly a lot. “I’m envious. She’ll have to tell me her secret.”
Gwen’s palm slid along her baby in soothing strokes, as it had moments ago. “I’m still waiting for her to tell me. I’m convinced it’s one of those on-a-need-to-know-basis things. Clearly, she’s decided I don’t.”
More charmed than he wanted to be, he grinned, taking a step back. “I should be on my way. Buzz and the council are waiting for me. But I’ll see you today after lunch.”
“Yes.” She grabbed the handle of her cart, already distracted as her gaze wandered to her list. “After lunch. Thanks again for your help.” She held up the bag of spinach before she tossed it among the other items.
“No problem.” He walked the short distance to stand in line, looking over his shoulder, catching a last glimpse of Gwen before she disappeared down one of the aisles. He glanced at his watch, figuring the time until their meeting, interested to see what she would bring to the interior design table.
Gwen muttered a curse as she fastened Kaitlyn’s car seat into its base in the back seat of her white Audi Q7. She hurried around to the driver’s side, taking a quick peek as she set her laptop case and Kaitlyn’s diaper bag on the passenger side floor, making certain she had everything.
Kaitlyn let out a loud cry of protest.
“It’s okay, sweetie.” She turned over the SUV’s engine, praying that her fussy baby would settle and get back to her early-afternoon nap. Waking Kaitlyn certainly hadn’t been part of the original plan.
“I’ll have us moving in just a second.” Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her sunglasses against the summer sunshine, then started down Carter House’s long driveway, selecting the satellite lullaby station Kaitlyn seemed to enjoy. “Here we go. Now you’ve got your tunes, and you know how much you love a nice drive.”
Kaitlyn cried harder.
“Oh, honey, we’ll be there soon.” But as Gwen eased to a stop at the end of Mansion Row, waiting for a break in the heavy Highway 1 traffic, she rolled her eyes. “Or maybe not.”
Tears streamed down Kaitlyn’s cheeks while they sat idle.
“Just give Mommy one minute.” She saw her chance to go, then turned right, deciding to take the longer-but-typically-less-busy route toward Sanderson’s downtown limits and the airport. “See? We’re on our way. It’s not so bad after all, right?”
One mile turned into two while Kaitlyn fussed some more, then finally snuggled in against her favorite pale-pink blanket.
Gwen let her shoulders relax as she glanced in the backseat mirror,
noting Kaitlyn’s eyes drooping closed. “That’s my girl,” she said on a yawn, absolutely exhausted herself.
Their entire day had been madness—the last three, in fact. Out of nowhere, her nearly five-and-a-half-month-old had decided that night was day and vice versa. Kaitlyn’s feedings were off, too. And when Kay, Carter County Sheriff Department’s longtime dispatcher and family friend, called at the last minute to tell Gwen that there had been an accident down by the ferry docks and she wouldn’t be able to sneak away to watch Kaitlyn, another wrench had been thrown into Gwen’s insanity.
There’d been no one else to call to help her out of her jam. Everyone she trusted to care for Kaitlyn had their hands full with the typical high-season shenanigans. Molly and Callie were dealing with the masses at the bakery. Nate was most likely handling the accident by the ferry. Brad was busy with patients at the clinic. And Mom and Dad were staying in Boston for the next couple of months while Mom consulted on a massive hotel renovation.
She was officially stuck, finding both of her professional options incredibly unprofessional: cancel with less than an hour’s notice, or bring her baby to work. Since option number two was the best of the worst, she hoped like crazy that Cade was as kind as Molly and Nate had attested to. He’d seemed all right when they met earlier this morning, but, ultimately, she would see. Molly and Nate knew Cade casually. She and Cade would be working together in a strictly business capacity.
