Firefly Secrets: Joe Pye Island, #2

By Kara Jeanne

Come along to Joe Pye Island, where the weather is warm and the people are family.

 

This feel good women's friendship fiction book is sure to warm your heart. Cozy up and meet all the wonderful people of Joe Pye Island as they find love, family and friendship in unexpected ways. Firefly Secrets is the second book in the Joe Pye Island Series. Anyone who loves uplifting women's fiction and clean romance will want to share these stories with the ones they love.

 

When Lynette Mason returned to her childhood home, she couldn't have imagined she'd find the family she'd been looking for all along. Her oldest friend and her newest friend are helping her to see all that life has to offer.

But when a startling secret comes to light, will their friendships stand the test? Or will Lynette find herself alone once again.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kabilibo Publishing
• Release date: Feb 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215971406

Kara Jeanne

Kara Jeanne writes feel-good women's fiction filled with joy, laughter and a hearty helping of romance. After many years in the South, she now lives in the Midwest with her three beautiful daughters and her loving husband of nearly twenty years. In between letting the dog outside a hundred times a day and petting the very demanding cats she crafts stories that will warm your heart and lift your spirits. 

Book preview

Chapter One

Lynette woke just before dawn, full of energy like she was in a sports drink commercial. She’d probably only slept six hours, but she felt like she’d slept at least ten. Tiptoeing out to the kitchen, she sat down at the table, not quite sure what to do with herself. Waking up without her usual worry and anxiety left her feeling odd, but thankfully she didn’t immediately realize what was different about this morning.

She looked around the kitchen, surveying all the loving work the ladies’ auxiliary had put in to make the cottage feel like a home again.

They’d cleaned and polished everything so well it seemed like she was traveling back in time. It was difficult for her to accept all that goodwill though. She still felt as though she was undeserving, that she’d wronged everyone. She’d ultimately rejected the island, that much was true, but they’d welcomed her back with open arms. Look at everything they’d done for her, for no other reason than they considered her one of them.

Her thoughts flitted off to her houseguest, sleeping in her grandmother’s bedroom. Sawyer had said something yesterday as she headed into town and it just went in one ear and out the other, but now, in the magic of pre-dawn, it had more weight and seemed almost serendipitous.

Maybe it would be good for you to have something else to take care of. You know they say the best way to get over heartbreak is to help others.

Could Lynette maybe help this woman? She felt a tiny spark of comfort for just a moment, that maybe this was serendipity, the two women running into each other like that. Maybe Sawyer was wiser than she remembered.

But her hopeful positivity only seemed to last for a moment. Just as quickly as her good feelings arrived, her inner demons started their dance upon her psyche.

Who are you kidding? You can’t even help yourself. How could you possibly help someone else?

Everyone feels sorry for you, that’s why they helped out yesterday. Jolene blurted as much out yesterday in the parking lot. Remember? Everyone is supposed to be nice to you, like you’re some kind of fragile flower. Don’t upset Lynette. She couldn’t handle it in the real world and she had to come crawling back to the island with her tail between her legs.

Lynette shot up from the table, telling herself to stop it. This self-pity would not get her anywhere. She hated the way she was feeling and went to get herself a glass of sweet tea. Then she realized she’d left it out on the picnic table and forgotten to put the sugar in it. Could she do anything right?

Irritated with herself, she yanked open the door, headed out to the picnic table, and nearly screamed when she came upon her guest sitting there in the dark. The moon was bright, and it wasn’t hard to see, but for just a split second, her brain couldn’t make sense of the idea that a person was sitting at the table.

Both of them jumped a bit and then caught themselves and began laughing.

I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I couldn’t sleep so I just came out for some air and it was just so peaceful, the girl said.

Looks like we’re both having that problem I guess, Lynette said, although I came out for the tea.

Lynette pointed at the sun tea still sitting on the picnic table. I still need to add the sugar, but would you like some? I can bring you some back out if you’d like, and there’s food. Gosh, there’s enough food to feed a small army in the refrigerator. Would you like a sandwich? Are you hungry?

Tea would be wonderful, the girl said, rising to help.

Lynette motioned for her to stay. I’ll just be right back, she said, picking up the tea and heading for the kitchen.

As the screen door slammed behind her, she jumped a bit. Trying to think of where Miss Gertie had said the sugar would be.

A nagging thought bit at the edges of her brain. For the life of her, she could not remember this girl’s name. Some kind of plant. Rose? Jasmine? Oh, good heavens, how was she going to figure this one out?

She spotted the sugar on the shelf and set to fixing the tea. Poured two glasses and headed back out to the picnic table. She set the glass down for the girl and then stood there awkwardly, not knowing if she should sit down or leave the poor girl alone. She slid onto one of the benches and pretended to be mesmerized by the moon.

They sat in silence for a few moments before the girl spoke up. I just wanted to thank you so much for taking me home and letting me get some sleep. I had a bit of a day, I guess you could say.

Lynette couldn’t help but notice a quiver in her voice as she spoke, in the moonlight Lynette couldn’t see if she was crying or not. She felt like she should say something wise or meaningful, but there wasn’t a sage thought in her head. She’d used up all her words last night with all those people coming to see her.

And there was also the issue of not being able to remember her name. She was going to have to bite the bullet and admit the truth.

She just blurted it out quickly, like she was ripping off a band-aid. I’m sorry I hate to admit it, but I can’t seem to remember your name. In all the chaos, it somehow left my brain.

The girl relaxed a little and smiled back. Oh, thank goodness, so did I. I mean, I forgot your name, not mine.

Both women burst into giggles at the same moment. I feel so ridiculous I don’t even know what to say, the girl said.

Please, don’t be embarrassed, Lynette said. As long as you remember your own name, we can figure this out. Let’s start from the beginning. I’m Lynette, she said, Lynette Mason. It felt a little more normal this time to use her maiden name.

Her guest extended her hand. Juniper Hartfield.

Well, it’s lovely to meet you Juniper, Lynette said, shaking Juniper’s hand.

They sat for a few more minutes before Juniper’s stomach growled so loudly the neighbors probably heard it.

Oh my goodness, excuse me, Juniper said.

Well, that sounds like your stomach is answering for you. What do you say we go inside and I can make you a sandwich? I’m going to have to pull rank here, whether you say no or not. Clearly, your stomach is speaking for you.

Chapter Two

Lynette flitted around the kitchen, trying to be a good hostess. Juniper kept offering to help, but Lynette insisted she should sit and enjoy the service, as she called it.

To her embarrassment, though, Lynette had to look for everything from the plates to the salt and pepper to the napkins. The only things she didn’t need to look for were in the dish strainer.

This is your home now? Juniper said innocently after she watched Lynette struggle for a bit.

Lynette chuckled and answered without even thinking, Yes, I guess it is, she said, without offering much more of an explanation. There it was again, that funny feeling whenever anyone used the word home.

Lynette placed the sandwiches on the table and sat down herself before jumping back up and pulling some of Miss Gertie’s potato salad out of the refrigerator and setting it on the table. She served herself a plate as well and devoured it, not realizing quite how hungry she herself was.

The pair ate in awkward silence for a few minutes before Juniper held up a forkful of potato salad, This is delicious, did you make it?

Lynette chuckled, Good Lord, no, my inability to cook is legendary. The ladies’ auxiliary from the church brought this.

Juniper nodded her head and looked around. Your kitchen is wonderful, like something in a magazine. How long have you lived here?

Lynette stopped chewing, a slight frown on her face. I just got here last night.

Juniper looked confused, But, this is your house?

Lynette took a deep breath and smiled. This was my grandfather’s cottage. I spent most of my childhood here, but then my mother and I moved to town. When my grandfather passed, I inherited it, but I’ve never lived here. When I got here the night before last night, it was full of cobwebs and dust and probably a few creatures on four legs.

And then the church ladies cleaned your house? Juniper’s face erupted in a full grin.

Lynette laughed. I guess, yes, the church ladies cleaned my house.

Juniper laughed lightly and Lynette followed, until both of them were having some kind of emotional release. Something about the whole situation just got funnier and funnier until they were both crying in laughter.

When they finally settled down, Lynette began, I don’t know why I’m laughing so hard.

Juniper shook her head. Me either. Maybe we just needed to get it out. My Grandma always told me it was bad to stuff down your feelings because they’d find a way out no matter what and the last thing you wanted was for them to come out while you’re standing at the checkout line at the grocery store.

That made Lynette laugh even harder as she started counting the number of times she’d started crying unprovoked in the last 72 hours.

Your Grandma was a wise woman, Lynette said, wiping her face with a napkin, It reminds me of my Grandma.

Is she still with us? Juniper asked, helping herself to another serving of potato salad.

Be careful. It’s hard to stop eating that, Lynette said, a warm smile on her face. My grandma passed away when I was little. My grandfather built the place. She looked around, feeling familial pride.

So, why didn’t you live here after your grandfather passed? Juniper asked, You were grown by then, right? Juniper leaned back in her chair, the telltale sign of someone who’d just eaten too much of Miss Gertie’s potato salad for the first time.

Without a second thought, Lynette poured out her stories, and Juniper sat there, listening attentively. From the heartache of leaving her grandfather to meeting James Jr. and getting married, but she left out two very important pieces of her story. The first part that she never shared with anyone, and the second part that she’d only just admitted to herself yesterday.

I’m so sorry, I just unloaded on you, Lynette said, embarrassed that she’d taken advantage of Juniper’s good nature. Here you’ve obviously been through something and I’m just blabbering away about my problems.

Don’t be silly. Lord knows we all need someone to talk to now and again. Juniper seemed like maybe she might want to do her own unloading, but she wasn’t forthcoming. Perhaps Lynette had read the situation wrong?

Lynette smiled and got up to refill Juniper’s tea, not quite sure how to fill the awkward silence. If Juniper wanted to pour out her heart like Lynette just did, she’d say something, wouldn’t she?

As Lynette poured the tea, Juniper began.

I thought I was in love, Juniper said in a quiet voice. She sounded like she was struggling to get the words out. As though she just didn’t like the way they sounded. "We met about six months