Caroline adrift, p.1
Caroline, Adrift, page 1
Praise for Kay Bratt’s Novels
“Kay Bratt beautifully draws the story of a daughter returning to Maui—the enchanted land that she believes holds the key to her past—where she unlocks a promising future she never could have imagined. Full of secrets, love and gorgeous settings, True to Me is the ultimate escape.” —Kristy Woodson Harvey, bestselling author of Slightly South of Simple
“Heartfelt and brimming with lively characters, True to Me is a poignant reminder of the meaning of family, the importance of truth, and the power of forgiveness. Perfect for fans of Christine Nolfi and Cathy Lamb.” —Sonja Yoerg, Washington Post bestselling author of True Places
“Bratt writes a beautiful tale of family which grabbed me from the very first page. Bratt takes the reader on a heartfelt journey of family and forgiveness while Quinn teaches us about those we should let in and those we should let go. For at the very core of the novel is the rare gift of being true to one’s self.” —Rochelle B. Weinstein, USA Today bestselling author
“Wish Me Home has all the trademarks of a Kay Bratt novel: a heartwarming story that nourishes the soul, beloved characters, and a plot that kept me turning pages. Without shying away from the harshness of life, Bratt has managed to create a world in which kindness and goodness prevail.” —Karen McQuestion, bestselling author of Hello Love
“In this inspiring story of a woman’s search for the deepest wish of her heart, Bratt paints a realistic portrait of the dark side of the foster care system, while simultaneously reminding us that there is always hope, and that home and family can be found in unexpected places.” —Kerry Anne King, bestselling author of Closer Home and I Wish You Happy
“With its resilient protagonist, secret that kept me guessing, dog I wish I could adopt in real life, and story that tugged at my heart, Kay Bratt’s Wish Me Home grabbed me and held me all the way to its heartfelt resolution. Readers who enjoy novels like Vanessa Diffenbaugh's The Language of Flowers will find it a delight!” —Nancy Star, bestselling author of Sisters One, Two, Three
“A baring-of-the-soul emotional story that leaves you with a heart full of love and hope.” —Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author, for Dancing with the Sun
“In Dancing With the Sun, a mother and daughter are forced to lean on each other for survival in the wilderness while learning to let go of years of grief and guilt. Readers will relate to Kay Bratt’s depiction of a mother’s love and her courage in protecting her daughter. Ultimately, though, this novel is a page-turner that will pull on your heartstrings and affirm your faith in humanity.” —Karen McQuestion, bestselling author of Hello Love
“Dancing with the Sun is an evocative story of emotional and physical survival in the harshest of terrains. Mother and wife Sadie Harlan is struggling silently with grief when she and her daughter go missing in Yosemite. Away from the world and focused on keeping her daughter alive, Sadie embarks on an unforgettable journey through loss and guilt to find forgiveness, healing, and strength. Book clubs will love the powerful message of this unique novel.” —Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son and The Promise Between Us
“Dancing with the Sun is an endearing, emotional tale filled with the perfect mix of poignant family heartaches, unshakable mother-daughter love, and a dose of adventure in a dramatic, vivid setting that will sweep you away until the very last page. Don’t miss it.” —Julianne MacLean, USA Today bestselling author
“Whether facing the natural terrors of Yosemite or the internal pains of an unforgiven past, this mother-daughter story is beautifully written and relatable as one woman faces a mother’s greatest fear—losing yet another child. Kay Bratt delivers on all levels in this emotional and tense story of loss and resilience.” —Emily Bleeker, Wall Street Journal bestselling author
“Nothing like a harrowing, life-threatening, and completely unplanned hike through Yosemite’s backcountry to make you face years of grief and guilt head on. Kay Bratt pulls this off masterfully in Dancing with the Sun, an emotional mother-daughter tale of love, forgiveness, and renewal. Book clubs will love Bratt’s latest!” —Kerry Lonsdale, Wall Street Journal bestselling author
“In Dancing With The Sun, Kay Bratt captures a mother-daughter relationship with an authenticity rarely seen in novels. Highly emotional, heartfelt, and bristling with tension on every page, this is a story not easily forgotten.” —Bette Lee Crosby, USA Today bestselling author
“No Place Too Far is Kay Bratt at her best. Free up some time, find somewhere quiet, and dive into this story of Maggie, Quinn, the challenges they face, and the people who love them. Once again, Bratt tackles complex contemporary issues with remarkable agility and compassion, and it’s an absolute pleasure to be along for this ride. And because Bratt is a master of location, it’s even more of a pleasure when the ride takes place on Maui. For a few brief moments, I forgot all about errands and laundry and the minivan and soaked up Hawaii, in all its glorious heritage and beauty.” —Lea Geller, author of Trophy Life
“No Place Too Far is the perfect blend of suspense mixed with a magical setting and characters we care deeply about. I loved Maggie and Quinn and rooted for them until the final page. Kay Bratt is a masterful storyteller, and the story’s pacing and descriptions of Maui left me always wanting more. Highly recommended for book clubs!” —Anita Abriel, international bestselling author of The Light After the War
“For two women who live in paradise, their lives are anything but idyllic. Best friends Quinn and Maggie have spent the past year trying to outrun dangers from their pasts—one a stalker, the other family secrets. But now both pasts have caught up to them, and the two friends will have to decide if they should keep running or stand up and fight. In this page-turning drama, Bratt has created two strong, dynamic female characters who readers will be sure to root for.” —Amanda Prowse, bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner
“In this delicious drama set against the backdrop of paradise, Kay Bratt weaves a suspenseful story about finding the courage to fight for happiness, forgiveness, and love. I delighted in the enchanting descriptions of Maui, and I rooted for the characters as if they were friends.” —Cynthia Ellingsen, bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keeper, for No Place Too Far
Caroline, Adrift: Sail Away Series, Book 5
Set sail to new adventures and escapes with eight best-selling authors in the exciting new Sail Away series!
After the death of her beloved James, one woman faces a future of feeling adrift and must find a reason to go on without the love of her life, from the bestselling author of Wish Me Home.
When Caroline McClellan’s beloved husband passes away, she doesn’t know what to do with herself without him as her center and reason for being. Caroline’s three adult daughters insist that she accompany them on the cruise that was supposed to mark her fiftieth wedding anniversary. Caroline is a reluctant participant and sure she will not find any joy in a voyage that was supposed to be a celebration but without her husband, feels like a chore.
Betty Martelle is an interesting woman who takes life by the horns and makes it her goal to find purpose in every day that she is still allowed to breathe. Fate will bring a new friend into her life and give her an opportunity to find a way to break through a barrier of grief to share her gift of spontaneity and finding joy in the little things.
Set on a cruise to the lush island of Maui, Caroline, Adrift is an emotional friendship story of two women brought together by fate. One is adrift when it comes to finding meaning in life, and the other is determined to be a beacon of hope and teach her how to do it.
Join Kay Bratt, International Bestselling author, as she brings the latest book in The Sail Away series to life, featuring a heartwarming story of love and loss, and the gift of friendship.
Caroline, Adrift
A Standalone Novel
Sail Away Series
Book Five
Kay Bratt
Contents
Also By Kay Bratt
Caroline, Adrift
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Epilogue
Thank You from the Author
About the Author
Caroline, Adrift… Copyright © 2022 by Kay Bratt
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. For permissions contact the author directly via electronic mail: kay@Kaybratt.com
https://kaybratt.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KayBratt
Twitter: @Kay_Bratt
Instagram: @Kay_Bratt
Published in the United States by Red Thread Publishing
ISBN 9798215802588
FIRST EDITION
Cover by Elizabeth Mackey Graphic Design
For my wonderful readers in Kay’s Kindness Krew
Also By Kay Bratt
Hart’s Ridge
Wish Me Home
True To Me
No Place too Far
Into the Blue
All (my) Dogs Go to Heaven
Silent Tears; A Journey of Hope in a Chinese Orphanage
Chasing China; A Daughter’s Quest for Truth
Mei Li and the Wise Laoshi
Wish You Were Here
Wishful Thinking
A Thread Unbroken
Train to Nowhere
The Palest Ink
The Scavenger’s Daughters
Tangled Vines
Bitter Winds
Red Skies
Caroline, Adrift
By Kay Bratt
Prologue
Mark Twain once said that wrinkles indicate where smiles have been, but Caroline McClellan could only see the harshness of her wrinkles in the reflection of the window and didn’t think she’d ever know another smile again. Or at least, not a genuine one. She stood at the kitchen sink, staring out at the yard that was in bad need of some care.
Her eyes were drawn to a sudden flicker of purple, and she saw a hummingbird fluttering around the feeder. It was well after noon, and she was still in her nightgown. She’d just been thinking of something important, but her train of thought suddenly left the station without her.
Oh, the cruise. James’ last attempt at humor. Instead of the traditional fancy voyage that most went on for anniversaries, her James had booked them on a cruise for cat lovers and the date was looming. A cruise that was supposed to mark her fiftieth wedding anniversary to her best friend. The man who now lay silent and six feet under the hard earth, four months gone now.
She had a week to go and still had no idea what to pack and no energy to figure it out. Caroline recalled the only other cruise they’d ever taken. It must’ve been at least thirty years before and the thing that stands out to her now was the way she’d felt like they’d entered a new world when they’d gotten on board. All smiles and handshakes that felt like boarding a place that held an alternate reality. Being the practical person she was, it hadn’t set right with her back then and without James to anchor her now, she knew it would feel even more strange the second time around.
The hummingbird dipped in and out, looking for sustenance at the empty container. If James were still alive, it would be clean and full of the perfect formula of sugar and water. He’d always had a way with the hummers. They loved him and every year came in droves. The grandchildren found it magical and thought their Papa was some kind of bird man.
This was the first hummingbird she’d seen in weeks.
She squeezed some dish soap into the sink and turned on the hot water. It felt like a gargantuan task. To her left, the brochure for the cruise glared at her from where James had stuck it to the fridge.
Board A Meow Cruise and Share Your Feline Fervor
Her always comedic husband had thought the idea was hilarious and would be something fun to try. But then, he hadn’t known he’d be dead by the time it rolled around, and she’d be left looking like a crazy widowed cat lady.
A cruise to Hawaii—a place that had always been on his bucket list. And for an additional fee… they would be part of the Meow Mix on board.
She rolled her eyes at the ceiling.
It couldn’t be more stupid.
She remembered opening the card and James standing there waiting to see her expression when she saw what he’d written.
We’re cruising, babe. This is going to be a life changing trip. Love, James.
She wasn’t so sure about life changing. Enjoying anything without him beside her was going to be different, that was for sure, and her life was going downhill fast.
Once the sink was full, she felt another wave of exhaustion and decided the dishes could soak a bit while she flipped the television over to Doctor Oz to see what tips he had to make her feel human again. When she turned to head that way, Felix looked up at her from where he lay curled up on her kitchen table.
“Shoo—get off of there!”
He stared at her, a bored expression across his face.
“Fine. I don’t care what you do.” Caroline sighed.
The table was off bounds and now that James was gone, their most rebellious cat had taken it over. Next, he’d probably think he had free reign of the counter tops and she’d never be able to have the girls over for dinner again or they’d complain of cat hair in their food—even if they couldn’t find one.
His brother, Fauci (named by James during the peak of the pandemic when they thought a new cat would help the boredom of isolation) was the obedient one and was doing his napping elsewhere, curled up like a quiet little fur-angel.
Caroline had always wanted a dog, but the Colorado winters could be harsh, and she didn’t want to have to be trekking outside multiple times a day in the cold and snow for potty breaks.
The two felines were enough, and they made quite a pair, one solid black and the other white, bickering with each other often throughout the day and then making up in time for bedtime snuggling. They were opposite in personality. Felix was pure trouble and usually tried to frame Fauci. He stole things from her bedside table or plate, then was famous for taking part of it to his brother and leaving it with him so he’d get the blame when found.
Fauci, on the other hand, had decided since James’ death that he was the newly appointed caretaker and had taken over the wake-up-mom-from-nap duty.
Lately Caroline hadn’t felt like rising after her usual hour nap, but Fauci somehow sensed when time was up and would come to stand on her chest. There he meowed until she finally relented and climbed out of the bed.
She supposed he was making sure she didn’t die, too.
Caroline loved her cats. But she had no plans to compensate for the loss of her husband by adding to the furry entourage. Two was enough, and when they were gone, no more.
And she sure didn’t relish the idea of a cat cruise.
She was going to cancel it, but their girls had insisted that she go ahead with the plans. That it would cheer her up and James would’ve wanted her to go.
“Do it for Dad,” they’d begged, then insisted vehemently.
Since Caroline couldn’t talk them out of it, she needed to find the energy to look through her closet to see what she could pull together.
She truly did not relish the trip.
At seventy-two years old she had lived long enough to know exactly why her daughters insisted she do it for Dad.
Her daughters had more than blue seas and silly themes on their minds.
Most likely, it would be Caroline’s farewell tour before they shipped her off somewhere where she wouldn’t be their responsibility.
The first alarm bell had gone off when Rachel called to tell her that she and her sisters would be accompanying Caroline and had already booked a room, with plans for one of them to stay in Caroline’s cabin with her.
She wondered which daughter had drawn the short straw for that.
That they’d decided to even come was ironic, seeing how for the last ten years her supposedly-mature-adult daughters had refused to be together for anything. Their latest not-on-speaking-terms was over silly stuff, just like always. Something one of them said about the other—or didn’t say. Or didn’t do. Petty actions that reminded Caroline of when they were children, and one would be upset because the other looked at her for too long.
Caroline remembered one totally inane squabble that Laura and Rachel had over a dish of macaroni and cheese on Thanksgiving at least six or seven years back.
