Shadows of the past, p.1
Shadows of the Past, page 1
part #1 of Echoes of Camano Island Series
Shadows of the Past
Echoes of Camano Island
Kimberly Thomas
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Copyright © 2025 by Kimberly Thomas
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Kimberly Thomas holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Contents
Prologue
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
Epilogue
Next in Series
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Prologue
Thirteen years ago
The smell of disinfectant and bleach lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the environment Blake was about to enter. She slipped her arms into the sleeves of the crisp white coat, the fabric whispering against her skin. With a steadying inhale, she picked up her stethoscope and swung it around her neck, its weight a tangible symbol of what awaited her on the other side of the wall.
After another deep breath, she opened her private office door. She stepped into the examination room, where a couple and their two children surrounded an elderly golden retriever lying on the examination table, his labored breathing and plaintive whine a haunting melody of distress and agony. The family’s faces were etched with grief, tears running uncontrollably down the cheeks of the two children as they tenderly ran their hands over the dog’s golden fur, now dull and thinning.
Blake’s heart beat painfully against her chest as she approached them. She spoke softly, plastering on a sympathetic smile, “I know this is incredibly difficult, but you're doing the right thing for him. He won’t suffer any longer, and being here for him shows him how much you love him by letting him have the peace he needs.”
The husband and wife nodded, tears glistening in their eyes. The children clung to their parents, trying to understand the finality of the moment. “We love you, Buddy,” the father whispered to the dog, his voice breaking with emotion. Their daughter reached over and buried her face against Buddy’s neck; her sobs muffled against the dog’s nearly motionless body.
“Buddy, please don’t leave me,” she whimpered. Buddy let out a low yap, his tail lifting slightly off the table before falling back down with a slight thump. Her mother gently eased her up, and the little girl turned and wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist, burying her face in her stomach. “I don’t want him to go, Mommy,” she sobbed.
“I know, sweetheart…but Buddy is in a lot of pain,” the woman replied, her throat working to speak over her pain. “He's been a loyal friend to us for so many years, but his old age and sickness are causing him so much suffering that we can't bear to see him in pain any longer. It's the most loving thing we can do for him now, to let him go peacefully and end his suffering.”
The little girl looked up at her mother with tear-filled eyes, still clinging tightly to her. “But can't the vet make him better?” she asked, her voice trembling with hope as her eyes shot over to Blake.
Her mother knelt to her level, wiping away tears from both of their cheeks. “Sweetheart, the vet has done everything she can for Buddy, but sometimes even the best medicine can't take away all the pain and discomfort. Do you understand?” The little girl’s head bobbed slowly.
“We have to say goodbye to Buddy so he can rest without suffering any longer,” her father stepped in to explain. “It's a difficult choice, but it's the kindest thing we can do for him now.”
“I promise you, he won’t feel a thing,” Blake said before moving toward the medical table with the prepared items for Buddy’s transition.
The boy, who was the older of the two children, stepped away from his father to gently run his hand over the dog’s coat. “I’m going to miss you, Buddy,” he spoke with a sad smile and tears trickling down his face. Buddy, at that moment, opened his eyes and, with much effort, turned his head, pushed out his tongue, and licked the boy’s hand before finally laying his head back down and closing his eyes.
The family drew closer as Blake administered the injection. She couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment. Their sorrow mirrored her own, reminding her of the pain she had endured in her own life. Once the dog had peacefully slipped away, the family said their goodbyes and left the clinic, their grief still palpable in the air, even after their departure.
Alone in her office, Blake sank into her chair and gazed at the photograph on her desk. It was a picture of her family—her husband and their young daughter, captured in a moment of pure joy. She traced her daughter's smiling face with a trembling finger before her gaze settled on her husband. A single tear trickled down her cheek as she whispered to the photograph, “How am I ever going to live without you?”
A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. “Come,” she called out.
Her assistant, Shannon, popped her head in just then. “Dr. Summers, your next appointment is here.”
“Okay. Thanks, Shannon. I’ll be out in a minute,” she informed her.
“Are you all right?” Shannon asked, her brows knitted in concern.
Blake plastered on a smile. “I’m fine.”
“Okay,” Shannon replied, her tone taking on a bit of uncertainty. “I’ll give them the paperwork to fill out in the meantime.”
“Thanks.”
Shannon nodded before closing the door. Blake sat for another two minutes, willing herself to be okay with finishing her rounds for the day. With a deep breath, she rose from her chair and stepped back into the main area to see her next animal patient.
Blake left the clinic at the end of the day, the weight of the day's emotions still clinging to her like a heavy shroud. She navigated through the familiar streets, her mind drifting back to the painful memories she had been desperately trying to suppress. The loss of her husband still felt raw, the wound too fresh to fully comprehend.
Arriving at her mother-in-law's house, Blake squared her shoulders and put on a brave face before knocking on the door. Holly, her mother-in-law, greeted her with a warm embrace. “Hi, dear, how are you?” The concern in her eyes was unmistakable.
“I’m fine, Holly,” she lightly answered.
After a brief pause, Holly asked again, "How are you really doing, Blake?" Her gentle voice was filled with empathy. "You can't keep pretending everything's okay."
Blake's façade faltered, and she sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I'm trying, Holly, I am. But it's just so hard. I have to be strong for Ivy, and I don't have the luxury of falling apart."
Holly took Blake's hands in hers, her gaze unwavering. "Blake, grieving is not a luxury. It's a necessity. You need to take the time to heal, for your own sake and Ivy's."
Tears welled up in Blake's eyes, and she shook her head. "I don't know if I can. It's like... if I allow myself to grieve, it means accepting Gary is really gone. And I don't know if I'm ready for that."
Holly’s eyes glistened with her tears, but in their blue depths, there was also understanding. Before she could respond, Ivy, Blake’s three-year-old daughter, came running into the room, her bright eyes wide with concern. "Mommy, why are you crying?" she asked, wrapping her tiny arms around Blake's legs.
Blake knelt, hugging Ivy tightly. "Oh, sweetheart, Mommy's okay. I just... I miss Daddy a lot, that's all."
Holly joined them, placing a comforting hand on Blake's shoulder. “Sweetheart, why don’t you follow me to the kitchen for that milk and cookie I promised you?” she asked Ivy.
“Okay.” Ivy perked up with excitement.
“Let’s give Mommy a few minutes to herself.” Holly held out her hand to the little girl. Ivy looked back at her mother hesitantly. But Blake’s encouraging smile and slight nod were enough for her to allow her grandmother to lead her to the kitchen.
Blake released a shuddering breath, causing her whole body to vibrate before reaching up to continue swiping at the tears that refused to stop falling.
“It's okay to miss him, Blake. And it's okay to let yourself feel all of it.” Blake looked over her shoulder to see Holly standing in the kitchen’s arched doorway.
Abandoning her effort to dry her face, she turned to her mother-in-law with a small nod. “I want to, but I’m afraid if I let go…I won’t be able to pull myself back together,” she confessed, her blue eyes clouded with fear.
Holly walked over to the couch and sat down before patting the space beside her. Blake slowly sank into the seat and turned her gaze to the woman.
“When my husband, Bill, died, I felt like my world had died with him. I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t even cry…” She paused as she swallowed deeply as if the memory was too painful to remember. “I was doing everything else, making sure everyone else was okay, but for myself, I was just on autopilot. One day, out of the blue, I just snapped. I was crying, screaming, and asking Bill why he had to leave me. I was in such a state that my sister had to take me to the hospital, and they even considered putting me on psychosis medication.”
Blake’s eyes widened at the revelation. Holly placed a comforting hand over hers. “I’m saying this to say, if I had dealt with my grief and accepted Bill was no longer here, it wouldn’t have led to such an episode. I don’t want that for you, Blake…Greg does not want that for you. I miss him dearly, but I have grieved my loss and choose to continue living for you and my grandbaby because I know that’s what he would have wanted. Do you understand?”
Blake nodded. “I know I can't avoid it forever.” She sighed. “I'll try, Holly. For Ivy's sake and mine,” she promised.
Holly squeezed her hand. “We'll get through this together. You're not alone in this."
“All done.” Ivy came barreling into the room with cookie crumbs sticking to her rosy cheeks and lips and a triumphant smile.
“That’s my girl,” Holly spoke proudly.
“Come here, sweetie,” Blake beckoned to her daughter. Ivy quickly walked over to her, and Blake used a wet wipe to clean her face. “I love you, kiddo.” She smiled.
“I love you too, Mommy.” Ivy hugged her.
With Holly's encouraging words resonating in her heart, they left for home, the weight on Blake's shoulders feeling a little lighter. After putting her daughter to bed, she reached for the album she had buried in the back of her closet. Sitting on the floor, she carefully leafed through the cherished memories captured in her wedding album. A small manila envelope slipped from between the pages. Curiosity piqued, she picked it up and discovered a DVD nestled inside. Walking down the hall, she stepped into her living room, and with trembling hands, she inserted the disc into the player, watching the screen flicker to life. The video revealed snippets of her and Gary's wedding day, their love radiating from the screen. A small smile graced her lips as she looked at the couple's smiling faces and love shining through the screen.
Then the footage transitioned, and an older Gary—a sick Gary’s smiling face filled the frame. Blake's heart clenched as she realized this was a message from him, recorded before his untimely passing.
"Hey, Blake." Gary's voice filled the room, his familiar warmth washing over her. "If you're watching this, it means I'm not with you anymore. I don't want you to be sad though. I want you to remember all the happiness we shared together. The last six years of my life, married to you, were the best I've ever known. You made every moment worth living."
Tears welled in Blake's eyes as she listened to his words, her heart aching with the longing for his presence.
"I love you more than words can express, and that love doesn't end here. It will live on beyond the grave, and I'll always be with you, watching over you and Ivy," Gary continued, his unwavering gaze piercing through the screen.
As his message continued, his words became a balm to Blake's grieving heart. "I want you to promise me something, Blake. Promise me that you'll live life without regrets. Find joy in every moment, and never let go of the love in your heart. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I want you to embrace it, even if it means finding love again. I'll always be a part of you, but I want you to live a full and beautiful life."
Blake watched, her tears flowing freely, as Gary's love and encouragement enveloped her in a comforting embrace.
"I'm only happy when you're happy, Blake." Gary's recorded voice filled the room once more, his eyes seeming to lock with hers through the screen. "Promise me that you'll be happy. For me."
Tears cascaded down Blake's cheeks as she listened to his heartfelt plea. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she reached out toward the image of Gary on the screen, as if trying to bridge the gap between them. "I promise, Gary," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "I promise to be happy for you.
Chapter One
“Hi. Welcome to Denny’s. What can I get you?”
“Hi, dear,” greeted the old woman with friendly brown eyes set in a deeply wrinkled face, her warm smile directed at Blake. “I haven’t quite made up my mind yet,” she said apologetically.
“It’s fine,” Blake spoke up with a reassuring smile. “Take all the time you need. When you’re ready, just wave me over.”
“Oh, thank you. You’re such a sweetheart,” the woman beamed her gratitude.
“No problem.” Blake tipped her head forward, offering the woman another smile before heading over to the counter.
“Order for table seven.” Keith, the main chef, slid the two plates of burgers and fries across the counter toward her.
“Thanks, Keith,” Blake murmured before scooping up the plates and heading toward the couple sitting at the far back of the diner. “Here you go.” She smiled at the man and woman as she placed their food before them.
“Thanks.”
“Thanks,” they spoke up, even though they hadn’t spared her a look as they stared at each other in what Blake could only describe as thick tension.
“Enjoy,” Blake told them before walking off.
“What’s up with those two?” Kathy, the other waitress, asked, jutting her chin toward the back as Blake walked up to her.
“I don’t know,” Blake replied, looking over her shoulder to see they hadn’t touched the order she’d just brought to them and were still in a staring competition. She hoped it wasn’t anything serious. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought. The old woman signaled to her, and she excused herself to go to her.
“Are you ready to order?” she asked, her tone light.
“Yes, dear. Could I have the stir-fried chicken with rice and a serving of coleslaw?”
“Sure thing.” Blake nodded. “Your meal will be out shortly.” With that, she walked over to the counter once more.
After handing in the order, Blake wiped her hands on her apron and glanced at the clock. It was almost 3:00 p.m., and the lunch rush had finally slowed down at the diner. Exhaling softly, she felt some of the tension of the busy shift slowly dissipate. “Keith, I’m taking my break after this order,” she announced.
Keith poked his head out, his eyes scanning the dining area. Suppressing a small internal sigh, Blake resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Okay. But fifteen minutes,” he stipulated.
“Okay,” she said simply. A few minutes later, Blake delivered the old woman’s order before grabbing her winter jacket. As she pushed open the heavy diner door, a rush of frigid air greeted her, nipping at her exposed cheeks and nose with a sharp sting. Her phone rang just then.
Fishing the device out, she looked at the caller ID. Her heart skipped a beat, as it always did when she saw “Frank Walker, Attorney at Law” flashing on the screen.
“Hello?” she answered, her heart racing.
“Blake, it’s Frank. I have some news about Dominic.” Her lawyer's voice cut through the line, his tone urgent.
Blake’s stomach clenched. “What about him?” she asked, voice tight with apprehension.
“He’s been granted early release due to good behavior. I’m sorry, Blake. He'll be out in a week.” Frank’s somber tone sounded through the receiver as he delivered the news.
Blake’s mind reeled, and she struggled to process the information. Dominic, her ex-husband, the man who had made her life a living hell, would be free in a week. Panic surged through her.
“I know this isn’t wha—”
“I have to go,” she blurted out, ending the call abruptly. She rushed back inside, grabbed her purse, and headed for the door once more, leaving behind her bewildered co-workers. She needed to get to Ivy.
