Summer’s child by Diane Chamberlain
“the story offers relentless suspense and intriguing psychological insight..
Rory leaned forward abruptly.
“Well,” he said, getting down to business, “I received Shelly’s letter a few months ago, and I’ve decided to follow up on her request to find out who left her on the beach twenty-two years ago. I plan to make it an episode on True Life Stories.”
Dead silence filled the room. Chloe and Daria looked at each other, and Rory didn’t miss the disapproval on their faces. Shelly wore a sheepish smile, and Rory suddenly realized she had written the letter without her sisters’ knowledge.
“I thought it was a wonderful letter,” Rory said quickly “A wonderful idea. And if I can’t uncover the answer during my research, Shelly, maybe someone watching the show will know what really happened and contact me.”
Chloe tucked her legs up beneath her on the sofa.
“I don’t think this is such a good idea, Rory,” she said.
“Why dredge up something that happened twenty-two years ago?”
“Chloe’s right,” Daria said.
“I’m sorry to put a damper on your idea, but Shelly’s a Cato, Rory. She has been, right from the start. Of course, she’s always known what happened to her, but she’s one of us, an integral part of us. Who her birth mother was doesn’t matter.”
For the first time since his arrival, Shelly lost her smile.
“I know I’m a Cato,” she said to Daria.
“But I’m also something else. I’ve always wanted to know what that something else is.”
“Chamberlain manages a lot of plot with great skill…”
—Kirkus Reviews Award-winning author Diane Chamberlain’s background is in social work and psychology. She has a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work and she worked as a medical social worker for several years, both in San Diego and Washington DC, before opening a private psychotherapy practice special ising in adolescents. She closed her practice in 1992 to write full time.
Also available by Diane Chamberlain in MIRA Books
BREAKING THE SILENCE
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All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and. all the incidents are pure invention.
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First published in Great Britain 2000 MIRA Books, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1SR
Diane Chamberlain 2000 ISBN 1 55166 509 3 580006
Printed and bound in Spain by Litografia Roses S.
A.
” Barcelona
This story is dedicated to the memory of my grandmother, Susan Chamberlain, my inspiration and comfort.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I’ve only tampered slightly with the geography of the Outer Banks this time around, making enough room between the ocean and the beach road in Kill Devil Hills for the cul-de-sac in my story. I also took the liberty of leaving in place the trauma center I created for Keeper of the Light.
I would particularly like to thank the following people for their input into the creation of the fictional world in Summer’s Child.
Caitlin Heagy was instrumental in helping me add another layer to my story. Cindy Schacte not only cuts my hair, but enthusiastically aids and abets me during the plotting process. Skeeter Sawyer provided me with information about the Dare County Emergency Medical Services. Any mistakes in applying that information to my story are mine alone.
Joann Scanlon and Priscilla McPherson gave me excellent feedback on my outline.
My editor at MIRA Books, Amy Moore Benson and my agent, Ginger Barber, helped in countless ways to make this a better book.
Last, but not least, I’m grateful to my husband, David, for listening to my story line—repeatedly—without ever
