Excerpt of The Edge of You by Theresa DaLayne

Jake threw his duffle bag in the back of his uncle’s
truck, parked in the driveway. With school off for the
summer, and the fishing boat he worked on under repairs,
it was a perfect opportunity to visit his mom in
Washington State. Kodiak Island just wasn’t the same
without her there.

Uncle Mike walked out the front door of his house, Aunt
Sara shuffling behind him in a pair of slippers and a
thick robe. Her black hair spilled over her shoulders,
wild and blowing in the coastal Alaskan breeze. “Now
remember,” she said. “Don’t eat that disgusting airplane
food. And for God’s sake,” her shoulders slumped forward,
“don’t get drunk on the plane.”

“Take it easy, Sara.” Uncle Mike patted Jake on the back.
“The boy’s gonna be fine.” He leaned in close to Jake’s
ear. “And do get drunk on the plane. It’ll make the
flight go faster.”

“I heard that.” Aunt Sara smacked Uncle Mike on the arm,
and then shook her index finger in the air. “I mean it.
If your mom calls and tells me you showed up tipsy—”
“He’s twenty-one. Let the boy enjoy his age.”

Jake rested his hand on Aunt Sara’s shoulder. “I’m not
going to drink on the plane. Stop worrying.”

The lines in her forehead smoothed and she dropped her
hand to her side. “Okay. Good. Tell your mom we said
hello and we love her, though I’ll probably just call her
anyway.”

Jake chuckled. His aunt worried too much. She would have
been such a good mom if she and Uncle Mike were able to
have kids. Instead she fussed and worried over him.

Uncle Mike climbed into his truck and honked the horn.
“Let’s go!” Jake waved to his aunt, who blew about ten
thousand kisses as he sat in the truck and strapped in.
“Good Lord,” Uncle Mike mumbled, starting the engine and
shifting the car into reverse. “That woman.”

Jake grinned. “Yeah, she’s something, huh?”

Uncle Mike pulled out of the driveway and onto Spruce
Cape Road. “You got everything you need for the trip?
Need any cash?”

As Uncle Mike reached into his pocket, Jake extended his
hand. “You know damn well I’m not taking any money from
you.”

His uncle paused, and then placed his hand back on the
steering wheel. “Right. Mr. Independent.”

“I just don’t like handouts, that’s all.”

“Your mother taught you well.” His tone turned solemn,
and the wrinkles around his eyes deepened with a frown.
“You be sure to let us know when you get any news from
the doctors, okay?”