Zoey has no idea what it means to be normal. Everything she touches has a taste, and her father’s identity is a town secret. Her sisters have their own issues. While it's a struggle for Celeste to connect with the world, Ruby, who has a flair for the dramatic, doesn't worry about anything. Orphaned at birth, the fourteen-year-old triplets live with their aunt and mark seasons by the annual migration of captivating birds. Despite an almost idyllic childhood grounded in Aunt Flory's home-cooked food and family values, Zoey struggles with her identity in a community where the Starling family is the subject of gossip. But secrets run deep in the small town, and the triplets aren't the only ones with something to hide. Zoey soon discovers that the truth isn't obvious and different perspectives shape the world. It's always how you choose to look at things that matters most.

Bugs, Weeds, and Water is created by Evangeline Greene, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Bugs, Weeds, and Water

June passed quickly. By the end of the month, the migrating birds had pared down to a scant few, most already settled in their northern breeding grounds. Thick swells of insects and dense foliage acted as natural deterrents for amateur bird-watchers who relied on sight rather than songs to identify the species. Along the beach, few shorebirds remained, the five-toed tracks of sunbathers replacing the delicate spindles of sandpipers and plovers.


Verna arrived one afternoon with a macaroni casserole and a spray of fresh flowers from her garden. She found the girls in the kitchen, clearing the breakfast dishes. Despite Aunt Flory's absence, she visited the house frequently, keeping an especially close eye on Celeste.


"Is there sour cream in it?" Celeste asked Verna, eyeing the dish with suspicion.


Chapter 47