The seaside town of Cranberry Cove was a far cry from the snow-capped mountains and sweeping vistas of Aspen, Colorado. Trading morning frost for waves gently lapping against the shoreline down the road, the change had been a difficult but necessary one. The tiny town offered an escape from a a good many things.
The Chattoways of Aspen owned land and real estate from Denver to Seattle. Hardly a skyscraper or office building was rented out or built without a check landing on the desk of Barrett Chattoway, Renata's father and owner of Chattoway Realty. While the name and success of her family offered great comfort and privilege in youth, it proved harmful in adulthood. It was next to impossible to make her own name for herself in Aspen as a vet. People saw the name of the woman, not the doctor pulling thorns from paws and vaccinating kittens. Having the daughter of Barrett Chattoway treat your cat for worms was a local novelty. Cranberry Cove offered a new start; a chance to be herself and make her own way.
All mothers love their children in their own way, although it is not always that easy for mothers and daughters to get along. Claire Chattoway came from the world of yachts, polo matches, social debuts, cotillions, and garden parties and expected her only daughter to follow in her footsteps. Many slammed doors and cross-house yelling matches rang through the family home in Renata's youth as her mother's despair increased upon it becoming painfully clear that her daughter would not be doing as she did. It caused Claire no end of pain that her only daughter cared more about healing injured birds and capturing frogs than she did about meeting eligible young beaus. Through college and veterinary studies and right into professional practice, Claire's haranguing about a rich husband never stopped. Renata loves her mother very much but needed to get away for both of their sakes.
The little, cozy, sleepy, and quaint town of Cranberry Cove was full of promise for someone who had yet to realize how much she could offer. This town could only be a good thing.
