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Authors: Fern Michaels

BOOK: Betrayal
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“We have these neighbors, the Conzelmans. They live two houses down from us. They've been retired for I don't know how long, but they're the sweetest old people.” Emily smiled. “You know what I mean. Anyway, they have three cats, Snuggles, Eddie, and Clovis. They're inside cats, but Snuggles—he's the oldest—escaped the other day. Sara found him in our backyard.”
“I hope she took him home.” Kate remarked.
“I did. But before I took him home, I saw her dragging him around our backyard by the tail. Poor Snuggles was screeching. You know how cats sound when they cry? It was almost like a real baby. I peeked out the window thinking a little kid was lost or something. That's when I saw her pulling the cat around. I ran outside and grabbed the cat and took him home. I didn't tell Mom or Dad, but I did pinch the crap out of Sara.”
Kate couldn't imagine anything worse. “Why didn't you tell your parents?”
Emily shook her head. “It doesn't do any good. Sara simply lies her way out of whatever she's accused of and blames me or whomever she can get away with blaming. I'm not sure she can be trusted around the puppies.”
Alarm bells rang in Kate's head. She'd recently read that kids who were cruel to animals were at high risk for severe emotional problems. Emily was too young to deal with this. Don said they'd been having trouble with Sara. Maybe she should insist they get her into counseling. Who knew what would happen if her behavior problem wasn't diagnosed and treated?
“I'm glad you told me. I'll tell you what we can do.” Kate's mind whizzed with ideas. “We'll make sure Sara isn't alone with the animals.” She wouldn't have to break her promise to Emily, but she would mention to Alex that they needed to supervise Sara carefully when she was with the dogs. “For now, I'll just keep this between the two of us, but if I think your parents need to know, I'll have to tell them.”
“That's cool. I trust you.”
“Thanks, Emily. That means a lot.” Kate gently patted Emily's back. “Now, why don't you go out to the kennel; I'm sure Alex is waiting for you. I'll keep Sara occupied until your mother gets up.”
Emily hesitated. “There's more.” She scoped out the kitchen as though she might find another set of ears eavesdropping on her conversation. When she was satisfied all was clear, she continued her story. “Sara has a mean streak. More serious than you know. I know Mom and Dad are aware of it, but they don't do anything, except bribe her with dessert.”
Kate could see by the look of anguish on Emily's face that her younger sister's behavior was very worrisome to her.
“It's just these tantrums she's having. Her eyes glaze over, it's almost like she's another person. Last week I caught her snooping through my drawers. I chased her out of the room into the kitchen.” Emily paused. “There was a knife on the kitchen counter. Sara grabbed it and said if I told on her for snooping, she'd slit my throat.”
“Emily, you've got to tell your parents. This is very abnormal behavior, not some childish prank.”
“I know, but it's like I said. They'll baby her, and she'll promise never to do whatever she's in trouble for again, then it'll be back to her same old crap.”
Kate would talk with Alex later. Then they could decide what to do.
“I can't imagine Sara doing something so mean, but she's still a young girl. I doubt that she was serious.” Kate wasn't one hundred percent sure of this, but for now, she'd keep the thought to herself.
“You wouldn't say that if you'd seen the look on her face. Aunt Kate, she truly scares me. I just want you and Uncle Alex to watch out. There's no telling what the little monster will do at this point,” Emily said.
Kate nodded, forced a smile. “I'll keep that in mind. Now why don't you run along to the kennels. Alex is waiting for you.”
“Okay, I'd like that. Thanks, Aunt Kate. I feel better with you knowing what's really been going on with Sara.”
“Don't worry about her just now. Let's just enjoy this visit.” Kate ruffled Emily's smooth blond ponytail. “Now get out of here and have some fun.”
“I knew I could count on you,” Emily shouted as she headed for the kennels.
Kate was extremely worried about Sara. If she would threaten her sister with a knife, who knew what else she would try. She was going to speak to Alex as soon as they had a minute alone. Together they could decide if this was something they needed to share with Don and Debbie before they left on their cruise, or if it was something that could wait. Kate didn't like to put things off. She'd find a few minutes to corner Alex during the day. Something told her they shouldn't put off having this discussion.
Chapter 3
“D
o you believe Emily?” Alex asked Kate. She'd repeated Emily's concerns to Alex while he took a shower. She didn't want to take a chance of being overheard. The bathroom was the safest place in the house at the moment.
“Of course I do. Emily doesn't go around making up this kind of stuff. And besides, what would be the point? She's very concerned about Sara, and, frankly, I'm a little nervous having her in the house for two weeks.”
There was something unsettling about the twelve-year-old. It wasn't just the things Emily had revealed to her. There was more. The word
evil
kept coming to mind. Kate couldn't mention that to Alex. At least not yet. She'd do her best to get through the next couple of weeks. She'd just have to be extra vigilant. In two weeks, the girls would return to Naples with their parents. She and Alex would go about their daily lives as before.
Alex turned off the shower. Kate handed him a large bath towel as he stepped onto the pink, fluffy rug.
“I think your worry is unnecessary. This is probably just some preteen phase she's going through. Maybe she's trying to get attention. We'll keep our eyes and ears open. I'll put her to work in the kennel with Gertie.” Alex laughed. His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. Kate loved to see him smile. It could brighten the worst of her days.
Kate tossed the towel over the hamper and handed Alex a dark green bathrobe.
“We might need to warn Gertie. Let her know what Emily's observed. If anyone can help straighten out a rotten kid, it's Gertie,” Kate said. She knew this from personal experience. She wondered if Gertie had the skills to handle a child like Sara. Maybe she should tell Debbie what Emily had witnessed. No, she would wait. She'd made a promise, and she would do her best to keep it.
Besides, Gertie had worked for her parents for twenty years. Kate remembered getting scolded by Gertie on more than one occasion. She had to admit, Gertie had always been fair and wise with her discipline. She'd covered her rear more than once with her parents. Right when Kate thought she was about to get away with her so-called crime, Gertie always seemed to have an appropriate punishment. Like the time she'd caught her and Jocelyn Myers drinking Boone's Farm strawberry wine. It'd been on a Friday night. Jocelyn was sleeping over. Both of them figured they'd try drinking, then spend all day Saturday rehashing their experience. Gertie'd had other plans. At five in the morning Gertie slipped inside her room, woke them up, and demanded they go downstairs and wait in the back of her truck. Thinking this was some kind of terrible joke, Kate refused. Gertie left the room, only to return a few minutes later with three empty bottles of Boone's Farm. Kate knew then that she and Jocelyn were caught. With Gertie at the wheel and both her and Jocelyn in the cab of the truck, Gertie drove down the bumpy driveway, careful to hit each pothole in the road. She'd driven them to the local soup kitchen. They'd spent the day with massive hangovers serving breakfast and lunch to a few down-on-their-luck drunks. She'd never looked at wine the same since.
Yes
, Kate thought,
Gertie might be just what Sara needs. Some good old-fashioned discipline, and Sara will be right back on track.
Kate couldn't wait to see the change in Sara when Don and Debbie returned from their cruise. They would thank her and Alex, praising the miracle.
“If she's anything with kids like she is with the animals, then Sara will straighten out in no time,” Alex observed.
“Then let's just hope Emily's concerns don't manifest.”
Kate took a pair of soft, worn Levi's and gave them to Alex. He'd had them since his college days. Alex was still as trim and handsome as the photos in his high school yearbook. Actually, Kate thought him even more handsome. He'd certainly been something to look at in high school. Both he and Don had their pick of the girls, according to Don, but it was Alex they'd always gravitated toward. Kate could see why, but she knew it was more than his good looks. Alex was the kindest, most gentle man she'd ever known. There was an air of goodness about him. Kate knew she was biased, but anyone who'd ever met Alex would agree. He was top-of-the-line.
“So what's got into your head all of a sudden? You look way too serious,” Alex said as he pulled on his jeans.
Kate laughed. “Actually, I was thinking how lucky I am.”
“And what brought this on?”
“I don't know. Just thinking about my life. Being married to you. It's the best.” Again, Kate flashed a big grin. Alex took her in his arms.
“I'm the lucky one. You're a dream come true, Kate. The day I purchased the kennel changed my life. I have you, a terrific career, animals I love. What more could I ask for?”
Kate knew, but didn't want to voice her thoughts. Alex stepped out of their embrace and gazed into her green eyes. “I know what you're thinking, and it doesn't matter. I've told you that a hundred times. What will it take to convince you?”
“I know, I just can't help thinking a child would be the icing on the cake. Our lives would be, oh, I don't know, more fulfilled,” Kate explained.
Kate had spent the first six years of their marriage trying to become pregnant. When that failed, she tried in vitro fertilization for another three years, and still no child. She'd finally made peace with the fact that she would never have children with Alex, or anyone else for that matter. Alex had gone through a series of tests himself, but he was fine. It was her. For some reason, she wasn't meant to have children. She'd accepted it, but she didn't like it.
Alex took another step back. “Do you really think a child would make us . . . complete? You know better. As long as we have each other, that's all we'll ever need. We both agreed this was acceptable.”
“I know, it's just when the girls visit, I realize what I'm missing. I've accepted the fact, Alex, but I'll never like it, no matter what we discussed.” Kate reached for Alex's hand. “I didn't mean to imply anything more, Alex. It's just something I'll always wonder about. Now, what are your plans for the day?”
Alex shook his head, sending droplets of water flying across the bedroom. He reminded Kate of one of the dogs after bathtime.
“I'm going to have Emily and Sara help me bathe the pups. You know what a job that can be. Gertie's expecting two families this afternoon. They've met all the adoption requirements as new pet parents.” Alex laughed. “All except for Gertie's seal of approval.”
Kate knew that if Gertie had any doubt about their puppies' prospective family, they would not get the puppy, come hell or high water. Alex took his business very seriously. Gertie hadn't made a bad call yet, and Kate didn't think she ever would. Gertie took painstaking care in her decisions.
“Just don't leave Sara alone with the dogs,” Kate said.
“I won't. I'll tell Gertie to keep an eye on her. She won't do anything, Kate. She's just a kid, who's hormonal and confused. Remember being twelve?”
She did. It was tough, but she'd never felt the urge to hurt an animal, or a human for that matter. Her pillow took a lot of hits, but that was acceptable.
She nodded in the affirmative. “I do. You're right. It's a difficult age, but let's not forget what Emily said. No matter how sweet and loving Sara can be, we don't want the pups to suffer in any way.”
“I'm not about to let anything happen to the dogs, don't worry,” Alex assured her as he tucked his shirt into the waistband of his Levi's. He wrapped a leather belt through the loops, hooked the buckle, then sat on the bed to lace up his work boots.
Kate sat down beside him. “I'm not worried, really. I guess I'm just overly paranoid. You're right. She's probably hormonal, and who knows what else is going on in her head. Maybe you can get her to open up to you while she's helping with the dogs.”
Alex stood up, ran both hands along his thighs as if to remove something from the palm of his hands. “I'll see what I can do. Meanwhile, entertain Deb and Don for me, at least till I have the dogs bathed.”
“I will, but remember, we're going to dinner with them tonight. I'm going to ask Gertie to keep an eye on the girls while we're out. I don't feel comfortable leaving them alone just yet.”
Alex laughed. “Whatever you say. I'll tell her myself. Now, go do something fun. Don't you have a cooking class next week?”
“Yes, I do. I thought I'd try a couple of my new concoctions out on you and the girls. Emily loves to try new food.”
“Sounds like a plan. Just remember, Sara will want dessert.”
“I'll make something light,” Kate added.
Alex gave her a quick kiss and headed for the kennel.
Kate prayed Sara wouldn't cause any problems during her visit. She was very concerned about her but didn't want to overreact. She'd talk to Debbie at dinner. For the moment, she had plenty to keep her occupied.
She had several recipes she wanted to work on for Chloe's
,
the restaurant where she worked part-time and taught cooking classes two evenings a week. She was in total bliss during her eight-hour shift. Cooking was her passion. Seeing the delight on the customers' faces was beyond awesome. She'd thought about opening her own restaurant; but with her pottery and the kennel, she knew it was more than she wanted to take on at this point in her life. Maybe when they retired, she and Alex would open a restaurant where the customers could bring their animals along. It was becoming all the rage in New York City. She didn't see this happening in the South for quite some time. Still, it was a possibility for the future.
Kate returned to the kitchen, hand-washed the skillet she'd used for the bacon, wiped the counters down, and took a package of frozen shrimp out to thaw.
“My, my, aren't we the busy little housewife,” Debbie remarked as she stood in the doorway.
Kate jerked around. “You scared me!” She put her hand against her chest. Her heart stuttered. It was just like Debbie to sneak up on her.
“Sorry. I was in search of someone who could tell me where in the hell my girls are. Emily knows I like my juice before I get out of bed. Where is that little tramp?”
Kate had to grab her left wrist with her right hand to keep from slapping Debbie. Why in the hell did women like her have children? Why were they
allowed
to have children? No wonder Sara was having problems. Kate would bet her last nickel Debbie was at the root of Sara's behavior.
She drew in a deep breath, then counted to ten before answering. “The girls are helping Alex with the dogs. Don said you'd want to sleep in.”
Debbie pulled the belt of her gold silk robe tighter, then yanked the refrigerator door open. “You have anything to drink?” She peered at the contents on the shelves, saw a pitcher, took it out, and looked at Kate. “A glass would be nice.”
Kate realized that she didn't really like Debbie all that much. She'd ignored Debbie's rude, catty behavior for years. It was time to put a stop to it. “How many times have you and Don brought the girls here to visit?” Kate questioned.
“Why are you asking me that now? I want a glass,” Debbie stated. Her New York accent had become more prominent. Kate thought she sounded as though she'd swallowed a bucket of gravel after an all-night smoking session.
Kate spoke slowly. “I would've thought you would remember where the glasses are. You've been here enough times to know. If you want to be waited on hand and foot, I suggest you wait till the cruise gets under way. Unlike your girls,
I'm
not your maid.”
Debbie's mouth hung open, and Kate was reminded of a slobbering baby that had yet learned to control herself. “What the hell is this all about? You got a rag up your ass or what? I simply want a glass to drink from. What is it, Kate? You have PMS? Or is it baby-envy?”
Kate felt heat rise from the pit of her stomach to the top of her head. Her hearing seemed distant, as though she were listening through a tunnel. “The glasses are in the cabinet next to the sink.”
Kate walked out of the kitchen in a daze. In a matter of minutes, she'd ruined her day. She'd always walked on eggshells with Debbie, careful not to offend her. Alex and Don were the best of friends, she really wanted to be friends with Debbie, but she knew now it wasn't going to happen. She'd tried for years. Debbie had just pissed her off one time too many. Why would you call your fifteen-year-old daughter a tramp for not bringing you a glass of juice? She'd cancel their dinner plans. Tell Alex she had a headache. Don and Debbie could think what they wanted.
“Hey, wait a minute . . . I need something to eat,” Debbie shouted.
For once, Kate wanted to be anywhere but the kitchen.

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