Betrayal - Fern Michaels [121]
“I did what Mommy told me to do, that’s all. I—”
“Other than jealousy,” Don interrupted, “I’ll never know or understand what motivated you, Debbie, but one thing I do understand for the first time in my life. I will never allow you to control me again. You’ve ruined Sara, and for that we are both going to have to get her help. The second I leave this room, I’m going home. I am leaving, and I never want to see your lying, conniving face again! Do you understand?”
“Whatever, Don. You’re such a drunk. Now, Kate, you’ve got what you wanted? How about doing what you promised?”
After the court reporter and the cameraman left, Kate went over to Coleman’s computer. She had already replaced the money, cleaned up everything in Debbie’s accounts. For show, she had told Coleman she needed these few minutes of glory. Since she had admitted nothing to anyone but the Winters, and she knew full well that neither Emily nor Don would ever testify against her, no matter what Debbie did, she wasn’t concerned about being brought to justice for her criminal activity.
Emily said nothing to Kate, but Kate knew she would come around. Don apologized again. Debbie and Sara were bickering before they were out of the room.
With the transcript of relevant portions of the meeting in the court reporter’s capable hands and the video available for airing by the anchors of the six o’clock news in Naples, as well as Asheville and surrounding areas, Kate felt she had accomplished what she’d set out to do all those years ago—ruin the Winters family, or at least half of that family.
As a bonus, Alex’s reputation would be restored, and she could get on with her life. The rest would take care of itself.
Kate looked at Coleman. “What do you think about making dinner for a hardworking girl?”
“Only if she’ll kiss the cook!”
Kate welcomed Coleman into her arms.
Epilogue
One year later ...
Christmas Eve
Snowflakes as big as dinner plates rained down in the darkened sky. Opalescent starlight hid behind clouds. The moon peered out from the top of the Black Mountains in the distance. The cabin sat on the side of the mountain, smoke billowing from its chimney.
Inside, the cabin was full of laughter and cheer. Heavenly scents of baking cookies wafted through the cool night air. Emily Winter thought it resembled a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting.
She hoped she was still welcome. It had been a long time, but she was ready to forgive Aunt Kate. She hesitated before knocking. This wasn’t her home, this was Coleman’s. He might not want her here after all. Aunt Kate had sent her dozens of letters inviting her to the mountains. In each letter she’d asked her to spend the holidays with them, and Emily decided that she wanted to share this special holiday with someone she truly loved and who loved her in return.
Well, here she was. Do or die. She tapped on the door. She heard laughter and a baby crying. A baby? Odd, Aunt Kate never mentioned anything in any of her letters about one of her friends having a baby. She knocked harder a second time.
The door swung open as she was about to knock again. “Emily!”
“In the flesh.”
Coleman opened the door, “Come in, you’ll freeze your butt off out there. Let me take your coat.”
Emily knew Aunt Kate and Coleman had married in June. She was happy for them.
Emily stepped inside. The cabin looked like something from a fairy tale. A Christmas tree, at least fifteen feet tall, stood in the corner. Red, green, blue, and every color under the rainbow sparkled from the glow of the lights. A gold star shone as bright as the fire in the stone fireplace at the opposite end of the room. This is how Christmas at Aunt Kate’s had always appeared in her dreams.
Red sofas and dark green chairs were scattered all about the giant room. People were grouped in small circles. Young and old. Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas” played softly