Betrayal - Fern Michaels [2]
Emily tucked her luggage in between Sara’s in the back of the Explorer. She climbed into the backseat and took a paperback novel from her book bag. She hoped reading would prevent Sara from aggravating her with all kinds of questions and stupid comments. She loved her little sister, but sometimes she wished her parents would exercise a bit more control over her behavior. She was beyond spoiled and had no real friends at school, so most of her free time at home was spent tormenting Emily with dumb questions and dopey comments.
Emily winced as she heard the front door slam. Her mother must be ready to leave. She didn’t dare look away from her book. When her mother was in one of her moods, Emily knew from experience that it was best to remain quiet. Sara was sure to provide her mother with plenty of distraction.
Wearing white slacks and a lime green silk blouse, Debbie Winter appeared to be dressed for one of her charity luncheons, certainly not a lengthy automobile trip. Emily observed her mother sliding onto the front seat. Her short brown hair was shellacked to her head and she was wearing too much eyeliner. Her eyelashes were so thickly coated with mascara that she looked like a goblin of sorts. Why can’t she be more like Aunt Kate? Emily could almost guarantee Aunt Kate wouldn’t wear white slacks and a silk blouse to go on a road trip. Most likely, she’d have on jeans and a comfortable T-shirt. She certainly wouldn’t have bothered with all the makeup and hair spray. Emily just shook her head and immersed herself in her novel.
“Is everyone all set to go?” Don Winter asked as he shifted into drive.
“I guess we’d better be set, you’re certainly not waiting around if we’re not.” Sarcasm spewed from Debbie’s pink-glossed mouth.
At that precise moment Don Winter’s jaw clenched and his steel gray eyes blazed with fire. He drew in a deep breath, then released it through his nose. “Then let me repeat myself. Are we all set for the drive to Asheville?” He peered over his shoulder at Emily and Sara in the backseat. When there was no response, he put the Explorer in gear. “I guess this means we’re ready.” Without another word Don Winter drove slowly through Quail Lake, the exquisite gated community in Naples. They passed the state-of-the-art fitness center, a ballroom that no one seemed to use, or even wanted to, for that matter, the spa and massage center. They even had a room exclusively for birthday parties. A Tuscan-style fountain held center stage next to the exit gates. A guardhouse that looked like a small mansion lodged two elderly men in uniforms; both seemed about as excited to be at their jobs as a ballerina in a football stadium. Don waved to the men when they stopped at the gate. A kaleidoscope of flowers decorated the road into the gated community. Yellow hibiscus and red geraniums dotted the edge of the concrete walkways. Purple, red, and yellow bougainvillea vines were in full bloom. In a few short weeks the gardeners would be removing the dead leaves, and another plant or bush would dominate the landscape. Quail Lake homes were selling for millions of dollars. Don wanted to scale down to something smaller when the girls went to college. If he could make a hefty profit from the sale, then more power to him. Debbie refused to discuss selling their home. She’d said this was her home, and there wouldn’t be any more talk of selling. He’d acquiesced for the moment, but knew the decision was only temporary.
Two months ago Don had had a cell phone installed in the Explorer. Not being used to hearing a phone ringing in the car, he almost swerved into oncoming traffic as he pulled onto Highway 41.
“Hello.”
“I thought you’d be rolling up the mountain by now. What’s up?” Alex Rocket’s cheerful voice sounded as though he were in the car with them. Modern technology still amazed him.
“Hey, you big dope. I’m just now getting on the road. We got a late start.” Don glanced at Debbie picking at some imaginary speck on her slacks.
“Big dope, huh? I’m not the one who’s late.” Alex’s zany laughter