Betrayal - Fern Michaels [35]
Sara nodded. “I think she tells her business to Amy. I know she does ’cause I heard Amy say that to Emily. I just don’t want this awful stuff to spread around, that’s all.”
Looking over the top of Sara’s head, Debbie raised her eyebrows. “I’ll turn her in to the American Medical Association. I never cared for her anyway. And I don’t want Emily hanging around with her daughter either. Don, you make sure and explain this to her. Go do it now, before you forget.”
Don gave a limp salute. “Sure, anything you say. You say jump, I ask how high.”
“Stop being an idiot and just do what I asked. Our daughter’s emotional well-being is at stake here, or have you forgotten?”
“I remember, dear. How could I not?” Don went inside in search of Sara’s older sister.
Sara reclined in her father’s chair. “Now, I need to know why I feel so unclean. That’s all, Mommy. I just don’t understand!”
Her daughter’s wailing resumed. Debbie wished she were back on the cruise ship. No kids. No problems. Just smooth sailing.
Chapter 10
The plain white van parked in the driveway. Two sheriff’s deputies wearing dark gray uniforms got out and knocked at the front door. Kate had seen them, knew why they were there, but wanted to delay the inevitable as long as humanly possible. Her time together with her husband was about to end, at least temporarily.
Alex waited at the foot of the stairs. He had no luggage, no carry-on bag, no book tucked beneath his arm for this particular trip. He wouldn’t need any clothes where he was going either, Kate thought. An orange jumpsuit would be provided for him. This was the saddest day of her life, maybe even worse than when she learned of her parents’ death. Losing one’s parents was a natural event, something one expected to occur at some point, however tragic the circumstances. Losing one’s husband to a false accusation was something totally different, entirely unexpected.
She wanted to be upbeat for Alex’s sake. Gertie had stayed with the dogs after Alex left the kennel that morning. He’d said his good-byes to Bella and the others. Kate’s heart broke a bit more each time she looked into his eyes. They were so very sorrowful; the spark that once lit them up like jewels was dimmed by sadness.
The time was up. Alex had taken care of the business end of things. Kate knew it was up to her to take care of matters of the heart.
She forced a smile. “Look at this as a break from me and my forcing you to eat all those test meals. I’ll see that everything is taken care of, Alex. I promise.” Tears filled her eyes. “This won’t be forever.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on for dear life. She never thought she’d lose Alex this way, not in a million years.
The doorbell rang once, then a second time.
Alex removed Kate’s arms from his waist. His eyes were shiny with tears, but he wouldn’t release them. He had to be strong for Kate. He touched the tip of her nose. “You look like you’ve got a cold.” He smiled at her. She was his life, his everything. Words could never convey his love for her. He touched her again, this time running his knuckles across her cheek. “This won’t be forever, Kate. I promise that no matter what happens, I’ll come home. We’ll be here together again, maybe not like before, but I will be back. I love you, Kate.”
She nodded, then went to the door where the two men on the other side would take Alex away from her for a while. They’d had their private moments and it was time to face the music.
“I love you, too, Alex Rocket. Always and forever.” She gave him one last smile, then opened the door.
“Alex John Rocket?” the taller of the two deputies asked. He held a sheaf of papers out to Kate. Alex stood by her side. The other deputy removed handcuffs from his belt.
“That would be me.” Alex pushed the screen door aside and held both arms out in front of him as the second deputy placed the handcuffs around both wrists. Kate took the papers and stuffed them into her back pocket.
Tears gushed,