Betrayal - Fern Michaels [44]
Kate laughed. “Surely you heard him mumbling in court this morning. If he’s the best the state has to offer, then we’re home free.”
“I’m just repeating what I heard from a few of the inmates.” Alex made the turn onto Hibiscus Lane.
He whistled. “This is nice.” They parked the Mercedes in the garage.
“It was so thoughtful of Gertie’s friends to let us stay here. They have Jet Skis, and if you want to try them out later, we can.”
Kate unlocked the side door. A blast of cool air hit them as they entered through the garage door leading to the kitchen.
“Maybe later. This air-conditioning feels great. I don’t see how anyone could live here year-round.”
“Debbie always complained about the heat. Claimed it frizzed her hair,” Kate said.
“She’s always got something to complain about. I don’t see how Don puts up with it.”
“Can you imagine her now? I wonder if she’s encouraging the media. James said there was an article in the Naples Daily News yesterday. Didn’t say what the charges were, only that you’d been extradited from North Carolina. I’m sure Debbie will want her face splashed all over the paper. She’s always craved attention, good or bad.”
“I wonder about Don. We’ve been best friends since we were, hell, I think I was seven, maybe eight. You’d think he would know me better, wouldn’t you?”
It just occurred to Kate that not only was Alex losing his reputation, he was also losing his best friend and his two daughters, who were like his own children.
“Yes, I would. I think Debbie’s behind this. I don’t know why or anything, but I’d bet my last nickel she’s encouraged this accusation of Sara’s.” Kate took a pitcher of iced tea out of the refrigerator. She poured them each a glass.
“There was a time when Debbie was decent. She was crazy about Don, followed him around like a lost puppy. When Don got his engineering degree, she changed. Got all snooty, started acting like a social climber. It wasn’t too long after Emily was born that I really noticed how drastic the changes were. She went back to school, got her Realtor’s license, then she started making big bucks. Money changes people, Kate.”
“I think it’s more than that. She’s always seemed so, I don’t know, petty, I guess is the word. Makes a big deal out of nothing. I think she treats Emily terribly. When she called her a tramp, that was it for me. No decent mother would think of calling her daughter such a thing, even if it happened to be true. I know I would never, ever call Emily such a name. Though I have to admit, I have thought of a few choice names I would love to call Sara, but then I realize she’s only a child. One with problems, too.”
Alex took their glasses and walked to the patio door. “Let’s sit by the pool for a bit, then I’ll go shower, and you can make us a bite to eat.”
“Sounds good, but there is something I have to confess.”
Alex shot her a worried look. “And just what would that be?”
“Lunch will have to be peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I didn’t bother with a lot of groceries yesterday.”
“I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Especially yours.” Alex grinned. “You had me worried for a minute.”
“Let me make the sandwiches. Relax for a while, I’ll be back in a jiffy.” Kate left before Alex could tease her about her play on words.
Kate took her time making the sandwiches. She sliced two apples, arranging a few pieces on each of their plates. She took the pitcher of tea and placed it on a serving tray with the rest of their lunch. If only they were back in Asheville. Alex would be with the dogs, and more than likely she’d be in the kitchen whipping up some new recipe for Chloe’s. Patience, she told herself. In a matter of days they would return to North Carolina, back to their established routines. If they managed to get through this without too much damage, Kate vowed somehow she would see to it that Sara was punished for her lies. It might take a while, but she and the rest of the Winter family would be sorry they had ever laid eyes on her. Not that she had anything in mind at the moment,