Betrayal - Fern Michaels [45]
Kate took the serving tray out to the patio. Alex was sound asleep in a deck chair. She hated to wake him, but he needed something to eat.
Kate placed the plates and pitcher of tea on the patio table.
“Hey, sleepyhead.” She squeezed onto the vacant spot next to him. “I think it’s time to wake up.”
He opened one eye, then closed it quickly. “I’m still sleeping. Those cots in the jail did nothing to encourage a good night’s rest.” Alex hoisted himself up and over to the table.
“If you’d rather nap, why don’t you go inside where it’s cooler. We can eat later.”
“No, I’m hungry. Tired, but it’ll keep. I’ve waited for two long days to feast my eyes on you. I’m not going to waste time sleeping.”
“This almost seems like a dream. I keep thinking it’s some sort of sick joke Don’s playing, then I realize it’s not.” Kate paused for a minute. “I’m scared, Alex.”
Alex took her hand. “I know you are. Hell, I’d be a fool to say I wasn’t a little bit scared myself. I’ve always believed the truth will stand, no matter what. I still believe that, Kate. If not, I wouldn’t be able to handle this either. James is a good attorney; he’s already had me released on my own recognizance. That’s not an easy feat, according to him. Especially with the type of charges I’m facing. I don’t want you to worry. In a few days we’ll be home, and we can put this horrible incident behind us. Now, let’s eat. I’m starved.”
The peanut butter stuck to the roof of her mouth. She took a sip of her tea, then another bite. She wanted to say so many things to Alex, things that she feared if she said them, they’d only cause him more anxiety, so she kept them to herself. She would get through this. For Alex. “I’m going grocery shopping while you take a nap. I can’t feed you peanut butter every day.”
“Kate, tell me what’s really bothering you? I don’t care if we eat peanut butter sandwiches or prime rib. Kate?” Alex knew her well.
“It’s everything, Alex. I said I was afraid, and I am, that’s all. I’m having terrible thoughts about Sara. I guess I feel a bit guilty for having them since she’s just a kid. I just want to know why in the hell she’d do this to us. We’ve always been good to her. I’ve never showed favoritism to either of the girls, at least I don’t believe I have. I want to know why, that’s all. Why did the little monster do this? Why now?” Kate shook her head. Each time she voiced what had happened to Alex, it only made her more determined to get to the bottom of Sara’s lies.
“Only Sara can answer that. I’ve gone over our visits so many times, I just can’t imagine where this idea came from. Never did I touch her in any way that could be called inappropriate. I’m sure Debbie’s behind this. I’d like to think not, but at this point, I’m willing to believe anything, except Sara. You said Emily knew Sara was lying. Think she’d testify in court if it comes to that?” Alex asked.
“She would, but I don’t know how Debbie or Don would react. I would think since she’s underage, she’d have to follow the same rules as Sara. We’ll discuss this with James. Now, why don’t we forget about the Winter family and try out those Jet Skis?”
Alex’s eyes brightened. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
Chapter 14
“Unless Sara undergoes a psychiatric evaluation, there is no case,” Aaron Hanover explained to the Winters.
“She’s been through enough already. I’ve already taken her to the hospital for the anxiety attacks. That was more than the poor child could handle. I don’t want some . . . some stranger asking her questions about this. It’ll only upset her more,” Debbie explained to the attorney.
She and Don had discussed it and decided a civil suit was warranted as well as the criminal charges