Betrayal - Fern Michaels [80]
The beeping noise came over the phone line letting them know they had thirty seconds before the call ended.
“I love you, I’ll call tomorrow, Kate. Thank Coleman.” Then the phone was disconnected.
Kate didn’t see why they couldn’t make another call as soon as the last one ended. Fifteen minutes wasn’t enough time. But Alex would be out of prison very soon.
“Gertie, I’m going back to the house to call Coleman. If it gets too cold, you come up to the house. It’s too big with just me. It needs some life inside.”
“You’re gonna get life when I send half of those dogs up to the house. Alex wouldn’t want them out in the kennel, even though there’s heat.”
“You can bring all the dogs to the house anytime you need to. If I’m not there, you know where the keys are.”
Kate hurried out into the cool autumn air. Fall had arrived in all its glory, and she barely noticed it. She’d been so busy writing letters to Alex and wallowing in pity that she hadn’t really taken the time to stop and look around her. Things would be different from that moment on. No looking back. She and Alex did have a future together. She would never take anything for granted again.
She put the kettle on for tea and lit a fire in the kitchen fireplace. She always preferred to sit in the kitchen. It was cozy and warm. She’d make a cup of tea and call Coleman. The teakettle blew its whistle. Kate took Alex’s golden retriever mug out of the cabinet. She’d been too sad to look at his favorite cup since he’d been in jail. Now she was going to drink out of it, sort of like a private toast to Alex. She poured hot water over the tea bag. While it was steeping, she dialed Coleman’s number.
“It’s me.” She didn’t even wait for hello.
“And?”
“He was so excited he shouted over the phone. I had to hold the phone away from my ear, he was so loud. And he says thank you isn’t enough. He told me to double your fee and donate a big chunk to a charity of your choice. I told him about Suzanne, I hope you don’t mind. I thought we could donate something to the American Cancer Society in her name.”
“She would’ve loved that, Kate. Thank you. I’ll thank Alex when I see him. I just got off the phone with a friend of mine who happens to be a friend of the warden. Alex should be released as early as next week. No promises, since things like this usually take some time in Florida, but I think I can make it happen.”
“That soon? That’s fantastic. Should I make plans to head your way then?”
“Give me a day or two. I wouldn’t say anything to Alex just yet in case it takes a bit longer.”
“I won’t. But he will be so thrilled. He told me knowing he has the possibility of coming home makes it just a little tougher to stay there, but he said he would hang in.”
“Okay, as soon as I have word, I’ll call you. I can come pick you up myself if you’d like.”
“You know what, I just might take you up on that offer, Coleman Fitzpatrick, I just might.”
“All right, Mrs. Rocket. Good night.”
And it truly was a good night.
It’d been three days since Kate had talked to Coleman. She’d tried his office, but was told he would be in court most of the day. She had tried his house for the past two evenings, and there was still no answer. She was sure he’d have some news of Alex by now. One way or another. She hated being left in limbo. She even thought about working in her studio but couldn’t bring herself to just yet. A few clients from Chloe’s called wanting to know if she’d cater their Christmas parties. She’d declined, but was now having second thoughts. With nothing on her hands but time, she might change her mind. She could do all the cooking right there in her kitchen. As far as delivery, she wasn’t ready to take that step just yet. There were too many people who knew about Alex. While she wasn’t ashamed, she just wasn’t ready to face her former clients and colleagues.
An idea sprang into her mind. She’d get out the Christmas decorations. She’d always loved the holidays. If Coleman called, she’d box up a few and take them to Florida. Christmas wasn’t the same in Florida, but this year