Betrayal - Fern Michaels [9]
Alex and Kate looked at each other. Kate spoke first. “I doubt we’ll have trouble with her. She’s always been so sweet. Twelve is a tough age. Not a little girl, but not a young woman either.”
“Well, let’s just hope she doesn’t act up. I’ve had enough of her tantrums,” Don said.
Kate placed a hand on Don’s shoulder. “She’ll be fine. You and Debbie enjoy the cruise and let us enjoy the girls. This might be the last time they’ll want to spend their spring break with us. They’re growing up so fast.”
Half an hour later, full of pancakes and bacon, Alex excused himself to tend the kennels.
“I thought you hired someone to help out,” Don stated.
“Gertie. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. Well, except for Kate.” Alex winked at Kate as she filled the dishwasher. “Her brother, Reece Wilkes, has been my attorney for the past eight years. He’s very well-known around Asheville. He recommended her one day when he came for a visit. Little did I know she’d worked for Kate’s parents years ago. Gertie never had any kids of her own, so she’s devoted her life to the care of animals. I don’t know how I ever ran the kennel without her.”
“Apparently you’ve managed to make a living playing with dogs,” Don said flatly.
Kate closed the door to the dishwasher a bit too hard. She turned around to face Don. “And has done a damned good job.” Don was always quick to make snide comments about Alex’s chosen profession. Her mother and father had once owned the kennel. The kennel and the animals were very dear to her.
“Hey, you two, let’s not start this again. We’ve been over this so many times, I’ve lost count. I didn’t want to study veterinary medicine. I wouldn’t have had the guts or the heart. I like raising the pups, seeing that they go to good homes. That gives me more satisfaction than all the money in the world could,” Alex said. “And who cares about money anyway?”
“Some of us weren’t born with a silver spoon crammed down our throats,” Don responded. “Some of us have to work our asses off just to make a decent living.”
Alex’s parents were extremely wealthy, and Don had always resented him for it even though he rarely mentioned it.
Kate stared at Don. He was well over six feet tall, his black hair always perfectly combed, nothing ever out of place. He was too perfect. And he was also jealous of her husband. Kate had figured him out the first time they’d been introduced. Even though they’d been friends since elementary school, Kate often wondered if Don had stayed close to Alex because of his family’s money. When one didn’t have it, one always wanted it. Her parents taught her that. They’d been quite well-off themselves, yet lived a simple life raising dogs. Her childhood had been almost perfect. She wished her parents were still alive. She thought about them every day and missed them terribly even though they’d been dead since her freshman year of college. Being an only child of older parents had its downside.
Kate wondered if Debbie and Don knew how fortunate they were to have two beautiful daughters. She’d give anything to have Alex’s child.
Apparently Sara was going through a difficult period, but Kate had faith. She knew Sara would get through this awkward phase and laugh at herself in the years to come. Being twelve was tough.
Emily ate in silence as Kate finished the breakfast dishes. She’d had half a pancake and some orange juice. Unlike Sara, Emily was a bit on the thin side. Kate briefly wondered if Emily had an eating disorder, then pushed the thought aside. Emily was too sensible, and she’d always been taller than average and a tad on the lanky side. Emily reminded her of herself at fifteen. Mature beyond her years. Kate was sure Emily was eating enough to satisfy her