Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [151]
"Just a bit." She handed him the book. "This belongs to you, Dad. So does the Moon Dancer. Caroline, Ashley, and I agree that you should live on it here in the harbor. But we'd prefer that you don't take it out unless you invite one of us along for the ride."
"Would you go?" he asked, sounding slightly astonished by the idea.
"I would," Caroline said quickly.
"I would, too," Ashley replied a bit more slowly. Kate simply nodded.
"Well, then ..." Duncan shook his head in bemusement. "You girls always come through for me, don't you? I'm not sure I deserve it. Actually, I'm sure I don't deserve it. But I'm going to try harder." Duncan looked over at Sean and Tyler. "I guess you two will be hanging around, huh?"
"I certainly will," Sean said firmly, putting his arm around Ashley.
"What about you, Mr. Hotshot Reporter? What's your story?" Duncan asked.
"My story is just beginning," Tyler replied, sending Kate a tender smile. "Or should I say our story?"
"Our story," Kate agreed.
"And my brother has promised to think about bringing Amelia for a visit as soon as he's back on his feet," Tyler added, his gaze turning to Caroline.
"I promise I'll never reveal who I am unless your brother wants Amelia to know."
"I've told Mark that. It's difficult for him to trust, but he's trying." He paused. "I should thank you for sending that attorney after us. Otherwise, I never would have met Kate." He smiled at her. "Funny how things work."
"Funny," she echoed. "And wonderful."
"So, are we ready to set sail?" Caroline asked.
Duncan held up a hand. "First," he said, walking over to the side of the boat, "we need to get rid of this log."
Kate gasped as Duncan tossed the ship's log into the harbor. She rushed to the side in time to see it sink beneath the surface of the water.
"What did you do that for?" Caroline asked.
"It's over," Duncan said simply, directing his words to Kate. "Isn't that what you've been trying to tell me?"
Kate blinked back a happy tear. "Yes, Dad. It's finally over. Today, we begin again."
THE END
GOLDEN LIES
EXCERPT @ Copyright 2011 Barbara Freethy
All Rights Reserved
PROLOGUE
San Francisco-1952
The fire started easily, a small spark, a whisper of breath, and the tiny flame leaped and crackled. It slid quickly down the length of rope, growing in size and beauty with each inch it consumed. It wasn't too late to stop it, to have second thoughts. A fire extinguisher was nearby. It would take just a second to grab it and douse the small flames. But the fire was so beautiful, mesmerizing -- gold, red, orange, black -- the colors of the dragons that had promised so much: prosperity, love, good health, a second chance, a new start.
The fire began to pop, the small sounds lost in the constant boom of firecrackers going off in the streets of San Francisco in celebration of the Chinese New Year. No one would notice another noise, another spark of light, until it was too late. In the confusion of the smoke and the crowds, the dragons and the box they guarded would disappear. No one would ever know what had really happened.
The flame reached the end of the gasoline-soaked rope and suddenly burst forth in a flash of intense, deadly heat. More explosions followed as the fire caught the cardboard boxes holding precious inventory and jumped toward the basement ceiling. A questioning cry came from somewhere, followed by the sound of footsteps running down the halls of the building that had once been their sanctuary, their dream for the future, where the treasures of the past were turned into cold, hard cash.
The cost of betrayal would be high. They would be brothers no more. But then, their ties had never been of blood, only of friendship—a friendship that some would think had died this night of fire, but in truth had died much earlier.
There was only