Read Online Kentucky Sunrise by Fern Michaels - Free Book Online Page A

you anymore.”
    Then he walked away and didn’t look back.
    She’d gone back to the house they shared and licked her wounds, crying until there were no more tears. Her mother had been furious with her, and with Nick, too, because both of them were a week late returning to work at the farm. She’d been so angry she banished both of them for three long years.
    Emmie blinked away the tears. She didn’t want to think about those miserable years. She smiled at the sleeping child, patted Cookie, and left the room when she heard the phone ringing in her own bedroom. She hobbled down the hall and picked up the phone on the sixth ring.
    â€œMom!”
    â€œEmmie, I’m sorry. I’m calling to apologize. I was out of line today. It won’t happen again. I don’t want any hard feelings coming between us. We’ve had enough of that these past few years. Is it too late to be calling? Are you getting Gabby ready for bed?”
    â€œWe were both wrong, Mom. We both overreacted. I know I did. It’s all been taken care of. I wish you’d come back to the farm. I got a new mattress delivered today, so I’m back in my own room. Gabby’s asleep. School really tires her out. I was sitting in her room thinking about Buddy. There are days when I think I should tell him about Gabby and days when I know keeping quiet is the best thing I can do. Sometimes he can be vindictive. In the past he was. I don’t have a clue as to what he’s like now. Maybe it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.”
    â€œI would never advise you on something like that, Emmie. You are the only one who can make that decision. One day, though, Gabby will want to know. It’s hard to imagine what her reaction might be.
    â€œIs it all right if Hatch and I come out to the farm tomorrow, Emmie? Will we be in the way?”
    â€œMom, you own this farm. You can come out here anytime you want. I’m sorry I let you down. I did, so you don’t have to be nice about it. It’s the house, not the barns and the horses, that kicks my butt. I don’t know how you did it.”
    â€œWe can talk about that tomorrow. I want to know the latest on the movie and how things went while I was away. You like Mitch, don’t you?”
    â€œWhat’s not to like? He’s handsome in a rugged kind of way. He’s charming, and he’s easy to work with. All his workers like him. That says a lot. He’s got a sterling reputation. I’ve had to ask myself why no one snagged him. He told me he was married for ten minutes, and it didn’t work. Maybe he’s married to his work. Yes, I do like him, Mom. We had dinner not too long ago, and he asked me to dinner again tomorrow evening. I said yes. We’re just friends. It’s not going anywhere, Mom. He lives on one coast and I’m closer to the other. I gotta tell you, though, I was practically throwing myself at him the whole time he’s been here, and he didn’t give me a second thought. I think he feels safe where I’m concerned because he’ll be leaving in a few days. No commitment, that kind of thing. Like I said, we’re just friends.”
    â€œMen and women have overcome worse obstacles than distance, honey. Just look at Hatch and me. Think of it this way, it’s his loss.”
    â€œI know, Mom. But Mitch and I aren’t like you and Hatch. Mitch thinks of me only as a friend. I think he feels safe with me. Besides, he’s going back to California in a few days, but he’s leaving his crew here to film the Derby.”
    It sounded to Emmie like they were back on track. She imagined she heard forgiveness in her mother’s voice. She laughed. “I’m glad you called, Mom. I would have gone looking for you tomorrow. Are you staying at the Inn? I love you, Mom.”
    â€œI know you do, and I feel the same way. Yes, we’re staying at the Inn. We have a beautiful room with a sunken