Read Online Stealing Time by Nancy Pennick - Free Book Online Page B

and
family she found long ago.
    * * * *
    After dinner, Kate was able to drag Carl back
to Anna’s apartment for a quick discussion. “Renae? Don’t get me
wrong, I’m happy for you, but you could’ve warned me. Plus she
looks like Rachel. She’s family, Carl! I heard Thomas say she was
his cousin. Start talking.”
    “If you’d take a breath, birthday girl, I’ll
tell you everything.” Carl sat down on Anna’s loveseat. “I drove
the Maserati to Texas this spring to show my daughter. I wanted to
test it out on the highway. You know the GranTurismo is one of the
most beautiful cars out there today, and the performance—”
    “Carl!”
    “Okay, temper, temper, sis. I’ve never seen
you like this. Well, if you must know, I took my grandson, Carl,
for a spin. He wanted to show his cousins the car. I let him
drive—felt bad for the guy, just went through a nasty divorce. He
took me over to his Aunt Dorothy’s house. They were having Sunday
dinner. You’re aware that Thomas Sr. and Rachel had Dorothy and
then Thomas Jr. after Josie, right? Well, anyway, Dorothy has three
sons, and Renae was one of their daughters. I fell instantly for
her.”
    “I wonder why...”
    “Hey, we’re not related or anything, right?
Sure she has some resemblance to Rachel, but that’s where it
ends.”
    “Really.”
    “Mmm, sounds a little sarcastic, sis. Okay,
she’s helping take the pain away, and you have to admit, she’s easy
on the eyes.”
    “I’m sure she likes your sports car.”
    “Yep, even Josie likes it.”
    “Just be careful. Don’t be too trusting and
think you can tell your new family everything. I know Josie’s
aware, but what about Carl?”
    “He knows we’re related somehow...distant
cousins or something. Josie hasn’t told him anything. Don’t worry,
Kate. This is my family...and Rachel’s. I think of Dorothy and
Thomas Jr. as my stepchildren.”
    “You’re right. I’m just so nervous about
Tyson showing up at the canyon. He could ruin everything.”
    Carl put his arm around Kate. “Let’s enjoy
tonight. Don’t think about it.”
    “Think about what?” Drew suddenly appeared at
the door of Anna’s apartment.
    “Tyson,” they both answered.
    “Great idea. We’ll talk tomorrow before we
leave.” Drew nodded to Carl, then took Kate’s hand. “They’re asking
for the birthday girls to come and cut the cake.”
    Lindsey and Kate held the cake knife together
and sliced into the white fondant frosting. The three-tiered cake
looked like a giant present. The top layer had a giant black satin
fondant bow on top with a silver sparkling number eighteen popping
out of it. The second and third layers appeared to have black
ribbon wrapped around them. The bottom layer had Kate’s and
Lindsey’s names on each side. Tiny black dots decorated each white
frosted layer. Aunt Sue stepped in and said she’d finish serving
the cake so the girls could go have fun.
    Music drifted into the house, and the crowd
followed the sound to the deck. Evening turned to night, and the
black velvet sky began to fill with stars. Drew took Kate in his
arms and spun her onto the dance floor.
    “Remember when I said I ordered this sky for
you?” Drew whispered in her ear.
    “How could I ever forget? It was our wedding
night.” Kate touched her charm bracelet Drew started for her. A
moon, a star and two horses hung from its chain, reminding her of
their time together.
    Kate could have stayed in his arms all night,
but she knew she needed to mingle with the guests. She decided to
get to know Renae better and talk with Josie.
    “ Stay with me while I circulate.” Kate
took Drew’s hand as they made the rounds, finally entering the
house. Josie sat in the great room, now empty of guests, with Anna
and Maya.
    “Kate, Drew, join us.” Anna motioned to them.
“I think it’s safe to talk in here.”
    “Anna, everything’s lovely. I must say I love
your champagne.” Kate winked at her.
    “You didn’t think I’d