Betrayal Read Online Free PDF Page A

owned the kennel. The kennel and the animals were very dear to her.
    â€œHey, 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?”
    â€œSome 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 hunger, and she wasn’t going to make an issue over something that wasn’t a problem.
    Emily got out of her chair and walked over to the sink. She rinsed her plate off and placed it on the bottom rack of the dishwasher. “Something wrong, Aunt Kate?”
    Kate smiled at Emily. “Just woolgathering, that’s all. You do this when you’re old.”
    â€œYou’re not old, Aunt Kate. You’re younger than Mom and Dad.”
    â€œSo? What’s that supposed to mean?” Kate asked.
    â€œI just never see either of them woolgathering.”
    Kate laughed loudly. “Oh, Emily, I’m sure they have their moments, too. You’re just not around to catch them in the act, that’s all.”
    â€œI suppose they do,” Emily said.
    Kate could hear the slight hesitation. “Is there something more?”
    Emily shook her head, “I’m going to the kennels. I can’t wait to see the new pups.”
    â€œWhy don’t you see if Sara wants to go. I’m sure she’d love to see the new puppies, too.”
    â€œI don’t know if that’s a good idea or not,” Emily said, her voice low and eyes downcast.
    â€œWhy would you think that?” Kate questioned. Emily looked around the kitchen, then took a step forward where she could stand next to Kate. She looked behind her one last time before speaking. “Promise not to say anything?”
    Kate knew trust was an important issue among teens and would do everything in her power to keep Emily’s trust, but if what she was about to say