Instinctual Read Online Free PDF Page B

me!”
    “Dad?”
    “Hi sweetie! How’s my favorite girl?”
    “Daaaad! It’s so great to hear from you. I miss you so much! I’m fine. Working hard as always.”
    “Yeah, well don’t work too hard. All work and no play makes for a very dull life.”
    Kate cringed. Maybe he had someone spying on her. His words hit a chord.
    “Well, yes, that’s true, but I’m snowed under at the moment. You know how it is. I plan on taking a vacation when Carlos gets home.”
    “Is he away again? Every time I call he seems to be away.” His tone had her on edge.
    Kate’s dad had never met Carlos but didn’t approve of his constant absences. She knew he only wanted what was best for her but ever since Jake had left, her dad was very wary to let another man into the family circle. He had always harbored a soft spot for Jake. They had many guy things in common, plus Jake had always been interested in police work, and in Kate’s father’s eyes, that went a long way to sealing your spot in the circle of trust. Kate knew though that her dad still thought of him as part of the family.
    “Dad, I’ve explained to you that Carlos’ work requires that he travels. He doesn’t have a choice, you know that.”
    “What does he do again?”
    “He’s a sales rep for some insurance firm.” That didn’t exactly sit right with her any more but until her ability told her exactly what he did, she would have to run with it.
    “You mean you don’t know the name of the company?”
    “Well… I, er… I’m not sure. He’s probably mentioned it and I just can’t remember.”
    Actually, the more Kate thought of it, the more she wondered why Carlos had never told her the name of his employer. Another seed of doubt.
    “Hmmm. Maybe you should find out a bit more about this guy, Katie.”
    “Dad!” She threw her head back, squeezing her eyes shut. Her dad was spot on with his cop instincts but she wasn’t ready to admit to him or herself that there may be something wrong.
    “I’m just saying. You know I’ve only got your best interests at heart, don’t you?”
    She did know that, but it wasn’t like she was a teenager. She was a grown woman and could handle her own life.
    “Just be careful, Kate.”
    “I will.” Changing the subject was what she was good at. “How’s Mom?”
    “Your mother is fine. She misses you dearly. She’s always wondering when you’re coming home.”
    “This is my home now, Dad. I love it here. You need to come and spend some quality time with me and you’ll get to love it, too.”
    “Well, actually that’s why I’m calling. Your mother and I have been talking and it seems we haven’t been on vacation in quite a long time. We thought we might come over for Christmas and spend a couple of weeks with you and travel up the Italian coast and into France. Do you think you’d have room for a couple of old fools like us?”
    “That’s fantastic! I’m so excited! I can’t wait to see you both! You’ll love it here, I promise, and who knows—maybe Carlos and I will be able to travel to France with you and have a vacation of our own. I’ll make room for you both here at the apartment. You can sleep on the pull-out sofa bed.” She stood to put her coffee cup in the sink, turning to lean against the bench.
    Even if Carlos was working she would seriously consider traveling with her parents on her own. She wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. It had been way too long. She missed her dad’s wacky sense of humor and police stories that he’d told her ever since she was old enough to understand. Being a cop on the beat had exposed her father to violence of every nature. Petty theft. Armed robberies. Stolen cars. Bar brawls. Domestic disputes. Lost children. Cats stuck up trees. You name it, he had experienced it. She could see it in his eyes when he relived the memories that he was right back there, running after some crook or chasing a drugged up user in a car-jacking.
    Kate’s thoughts