Betrayal

Betrayal

Prologue

Alex Rocket’s normally steady hand trembled as he punched the end button on the telephone and placed it on the butcher block island in the center of the kitchen. He glanced at the phone as though it were evil, a thing to fear, then scanned the room, reminiscing. So many happy moments had occurred in the cherry red and white haven. Kate’s numerous recipes were created here. Some good, some not so good, but most of all, Alex recalled the happiness he always felt in the large, cheery kitchen. O’Keefe & Merritt retro red appliances, handmade oak cabinets, Kate’s collection of pottery, some she’d made herself, and several small pots filled with fragrant herbs, dozens of cookbooks lining built-in shelves, all contributing to the kitchen’s merry atmosphere.
The Ruffoni cookware Alex had purchased for Kate as a wedding gift still sparkled, bright and coppery, as it hung from the rack in the center of the kitchen. No diamonds and gold for Kate. A sad smile touched the corner of his mouth as he recalled asking Kate what she’d like for a wedding gift. She’d wanted Ruffoni cookware—copper and handmade in Italy. He scanned the contents of the kitchen as though he were in a museum. Each and every fork, knife, and spoon held a memory. Bowls, plates, and filet knives, had all at one time or another played such an insignificant role in his everyday life that he never gave a thought to the object, other than its basic use. Now, however, all the inanimate objects in the kitchen held new meaning. With every fork, knife, and spoon he had shared a meal with Kate, maybe Gertie. Unbeknownst to Kate, he’d even spoon-fed a few of the pups from the everyday dishes. All of these memories cascaded through his mind like a waterfall. He couldn’t stop them; he felt as though he would drown in the sheer abundance of them there were so many. Most of his memories were good ones, too. If only he could turn back the clock to gentler times. Hell, if only he could turn the clock back one hour. A sudden sense of foreboding engulfed him like a shroud. As of this very hour, the hands of time swiftly changed the course of life as he knew it. From that second forward, life as he knew it would never be the same.

From Betrayal by Fern Michaels. Copyright © 2011 by MRK Productions.  Fern Michaels is a Registered Trademark of First Draft, Inc.  All rights reserved. Published by arrangement with Kensington Publishing Corp.