A Dangerous Harbor by R.P. Dahlke Read Free Book Online Page B

not, going to talk to David? Oh, wait—I just got back today and there were no messages on my answering machine, maybe he hasn't yet told his family. Oh, that's it, don't you see? He must be having second thoughts. Katrina, there's still hope."
    "Uh-huh. Look, I'm making arrangements to have the boat trucked home and I'll be back in San Francisco in a week or so, and then, well, we'll see."
    "Another week? Good God. I don't suppose you've thought to call Roberto either, have you? One simply does not blow off wedding planners like Roberto Marquez, not if you expect him to ever do another one, you don't. And I'm not doing it for you either, young lady! Your father would be spinning in his grave if he knew you'd broken David's heart and sailed off for Mexico."
    Her father would be cheering her on if he knew the details of why she'd sailed for Mexico.
    Katy ground her teeth, took a deep breath and let it out. "Daddy left me that money to use as I wished, Mom. If I choose to blow it sailing around the world instead of marrying David Bennett, that's my choice."
    She wished she hadn't brought up her father in this way, not now in a phone call when she was too far away to find the words that could placate her mother's steely silence.
    Finally her mother said, "I think you're making a terrible mistake, Katrina, but since it's your money to do with it as you wish, blow it all on that stupid sailboat of your father's if you must, but make the appropriate calls to cancel the wedding plans or forfeit the deposits. And don't ask me to do it. I'm too disgusted with you."
    Katy murmured something that might have been an acknowledgment of her sins but it was all said to dead air.
    Her mother had every right to be angry at her. Katy had run away from home, leaving behind the responsibility of tangling with David's family, wedding planners, caterers, hotel accommodations, and it was reprehensible and irresponsible. She looked at her watch. She'd deal with the wedding planner tomorrow, but a call to Leila was overdue.
    In a cheesy Spanish accent, Katy gushed, "Is theese the famosa Señorita Leila Standiford ?"
    "Katy!" the laughing voice of her sister responded. "You rascal! Where are you?"
    "Ensenada, Mexico, darling girl."
    "You talked to our darling mother before you called me ? And why are you in Mexico? You and wha's his name were going to use some of that paid leave of absence for a trip up the Delta, weren't you?"
    Katy said, "Remember when I said that David would be a welcome change from the bad boys I've been dating?"
    "Right. So what's Mr. Stuffy-Butt done to ruin his chance at marrying Judge Roy Hunter's daughter?"
    "He said a whole week cooped up in a small sailboat trolling the Delta wasn't interesting. Never mind that he'd gone along with the idea until we were packed and ready to leave. That started a fight that led to him saying he thought we should give each other some space because he was no longer sure we were right for each other."
    Leila hooted. "Oh God. That's priceless! Who on earth is she?"
    "My question, exactly. Remember Karen Wilke ?"
    " Eeuww . That old thing? She's ten years older than David, thinks of herself as prime Cougar, which she isn't. So, what's she want him for, anyway?"
    "Probably because she can."
    "She'll eat him for lunch. Two months with that bitch and he'll come running back… that is, if you still want him?"
    "Mom thinks he may be having second thoughts 'cause she hasn't heard anything from his side of the family. I'm good with it but I'm seriously considering including a no-man clause to this trip south."
    There was a pause on the line. Leila's voice came back tense with worry. "Oh, honey. Don't say that. You aren't really sorry about David, are you? You know I never liked him. He's an ambitious suck-up and I suppose you know he just dumped you 'cause your job's now on the line… the bastard! You just need your juices primed. Want me to come down there? I've got friends with a beautiful home in