Page 81 of Snow Going Back

She smiled and started typing.

I love you, Dad. I know how much that must have hurt. Thank you. Xx

The response came straight back.

I love you, too. Now go and make sure my pain and suffering is worth it. Get all the adventures your mother will disapprove of in that you can while she’s distracted. Because once it’s not a puppy anymore, she’ll be right back on you – and I am NOT giving in to her request for us to start salsa lessons. Xx

Sending back a heart, Kate smiled and looked out the window, feeling uplifted and more energised than she had in days. Feeling, finally, like she wasn’t so alone with her troubles, after all.

FORTY-SIX

The next few days passed in a blur as Kate threw all her energy into making things right at Coreaux Roots. As it was all her fault, she’d made the decision to do something she’d once vowed she’d never do, and that was to outright lie on the stand. It went against the oath she’d sworn upon becoming a lawyer. It went against everything she stood for, but she knew that if it offered a chance of putting things right, of saving this incredible place and the livelihoods of all the people within it, then she had to try. So, with Jenna’s help, she’d fabricated a story as to why and how Edward had forged her signature, and would just have to pray that it didn’t come back on her in court.

The problem was, this court would have no choice but to make a decision of some sort on who should take over, as she hadn’t been able to fulfil the requests within the will. Kate had ideas of her own as to who should be awarded the company, and she’d put together a strong argument for why. But they were not blood relatives, and she’d be hard pushed to get that accepted in the face of three contenders who were.

As New Year’s Eve came round, Kate had done almost as much as she could to prepare for court, but there was one place she still hadn’t yet looked for evidence against the people nowtrying to destroy or run the business into the ground. Cora’s diaries.

She’d put off going back to the house so far, not wanting to run the risk of bumping into Sam. They still hadn’t spoken since he’d walked out on Christmas Day, and she didn’t feel up to breaking that streak now. But she’d taken a couple of detours around that way over the last couple of days and was pretty certain that he hadn’t been home. The snow was piled high on the drive, no track marks to indicate he’d parked there recently. So after psyching herself up, she’d decided that today was the day she’d risk it. Better sooner rather than later.

An email from Bob popped up at the corner of the screen. Kate clicked on it and skimmed the contents until she reached the part she’d been waiting for right at the bottom.

And as for your request, I’m happy to report that it was granted by the board, and by unanimous vote, too. This is certainly going to be interesting, and I, for one, look forward to seeing what the future holds.

Best regards,

Bob

She smiled, the words lighting her up on the inside for a moment, allowing her temporary relief from all the stress and worry. It was something good in a sea of bad, but it was also something that would have to wait. Because she knew if she didn’t go to the house to read through Cora’s diaries now, she never would.

After closing her laptop on her small hotel-room desk, Kate stood up and shrugged on her coat with a sigh. She reached into her pocket and checked she had the right keys, then opened the door to leave. But as she moved forward to step out, she almostinstantly jerked back with a small yelp, because right there in the hallway, facing her with one hand raised as if about to knock, stood Amy.

‘Oh myGod! What are youdoinghere?’ Kate cried.

Amy threw both woolly mittened hands up in the air and made jazz hands with a wide, dazzling grin. ‘Surprise! We didn’t get a chance to exchange Christmas gifts this year, what with you not coming home, so I thought I’d bring yours to you.’ She grabbed the handle of her suitcase and rolled it inside before pulling Kate into a one-armed hug. ‘It’s me,’ she added as she squeezed. ‘I’m the gift.’

Kate laughed with joy as Amy let her go and carried on into the room. This was one surprise she could actually get on board with. ‘Well, that’s the best gift you could have ever got me.’

‘I know, right?’ Amy joked, looking around. ‘Nice digs.’ She took off the pale pink mittens and matching earmuffs. ‘I still need to book myself a room, but I just had to come up and see you first. It’s been such a long crazy journey.’

‘Yes, I know. You must be exhausted,’ Kate replied. ‘But don’t bother booking a room – just bunk in with me, like we used to.’

‘Yeah?’ Amy smiled and ran her fingers through her blonde wavy hair. ‘I was rather hoping you’d say that. So much more fun that way.’ Her smile softened a little. ‘Plus, I didn’t want to leave you alone, tonight of all nights.’

Kate smiled back sadly. Today was supposed to have been her wedding day. ‘How’s he holding up – do you know?’

‘He’s coping,’ Amy replied. ‘Rick’s with him. They went up to Scotland. They’re doing something tonight with big burning torch things. I don’t know.’ She shrugged. ‘Man make fire.’

Kate smiled. ‘That sounds fun. And good, as long as he’s OK.’

Amy nodded. ‘He will be. You both will.’

Kate nodded. ‘I know.’

But while she knew she’d made the right decision for them both, she still worried about him and felt guilty for the pain she knew she’d caused.

She glanced at the door and back to Amy. ‘Listen, um, I hate to do this when you’ve just arrived, but I was about to pop out for a bit. I just need to shoot to Cora’s house to check some things out, and I don’t want to leave it too long in case Sam comes back. Why don’t you grab some rest now for a bit and then we’ll go out somewhere for dinner when I get back?’ she suggested.

‘No chance!’ Amy exclaimed, immediately pulling the mittens back on. ‘I’m coming with you!’

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