Part 267 (1/2)

fury behind them. ”I have to live with it every day. Do you think

talking about it helps, finding excuses, choosing reasons? What

difference does it make why it happened? It happened. I'm going for a

walk.” She raced down the steps and headed toward the surf.

KATHERINE WAs A PANENT WOMAN. For two days she said nothing, made no

reference to the talk she and Emma had had. She waited, while Emma kept

a polite distance.

The days were anything but uneventful. Because it was her first trip to

the States, Stevie wanted to show Katherine everything. They spent

hours sightseeing, taking in all the tourist spots from the walk of the

stars to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. There were clubs in the

evening. Sometimes they went alone, sometimes as a group. She liked

best the nights they spent at home, with Stevie sitting for hours making

love to his guitar.

But she thought incessantly about Emma. Stevie understood-perhaps that

was why Katherine had fallen in love with him-that she had to help, even

when help was rejected.

She took her chances when she heard Emma go downstairs before

dawn one morning. Following her down, Katherine found all the lights

s.h.i.+ning. Emma was in the kitchen, sitting at the breakfast bar and

staring out the dark window.

”I wanted some tea,” Katherine said easily and walked to the stove. ”I

always find it comforting when I wake this early.” She didn't comment on

the tears drying on Emma's cheeks, but busied herself with cups and

saucers. ”I admire your mother. The way she adds a few touches and

makes the kitchen the coziest room in the house. With mine, I always