The Parent Trap(48)

He just stood there and stared at her, arms tightly folded across his chest, feet planted on the runner.

“Is there a problem?”

“Yes, there’s a problem. Didn’t it occur to you to get my permission?”

“Of course it did. She seemed to be at loose ends that first day she came to the store. I told her she was welcome to stay as long as she let you know where she was and what she was doing. She sent you a text message and a few minutes later, you replied and said it was okay.” And then the penny dropped. “She didn’t send the message, did she?”

“No, she didn’t, but that doesn’t let you off the hook, does it?”

“Excuse me?”

“You could have checked with me, but instead you didn’t even mention it.”

He was angry with her because she had been duped by his daughter? “I didn’t mention it because it didn’t come up. I wasn’t trying to hide anything, and I certainly haven’t done anything wrong.” And aside from lying about having her father’s permission to be there, neither had Kate. She’d spent a few hours helping Sarah and she’d been very fairly compensated for it. So why the overreaction?

“Thanks to you filling her head with nonsense about working in a clothing store, she’s already falling behind and getting failing grades on assignments.”

“Wait just a minute.” She was no longer shocked, she was angry. Maybe angrier than he was. “I filled her head with nonsense? Your daughter lied to me, doesn’t do her homework, and that’s my fault?”

“She’s impressionable. Of course she’d rather think about things that don’t matter rather than getting good grades at school.”

“Things that don’t matter? Well, let me tell you a thing or two. Those ‘things’ you find so frivolous have put a roof over our heads, paid off my mortgage and helped me set up a college fund for my daughter.”

He started to speak and she cut him off.

“I’m not finished. If your daughter isn’t interested in school, if she feels she can’t be open and honest with you, then that reflects on you, not me. If you want to know why she told me she had your permission when she had nothing of the sort, then you need to take stock of your relationship with her.”

“I’m trying. It’s hard to get her to focus when there are so many outside influences.”

Sarah refused to back down. No way was he pinning this on her. “I sympathized with your struggle to raise a kid on your own because I thought you were really trying, but not anymore. Not if you’re going to be such a narrow-minded jerk. Kate’s a smart kid with a real eye for design and a good head for business. My customers are impressed with her displays, she set up a Facebook page for the store and it’s already bringing in business, and I—”

“Oh, well, why didn’t you mention that sooner? Who needs an education when they know how to set up a Facebook page?” His sarcasm cut deep. “Don’t expect her to be back. She’s grounded until she catches up at school and improves her grades.”

“Good luck with that.” She opened the door and flung it wide. “You need to leave.” Tears threatened to spill and her voice was as shaky as the rest of her.

He hesitated.

“Now,” she ordered.

He backed out and she firmly shut the door. To make sure her message hit home, she clicked the dead bolt into place. Then she turned her back to the door and leaned against it, trembling, eyes squeezed shut.

Was she really such a bad judge of character? There’d been no question she found him attractive, but she’d also been drawn to him as a person, and she was already fond of Kate. If he couldn’t manage his kid, that was his problem, and if he thought he could use her as a scapegoat, he could darn well think again. She wasn’t sure she would ever forgive his behavior, but she hoped this disagreement wouldn’t affect her daughter’s friendship with the girl next door. Poor Kate needed a friend, and Casey...

Oh, no. Casey! Had she overheard this ridiculous exchange? She certainly hoped not. Explaining why they’d be going to dinner alone would be awkward enough.



KATE WAITED TILL her dad went jogging on Monday morning before she put her plan in motion. She started by sending a message to Casey.





Am walking 2 school 2day OK?

Why?

Why not?

It’s raining





Rats. She peeked past her curtains and sure enough, it was. Not pouring though. She would take an umbrella, wear her Hunter rain boots, and she’d be fine. Besides, anything, anything, even walking in the rain, was better than having to spend even one minute in the car with her dad.