her eyes alive with malice as she studied Kate over the rim. The malice blurred into shock as Kate threw back her head and laughed.
"God, you really are an idiot." Weak with laughter, Kate took a few steps to the side so she could support herself against the counter. "To think we just thought you were a mean little snake. All this time you've just been stupid. Do you actually believe a man like Byron needs to use anybody?" Because her ribs were beginning to ache, she took several deep breaths. Something in Candy's eyes tipped her off. "Oh, I get it. I get it. He didn't look twice at you either, did he?"
"You bitch," Candy hissed. She slammed down her glass before stalking over to Kate. "You couldn't get a man on your own if you danced naked in front of a Marine band. Everyone knows why he's sleeping with you."
"Everyone can think what they want. I'll just enjoy it."
"Peter says he's an ambitious corporate shill."
Now Kate's interest peaked. "Peter does, does he?"
"The Templetons booted Peter out because Laura whined about the divorce. They were so concerned with protecting their darling daughter they ignored the fact that Peter is an excellent hotelier. All the years he worked for them, helped build the Templeton chain into what it is today."
"Oh, please. Peter never built anything but his own ego."
"He'll use his talents to open his own hotel soon."
"With Templeton money," Kate commented, thinking about Laura and the girls. "How... ironic."
"Laura wanted the divorce. Peter was entitled to financial compensation."
"You'd know all about making a profit out of marriage terminations." Kate decided Candy's visit wasn't such a pain in the butt after all - not when it brought along such interesting news. "Going to use some of your alimony to invest in Ridgeway's hotel?"
"My accountant, who isn't a thief, considers it a smart investment." Her lips curved again. "I believe I'll enjoy being in the hotel business."
"Well, you've spent a lot of time in them, on the hourly plan."
"How droll you are. Hold on to that sense of humor, Kate. You'll need it." Candy's smile was still there, but her teeth were set. "Byron De Witt will make use of you until he achieves the position he wants. Then he won't need you anymore."
"Then I guess I'd better enjoy the ride." She angled her head. "So you've set your sights on Peter Ridgeway. That's just fascinating."
"We've run into each other in Palm Springs a number of times and have discovered many mutual interests." She smoothed her hair. "Be sure to tell Laura he's looking extremely well. Extremely."
"I'll do that," Kate said as Candy headed for the door. "And I'll give Byron your best. No, on second thought, I'll give him mine."
She snickered, turning when the customer nearest the counter cleared her throat. The woman's eyes darted from the door to Kate, bright and wary as a bird's. "Ah, show me these evening bags. If you don't mind?"
"Sure." Kate beamed at her. For some reason Candy's visit had brightened her mood. "I'd love to. Have you shopped with us before?"
"Yes, actually, I have."
Kate took three ridiculously fussy jeweled bags from the shelf. "We value your business. Aren't these just fabulous?"
* * * * *
"And then she said how lucky I was to have rich friends throwing me crumbs." Kate sniffed a home-baked chocolate chip cookie into her mouth. "So thanks, since I suppose you're one of my rich friends."
"What an ass." From her position on the patio chaise Margo stretched up her arms.
"She hit me with the business about my father."
Margo lowered her arms again, slowly. "I'm sorry. Damn it, Kate."
"I knew I'd get smacked with it sooner or later. I just hate that it was her, of all people. I hate more that she could see she'd jabbed me. I wish it didn't matter, Margo."
"Everything about the people we love matters. I'm sorry I wasn't there." Her eyes narrowed in thought. "I'm really overdue for a manicure. I think Candy's day for the salon is Wednesday. Won't it be fun to bump into her?"
Well able to picture the event, and the outcome, Kate chuckled. "Give yourself a couple weeks to get back in shape, champ, then you can take her on. I knew I'd feel better if I came here to wallow."
"Remember that the next time you've got something eating away at your insides."
"Never going to let me forget that, are you?" Kate muttered. "I said I was wrong not to