Betrayed by Donnell Ann Bell

Author:Donnell Ann Bell [Bell, Donnell Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781611943917
Publisher: BelleBooks
Published: 2013-11-06T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

“HELLO, MS. MASTERS,” said a smiling hotel clerk as she pointed across the lobby. “Mrs. Turner asked that you join her in Ellyngton’s.”

Kinsey thanked her, but in truth had no need of directions. When her grandparents were alive, the family often celebrated holidays at the Brown Palace.

The restaurant, with its tantalizing aromas, was sparsely populated at eight-forty-five in the morning. Kinsey spotted Irene immediately seated with an impeccably dressed older man. Assuming she’d be meeting with Irene alone, Kinsey hesitated, but Irene stood and waved her over.

Winding her way around tables covered with starched white linen and precisely placed silverware, she took hold of Irene’s outstretched hands.

“I’m so glad you could come.”

“Me, too.” Kinsey scoffed at the suddenly tongue-tied moment. Where was the woman whose teammates had elected her team captain? Still, what did you say to the woman who gave you birth, but whom you’d never officially met? “You’re . . . looking better than the first time I saw you.” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry I walked away like that.”

“Don’t give it another thought. I’m sure I’ve been nothing but a shock to your system.”

The man with Irene had risen when Kinsey reached their table and had remained standing.

“Kinsey, this is Lyle Wilkins. He’s an attorney from Oklahoma.” Irene pursed her lips into an ironic twist. “He’s been sent here by my friend Norma to save me.”

“You’re very kind,” he said to Irene. “But I assure you there’s nothing to save.” Acknowledging Kinsey, he said, “Your . . . Mrs. Turner has done nothing wrong.”

The trio sat down, and in addition to speechless, Kinsey found she couldn’t take her eyes off of Irene. The emotions churning through her were a virtual storm. She loved looking at this woman who resembled her so closely, and her accent, Kinsey adored it. She was filled with an irrevocable sense of loss over the years that had been stolen from them.

Still, as much as she wanted to accept Irene into her life without hesitation, that couldn’t happen yet. Someone had put her adopted mother in the hospital, and Irene Turner hadn’t been cleared of all charges.

Lyle drained the rest of his coffee. “I’ll be on my way to take care of the rest of our business. Kinsey, I find it interesting that even though I didn’t know you until this moment, I followed your career.”

Soccer she could talk about. “Thank you, Mr. Wilkins. Are you a soccer fan?”

“Of women’s,” he said, his Oklahoma drawl every bit as strong as Irene’s. “So full of fire and spirit, I could watch the women’s team for hours. I rarely watch the men anymore. A bunch of crybabies. They get injured running onto the field.”

Lifting an eyebrow, Kinsey laughed and glanced at Irene. “I like him.”

Lyle picked up the check and motioned to a waitress. “I’ll be in touch. An honor, Ms. Masters.”

“Good luck,” Irene said.

“Not needed.” He ambled off with the aid of a cane.

Kinsey stared after him for a moment then focused on Irene.

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