“That’s how they do it,” Walter said.
“I won’t make it over there and back in time.”
“Kate will pick it up for you on her way home. She also has to collect Gus from the groomer’s as well before the adoption ceremony.”
After going over the numbers, they waited around for Kate.
“I’ll text her and tell her to meet us at the courthouse,” Walter said finally.
As Grant and Walter were ushered into the judge’s chambers, there was still no sign of Kate.
“I thought Kate would be here.”
“She must have gotten caught up with something,” Nancy assured him. “We can’t postpone this any longer. Mark and Carter aren’t here, either. When we’re all together again, we’ll have a big celebration.”
Grant knew Kate had been trying to avoid him, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad must have happened.
You’re paranoid,he thought.You always think there’s a disaster waiting just around the corner.
He waited patiently as the judge went through the ceremony. After the final papers were signed, the judge smiled at them.
“You are now formally Walter Holbrook’s son.”
Walter hugged him.
“Grant Holbrook, everyone,” the judge said, grinning broadly. Everyone, even Jack, applauded. The judge handed Grant a teddy bear.
“Picture time!” Nancy chirped.
“I don’t need this,” Grant said, handing the stuffed animal back to the judge.
“Everyone who is adopted gets a teddy bear,” the judge said.
“But—”
“Don’t ruin this for me, son. Smile for the camera!”
When they arrived back at the estate, there was still no Kate.
He was starting to become worried. What had happened?
There was no word from her through dinner, and none of them had heard from her by that evening.
“I’m worried now,” Nancy said. “No one’s gotten a text message or something?”
“Her grandmother doesn’t know where she went,” Walter said, “and none of her friends do, either.” He grabbed Grant’s arm and demanded, “Did you do something to her? Did anything happen between you two?”
“What? No!” Grant said, shocked his father would think he would hurt Kate.
“Don’t think I don’t know that you’ve been carrying on an affair with her behind my back,” Walter told him. “I expected you to man up and make an honest woman out of her. She’s clearly infatuated with you. If you’ve run off my assistant, I don’t care how many billions of sales you make. I will bury you.”
“I didn’t do anything,” Grant said. “Honest. I’ll find her. I promise.”
He stayed out all night, driving around, looking for her. The next morning, he went to the office, hoping she would show, but Kate had seemingly disappeared.
Chapter 61
Kate
