Chapter 54

• Kate stood on her balcony, looking out at the picturesque view of the central California coast. She had enjoyed this view for as long as she could remember and even now at fifty five it still took her breath away. Her waist length raven hair fluttered in the cool late afternoon breeze as she reviewed the long list of things that needed to be done before her guests arrived, but the serine setting made her mind wonder.
• The three hundred plus acre estate her parents had bought was covered in grape vines, that when harvested would be sold to local wineries to support the cost of living in this beautiful area and provide the money that allowed them to enjoy their true passion, breeding champion Great Danes. Her father had raised nearly a dozen award winners over many years before his passing and at times the stud services would bring in more money than the vineyard. Kate had helped out at the kennel from the time she could walk and grew to love the majestic beasts.
• After returning home from college, Kate took a more active role with the kennel. She managed the business and improved their exposure, increasing the profits several fold. When her parents passed away while she was still in her early thirties, Kate decided to expand to raising Mastiffs and German Shepard’s to increase the business even more. At least that’s what she told those who knew her. In truth, Kate had more than a casual love of canines. She lost her virginity to Duke William, her father’s fifth champion. She was eighteen at the time and she loved William. She had raised him from a pup and had a bond that was so special she felt it only natural she should be the first to be bred with him. Her parents never knew, nor did anyone else and this made her feel very isolated, but she would change that.