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explanation Rachel had for his goofy behavior.
    “In fact,” he said, “Courtney and I have already decided now that we’ve found each other, we don’t want to be apart for a minute. Right, Courtney?”
    “Absolutely,” Courtney said, smiling up at him.
    And then he kissed her.
    On the mouth!
    In a flash, Rachel was mentally packing her bags. She could see herself running through Central Park with Broadway. And she would take Broadway back to New York with her. Millions of people had dogs in the city no matter what her dad said.
    Other images quickly filled her head.
    She could order Chinese takeout any hour of the day or night—and man, how she had missed Chinese takeout. She could shop on Fifth Avenue. She could go to the Met anytime she wanted. She could see a musical on the real Broadway. And attend the Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center for the first time in years. She could even be in Times Square for the big ball drop on New Year’s Eve.
    Rachel was on the verge of jumping up and down. She couldn’t wait to tell Tiki. She really had been granted a freaking miracle. Finally, she could go to a regular high school with boys and girls her own age. Finally, she could experience what it was like to be a normal teenager.
    “Courtney’s agreed to move to Alaska to be with us. Isn’t that great?”
    “What?” Rachel shrieked.
    And that’s when she saw her dad’s expression change before her eyes. Now his jaw was rigid—his smile gone. And the reaction Rachel had been expecting all along quickly followed.
    “A lie isn’t so funny when you’re on the receiving end of that lie, is it, Rachel?”
    Rachel balled her fists together. He was using his serious father-knows-best voice. She hated when he did that.
    “And save yourself the trouble of thinking up any more schemes,” he warned. “We are not moving back to New York under any circumstances. And that’s final.”
    For one brief second, Rachel truly hated her father.
    “You can’t control my life forever!” Rachel screamed back at him. “When I turn eighteen I will move to New York City. And I’ll never come back to this miserable place again. Ever. That’s final!”
    Sobbing, Rachel ran from the room.
    Faithfully, Broadway trotted after her.



CHAPTER FIVE
    C OURTNEY FLINCHED WHEN a door slammed in the distance. Slowly, she and Graham untangled themselves, then quickly stepped away from each other.
    “That went well, didn’t it?” was all he said.
    He didn’t mention that second kiss.
    Neither did Courtney. She’d analyze the kiss later. At the moment, her only concern was Rachel.
    “I had no idea Rachel would be so upset when I talked you into teasing her, Graham. I need to go apologize.”
    “ Apologize? Don’t be ridiculous. Rachel’s the one who needs to apologize to you. ”
    “And I’m sure Rachel will,” Courtney said. “But I’m not very proud of myself right now for making her cry.”
    He started to object again, but Courtney stopped him.
    “Please, let me talk to her. If you don’t, it’s going to be a miserable weekend for all of us.”
    Graham kept staring at her.
    Courtney held his gaze.
    “Go through the kitchen,” he finally said, pointing across the great room to the saloon-style doors. “There’s a hallway off the kitchen. Rachel’s bedroom door is the first door on the right.”
    “Thank you,” Courtney told him sincerely.
    “But when you’re through talking to her,” he said, “tell Rachel I want to see her in my office. No excuses.”
    Courtney nodded and started toward the kitchen. When she reached the hallway, she could have found Rachel’s room without Graham’s directions. Broadway was stretched out on the floor, guarding the door.
    Courtney bent and gave the big dog’s head a fond pat. And only after Broadway wagged his tail in permission did she stand up and place a gentle knock above a sign that read: Teenzilla Inside—Enter at Your Own Risk.
    The first knock failed to produce