Kerry shook her head. “He has…I mean, he had a little private office. I tried there.”
“S’okay.” Dar produced a smile for her, warm and genuine.
“C’mon. I think your aunt was about to tell us funny stories about you and a birthday party.”
Kerry rolled her eyes, but allowed herself to be bumped towards the doorway. Just shy of it she stopped and waited for Dar to come up behind her. “He had my picture on his desk, Dar.”
Thicker Than Water 177
Dar’s eyebrows shot up in honest surprise.
“I just don’t understand.” Kerry sighed and continued on into the room, giving her family a smile she didn’t really feel.
KERRY WAS GLAD Aunt Penny had stopped by, even though she did tend to tell embarrassing stories about her. At least one of my relatives, she reflected, actually likes me and doesn’t mind saying so. “We just took a walk up to the hill,” she said, in answer to her mother’s query. “I wanted to show Dar my old sledding spot.”
“Goodness, do you still have that Flyer around here, Cyndi?”
Aunt Penny asked. “I quite remember young Kerrison here doing battle with a tree on it years ago.”
“Ouch.” Kerry rubbed her nose in memory. “No, that one’s been gone a long time.” She spared a sad thought for its passing.
“Dar was going to chop down a tree and make one, but I convinced her we didn’t have time.”
Everyone looked at Dar, who looked back with devastating innocence. “Tell you what. We’ll go up to Aspen and I’ll make it up to you. You can watch me take out a few trees.”
Kerry grinned. “You’re on. After your shoulder heals, that is.”
“Oh yeah. Get that cleared up just in time fer her to break a laig.” Andrew chuckled.
Everyone laughed along with him, even Dar, who folded her arms over her chest. “I wasn’t the one who took out six ski instructors and a sled dog. Or that tent.”
“Mm…I remember that.” Ceci grimaced. “That dog was really mad.”
Cynthia leaned forward, placing her hands precisely into her lap. “That sounds very interesting. Do you ski, Commander?”
“Not very well.” Ceci ignored the snort from her husband.
“Between him and Dar, they cleared the slopes.”
Another chuckle made its way around the small circle. “Well, isn’t that fun.” Aunt Penny patted Kerry on the knee. “Sounds like you have your work cut out for you, dear.”
“Yes,” Cynthia agreed quickly. “Do stay for lunch, will you, Penny? It’s almost served.”
They all got up to go into the dining room. Kerry brought up the rear and was surprised when her mother held out a hand, slowing them both down. “What’s up?”
“Kerrison, could I speak with you, briefly?” her mother asked. “Alone?”
Ah. Kerry ran over the list of possible subjects and decided it was probably safe, unless her mother was going to give her “that 178 Melissa Good speech,” and it was a little too late for that. “Sure.” She waved at Dar, who was waiting in the doorway. “G’wan. I’ll catch up.”
Dar studied her for a moment, then nodded and slipped out of the room, leaving them alone together. “So,” Kerry turned and leaned against one of the large planters, “what’s on your mind?”
KERRY WAITED FOR the voice to stop, keeping her eyes fastened on the shifting sun outside the glass panes. Then she turned. “I can’t believe you’re asking me that.”
“Kerrison,” Cynthia held up a hand, “please, at least consider it. You would be excellent in this role.”
“Mother,” Kerry took a breath and held her temper, “I’m very happy with the life I have. I’m not changing it.”
“I’m not saying you aren’t, dear,” Cynthia said. “And certainly, I realize you’re very attached to your friend Dar, and she would be welcome here, as well.”
Kerry regarded her for a moment. “You really don’t get it, do you?” She sighed. “No, mother, I won’t accept a position here.”
She paused. “For one thing, you can’t afford me. Dar pays me a hell of a lot better than father ever paid anyone.”
“But…” Cynthia stopped. “Well, I’m sure…” She stopped again. “It’s not just the money, Kerrison. We want you to come back here and be part of your family. Surely you can understand that.”
“For another thing,” Kerry went on as though she hadn’t heard, “I don’t like Michigan.” She absorbed her mother’s slightly shocked look. “I love living in Florida.”
“But—”
“Dar and I have a wonderful life together, mother. Why would I want to change that?” Kerry asked in frustration. “Don’t you understand yet? This isn’t some passing phase I might grow out of.”
Cynthia took a seat on a nearby bench and folded her hands.
“I do understand that you and Dar are very fond of each other, dear.”
Kerry sat next to her. “No, you don’t understand. We love each other.”
Cynthia was silent.
“I love Dar with all my heart,” Kerry said. “She’s my life.
We’re partners in every sense of the word. She’s everything I could ever have wished for in someone to share the rest of my life with.” She waited for comment and got none. “So, though I’m really glad you fired that bastard Kyle, and the rest of those useless dog poops, I’m not going to come here and take their place.”
Thicker Than Water 179
Cynthia sighed. “Kerrison—”
”I’m going to go home and take my jacket off and play with my dog and soak in the hot tub with Dar under the stars tonight, just because we can,” Kerry said. “And, I’ll Catch up on my business email and get ready to go back to work.”
They were both silent for a few moments. Kerry exhaled and rubbed her temples. “Look, I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, and honestly, I do appreciate the welcome you’ve given both me and Dar.”
“Actually,” Cynthia murmured, “I quite like Dar. I find her intelligence refreshing.”
The way to my heart, Kerry realized with a weak internal laugh, is through praising my partner. Imagine that. “It’s one of the things I like most about her.” She smiled at her mother. “She’s smarter than I am.”
“Surely not.” Cynthia frowned. “You’ve quite a good brain, Kerrison. You’ve always had.”
“Funny, you and father were always so ready for me to end up as a receptionist.” Kerry felt the words slip out. “I never thought my brain ever entered the plans.”
“That’s not so. He was very proud of your skills, especially when you were in high school,” Cynthia said. “He was simply anxious to channel them into something practical.”
“I think I found something more practical than reception work to channel them into,” Kerry remarked dryly.
Cynthia got up, walked to the frosted windows, and gazed out. “I thought perhaps you would at least think about this, Kerrison.” She exhaled. “Yes, I realize you do have your own life and all that, but this is not such a terrible thing I’m asking, is it? We just want you to be a part of our lives, as well.”
Kerry searched the ceiling, looking for patience and finding precious little. “Why?”
Cynthia turned. “Pardon?”
“Why?” Kerry repeated. “Why is it so important that I come back here?”
Cynthia frowned. “Is that a serious question? You are my daughter, and a member of our family.”
“No, I’m not,” Kerry replied quietly. “Have you forgotten? I was thrown out of this family a year ago.”