“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.”

Her mother exhaled. “That wasn’t…Your father was very upset at the time, Kerrison. He was simply frustrated and angry.

As were you.”

Kerry looked at her. “I’m sorry. You all stood there and let him do that. You stood by while they threw me into an insane asy-lum. Then you let him bully my brother and my sister into shun-180 Melissa Good ning me at the hearings.” Her voice had gotten louder and louder.

“And now you think I want to come back?” She stood. “Are you nuts?”

Cynthia stared at her in shock.

“Why in the hell would you think I wanted, or what’s more, needed you?”

“Kerrison!” her mother gasped. “Think of what you’re saying.

No one meant any harm to you—”

“Bullshit!” Kerry was really angry now. “You never cared a rat’s ass about me. All that mattered was what I looked like, how many eligible boys I could bring over to the house for daddy to wind around his finger, and how soon I could get married to become a family brood cow.”

“Kerrison—”

“Don’t call me that,” Kerry spat, her breath coming quickly.

“I don’t know who the hell you people think you are, or what gave you the right to bastardize my life for all these years, but—”

The door opened and Dar entered, pale blue eyes flashing, her hands flexing lightly as she bolted to Kerry’s side and glared at her mother. “What the hell is going on in here?”

Kerry drew in a breath and released it, then touched Dar’s side. She could feel Dar’s ribs expanding and contracting, the muscles under her fingertips taut and almost vibrating with tension. “My mother wants me to give up my job, and my life, and come home to be her office manager.”

Dar looked at her, then at Cynthia, who turned her head in discomfort. “Nice. I think I can outbid her, though.”

Kerry laughed humorlessly.

“What the hell is your problem?” Dar asked Cynthia.

Cynthia looked thoroughly upset. “I’m trying to bring my family back together. There’s no crime in that.” She patted her coiffed hair. “I can see it was a mistake to ask, however.”

Kerry closed her eyes and felt sick to her stomach. She leaned against Dar and felt Dar’s arm curl around her in a reassuring hug. “Why can’t you just let me be happy?” she asked in a very quiet voice. “Is that too much to ask?”

“I...” Cynthia paused, then sighed. “I have no idea what that is, so perhaps I simply can’t understand your viewpoint, Kerrison.” She sat down. “I’m just trying to do what I feel is right.”

Dar glanced down and caught the reflection of light off the tears that rolled down Kerry’s cheeks. “What’s right is for you to accept Kerry for who and what she is. And stop trying to remake her into an image that was never her to begin with.”

“I have known my daughter far longer than you have,” Cynthia said stiffly.