"I'm done with that," she had said when Berry suggested she get back in circulation. "I had a good marriage. I had the love of my life. I will never have another."
But Berry continued to hold out the hope that her mother would meet a man who would change her mind. She was beautiful and smart, lovely and fun. She had much to offer, and Berry hated the thought of her living the rest of her life as a single.
"I like Dodge," Berry said now, almost expecting her mother to challenge the definitive statement.
But she didn't. In fact, Caroline was quite earnest when she asked, "Do you?"
"Yeah, I do. Warts and all. What I like best is that he makes no excuses for his warts."
"Then I'm glad I made the decision to retain him."
Worriedly, Berry pulled her lower lip through her teeth. "His purpose is damage control. Is that it?"
"Partially. His investigative skills could also be useful to Ski."
"If he'll use them."
Caroline nodded pensively. "Men are territorial. But Ski strikes me as someone too intelligent to decline help when and if he needs it."
Berry took one hand from behind her head and laid her forearm across her eyes. After a moment, she said, "The affair with Ben."
"You're a grown woman, Berry. Well past having to account to me about your relationships."
"Oh no?" Berry peered up at her from beneath her arm. "Isn't it you who's been giving me none too subtle hints that you'd like to have grandchildren before you're too old and decrepit to play with them?"
Caroline smiled. "I still wish for grandchildren. But," she added with emphasis, "I also understand how important your career is to you, because mine was to me. Simultaneously building a career and raising a family can cause conflicts."
"I haven't ruled out having a husband and children, Mother. My biological clock gongs whenever I see women my age with a toddler or two, husband smiling on with adoration. I'd like that very much.
"But let me assure you, Ben Lofland wasn't a prospective life partner. He and I spent a few harmless nights together. Our affair was hardly worth the federal case that Deputy Nyland made of it."
"He didn't make a federal case of it."
"Close."
"There must be a reason for his preoccupation with it."
"He told you the reason. Oren's motive."
Caroline settled an intuitive look on her, the kind that mothers specialize in.
"What?" Berry demanded.
"Nothing. Never mind."
"What?"
Caroline shook her head. "A wild thought. Groundless probably. Pardon the interruption. What were you saying?"
Exasperated, knowing there was more than her mother was willing to say at the mom
ent, Berry tried to remember where she'd left off. "I refuse to wear a hair shirt because of those sleepovers."
"The affair would have taken on less significance if you'd been up front about it."
"I know," Berry admitted. "I should have come clean about it."
"Why didn't you?"