Page 114 of Her Selfless Warrior (Omega Sky)
Beatrice Allen chuckled. “It’s been kind of busy around here. How about with you?”
“I’m not conquering the technological universe, so my world is easy.”
Her mom snorted. “I don’t believe that for a minute. Who’s going under the microscope next? Is it one of my peers? Is it some banana republic? Is it our government? Is it me?”
“Aw, Ma, I’d give you a twenty-four-hour heads up if I was going to publish something about you,” Lark promised.
Her mother let out a loud laugh. “I appreciate that, Honey. Now tell me how you’re really doing. I talked to Amy and she said you had a new guy in your life who wasn’t pathepic.”
Lark shook her head and gave her mom an exasperated look. “Why are you checking up on me through Amy? You obviously have my phone number.”
“Honey, you know I love Amy. Her mother is a blight on mothers everywhere. I worry about her, so I like to check in.”
Lark sank deeper into the lounge chair. Hell, she almost melted. This was why she adored her mother. It was her big heart.
“So tell me about this man,” her mom persisted.
“You know him.”
“Please dear God, tell me it’s Lieutenant Barona.”
She sat up so fast that she almost dropped her phone. “Wait a minute, how did you know that? Did Amy tell you?”
“No, but I met him when he was visiting the Nuri family, and he’s stunning.”
“Mom, there’s more to him than his looks.”
“I wasn’t talking about his looks,” Beatrice protested.
“What else could you have meant?”
“Honey, how he was with those girls, took my breath away. Then the way he handled Samira and coaxed smile after smile out of her was enchanting. I was so impressed. Then when we went to dinner, he had me laughing so hard, that I could barely take a breath. Plus I was impressed by the depth and breadth of subjects he could talk about.”
“Not tech, though.”
Again her mother laughed. “Nope, he’s as technically inept as you are. More’s the pity, I was always hoping that you would find somebody who could even you out in that regard.”
Her brow furled. “You thought I might find a man?”
“Once you pulled your head out of your ass and stopped dating those pathepic men. God, I love that word. Your friend Amy is fabulous.”
“Yes, she is. But let’s get back on topic. Are you saying I had my head up my ass?”
“Yep. I’ve tried to coax you into counseling a few times, but you’re a stubborn little so-and-so.”
Lark snorted. She knew her mom was really calling her a stubborn bitch, but she was okay with that.If the shoe fits…
“Did you love my dad?” Lark suddenly asked.
“With all my heart. With all my soul.” She watched as her mother’s eyes went dreamy. “Why are you asking, baby girl?”
“You know I never believed that was in the cards for me. Love, I mean.”
“I know. It broke my heart. Your grandmother still beats herself up for that.”
“Mom, no. Please say she doesn’t. I hate that.”
Beatrice’s face took on a stormy look. “Yeah, well I hate the fact that she let Harris Evans anywhere near you.” She paused and her face crumpled. “But I hate myself more for not realizing what was going on. You should have been my first priority. Your father would have been so angry with me if he’d known what I had done.”
