Renee started to ask why she would do that when she realized her mother was avoiding her gaze as she busied herself rolling socks into neat little bundles. Suddenly several pieces of information fit together. How her mother had been so busy in the past few weeks. The late arrivals, the flushed cheeks, the vague answers to “What’s new?”
“You’re dating Ed?” Renee’s voice was a squeak. She cleared her throat. “When did this happen?”
“You were there when we met. At the animal preserve.”
“Yes, he gave you a tour but I didn’t think...” Renee shook her head. The meeting wasn’t the point. “Is it serious?”
Her mother looked at her. “I think it might be. He’s a very nice man.”
Renee held up both hands in a gesture of surrender. “Mom, I’m not judging at all. I’m surprised because you’ve never mentioned a guy in your life. Not since Dad left and that’s been decades.” She smiled. “I’m happy if you’re happy. I don’t know him that well, but he’s always seemed nice. Carol’s my friend and I adore her.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. Her mother had a boyfriend. While it was good news, it was going to take some getting used to.
“It was unexpected,” Verity admitted with a shy smile. “But I couldn’t help myself. He’s very—”
Renee winced. “No sex talk, Mom. Please.”
“But we’re both adults.”
“Technically, but in my mind, I’m still the kid, so no.”
Her mother laughed. “All right. I’ll just say things are going very well and we’re going to continue to see each other.”
“I’m glad. Any other bombshells?”
“I think that’s it.”
Renee hugged her. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, sweetie. Always.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
JASPER REVIEWED HIS PAGES, knowing he was close to figuring out the ending, but still not there yet. If he was just dealing with Vidar and the killer, he would be fine. It was Mandy who was throwing things off. Or rather how Vidar was supposed to deal with Mandy. He just couldn’t get the flow of events lining up correctly with dialogue that made sense.
Part of the problem was the book, and part of the problem was him. Or rather his definition of himself, which seemed to be changing by the minute, or at least the day.
He’d been unable to shake Wynn’s statement that he wasn’t broken anymore, mostly because he didn’t know where that left him. Whole sounded nice, but there were expectations. If there wasn’t that much wrong with him then why couldn’t he fall in love, get married and have a family, just like everyone else? He kept circling back to the question, and he couldn’t seem to come up with an answer.
Just as confusing, he didn’t know where Renee fit in. He cared about her. He enjoyed being with her. He respected her. He wanted to spend time with her, and not just in bed. So what did that mean? Was it like-plus? The other L word? He didn’t have a clue and he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to figure it out.
He tried to distract himself with a long walk. Koda trotted ahead of him as they made their way through the forest. They were back before eleven and just in time to get a text from Renee saying she was on her way.
“Any suggestions?” he asked Koda.
His dog rolled onto his back for a belly rub.
“I’ll take that as a no.”
He waited anxiously for Renee to arrive and walked out the front door when she pulled up.
“You’ll never guess,” she said as she got out of the car. “Seriously, it’s not possible. My mother is dating Ed.”
It took him a second to remember who Ed was. “Carol’s dad?”
“Uh-huh. They’re probably sleeping together, which I don’t want to talk about, but can you believe it? I don’t mind the relationship, but it’s weird. My mom never dated when I was growing up. This is new territory. I tried to be all cool and sophisticated, but I think I failed. I want her with someone who makes her happy, but it’s so strange to think about. Parents dating. What was God thinking?”
She sighed. “Enough about that.” She raised herself on tiptoe. “How are you?”
“Good.”
They walked into the house and went through to his office. Koda trailed after them, stopped at his bed and flopped down. Renee pulled the extra office chair close to his desk.
“Tell me where you are in the book.”
“The serial killer has Mandy and her daughter, and Vidar is coming to