Love's Miracles by Sandra Leesmith Page A

it was
spring and time for more freedom in her dress.
    “Why
do I get the feeling there’s an ulterior motive?”
    “I
have a hunch about Zane’s self-imposed isolation.” They approached the on-ramp
to the freeway and Margo settled back in her corner of the cab. “I want you to
brainstorm with me.”
    Bettina
tugged the last finger in place and sighed. “Work, work, child. Why are we
talking about work? This was supposed to be a time to relax.”
    “I
did relax during the opera.” And thought about Zane , she silently
admitted. She couldn’t get him out of her mind. She glanced across the San
Francisco Bay. The lights from the bridge reflected in the choppy waves below.
“Lunch is a good time to talk. I’ll be busy in sessions all morning and may not
get a chance to see you. In fact, you can call and make reservations.”
    Bettina
didn’t reply but fixed Margo with a hard stare. Margo braced herself for the
scolding.
    “Did
you hear one word of the opera tonight? Or were you sitting there the whole
time working out your cases in your head?”
    “ Maman .”
    “Don’t
give me that innocent look. I know you too well.” Bettina crossed her arms
while Margo tried not to sigh with impatience. Her mother did know her too
well. “Your work. It’s your whole life.”
    “It’s
yours too,” Margo reminded the woman who spent twice as many hours at the
center than she should.
    “That’s
different. I’ve had my husband and my child. You’ve only had your work.”
    The
familiar argument usually slid by her, but tonight for some reason her mother’s
words touched on a raw spot. “Not every woman needs a man in her life. Or
children.” Margo repeated the words, but they rang hollow.
    Bettina
sensed the weakening and swept in like a hawk. “You’re a sensitive woman. I
can’t believe love and companionship don’t mean anything to you.”
    “Sure
they do. But only with the right person.”
    “What
about Fred? You know he would marry you in a minute.”
    “I
don’t know any such thing. We’re friends. Colleagues. There’s no romance
between us.”
    “You’re
blind. I’ve seen…”
    “Nothing,”
Margo finished for her. “Besides, he’s not the man I want for a husband.” And
that was that. There were no doubts or fantasies about her relationship with
Fred. Suddenly Zane’s image came to mind. Margo shifted uneasily. Maybe she was working too hard.
    “And
how are you going to meet any man if you work all the time?”
    “Don’t
lecture me about companionship. If it was such a big deal you’d have found
someone also.”
    “ Mon
dieu .” Bettina made the sign of the cross.
    Margo
recognized the gesture as Bettina’s attempt to make her daughter feel guilty
about what she’d said. She chuckled, a rich sound that filled the cab. “You’re
so quick to give advice, but never listen to it yourself.”
    “A
trait you’ve inherited, I’m afraid.” Bettina sounded aggrieved. “Maybe you
shouldn’t take on this new case. Going all the way to Fort Bragg every weekend
will cut away your only spare time.”
    Margo
stiffened. “You know I have to go.”
    “Why,
Margo? Because he’s a veteran?”
    The
barb cut, but Margo ignored it. The fact that her mother had made it had all of
her attention. Digs like that came often from Fred, but never before from
Bettina. “I thought you shared my concern for vets?”
    “You’ve
more than atoned for your father, child.”
    Margo
froze. Her father’s death had spurred her into psychology; both women knew
that, but she’d never expected a recrimination from her mother.
    “You
think that’s what I’m doing?”
    “Isn’t
it?”
    “The
man needs help. I can’t let him…”
    “You
can’t save everyone. There are other psychologists,” Bettina interrupted. “Have
you ever considered referring this case to one of them and giving yourself a
break?”
    Margo
studied her mother’s features in the changing night light as they left the
bridge.