Цитата из книги «Once Cold»

* Later that evening, Riley looked in on the girls. Jilly was in April’s room, silently doing homework. April looked up and said, “We’re OK, Mom.” Riley felt a flood of relief. As sad as she felt for both girls, she was proud that April was comforting Jilly. “Thank you, sweetheart,” she said, and quietly closed the door. She thought that April would talk to her about Ryan whenever she felt ready. But Jilly might have a harder time of it. As she went back downstairs, Riley found herself thinking about what Gabriela had said. “The girls need a father figure.” She looked at the phone. Blaine had made it clear that he would like to get their relationship going again. But what would he actually expect of her? Her life was packed full with kids and work. Could she really include anyone else in it right now? Would she just disappoint him? But, she admitted, I do like him. And he clearly liked her. Surely there had to be room in life for… She picked up the phone and dialed Blaine’s home number. She was disappointed to get his answering machine, but not surprised. She knew that his work at the restaurant often kept him away from home at nights. At the sound of the beep, Riley left a message. “Hi, Blaine. This is Riley. Listen, I’m sorry if I acted a little distant at the game this afternoon. I hope I didn’t seem rude. I just want to say, if your dinner offer still stands, count us in. Give me a call whenever you can to let me know.” Riley immediately felt better. She went to the kitchen and poured herself a drink. As she sat sipping it on the living room couch, she found herself remembering her conversation with Paula Steen. Paula had seemed at peace with the fact that her daughter’s killer would never be brought to justice. “It’s nobody’s fault, and I don’t blame anybody,” Paula had said. Those words now troubled Riley. It just seemed so unfair. Riley finished her drink, took a shower, and went to bed. She’d barely fallen asleep when the nightmares started.