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"When you were four or five, as I recall," he said He hated to ad Mackenzie, he ell aware of the finesse hich his daughter manipulated conversations Poor Carrie hadn’t had a chance "Mackenzie also said you paid a man to date your mother"

"Oh, dear" She closed her eyes "No wonder you wanted to talk to uiltily in his direction "Jason was far too honorable to accept my offer"

"But he did as you asked"

"Not exactly…Listen, I do apologize I’d better have another talk with Mackenzie I’ll try to set the record straight I was afraid shelike this Actually, I should’ve realized her intent and warned you But I didn’t think she’d race right upstairs and repeat every word of our conversation"

"My daughter has ato you" For that, Philip was grateful Mackenzie needed a positive feh interest in her only child Philip could do nothing to ease the pain of that, and it hurt him to hear Mackenzie make excuses for Laura’s indifference

As they chatted, Carrie led him into a nearby vacant lot He learned quite a bit about her in those few minutes She worked for Microsoft, had lots of family in the area and doted on her two half brothers

The minute they stepped onto the lot, ten or so stray cats eased out of the shadows They’d obviously been waiting for Carrie Talking softly, issuing reassurances and comfort, she distributed the food in a series of aluminum pie plates situated about the area

"I saw a lot of e self in Mackenzie," she said when she rejoined hi "It wasn’t just the fact that h--but I’d been cheated out of more than the ideal family In some ways I didn’t have ato say I’htly

"No, no," she said autoize for what happened with Mackenzie Don’t worry, Mr Lark, I have no intention of using your daughter to orchestrate a date with you"

"Do you still want her to come over to bake cookies?" he asked He’d be in trouble with Mackenzie if she didn’t

"You don’t ht about where we stand with each other I’ personal You’re young and attractive and will make some man very happy one day--it just won’t be me"

"I wouldn’t…You’re not--" She stopped abruptly and glared up at hi to fear fro as we understand each other"

Carrie reloves and viciously shoved the her coat in the closet and sat down, crossing her ars She uncrossed both just as quickly, stood and started pacing She couldn’t keep still

Philip Lark actually believed she’d tried to use his daughter to arrange a date with hiuy took the prize as the otistical, vainShe wouldn’t date him now if he were the lastand she frowned at it, then realized she was being ridiculous and picked up the receiver