by Holly Jaymes
I wondered if he’d been as kind and thoughtful with Gwen. What an idiot she was to betray him. If Mitch were mine, I’d have loved him well. I’d have made sure he knew how wonderful he was. Of course, he wasn’t mine, wouldn’t ever be mine. Even if I wanted more than this month would give, he wouldn’t be mine, thanks to Gwen. Not only did she break his heart, but she’d taken away his belief in love.
I hoped Gwen and Mitch’s former partner were suffering. They hadn’t deserved him.
Later that day, I called my parents to check-in. I sat in the studio office Mitch had made for me, enjoying the view of the Blue Ridge. It really was so peaceful here.
“Oh Hope, I’m so glad you called. How is the work going?” my mother asked.
“Good. Really good.”
“Wonderful, honey, just wonderful.”
“How are things with you?” I asked.
She sighed. “We’re making do. Oh, you know who I saw the other day? Mrs. Sloane. I have to say, as difficult as our lives are now, I’m so fortunate that your father is still with me.”
“Yes,” I said, wondering what my mother and Mrs. Sloane talked about. Did they know I was here with Mitch?
“Did you know she’s a grandmother now?”
I could hear the longing in my mother’s voice. “I’d heard that, yes.”
“Mitch is living in the mountains. I don’t think it's far from where you’re staying. You should call him. It sounds like he’s become kind of a recluse. I don’t understand that. Did you know he made over a billion dollars on the sale of his business? A billion dollars. He’d be a good person for you to connect with on your business.”
“Money isn’t everything, mom,” I said. Mitch was a billionaire, but he’d lost a bit of himself in the process.
“I used to say that. Funny how when you don’t have money, that perspective changes.”
“You still have dad and Parker and me.” I reminded her. “Mitch lost his father.” I decided to keep the information about his fiancé and friend to myself.
“Yes, yes, of course. I asked Parker about Mitch. Maybe he could invest in your dad’s business until he got back up on his feet.”
I groaned. “Mom.”
“What? Rich people invest in businesses all the time. When we had money, we were very good to Mitch. Certainly, he’d want to help.”
She acted like she’d given Mitch money or a place to stay. She’d treated him like any other kid, instead of one that came from a family one level down in the socioeconomic hierarchy. It was nice of her, but it didn’t reach the level of his needing to fund my father’s failing business in gratitude.
“Mom, what did you do for Mitch? Just because you weren't prejudiced against kids who weren’t from our socioeconomic level doesn’t mean he owes you anything.”
“You’re twisting my meaning,” my mother said, sounding offended. “Mitch was always a good friend. I just thought he could help your father. But Parker is adamant that Mitch not know.”
I wondered what my brother would think that I’d told Mitch about my dad’s failing business. I remembered how Mitch offered to help, but I knew my father wouldn’t want that. It would demoralize him more to take a handout, even one in the guise of an investment.
“But if you saw him, maybe you could tell him. He’d probably offer to help.”
I groaned. “Dad wouldn’t like it, mom. You know how he is.”
“What is it they say? Pride goes before the fall. We can’t afford to have pride.”
“If you really want financial help, dad should make a proposal. You can’t’ just ask rich people for a handout.”
“Mitch is like family. Surely, he’d help his family. I went by and saw Mitch’s mother. The updates to her home are lovely.”
“That’s probably from Gabe, mom.”
“How did she raise four boys, all of whom are so successful?”
I know my mom didn’t mean to hurt me, but I that’s what I felt. Parker was successful, but not like the Sloane boys, all of whom were billionaires. And of course, I was starting over at rock bottom.
“I don’t know. I guess they’re just smarter and harder working than us.”
“Now, Hope, don’t go misinterpreting what I’m saying. I’m very proud of you and Parker. I know we’re all going to be wearing your fashions very soon.”
If that was going to happen, I needed to work harder and faster than I had been. While Mitch was giving me the tools and support, he was also very distracting. I’d need to focus more.
I talked a little more with my mother, and then my father got on the phone. My heart went out to them, having to struggle so much after a lifetime of work. For a moment, I wondered if maybe I shouldn’t ask Mitch to help them. I knew he would. But I was sure my father’s ego would be devastated by it, and Parker would likely get mad as he clearly didn’t want Mitch to know.
Next, I called my brother since he was the one working so hard to get my parent’s financial and legal situation in order.
“Hey, how goes the business planning?” he asked me.
“Good. I hope to be checking out manufacturers soon.”
“Excellent.”
“I just talked to mom and dad,” I said.
Parker groaned. “Mom didn’t tell you to hunt Mitch down, did she? She realized that you’re near where he lives now.”
“She did,” I admitted.
“Jesus. Don’t do it, Hope. Mitch doesn’t need our family drama.”
“You don’t think he’d help?” I asked out of curiosity.
“I’m sure he would, but he’s got his own shit going on and doesn’t need to be dragged into ours.”
“What’s going on with Mitch?” Did he know something I didn’t? It was strange to be sleeping with a man that my brother knew something about that I didn’t.
“It’s not my business to tell, but he’s not interested in business and involvement in people’s lives. We need to leave him be.”
“Do you see him?” I asked.
“I sometimes see him when he’s down to visit his mom. I’ve been thinking of giving him a call to visit him to ask about some computer work my firm needs. I could arrange to see you too.”
“Ah…”
“Have you seen him up there?” Parker asked.
My first instinct was to lie, but I wasn’t sure what Mitch would tell him. While Mitch wouldn’t say, yeah your sister is sleeping in my bed, I suspect he’d stick close to the truth.
“Yes.”
“How is he?”
“He seems good to me.” More than good, but Parker didn’t need to know that.
“Good. I think I’ll give him a call.”
When Parker and I were off the phone, I rushed downstairs to try and intercept Mitch before my brother called.
“Hi, Parker.” Mitch looked up at me as I entered the living room.
Too late.
His eyes were intently on mine. “Yes, my mom said that your mom had told her Hope was here.”
His brows quirked up. “Ah, yeah, I did see her.”
I winced.
“That would be great. When do you plan to come?”
I bit my lip hoping that our situation wasn’t outed somehow.
“How about you and Hope come here for lunch?” He shrugged as if he wasn’t sure that was the right thing to do. I nodded.
“Great. I’ll see you both then.”
When he hung up, he said, “I guess you know who that was.”
“Sorry, I tried to reach you.” I looked around the area. “There’s no sign that I’m staying here, so it should be okay.”
He blew out a breath. “I told my family that you were staying in the extension. He wouldn’t have a problem with that, would he?”
“Oh, when did you do that?” I asked. And why hadn’t he told me?
“Your mom and my mom ran into each other. I didn’t want to lie.”
“Well, I guess we need to go with that then.”
“It wil
l be fine,” Mitch said. “By the way, I was getting ready to bring his up to you.” He pointed to a box sitting on his coffee table.
“My fabric?” I rushed to the box. It was still Christmas.
He probably thought I was a lunatic as I ripped opened the box and oohed and ahhed over the fabrics.
“Let me carry it up for you, and you can get sewing,” he said.
Once again, I threw myself into his arms. “You’re spoiling me, Mitch.”
He laughed. “You bought the fabric, I’m just carrying it up for you.”
“That’s a lot. Plus, the sewing machine. And the program…oh my God Mitch, it's wonderful. You could probably make a second fortune on it.”
He laughed. “I have enough money.” He tilted his head. “You can have it.”
“What?” I thought he’d already agreed to let me have a copy for my business.
“The program. You can have it. Your business can own it. If you want to sell it to others, you can or keep it to yourself. Just let me know if you need more work on it.”
I gaped. The program had to be worth millions. He couldn’t just give it to me to own. “Mitch, I can’t—”
He stopped my protest with a kiss. “It’s my pleasure to help you achieve your dreams, Hope. Just talk to your brother about protecting it. You don’t want others to steal it.”
“I don’t know how I can ever repay you. You’re too generous.”
“You repay me by pursuing your dreams and achieving everything you want in your career.”
I nodded. “I’ll try not to let you down.”
He carried the fabrics upstairs and then left me to work. It took me a few minutes to get my mind to the task at hand because I was so overwhelmed by his generosity. Once I calmed down, I focused on creating samples of my work. I was determined that all his help wouldn’t be in vain. I’d prove to him and to myself that I had what it took to be a great designer.
I pulled out the polyester fabrics that had UVA protection to make my sample. While I knew hiking appeal needed to be comfortable and non-confining, it seemed like a little taper at the waist would make a shirt a little more feminine for a woman. I went with a basic powder blue but used a pretty pastel blue lace to cover the collar and cuffs. The sleeves could be rolled up and used the same blue lace over the fabric to make a tab to button the sleeves in place. It was functional but still delicate and pretty.
When I was done, I realized I’d worked through dinner. I put on the shirt and headed back downstairs.
“There she is.” Mitch sat on the couch with Duke at his feet reading. “I went up to get you at dinner, but you were working so intently, I didn’t want to interrupt.” His gaze raked over the shirt. “Is that it?”
I nodded. “What do you think? It offers wicking to keep you dry and UVA protection from the sun.”
“You’re right, you can be functional and beautiful.”
I grinned feeling pleased with my efforts.
“I have dinner warming if you’re hungry.”
I nodded and followed him to the kitchen. But once again, I found myself needing to hug him. “Thank you again, Mitch.” I felt like there was so much more I needed to say, but the right words eluded me.
Book 3: Chapter 10—Guilt
Guilt
Mitch
Having my friend come over for lunch wasn’t one of the brightest ideas I’d ever had. Sleeping with his sister wasn’t a good one either although I was finding it harder and harder to feel bad about it. I had to hope that Parker wouldn’t be able to tell that I’d seen his sister naked or had done all sorts of depraved things to her. Of course, she was a willing participant. She’d pulled a few doozies on me in the sex department.
Of course, that wasn’t all I was doing with Hope. Although I let her work mostly on her own, I tried to help her when she needed advice on her business plan or feedback on something she was making. By the time Saturday rolled around, we had a comfortable schedule of a morning walk, breakfast, her working while I did whatever was on my agenda for the day, lunch and maybe I’d work with her, dinner, and in the evening we might take another walk or watch a movie.
The best part had been going to bed and waking up with her by my side. It was strangely peaceful to wake up to someone other than Duke.
“He’s here,” Hope said from the kitchen. “I’m going back to the extension.”
We’d both hoped that he’d buy she was staying at my place but separate in the extension. I hoped he was okay with it.
When there was a knock on the door, I answered. “Parker. How was the drive up?”
“Beautiful. I picked a good day.” We clasped opposite hands and did a small hug using the other hand.
“You did. We had a storm last week that took down some trees.” I opened the door for him to come in.
“I saw Hope’s car,” he said, scanning the living area.
“Yeah, she’s back in the extension.” I hoped I sound nonchalant.
“Oh?”
I swallowed. Good God, I hoped this worked. “The lodge lost her reservation, and then her car broke down, so I said she could stay there.”
Parker looked at me. “Here? With you?”
I nodded, hoping he couldn’t tell I was beginning to sweat.
He patted me on the shoulder and smiled. “I knew I could count on you to look after her.”
Ah fuck, that made me feel worse. “Of course.” I started toward the kitchen. “I’ll show you where she is. She’s the first one to use the room.”
“I hope she’s not in the way.”
“Nope.” I led him through the enclosed breezeway to the extension. The door was closed, so I knocked. “Hope. Parker is here.” I turned to him. “I’ll let you two visit while I get lunch ready.”
The door opened. “Parker,” Hope exclaimed and held her arms out for a hug.
“Hope.” He embraced her. “I didn’t know you were staying here.” Her eyes flitted to me, but I turned and headed back to the kitchen.
“Ah yeah. The lodge couldn’t take me, and Mitch was kind enough to be my hero and save me. Literally. I was broken down on the side of the road.”
That was the last I was able to hear before I made it to the kitchen. Then I went out the back to the deck where I kept my grill. I’d fired it up and then closed the lid to let it heat up. When I returned to the kitchen, Hope and Parker were coming in from the breezeway.
“Beer?” I asked him.
“Yeah great.”
I grabbed him a beer from the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine for Hope, as she didn’t much care for beer.
“It’s nice on the deck,” I said, handing him the beer. Then I went to the cupboard to get a wine glass for Hope.
“You’re spoiling her,” Parker said.
I avoided looking at her as I poured her some wine. “No more than I spoil you.”
“Ha, you got that right.”
We headed out the deck where I grilled burgers and did my damnedest not to give away that I was sleeping with my friend’s sister.
“You know, it’s good to be here with you two,” Parker said when he finished his burger. He’d moved from the table to a lounge chair. “It seemed like you two had a falling out or something, so it’s nice to see you two be friends again.”
I glanced at Hope, deciding she could take the lead on that one.
“Life is busy,” she said, moving from the table to a chair near Parker. “I’m just glad Mitch was there when I needed him. I’m getting so much done.”
“You’re going to be a huge success, I know it,” Parker said. “If you need any legal advice, let me know.”
“For a discount?” Hope asked.
“We’ll see.” He looked at me. “Have you been helping her?”
“I have,” I said opting not to elaborate. They were twins, but Parker had a way of treating Hope like she was younger. I didn’t want him thinking I was giving her too much.
“She paying you?”
I bit back a cough. “She’s paying like you did when I first helped you.”
Parker laughed. “A case of beer?”
Hope was showing her appreciation in another way, but of course, I couldn’t say that. “Wine.”
We chatted for a while, discussed a computer issue Parker’s firm wanted advice about and talked about Hope’s business until Parker said he had to head back. “Hot date tonight.”
“Oh?” Hope asked. “Finally come out from behind your paperwork to live a little?”
He shrugged. “Maybe. Just don’t want to come near the end and have to struggle or be alone.”
I frowned thinking that was a really depressing thought. “You alright, Parker?”
“Yeah, yeah.” He waved my question away.
“You sure? I’m here for you, man.”
“I know it and appreciate it. You’re here for Hope and me.” He was standing to leave but took a moment to take in the view. “Maybe Hope told you, my dad is going through a rough patch.”
She’d said she thought her dad was going to lose the business, but I simply nodded.
“He made a few bad deals partly because he felt like he was getting estranged from mom, and he wanted to make up for that. He wanted to make a quick buck and retire.”
I looked over at Hope who had an expression that suggested she was surprised by Parker’s candidness.
“Anything I can do?” I asked.
“Nah, man. Thanks. Helping Hope is enough. He’ll get through. It’s just that watching them go through that, I don’t want that to happen to me, you know?”
I nodded. “Sure, I get it.”
“Anyway, I’ve got to get out of here. Don’t want to be late for the first date.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Thanks for the lunch and brews, and looking out for my sister.”
“You know I’m not a baby, right? We’re twins. You talk like I’m a child.” Hope rolled her eyes.
Parker grinned as he pulled her in for a hug. “I was born first, that makes me the big brother.”