by Irene Hannon
The important thing, however, was the change in Bruce, she reminded herself firmly. After all, she could deal with her own hurt. She hadn’t been able to deal with Bruce. Thank heaven Mitch had. He’d gone way above and beyond the call of duty by getting personally involved in Bruce’s problems. And if that personal involvement didn’t extend to Bruce’s mom—well, what had she expected, really? She was just an average-looking divorced mother struggling to make ends meet. Not exactly the type of person likely to attract a dynamic, accomplished man like Mitch.
And yet, as he stepped into the room she couldn’t stop herself from searching his eyes, hoping yet again to see something that simply wasn’t there. The familiar spasm of disappointment in her heart was as real as the pain she’d felt the night of her appendicitis attack.
“How’s the patient today?”
With an effort, she summoned up a too-bright smile. “No longer a patient. In fact, I’ll be back at work next week while you two gentlemen are enjoying country life.”
Mitch frowned. “That seems a bit fast.”
“I don’t plan to overdo it,” she assured him. “But I can sit at a keyboard and write copy just fine.”
“I wish you could come with us, mom,” Bruce added.
“So do I, hon. But duty calls. I’ve had two whole weeks to lie around and take it easy. And I’ll be down next weekend, like I promised.”
Actually, she wished she could back out of that commitment. But when Uncle Ray had called to formally invite Bruce, and then presented a convincing argument that a couple of days in the country would be just the thing to speed up her recuperation, she’d given in. Of course, that had been over a week ago, before she’d finally admitted to herself that Mitch’s interest in her was strictly friendship. If her own feelings were stronger…well, that was her problem. And it wasn’t fair to disappoint her son just because she was having a hard time coping with her feelings.
Those feelings had also made it difficult to think of a way to thank Mitch for his help during her recuperation. Few principals would take a student into their own home when a parent became ill, even for one night. Not to mention all of the take-out dinners he’d dropped off for them during the past couple of weeks. She owed him more than a simple thank-you note.
At first she’d planned to invite him over for a home-cooked meal. But now that seemed too personal somehow. She’d finally settled on inviting him to dinner at one of the nicer local restaurants. And she would make it very clear that it was just a friendly thank-you. Because the last thing she wanted to do was put him in the awkward position of having to deal with a woman whose feelings he didn’t share.
When Bruce hefted his backpack into position, clearly eager to be on the road, Mitch grinned. “Looks like you’re ready.”
The ghost of an answering smile hovered around Bruce’s lips. “Yeah.”
“You may not be so eager once Uncle Ray puts you to work,” Mitch teased. “He can be a hard task-master. I have a feeling he has a list of chores for us a mile long.”
“That’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“Is this the same person who complains about taking out the trash?” Tess kidded her son.
“That’s different, Mom. This will be fun.” He turned to Mitch. “Do you want me to load my stuff in the car?”
“Sure. I need to talk to your mother for a minute, anyway.”
He’d given her the perfect opportunity to issue the dinner invitation, Tess realized as Bruce headed out the front door. She took a deep breath and tried to quiet the thumping of her heart as Mitch walked closer. He stopped a couple of feet away, frowned and shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Are you really sure you’ll be okay alone for a few days?”
She nodded. “Absolutely.” Her voice sounded a bit breathless, and she struggled for a more normal tone. “Besides, you guys will only be an hour away if I really need anything.”
“You’ll call if you do?”
“Of course.”
He paused, as if trying to decide whether he believed her or not, then let it drop. “Okay. We’ll check in every day. And I’ll be back Thursday. I need to put in a couple days of work, even if it is spring break. I plan to head back down early on Saturday, so I’ll pick you up about eight, if that’s okay.”
“Fine.” It was now or never, she realized, forcing herself to take a deep, steadying breath. “Mitch, I— I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for Bruce and me over the past couple of weeks. I know how busy you are, and I’m sorry we added to the demands on your time. But I honestly don’t know how we’d have managed without you.”
An odd light flickered in his eyes, so briefly that Tess wondered if she’d imagined it. “I was glad to help.”
She was struck by the husky quality in his voice, but too distracted by what she was about to say to analyze it. “The thing is, I know I can never repay you for your kindness. But I’d like to at least say ‘thank you’ in some sort of concrete way. So I thought…that is, if you can spare a couple of hours…I’d like to treat you to dinner Friday night.”
For a moment Mitch seemed taken aback by the invitation. “You don’t have to do that, Tess.”
“I know I don’t. But I’d like to. You’ve been a good friend to us, Mitch, and I want you to know that we value that friendship.”
Their gazes locked, but his eyes were shuttered, giving Tess no clue what was going through his mind. She tried desperately to follow his lead and keep her eyes from reflecting the feelings in her heart. But she had no idea if she succeeded.
He looked at her for a long moment, clearly engaged in a silent debate, while she held her breath. Part of her hoped he would accept. Part of her hoped he would decline. Logically speaking, the latter was certainly preferable. Why prolong one-on-one contact when the attraction was one-sided? That was only an exercise in frustration. But good manners had compelled her to issue the invitation, so she’d done her duty. Now the ball was in his court.
“Is it okay if I take some painting stuff to the farm? Just in case I have time?”
There was a momentary pause before Mitch broke eye contact with her to look at Bruce, who was already clutching his easel in his hands. “Sure. I don’t think Uncle Ray expects you to work every minute.”
“Great! Thanks!”
“I’ll be right with you.”
“Bye, Mom.”
Before she could respond, Bruce disappeared out the door. She turned back to Mitch and forced her stiff lips into a smile. “I hope Uncle Ray doesn’t regret this. Bruce could tire him out by the end of the week. He’s got an unbelievably high energy level when he’s interested in something.”
“I’m not worried. Those two seem to understand each other. I think they’ll set their own limits.”
“Well, just give me a call if I need to talk to Bruce.”
“I will.” He paused, and the expression in his eyes shifted again. Troubled was the word that came to Tess’s mind. “I appreciate the offer of dinner, Tess,” he said slowly. “It’s just that I don’t want you to feel under any obligation. It was an emergency, and I was glad to help. You’d have done the same thing if the situation was reversed.”
“That doesn’t mean I appreciate it any less,” she countered, then tried for a joking tone. “Besides, Caroline told me about a great restaurant, and this would give me an excuse to try it.”
When she mentioned the name, his eyebrows rose. “It is a great restaurant. Also very pricey.”
Did he think she couldn’t afford dinner for two at a nice restaurant, she wondered? She sat up a little straighter, and her chin tilted up ever so slightly as her pride kicked in. “I can afford an occasional splurge, Mitch. Especially for a special occasion. Like thanking a friend for a very generous favor.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched. “I didn’t mean to imply you couldn’t afford it, Tess.” He paused and took a deep breath. “How about this? I’ll check with you Thursday, and if you’re feeling up to it, it’
s a date.”
Hardly, she thought. But at least she had her answer. “That’s fine.” She hadn’t meant to sound put out, but she couldn’t prevent a slight touch of coolness from creeping into her voice.
Mitch raked his fingers through his hair, his expression contrite. “Look, Tess, I didn’t mean to sound ungracious. I really do appreciate the invitation.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. And I’m sorry.”
It suddenly occurred to Tess that not once during her ten-year marriage to Peter had her husband ever apologized for anything. He seemed to feel that acknowledging a mistake somehow diminished him. But Tess viewed it in exactly the opposite way. To her, the ability to admit mistakes, to say “I’m sorry,” increased a person’s stature. Her expression softened and she smiled. “Accepted.”
“I’ll call you, then?”
“That would be fine. And Mitch…keep an eye on Bruce, okay?”
“Count on it. He’ll be in good hands.”
Of that she had no doubt.
“I’d say that was one tuckered-out youngster. I’d be willing to bet he was out cold the minute his head hit the pillow.”
Mitch chuckled as he joined Uncle Ray on the porch swing, savoring a long, slow sip of coffee as they enjoyed the unseasonably warm spring evening. “I warned him you were a slave driver.”
Uncle Ray smiled. “You should have seen me in my heyday.”
Mitch gave an exaggerated groan. “I don’t think my back would have survived.”
Now it was Uncle Ray’s turn to chuckle. “Hard work is good for the soul. And the body.”
“You may have a hard time convincing Bruce of that tomorrow when he can barely move.”
“That boy is a hard worker, I’ll say that for him. Willing to tackle anything. And he put in a full day. Nice young man, too. Not too many boys his age would give up a Saturday, let alone a whole spring break, to work on a farm with an old man.”
“He likes you.”
Uncle Ray looked pleased. “I like him, too.”
“I wish he felt the same about me.”
“Maybe he does.”
Mitch shook his head. “No way. I’m the authority figure who’s been cramping his style.”
“You’re also the friend who helped him out when his mom was sick and who introduced him to Joe Davis. He mentions him every time he e-mails me. That was a brilliant move on your part.”
Mitch shrugged. “I was lucky I knew someone who could tap into Bruce’s talent. And I was lucky Joe was willing to cooperate.”
“I take it that the episode at the Y wasn’t a chance meeting.”
Mitch hesitated, then shook his head. “No.”
“Didn’t think so. I could see your hand in it. It was a nice thing to do, son.”
“I was just glad I finally hit on something that seemed to reach him. He was definitely heading for trouble, and Tess was at her wit’s end.”
“Mmm. Hard thing, raising a boy that age alone. I don’t envy her.”
“Single parenthood is never easy,” Mitch concurred. “But from what she’s told me, they’re better off without Bruce’s father. I have a feeling he did more harm than good—to both of them.”
Uncle Ray shook his head. “Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Bruce is a great kid. And even though I don’t know Tess all that well, she sure seems like a nice person. Conscientious and genuine and caring.”
“She is.”
“Can’t imagine why any man would let someone like her slip away.”
“Me, neither.”
Silence fell as the two men swung gently, a comfortable stillness born of secrets shared, absolute trust and mutual respect. Several minutes passed before Uncle Ray spoke.
“I’ve got some news for you, son.”
Something in the older man’s voice put Mitch on alert, momentarily driving thoughts of Tess out of his mind. “What is it?”
“I’ve sold the farm.”
With an instinct honed long ago Mitch had braced himself for bad news. But his uncle’s calm announcement stunned him. “What?”
“I’ve sold the farm,” Uncle Ray repeated. “At least, most of it. I kept the five acres around the house and barn.”
“But why?” Mitch couldn’t even conceive of his uncle without the farm, or vice versa.
“Because it was time, son.” The older man’s voice was quiet but firm.
“But…but this is your life.”
“It was my life,” Uncle Ray corrected him. “And it was a good one. But also a hard one. I’m getting older, Mitch. I can’t keep up with things anymore.”
“But I’m more than happy to help.”
“I know that. But I can’t expect you to spend what little free time you have out here. You need to live your own life, not help me keep memories of my old one alive. The Lord and I had a long talk about this, and I know it’s the right thing to do.”
Mitch felt as if someone had kicked him in the gut. “You mean you did this for me?”
“Partly. But only partly,” he clarified. “Mostly I did it for me. And that’s the truth, Mitch. The fact is, time brings changes. People change. Circumstances change. And sometimes you just have to realize that it’s time to move on.”
Time to move on. The words echoed in Mitch’s heart, and he stared down into his coffee.
“It’s not an easy thing, letting go, is it, son?” His uncle’s voice was gentle, and Mitch suddenly knew they weren’t talking about the farm anymore. He turned, and though the light was dim, the kindness and understanding in the older man’s eyes were clear.
“Not everyone has your courage, Uncle Ray,” he replied quietly.
“You do.”
Mitch shook his head. “I’m not so sure.”
“I am. And I’m sure about something else, too. You shouldn’t spend the rest of your life alone. And lonely.”
For once Mitch didn’t deny his loneliness. He’d dealt with it successfully for years, but lately the emptiness of his personal life had become oppressive, leaving him keenly aware of the hollow echo in his heart.
Mitch rose and walked restlessly to the edge of the porch, planting his hands on the railing as he stared out into the darkness. “So what are you saying, Uncle Ray?”
“You know.”
Yeah, he knew. Mitch drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I said I’d never get involved with anyone again.”
“That was years ago, son. And Tess seems like a real special woman. The kind that doesn’t come around very often.”
He knew that, too. “She asked me to dinner.”
There was a moment of silence. “Are you going?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why not?”
Mitch drew in a deep breath, let it out slowly. As usual, his uncle had honed right to the heart of the matter. “Because I’m afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Messing things up. Making the same mistakes. Hurting the people I love. Just like before.”
“That was a long time ago, son.”
“I’m the same man.”
“Are you?”
Mitch thought about that. Was he? Hadn’t he learned a great deal—about selflessness and sensitivity and listening—during the intervening years? Hadn’t he learned to recognize what was precious and cherish it? Or was he just kidding himself that he’d grown and changed and become a better person?
“I don’t know,” he said at last with a sigh.
“Well, I do. And the answer is no. You’re not the same person you were six years ago. No one is. That’s why I’m selling the farm. Because it’s time to move on. Maybe it’s time for you to do the same.”
Mitch didn’t respond. But in his heart he acknowledged the truth of Uncle Ray’s words. Though he’d always vowed never again to get involved with anyone, Tess had made him rethink that pledge. Because Uncle Ray was also right about her. She was special. Very special.
Mitch knew all that. Knew that he needed
to revisit the decision he’d made six years ago, when his life was an emotional hell. Knew that if he didn’t pursue his interest in Tess, he could very well lose the chance to build a new life. Knew, also, that he might very well let this opportunity pass him by, even if it meant spending the rest of his life alone.
Because the bottom line was, he was just plain scared.
Chapter Nine
Tess checked her watch and frowned. Mitch was fifteen minutes late. It seemed highly unlikely that he’d forgotten their dinner date, considering that he’d called to confirm the time yesterday. He’d even offered to pick her up, but she’d figured it was safer simply to meet him at the restaurant. Since he wasn’t the type to stand someone up, something must have detained him at the office.
Tess looked around the lounge of the upscale restaurant, where the maître d’ had suggested she wait, and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She felt out of her element amid the cozy twosomes and intimate laughter coming from the small, candlelit tables. A more casual place would have been far more appropriate for a thank-you dinner than this romantic dining establishment, with its dim light, elegant rose-colored decor and mellow background music, she realized. Had Caroline purposely set her up? Her boss had hinted more than once that Tess should consider the handsome principal in more than a professional light, but Tess had always sidestepped the suggestion. Maybe this was Caroline’s not-so-subtle way of giving her a little push in what she considered the right direction, Tess mused wryly.
She just hoped Mitch didn’t interpret it that way. His voice had still sounded a bit cautious on the phone when he’d called to confirm their dinner, and she’d been tempted once again to offer him an out. But something had held her back. So here she was, meeting a friend to repay a debt in what was clearly a place designed to foster romance.