Linda and Donna were nothing alike. But still…the pain wasn’t something he wanted to experience again. Donna had been pressuring him to get married and although he enjoyed spending time with her, something didn’t feel quite right. He kept putting her off. When she broke off their relationship and soon after married the drug rep in her office, the news had been like a physical blow to his solar plexus. When he saw her six months later, obviously pregnant, he was strangely relieved.
No, Donna and Linda were nothing alike, but still, people put their trust in others every day and end up getting burned. How do you really know?
****
When Linda answered the door Friday night, the last thing she expected to see was Professor Leroy Mitchell Collins in a tailored black suit and pristine white shirt. His hair trimmed and brushed back from his face, the ends curled enticingly over his collar. The leather thong was nowhere to be seen.
“Who are you?” Linda took in the distinguished man in front of her, from the shined boots to the fresh haircut.
“I’m your date.” He grinned and held out his hands, palms up. “I got to thinking about the impression I made when we first met and I didn’t like it.” He smoothed a hand through his hair. “Not as short as a Marine but—”
“I like it.” She leaned forward and peered at his tie. “I see you haven’t completely given in.”
Mitch fingered his blue UNC tie of tiny Billy goats and grinned. “Not entirely.” He threw her an admiring glance. “You look lovely.”
Linda smoothed the front of her black cocktail dress and adjusted the lacy shawl over her shoulders. “Thank you.” She gingerly picked her way to the sidewalk, where the vintage sports car purred.
“Where’s your gigantic bottomless purse?”
“I thought I’d travel light.” She adjusted the strap of the small clutch looped over her wrist. “You don’t think I’ll need my purse, do you?”
He laughed. “The purse with everything but the kitchen sink? I sure hope not.”
At the college restaurant, students dressed in khaki pants and short black aprons were serving cocktails.
They made their way to the corner table where Matt and Colleen sat with Helga and Frank Walls.
Taking a seat next to Colleen, Linda admired her new friend’s emerald green cocktail dress. No wonder Matt had pursued the woman so relentlessly. In athletic clothing she was attractive, but dressed up she was gorgeous.
Mitch’s breath tickled her ear as he leaned close. “I’ll get us drinks. What would you like?”
Holding up a stemmed glass, Colleen swirled a light pink liquid. “Alex’s latest blend is called California Dream. You might like this, Linda.” She turned to Matt. “In fact, I’m ready for another.”
Linda tipped her head toward the glass as she eyed Mitch. “Sounds good to me.”
Matt and Mitch headed toward the bar.
“I heard about your adventure.” Colleen winked at Linda. “You’re lucky you made it out with only a twisted ankle.”
Linda laughed. “Apparently, one does not run from bears.” She threw her hands in the air. “Who knew?”
Mitch set her wine glass on the table. “Now, if it’s a grizzly that’s a different story.”
“Now you tell me.” Raising an eyebrow, Linda cocked her head. “What do you do if you encounter a grizzly?”
Mitch winked at Matt. “Bend over and kiss your—”
“Mitch, sweetie, where have you been?” A tall, thin woman with a bouffant of bleached blond hair piled on her head descended on their table, her strong voice drowning out the nearby conversations.
Still standing, Mitch bussed the woman on the cheek. “Waiting for you, babe. When are you taking a ride on my Harley?”
The woman giggled. “I might take you up on that, young man. You come over here and say hello to the girls. I haven’t seen you in forever.” She clutched his arm and pulled him out of his chair.
Mitch gave Linda an apologetic look. “I’ll be right back.”
“Go, go.” As she waved him off, Linda caught Colleen’s gaze.
Colleen took a sip of wine. “The blond is Bart’s wife. She loves Mitch. Says he makes her laugh.” She rolled her green eyes and leaned toward Linda. “She should get her laughs from her husband, if you know what I mean.”
Helga appeared with a plate of hors d’oeuvres. “Wie geht’s, Colleen.”
“Sehr gut, Helga.” Colleen’s gaze returned to Linda. “I spent two tours in Germany. Helga helps me with my German. I’ve forgotten a lot.” She turned and asked Helga a question in German.
Left alone, Linda found herself studying the room. Kat Marino, the German professor, and her husband Alex, the creator of the California Dream in her glass, laughed heartily as they listened to the head of the language department, Earl Landauer, tell a story, his hands gesticulating wildly. Helga’s husband Frank, the head of the information technology department whose office was down the hall from Linda’s, stood in line at the hors d’oeuvres table next to Matt.
Mitch, still in the grip of the tall blond, stood at a table made up entirely of women, all laughing at a story he was telling.
A bell rang and the hubbub subsided. Students hurried to serve the main course buffet at the back of the room.
Mitch came back to the table. “Sorry I left you so long.” He slumped into his seat and shook his head. “Becky is a hoot.”
“You’re a regular party in a bottle, aren’t you?” Linda plucked a roll from the basket. Becky was probably at least ten years older than she and Mitch but still…to steal someone’s date.
Mitch threw out his hands. “I couldn’t escape. She kidnapped me.” He handed her a bowl of butter pats. “Why don’t I get your dinner? Would you like chicken or ham?”
Annoyed at being confined to her table, Linda pushed back her chair, determined to at least go through the buffet under her own steam. “I’m capable of getting my own meal, Mitch.”
Mitch grabbed the back of her chair, preventing her from rising. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re still limping.”
“He’s right, Linda.” Colleen stood. “I’ll get your salad.”
Again, Linda sat alone at the table as the faculty lined up to go through the buffet, laughing and joking. Feeling somewhat like a fifth wheel, she stared at the California Dream in her wine glass and wondered if a Jersey girl dared have a California dream. Probably not.
A woman pulled out Mitch’s empty chair and plopped down. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
Staring at the woman, Linda tried unsuccessfully to place the woman so she pasted on a smile. “Have we met? I’ve met so many people the last few weeks everything runs together.” The deeply tanned woman looked about her age with short, frosted blond hair.
The woman shook her head, causing long silver earrings to swing back and forth. “No, we haven’t met. I work in Health Services. I’m Donna.” Crossing her arms in her lap and leaning back in the chair, she peered at Linda.
Wondering why the woman thought she would recognize the name, Linda continued to smile. “Nice to meet you, Donna. I’m Linda Lafferty. I’m afraid I haven’t had time to visit Health Services yet.”
The woman glanced over her shoulder. “My husband is the one talking at the table in the corner.” She shrugged. “He is a salesman which accounts for all the talking, I suppose. Anyway, we have two children now, ages three and four.”
Linda nodded. Maybe if she limited her answers, the woman would go away. “How nice.”
“As I was saying, I never thought I’d see the day. Mitch Collins, dating a woman over forty.” She barked out a laugh. “Glad to know I didn’t ruin him for you.”
Linda glanced at the woman’s long, painted fingernails and the ridiculously large diamond on her left hand. She still wasn’t sure what the woman was talking about but, in less than five minutes, knew she didn’t care for the woman. For one thing…how dare the woman assume she was over forty? She only had a couple gray hairs. And eve
n so…to voice the assumption. How rude could she be?
“You don’t know who I am, do you?” One corner of the woman’s mouth curved up in a half smile and her eyes narrowed. “I used to date Mitch.”
Linda’s stomach did a dizzying flip. Maybe Mitch wasn’t as smart as she thought he was.
****
Mitch was talking with Matt and dipping a spoon into a bowl of ranch dressing when he happened to glance up and see Donna perched on the edge of his chair, talking to Linda. His response died on his lips.
Matt, across from him in the buffet line, continued. “As soon as my niece takes her place with the Berk Family Almond Grove, I can sit back and relax like you, Mitch.” He moved along, his gaze on the many dishes before settling on the prime rib at the end of the table. “I can’t imagine having only one job. Man, I can’t wait.”
His gaze on Linda, Mitch stalled, his hand still holding the salad dressing ladle.
“Did you hear me?” Matt snapped his fingers in front of Mitch’s face.
“What did you say?” Mitch placed the spoon back in its container.
“What happened to you, buddy? You’re as white as a sheet.”
Mitch ducked his head and concentrated on the food in front of him. “I’m good, man.”
Matt joined his wife who waited at the end of the buffet line and started back toward the table.
Mitch stood out of the way of the crowd near the fruit salad and watched as Donna left the group’s table. Linda looked down at her lap, smiled at Matt and Colleen when they returned to the table, and then caught his eye.
Mitch’s heart sank. She didn’t look happy. He started across the room.
“Professor.” Mrs. McDowell’s voice rang out. “Would you be so kind as to bring me a glass of wine?”
Mitch glanced at Linda, adding dressing to her salad, and then back at Bart’s wife. Apparently, Bart was nowhere to be found. “Of course, Becky.” He set Linda’s plate in front of her and when she looked up, he smiled. “Be right back, Linda. Mrs. McDowell put me to work again.” He touched her arm. “I’ll just be a minute.”
His delivery complete, he returned to the table. Linda was engrossed in a conversation with Matt about the campus gardens. If he didn’t know better, he would say she was avoiding talking with him. He picked at his chicken and finished his beer. When he finally caught her gaze, he breathed a sigh of relief and gave her a tentative smile.
“Are you ready to go?” Her mouth set in a thin line, Linda set her napkin on the table and pushed back her chair.
Her question caught him by surprise as disappointment flooded through him. “Sure, if you are. Don’t you want dessert?” The smile she favored him with looked forced.
Reaching for her purse, Linda shook her head. “Not tonight, thank you.”
Walking alongside Linda as they left the dinner, Mitch searched his brain for something he had said that had caused happy Linda to turn back into the ‘pleased to meet you’, formal Linda. All he could figure was Donna must have said something. Except for the oldies music from the radio, the drive home was silent. When he pulled in front of her condo, he turned off the radio.
“Thank you. I had a lovely time.” Before he shifted into Park Linda had the door open and one foot on the curb.
“Wait, I’ll help you.” Mitch jumped out of the car and ran around to the passenger side.
“I can do it, Mitch.” She set one foot on the pavement and attempted to lever herself out of the low-slung car. Halfway out, she lost her grip on the door frame and fell back into the car. With narrowed eyes, she looked at Mitch. “Apparently, I need your assistance.”
Smiling, Mitch reached for her hands and pulled her upright. “Why do you make things so difficult?”
Finally stepping up onto the sidewalk, Linda fussed with her small clutch, opening and closing the clasp. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Snip, snap.
“Sure you do.” Mitch hovered, ready to catch her if she tripped on the sidewalk.
“I am a grown woman, fully capable of taking care of myself. I’ve been on my own for years. I’m not Donna, Mitch.” She whirled and, with a pronounced limp, hurried to the little covered stoop. Snip, and she reached into the small clutch and pulled out her keys. Snap.
“I knew it.” He stared at her face in the darkness of the small front stoop. “What did Donna say to you?”
“What do you think she said?” Fumbling at the door, she swore under her breath. The keys slipped out of her hands and landed with a jingle on the red, white, and blue WELCOME mat.
“How would I know?” He bent over and picked up the keys.
Lips pursed together like a red Christmas bow, Linda held up her palm and rubbed her fingers together.
Holding the two keys above her palm, Mitch took one look at the pursed lips and closed his fingers around them. As long as she couldn’t escape into her condo, he had a chance to make things right. “What did Donna say to you?” If Linda’s lips got any tighter, he’d need a pry bar to get them open.
Crossing her arms, she stared at his car.
When her gaze swept back to his face, Mitch took a step back. With a start, he flashed back to her Rambo imitation the day she came to his office looking for Austin.
“She said if I could ‘snag’ you I was a better woman than she was. Is that what you think about all women over forty? All we want from life is to snag a husband? Well, let me tell you something, mister.” Linda leaned forward, her light blue eyes blazing and her lips tight. “I’ve had a man, and I’ve had a child, and I’m better off without the man. So don’t flatter yourself thinking all women are out to dress you up in a tuxedo and park you in front of a preacher.”
Mitch crossed his arms and looked down his nose. “I don’t.” Even as the words came out of his mouth, his conversation with Matt about older women haunted him.
“She also made a point of reminding me I’m over forty. What kind of rude person does that? How could you have wanted to marry a woman like her?” Her shoulders hunched, hands in the air, and eyes wide, Linda continued. “Besides, now I realize your occupation isn’t much different than Roger’s. An actor is paid in lump sums and you’re paid biweekly. Big deal. You’re both just entertainers.”
“I don’t believe this. You still think Leisure Studies is having a good time, don’t you?” Mitch rubbed his chest, trying to ease the burning and blaming the onions in his salad, although the topic of this conversation wasn’t helping things much. How had this argument switched from Donna’s comments to his occupation?
“Well, isn’t it?”
“No!” In his frustration, Mitch squeezed his fingers into fists. Linda’s keys bit into his palm. “Leisure Studies is hospitality and recreation all tied up together. The program helps people enjoy their lives, enjoy their families.” He threw the keys in the air and caught them with a jingle of metal. Irritation at having to defend his occupation to this woman ran through him.
“You’re a good one to talk. When was the last time you talked to your father? You wouldn’t know family if it slapped you in the face.”
Linda’s comment cut deep. Pressing his lips tight, he shot her a calculating look. “Unlike you finance people, where it’s all about the bottom line.” He crossed his arms and pretended to talk to the porch post. “Oh, sorry, fella, we’re out of money. You’re fired! No worry about making people happy in that scenario, is there, Linda?” When he saw the shock on her face, Mitch wondered if he had gone too far. He held out a hand, palm up. “Linda—”
Linda plucked the keys from his limp hand and opened the front door. In her hurry to enter the hallway, she stumbled over the threshold.
Mitch caught her around the waist and turned her around to face him. “Linda, I didn’t mean—”
Linda placed both hands against his chest, her voice rising. “Get your hands off me and leave me alone.” She gave him a shove. “Now go!”
“I never wanted to marry her. That was the issue! Aw, shoot.
” Mitch waited until he was sure she had her balance before backing up a step.
Linda leaned on the table next to the door, hopped to one side, and slammed the door in his face.
Chapter Seven
Mitch leaned on the wide, wooden deck railing and puffed on a fresh cigar. The tip glowed red in the gathering darkness and the pungent aroma of the cigar warred with the overpowering fragrance of the pines. The last Friday of August and Mitch had managed to corral the usual gang for a long-overdue poker game. The previous Friday, the first of their two-week break, Matt and Colleen had flown to Arizona for a romantic morning ride in a hot air balloon. Matt had informed Mitch of every sickening-sweet detail. Jeez.
Only Doug, the middle Marino brother, and coincidentally the only other unmarried member of their group, had been available. Two guys didn't make for much of a poker game.
So, this Friday night he waited on the deck of his log home puffing an aromatic cigar and listening to the rustlings in the surrounding pines. Nothing like a good poker game to get your mind off your troubles. He’d waited exactly one week before calling Linda in her office, only to be intercepted by guard dog Anna. The second time, he brought Anna a box of chocolates which she accepted…right before she chased him out of the office. He used to like Anna, too.
With a crunch of gravel, Doug’s sports car pulled up to the bottom of the steps followed a minute later by the Berk Family Almond Groves truck.
Doug and his older brother Alex eased out of the tight quarters of the low-slung vehicle, leaving younger brother Tony to extricate his muscular frame from the tiny confines of the back seat. “We should’ve brought the SUV, more leg room.”
“Not as much fun,” Doug threw over his shoulder as he mounted the steps. As quiet as he was in public, he was just the opposite in the court room.
Mitch had gone once to hear him argue a case and been suitably impressed with the man’s legal skills. If he ever got in trouble, Mitch wanted Doug Marino on his side. He grasped the man’s hand as he reached the deck. “Good to see you, Doug. Been a while. Is Rob coming?” Rob Roberts, Matt’s brother-in-law and Doug’s law partner, rounded out the regular poker gang.
A Silver Lining Page 8