“Oh, come on, Mitch, if that’s who you are, then own up to it. The lingerie you were given the first day I met you was for somebody.” The cloth-handled bag he’d received from the blond had been in the back of her mind since the first day they met. Her curiosity finally won out.
Mitch nodded as he pushed away his plate. “True.” He wrapped his fingers around the beer bottle. “The lingerie was for Matt’s wife. Colleen’s sister, Wendy, used to be in the lingerie business before she hooked up with Tony Marino and ended up in the wine business. Wendy decided to get a Master’s in Leisure Studies, so we became friends. Matt asked Wendy to give me the lingerie so he could surprise Colleen. It was some kind of—” he threw a hand in the air, “—anniversary, who knows, two and three quarters years or some such thing…those two are always celebrating something.” He stared out the window.
Linda studied the man sitting across the counter. Not the answer she had expected. How could she have been so wrong about him? There was a kindness about him he kept well hidden, except from his closest friends. Heart melting, she slid a hand across the counter and squeezed his fingers. “I misjudged you. I’m sorry, Mitch.”
Mitch shrugged his shoulders. “No biggie, Linda. It’s my own fault. I’ve created this persona and I’m stuck with it.”
Linda gave an answering shrug. “Only if you want to be, Mitch.” She refilled her wineglass. “People reinvent themselves all the time. Celebrities and politicians do it, why can’t we?”
Mitch nodded. He tapped her wine glass with his beer bottle. “To reinvention.”
Linda nodded. “To reinvention.” She sipped and savored the crisp wine. “Shall we go out on the deck?”
Mitch stood and reached for their plates. “Wendy suggested I pair the wine with cheesecake. Would you like some?”
The man had put a bit of planning into this evening. The dog, the geranium, the steaks…and now cheesecake paired with the California Dream. For once, she was being fussed over…and she liked the feeling. “Sounds good, Leroy. Are you having some?”
With a shake of his head, he chuckled. “Cheesecake doesn’t pair well with beer.”
They put the dishes in the dishwasher and carried their drinks and Linda’s cheesecake out to the deck, where they settled into a cushioned glider to watch the sun set. When Mitch put his arm around her Linda relaxed against his chest.
She held up her fork with a chunk of cheesecake. “You bought Philadelphia-style cheesecake. Have you tried it?”
“Not in a long time.” The expression on Mitch’s face was a combination of delight and disbelief. “You’re letting me eat off your fork?”
Linda lifted the fork to his open mouth. “I figure the alcohol killed any germs.” She planted a quick kiss on his lips. “Besides, I’m probably immune to you after our trip to the woods.”
Mitch squeezed her shoulders. “I think I like this. Feed me some more.”
“One more and then you get your own.” Linda smiled at the disconsolate look on his face as he slid the morsel off her fork. “Austin would be shocked if he could see us now.”
Shutting his eyes, Mitch enjoyed the dessert before replying. “Your son is quite the young man. You’ve done a good job raising him by yourself.”
“Roger tried. He would call, send things… And of course Austin is the spitting image of his father.” Linda thought back to Roger’s impromptu visit. The co-eds had clustered around the actor much like…she glanced at the masculine hand draped over her shoulder…much like they had the day Mitch walked her to the cafeteria. “I’m so glad he didn’t get bit by the acting bug. I hope he stays in something sensible like engineering.”
Jonesy trotted over and put his chin on Linda’s knee.
She rubbed his head. “He’s well-behaved for a stray.”
Mitch reached over to pet the dog and their hands touched. He looked at her, a question in his eyes and a smile on his lips. “Think we’ll see fireworks tonight?”
Goosebumps appeared on Linda’s arms as she remembered their adventure in the woods, the fireworks when they kissed. She rubbed her arms vigorously and sighed. “I don’t think so.”
Mitch slapped a hand over his chest. “You don’t want me to kiss you?”
Linda looked out at the woodsy surroundings. The smell of pine hovered in the air and the sun sent glorious rays or orange and pink into the sky. What was she doing? “I don’t—”
“Are you hesitating because I said I love you? Do the words bother you?” Mitch cupped her face, his gaze probing hers. “Is it so unbelievable? Do you still think I’m the irresponsible, careless professor?”
Linda pulled his hands from her face and wiggled backwards, her heart pounding at the serious turn the evening had taken. “No, I don’t think that at all. I admit, when I first met you, I had my doubts. You were carrying Matt’s lingerie bag, the girls were fussing over you, and—”
“—and I stole your French fry. That’s what this is about, isn’t it?”
Grateful Mitch had lightened the mood, Linda laughed. “Maybe. You did get into my space a bit too quickly for my sake.”
Mitch rubbed a thumb over her lips and leaned forward and whispered. “I like being in your space, Linda Lafferty. But I understand what you’re saying. It’s hard to trust someone after you’ve been burned.”
Linda nodded as she pondered his words. “We’ve both been burned.” She squeezed his hands.
Mitch’s face was solemn. “I think we might have something special here.” He stroked her lips with his thumb. “We can take it slow.” His eyes widened and he jumped up, setting the glider moving. “I almost forgot.”
“What?”
“I have a present for you.” He disappeared into the house.
Linda smoothed her hand over Jonesy’s head, realizing from the softness the dog had had a recent bath. “Now I’m getting presents, Jonesy. You understand, don’t you? Look at us. In the middle of our life and all of a sudden, everything changes. For you, it’s for the better. For me—”
“Are you talking to the dog?” Mitch reappeared, holding a large square object in both hands.
“We’re having a discussion about the meaning of life.”
Mitch stood holding a frame. “Have you seen the young woman who sometimes sits at the base of the mall, painting?”
“I have. I wondered what her story is.”
“Her name is Fleur. I met her through Wendy, too. She’s had a bit of a hard life, I think. Anyway, I saw this, and I thought you’d like it.” He turned the picture around and extended it, his fingers gripping the wooden frame.
Linda’s breath caught. The painting was of the garden behind her building, caught in the profuse flowering of mid-summer, with deep greens, bright reds and dazzling yellows.
After accepting the gift, Linda set the painting on her thighs and studied the careful brush strokes, the use of color to create mood. “The painting is beautiful. Look at the colors. She’s captured the essence of the garden perfectly.” The man continued to catch her by surprise. He had picked the perfect gift, knowing how entranced she was that first day with the garden. She set aside the painting and rose, reaching for Mitch’s arms. “Did you feel something that first day?” Her heart pounded, almost afraid to ask the question, realizing she was putting her feelings out there, leaving her heart exposed.
“When I opened the door and you saw the garden, you froze. Remember? I plowed into you and you went flying. Your eyes were full of wonder and I thought, what an amazing woman, that she can appreciate a place of beauty like this. Most people hurry by. But you stopped and took it in. I knew right then you were special.”
Linda tilted her head, a shiver of delight running through her. “You did?”
“Yea, I didn’t want to admit it. Kind of scared me.” He grinned, and looked away toward the pines.
Linda saw a glimpse of the devilish little boy he must have been. She leaned back in his arms. “I’ll bet you were an ornery little boy. Were you an onl
y child?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Yes, there’s only one of me, Linda. My mother used to say she couldn’t have handled another one.”
“You probably ran with scissors,” Linda teased, caught up in the moment.
“Have you tried it?” Mitch’s expression grew intense and his eyes twinkled as he held her tighter. “Running with scissors… it’s a hoot, Linda.”
He lowered his head, his lips so close she felt his breath.
“So, not interested in my kisses, hmm? Are you afraid of fireworks?” He kissed the side of her neck. “You won’t get burned, darling.”
Relaxed in his arms, Linda suppressed a shiver as his lips brushed across her skin. Placing her palm on his cheek, she brought his face into her line of vision and studied the man smiling down at her. Handsome and bronzed, with laugh lines radiating out from his eyes. She realized the man wasn’t the storm cloud after all. He was the silver lining.
Chapter Eight
Opening the attached agenda from her email, Linda hit the print button. The morning staff meeting started in fifteen minutes.
As the printer growled to life, a knock sounded. She lifted her gaze from the computer screen.
Austin stood in the open doorway, his hand poised to knock again. “Hi, Mom.”
“Austin, what a pleasant surprise. How are you, honey?” Noting how the navy and white Almond Valley College sweatshirt set off his dark hair, Linda wondered if all mothers thought their sons were exceptionally handsome.
Austin tossed his books on one of her chairs and settled into the other. “Good, how are you?”
“Good.” With a last look at her good-looking son, Linda picked up the agenda from the printer. When Austin didn’t continue, she glanced up and caught his gaze. “What?”
Austin shifted in his chair and looked around the room, his gaze fixing on first, the fern, and then, the printer as the machine clunked to a stop.
If she didn’t know better, she would guess Austin wanted to bring up a subject he wasn’t entirely comfortable with. His major? His father? Linda straightened, her fingers gripping the edge of her desk. “What’s the matter, Austin? You can tell me anything. I’m your mother.”
Austin laughed. “Why would you assume I’m in trouble, Mom? I’m eighteen years old. If you recall, you were the one to get into trouble in the Sierras, not I.” His lips twitching, he raised one dark eyebrow.
“Touché.” Linda smiled at her son’s teasing and focused on the agenda in her hands. Who knew letting go would be so difficult? Why didn’t someone put a chapter on almost-adult children in an owner’s manual handed out in the maternity ward? “Oka-ay, then what is on your mind this morning?”
Austin leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees. He looked down at his clasped hands and then up at her. His forehead wrinkled and he narrowed his eyes. “How are you and Professor Collins getting along?”
Expecting a question about anything but Mitch Collins, Linda’s mouth dropped open. The agenda slipped out of her fingers. Austin rarely noticed what she did or where she went. Of course, in the past, she’d never had much of a life outside of Austin. In LA, she was either at work or at home. Almond Valley College and the new job were a whole other world. Taking a deep breath, she leaned back in her chair. “I enjoy his company. Now that you’re in college and developing new—” she cleared her throat, “pursuits, I realize I should find outside interests too. I don’t want to cramp your style, Austin.”
Austin laughed. “Most freshmen don’t live with their mothers.” He looked at her, one dark eyebrow arched. “You know…”
Struggling not to overreact, Linda counted to ten before she answered calmly. “Are you saying you don’t want to live in the condo anymore?”
Austin leaned back and put up both hands. “Don’t get excited yet, Mom, I’m just saying we might want to consider the possibility in the future.”
“Telling your Mom not to get excited is like telling the wind not to blow. It’s a bear! It’s a freakin’ bear!” Mitch strolled into the room and shared a humorous glance with Austin.
Linda narrowed her eyes at Mitch, but the instant she caught his eye, she smiled. “Hey, who asked you for your opinion, Leroy?”
Austin stood and stuck out his hand. “Hello, Professor Collins.”
Mitch clasped his outstretched hand and tilted his head toward Linda. “She only calls me Leroy when she’s mad at me.”
“Hel-lo-o, I’m sitting right here.” Linda studied the two men. How did she get so lucky? Fighting back a smile, she stood and shooed Austin from her office. “We will talk later, dear, but right now, I have a meeting.” She stood on her toes and kissed her son on his cheek.
Austin gave Linda a one-armed hug. “No problem, Mom. You’ve answered my questions.”
“Love you, honey.” Unsure as to which questions she had answered for her son, Linda stood at the door and watched as he disappeared down the hall.
Mitch shut the door and then wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her neck. “You said I love you to Austin, now that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“I’ve known him eighteen years.” She twisted her head around until she could look him in the eye. “When I’ve known you as long…then maybe.” She fingered the collar of the crisp green shirt and lowered her gaze to the khaki pants. “Did you forget to do your laundry this weekend?” She twisted in his arms.
“Staff meeting. I thought I’d try a different look. You know, reinvent myself. What do you think?”
“I think you look extremely handsome.” She gave him a quick kiss on the lips and then shoved him away. “In fact, you’re distracting me. We have a meeting to attend.”
Mitch opened the door and waved a hand toward the wall. “You hung your painting.”
Linda followed his gaze to Fleur’s painting on the wall directly across from her desk. “Makes my office more homey, don’t you think?” The painting never failed to evoke warm memories.
They strolled down the hall and entered the president’s expansive conference room, passing Violet Rose on her way out, a bedraggled orchid clutched in her hand. They settled around the conference table.
Bart took off his coat. “Sorry it’s a little warm in here. Violet’s having some trouble with the orchids. She said the air conditioning isn’t good for some of the varieties we have.”
Sitting directly across the table, Mitch looked at Linda and rolled his eyes.
“Let’s begin. Frank, let’s start with you.” Bart looked at Frank Walls, who fingered his bow tie. “How’s the installation in the dining hall going?”
The discussion continued around the table, with each department discussing their latest projects.
Bart placed a manicured finger on an item on his agenda. “Linda hasn’t been here long, but she already has the big job of trimming the budget for the next fiscal year. Not a popular task, but one I’m sure she’s capable of handling.” He glanced up at her over his reading glasses. “We inherited a budget with no legs, Linda. I don’t want to pass the problem on to our students by raising tuition.”
Linda took a deep breath. “Nor do I, but I thought I had a few months yet.”
Bart cleared his throat, “We-ell, now you mention it…” His gaze shifted to Mitch, who straightened in his chair and shot a puzzled look at Linda. “Mitch, members of the board have been giving serious consideration to some cuts in your department. While I’m not happy with it, I don’t see there’s much else we can do.”
When Mitch’s gaze moved from Bart to Linda, she felt like she was tied to the tracks and a fast-moving train was on the way. What was the older man talking about? She broke the look with Mitch and addressed the president. “I thought we had plenty of time to settle on which areas to cut. This is only August.”
“The information was in the email I forwarded you, Linda.” He leaned back in his chair and drummed his fingers on the polished surface of the dark cherry conference table. “When the state budget was hel
d up, our projected increase was cut. You didn’t respond so I assumed you had nothing to suggest.”
Linda’s brain whirred drastically. What email? How did this happen? She looked across the table.
Mitch’s gaze focused on a pen he twirled in his fingers, his lips tight. A muscle thumped in his jaw.
“I don’t know about anyone else but I need a break.” Matt stood. “Do you mind, Boss?”
Bart waved a hand. “Good idea, Matt. Everyone help yourselves to coffee and then reconvene in twenty minutes.”
Linda remained stuck to her chair, her gaze on the muscle thumping in Mitch’s cheek.
When the room emptied, Mitch finally looked into her eyes. “You couldn’t give me a warning?”
Her chest tight, Linda leaned across the table. “Mitch, I didn’t know.”
Mitch’s jaw was tense. “He sent you an email.”
Linda stood and walked over to the window, staring out at the students. She clenched and unclenched her fists, struggling to remember an email. “I don’t know what he’s talking about but I can’t exactly tell the boss I never got his email. I’m still on probation, Mitch.” She turned enough to glance over her shoulder.
Mitch stood and held his body rigid. “All the same, Linda, you could have given me a warning. What happened to all that talk about trust?”
“I’m sorry, Mitch. Please don’t be angry.” The thought Mitch now doubted her intentions struck fear into her heart.
“I’m not angry, Linda, I’m disappointed. You still don’t get it. You think my life’s work is useless.”
The disappointed look on his face broke her heart, and she pressed a hand to her chest. When he stood, Linda thought for a moment he was coming closer to talk about the situation.
Instead, he strode from the room.
Linda sank into her chair and stared at the table top.
Frank Walls came in and set a cup of coffee at his seat.
Linda straightened. “Frank, how could I not see an email?”
“Maybe it got lost in the clouds when we transitioned from Judd’s account to yours.” He sat and stirred his coffee with a stick.
A Silver Lining Page 10