by JoAnn Durgin
“Only that she needs to be back in her office before next week and it’ll take the rest of this week to drive. She also thinks I need some time alone to think things through and being on the road might give me that time. I suppose she’s right.”
“Things?”
He breathed out a breath. “I know I’ve joked about it, but I never expected to like you as much as I do. You’re an incredible woman, the type of woman I’ve wanted and needed in my life all along. Now that I’ve found you, I don’t know what to do. You’re based here in Houston and don’t like New York. I’m in New York with no plans or desire to move to Texas. And, frankly, I don’t think I’d do well with a long-distance relationship.”
“Well, then, why are we even talking about it?” When Cassie started to rise to her feet, he reached out a hand to stop her. After a few seconds, she sat down beside him again.
“I don’t want to lose you, Cassie.”
“You won’t lose me,” she said, her voice quiet. “We can remain friends. We have the bond of TeamWork and—in spite of a rousing brouhaha every now and then—we love each other. Sam mentioned the mission they’re starting to plan for next year. So, if neither one of us is attached, maybe we can get reacquainted then.” Her tone was flat and lacked enthusiasm.
“As in longer than a year from now?” Mitch shook his head. “You can’t be serious. Sorry, but that doesn’t wash. I need to see you before then.”
“I hate to point out the obvious, but you don’t want to fly.”
“I can drive or I can take the train, bicycle, skateboard, hot air balloon, pogo stick. How about you? Are you willing to come to New York?”
Her cheeks flushed. “I’ve never been much of anywhere.”
“Then how can you say you don’t like New York?”
Cassie ran a hand through her long hair, tousling it, and the action momentarily distracted him. “I never actually said that. You misinterpreted my statement to Amy after you first arrived. I’m sure New York is a fascinating city, but it’s so. . .big. Huge, actually.”
“That’s kind of ironic, considering what they say about Texas.” He didn’t want to remind her that she’d been attacked here on her home turf, so to speak. “Crime and crazy people are everywhere, but you can’t let that stop you. We have to step out in faith every day, right? I guess the main thing here is whether you want to see me again, Cassie. If you do, then we can try and figure out how we can make this relationship work between us.”
Mitch waited, and when she didn’t answer right away, his pulse skidded to a grinding halt.
Shifting toward him, Cassie drew up her knees and clasped her hands around them. “Don’t you get it?”
His brows rose. “I guess I don’t. Men can be clueless. Can you give me a hint?”
“Mitch, I like you so much it scares me. But, I have to wonder, is it just because you’re new and exciting? I’ve never met a man like you. You’re different in so many ways, but it’s a good different.”
“Not exactly what a guy wants to hear, but if you say the word sophisticated, I might have to kiss you to make you quiet.”
“Tempting,” she said, her humor resurfacing and making him smile.
“What are you saying? We should give it some time?” He didn’t like that any better. That was a non-answer if ever he’d heard one. “How much time?”
“I don’t know any more than you do. I don’t see how anything lasting can develop when there’s so much distance between us. Geographically, I mean. Like sixteen hundred miles or something.”
“Trust me, I know. Don’t remind me.” His jaw was set hard, his voice strained. Fight for her. Fight for the right to pursue a relationship with her. “What I’m asking is that you give me a chance, Cassie. Give us a fighting chance at making a go of this relationship. We started something between us this weekend, and I’m not about to end it before we have the chance to see how truly great we can be together long term. That would be the greatest mistake of all.”
Her expression was one of curiosity. “Why?”
Although Cassie sat inches away, Mitch felt her deep sigh. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t want to lose my chance with you because of my own stupidity.” His voice caught on that last part. He couldn’t help it, but neither could he worry about appearing like the fool. While he waited for her response, his heart raced like it hadn’t since he’d taken that leap down from Landon’s plane.
“It’s not like I mock-marry guys all the time, you know, and I don’t currently have any better offer on the table.” Her coy grin belied her words. Ah, yes, he’d found his solid footing again.
“Come here.” His voice had turned husky. Hauling her into his arms, Mitch kissed her. “You are so lovely,” he whispered, pouring his affection for her into the kiss without deepening it like he wanted. It was too soon, and he didn’t want to risk losing her before he had the opportunity to earn her love. How easy it would be to fully immerse himself in this woman’s softness. After brushing another gentle kiss across her lips, he smiled. “Is that enough to convince you?”
She widened her eyes. “I think so, yes.”
Mitch dropped a light kiss on the tip of her nose. “You are addictive. I hope you’ll be prepared for the onslaught of emails, telephone calls, text messages—”
“Okay to the first two, but I don’t text. Don’t like it.”
“No texts. I can live with that.” Pulling her up by the hand, they leaned against the tree, side by side. The breeze ruffled through the trees and it looked like a storm might be brewing off to the south.
“I know guys like to be logical,” she said. “You want to know the path between Point A and Point B.”
“And women use maps and ask for directions. Your point?”
“I think we need to see what happens—”
“Naturally, you mean?” He winked, enjoying her blush. “Then be prepared for a thorough wooing, Miss Thorenson.”
“I can live with that.”
Chapter 24
Cassie counted it a miracle she could concentrate on her work when she finally made it to the catering office. Lining up workers for several upcoming events and confirming food orders kept her busy and her mind occupied. She knew Mitch had gone with Kevin to take Amy and Landon to the airport, and then they planned to swing by the TeamWork office to meet Sam and Josh who’d transported Marc, Natalie and Gracie to the airport.
Lexa breezed into the office later in the afternoon and told her there’d been some serious fence mending at the house, especially between Josh and Marc. What a relief. Cassie followed Lexa into her office, taking a report to her.
“Don’t let the guys fool you, Cassie.”
“What do you mean?”
Lexa motioned for her to have a seat in one of the armchairs facing her desk. “Marc and Sam developed a special kinship in Montana. Before that, Josh and Sam had been close friends for years until the San Antonio work camp. Now, Josh is working alongside Sam and they have a restored relationship. Better than ever. Let’s just say Marc and Josh are rather wary of one another.”
“Are you saying there’s a rivalry of some kind between Marc and Josh. . .” Cassie wasn’t sure how to phrase the question.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. It’s not much different than two little girls fighting over the right to be best friends with a third girl.” Lexa smiled. “Our big strong men would deny it, but I think there’s jealousy there and the desire to be the winner in some kind of crazy contest for Sam’s loyalty. As far as Natalie, her personality changed a bit since she suffered from the amnesia. It’s difficult to explain. She’s still the same and yet she’s a little more hot-tempered, as evidenced by this morning’s events.”
“Could be Marc’s influence,” Cassie said.
“Agreed.” Lexa moved aside some papers on her desk and checked her calendar. “Marc’s always had a strong personality. Most men in his position of authority and control do, but he learned
the valuable lesson in Montana that—in order to win back Natalie—he had to surrender all.”
“At the throne of grace.”
“Exactly.” Lexa smoothed a hand over her brow. “What a morning, huh? But it was good in a lot of ways. I believe we’ll all be stronger for having gone through it.”
“Papa Bear okay?”
Lexa’s eyes softened. “He was shaken up, but it served to reinforce our humanity and the sovereignty of the Lord’s leading in our lives.”
“You and Sam make a great team, Lexa. Thanks for all you do.”
Lexa’s eyes were moist. “Thank you, sweet girl. You and Mitch okay?”
“I think we will be, although I have no idea what the future will bring.”
“None of us do, but that’s where faith and trust come into play. Mitch is a good man, and it’s plain to see how much he cares about you.”
Cassie lowered her gaze. “I don’t have much experience when it comes to men, and I’m not sure I can trust these feelings.”
“Remember, I was pretty much standing where you are now when Sam picked me up for my first work camp. I didn’t know what to think of this tall, inquisitive cowboy who exasperated and yet attracted me at the same time. Trust me, God will work out the details.”
Lexa blew out a breath. “And now I need to put together the monthly expenditure spreadsheet and hope two plus two equals four.”
~~**~~
Mitch waited outside the house when Cassie pulled the car to the curb. She tossed him the keys as she hurried around the car to the passenger side. His smile was thanks enough. Oh, the man looked gorgeous in a red sweater, jeans and dark jacket. Must be part of the new wardrobe he’d bought at the mall. She navigated and he drove them to a favorite local pizza place where they shared a large pepperoni and sausage pizza. He made a crack about not eating garlic, and she promptly stuffed a pepperoni in his mouth to make him quiet.
As they ate, Mitch told her more about his work, stressing how he helped people secure their financial future. In a way, what Mitch did for a living sounded similar to Sam and Lexa’s financial planning careers before Sam had joined TeamWork full-time. She found it incredibly endearing how Mitch wanted her to understand his job. As if he somehow wanted her approval.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me,” she told him, glimpsing relief in his expression. “If you’re happy in your job, that’s the most important thing.” He grew quiet and sadness flitted over his features, making Cassie wonder if he missed his medical career. From all indications, that had been his first love, his great, deep passion.
“How about ice cream for dessert?” she suggested as they finished the pizza.
“The place you were telling me about? Sounds like a plan,” he said.
“Well, now, who do we have here?” Cassie hid her smile at Bea Richardson’s question as the bell on the front door sounded of the small ice cream shop. The owner surveyed Mitch with approving eyes from behind the counter. “Welcome to Richardson’s.”
“Bea, this is Mitch Jacobsen. Mitch is Amy Warnick’s brother and he lives in New York.” Cassie knew Bea didn’t know Amy as well, but she’d met all of Sam’s volunteer crew at some point. She was an honorary member of TeamWork with a plaque on the wall to prove it. She doted on Lexa and Sam, Winnie and Josh and all their kids, treating them like her own family.
“Any friend of Cassie’s is a friend of mine. Tell me what kind of ice cream you like, Mitch. I made a fresh batch of cookie dough ice cream tonight, if that interests you.”
Mitch turned to her. “Since we already shared a pizza, would you care to share a banana split with me?”
“Extra hot fudge and two cherries and you’ve got yourself a deal.”
Sitting next to one another at one of the round tables, they acted silly, spooning bites of the dessert and then feeding one another. They kept their conversation light. Cassie didn’t want to think about saying good night to him. Good night meant good-bye for now, something she didn’t want to say.
“Mitch is head over heels for you,” Bea whispered after Cassie grabbed extra napkins at the counter. “How long have you known him?”
Cassie hesitated. “Not long although I first met him at Amy and Landon’s wedding.”
“It’s a pity he lives so far away. My late husband and I kept up a long distance romance for a while.” Bea’s eyes misted with her long ago memories. “I met him when my parents sent me to visit my grandparents in California when I was seventeen. Bob was two years older and stole my heart in two days’ time. He was tall, handsome and funny and I’d never met anyone like him before. I didn’t want to leave him at the end of my two-week visit. I cried and clung to him like a blame fool, but I didn’t care. The minute I met him, I knew he was the man God planned for me. We fit.” She smiled. “Turns out, Bob thought the same thing about me. Good thing, too.”
“How did it all work out so you could be together?”
“We wrote letters back and forth for a year. My Bob couldn’t write a postcard to save his life, but he wrote novels to me. Mushy stuff even though he wasn’t a real emotional man.” Bea’s cheeks flushed with color.
Cassie darted a glance at Mitch. Giving her a smile, he gestured to the banana split.
“I won’t keep you from Mitch, honey, but long story short—Bob worked in his daddy’s ice cream shop and saved up enough money for a down payment on a house. He came to Texas a little over a year after we’d first met. Then he proposed and we married two months later. He decided he liked Houston and didn’t want to take me away from my family, so we saved up to buy this shop. Took us a few years, but Bob loved the people contact and getting to know his customers. When the kids came along, we put them all to work learning the trade. Been here in this location going on forty years now.”
“That’s such a great story, Bea.” She’d known Bea for years but never knew that part of her story. Bob had been gone for over a decade, and Bea had poured her considerable energies into the continuing success of the popular shop. The Lord had blessed her with several children and grandchildren, all living nearby, some of whom also worked in the shop.
Bea patted her hand and gave her an empathetic smile. “If it’s meant to be, God will help make it happen. Keep your eyes on Him, child. He’ll show you the path.”
~~**~~
Mitch smiled when Cassie pulled him by the hand after they returned to the house.
“Where are you taking me now? A walk around the park?”
“No, but it’s time you met another member of the TeamWork family.”
Walking to the back of the Lewis home, Cassie led him to a one-car garage. “This is the place where Sam and Lexa send feuding couples to talk.” She shot him a look. “Not that we’re feuding.”
When she started to lift the garage door, he rushed forward to help her. “Let me do that.” As soon as she turned on the light and he caught a glimpse of the car inside, he laughed. “This has to be the famous bomb. Wow. I had no idea it was still around.”
“This is it, all right.” Cassie ushered him inside, leaving the garage door open. Walking to the passenger door, she opened it and waved her hand. “Have a seat, please.”
“Am I in trouble?”
“Not at all.”
“You did say feuding. I was hoping it was more like a place. . .” He ran a hand through his hair and gave her a sheepish grin. “Never mind.”
“It’s cold out tonight, and this is the most private place around.”
“Then let me close the garage door to keep the heat inside.”
“Good idea.” She scooted around to the driver’s side while he closed the door and then joined her in the car.
“So, this is the bomb.” Mitch smoothed his hand over the black leather seat.
“Sam had it restored and they take it out on the open road every now and then. For old time’s sake, I guess. He drove this car for years and it played quite a role in his relationship with Lexa in that San Antonio work camp.”<
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Cassie twisted to face him. In doing so, the bottom of the long, flowery top she wore under her jacket got trapped beneath her leg. Her face scrunched into a frown, and she was adorable in her discomfiture as she wiggled to free it. As she tugged on it, she somehow managed to whack her chin with her hand.
Mitch couldn’t stop his chuckle. “Are you okay? Need some help over there?”
“I’m fine,” she said with a quiet grunt. “The clown show’s over. Time to be serious now.” She composed her features. “I was, um, hoping you’d tell me more about your medical career. I’d really like to know if you don’t mind telling me. I think it’d help me understand you better.” She lowered her gaze and twisted her hands in her lap. “We’ve shared a lot, but there’s still a lot to learn.”
Mitch wasn’t sure he wanted to talk about it, but he’d more or less promised he would. If he clammed up now, he’d be doing her a disservice. Hurting both of them in the long run and any possible relationship between them. He wanted her to know everything about him, and this was a big part of his history and the man he’d become, for better or worse. “Okay, you asked for it.” He blew out a breath. “I went to Harvard undergrad, economics major and pre-med.”
Cassie didn’t blink. “That actually makes perfect sense.”
“The sad truth, Cassie, is that I almost killed a patient in the second year of my residency.”
“I think the key word in that sentence is almost.” When she reached for his hand, Mitch laced their fingers together. If she’d resisted, shied away from him, he wasn’t sure how he’d have handled it. Not well, most likely. Cassie seemed to believe in him, and that meant the world. “Will you tell me about it?”
“I ordered a drug to be administered to a patient without first checking to see if he was allergic to other medications. He went into shock and we almost lost him. He survived, but he sued the hospital and that was the sad and quick end of my illustrious medical career.”
“Wouldn’t the nurse have checked the chart?”