by Tina Leonard
He stood on her porch, holding a bottle of something that looked suspiciously like champagne. “Waiting for you, princess.”
“Oh, please. That line won’t get you in the door.” She walked up to him, eyeing the bottle with unease. “What do you want?”
“To talk to you.” He held up the champagne to ward off her protests. “Talk only.”
“We don’t require champagne to talk.” She’d had a glass of champagne at her party. Somehow it didn’t seem wise to combine more bubbly with heartbreak, no matter how much her every sense called out to give in and enjoy Mitch’s very exciting kisses.
“You’re right.” He smiled, and her resistance registered a devastating crack. “But Crystal, I would really like the chance to speak to you.”
She had to step closer to the front door so that she could mentally distance herself from temptation. “I…I have to work tomorrow. And I’ve celebrated enough, thank you.”
“To be honest, I wasn’t thinking about your birthday as much as I’m trying to bribe you.”
“Bribe me?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” He sighed. “I won’t deny I enjoyed kissing you tonight, Crystal. But when I went over to your folks’ house, your mother gave me a stern lecture about staying away from you. I realized she was right.”
Crystal was totally amazed. “I would have thought my mother would push you into my life.”
He shook his head. “Quite the opposite. She made me realize how inconsiderate I was to…force my attention on you. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I’m sorry.”
With a jolt of astonishment, Crystal knew she didn’t want Mitch to regret kissing her. In fact, just seeing him on her porch had given her a delicious sense of shivery pleasure. Not that she would allow herself to fall for him again, but the thought that he might still feel something from the past the same way she did was tantalizing. “So, if you’re not here to ravish me into a champagne haze, why are you here?”
“Do you mind if I come in? It’s something I’d rather discuss somewhere other than your porch.”
No way was she falling for this. Once he was inside her house, she might never get him out. He was still inside her heart, refusing to leave. “How about if I meet you later this week at the coffee shop?”
For once the smile left his face. “Crystal, look. I promised your mother I wouldn’t pursue you. I won’t. I would like to share your birthday with you, I won’t deny that. But I really need a favor from you.”
This from the man who’d dashed over to make certain she was only faint and not suffering a medical trauma. She sighed. “Can we agree on fifteen minutes, then? I really have to get up early in the morning.”
Mitch nodded, handing her the champagne. “I’ll set my watch. It’s got an alarm guaranteed to bring police running if I’m not gone.”
Rolling her eyes, Crystal unlocked the door. Three large bodies whistled through the opening, furry heads with enthusiastic tongues licking both her and Mitch, tails whipping their legs.
“No wonder you don’t want a man,” he observed. “You have your own ‘honey I’m home’ greeting squad.”
“Sit, Thor.” She pushed down a giant Great Dane that looked more horse than dog. “Sit, Igor. No, Nip. No nibbling on Mitch’s trouser leg.” The rest of the roll call was averted as she shooed the canine crew toward the back door.
“Why so many dogs?” he asked.
“Don’t you like dogs?”
“Perhaps in lesser quantities.”
“Good. I also have five cats and a few other selections from the pound.” She flashed him a smile. “See how ill-suited we are? So, my mother can relax.”
“Well—”
“And you can relax now. I’ll open your champagne for you.”
He let her have the bottle as he glanced down at his trousers. “I suppose I’m fortunate I’m only covered with dog hair. I could have lost a limb.”
“Oh, no. They’re very civilized.”
“All packs have their codes of honor, I guess, although I’m not certain I observed one with Barney, Frankie and Lincoln tonight.”
She wasn’t going to comment on his remark, even if she let herself wonder for a split second if he was somehow jealous. He walked into the kitchen as she readied the bottle. Just as she was about to remove the cork, he put warm hands over hers, helping lift it from the bottle.
A satisfying pop erupted, and a small puff of smoke rose from the opening. He removed his hands from hers, and shakily, Crystal filled a glass. “Cheers,” she said, handing it to him.
“None for you?”
“I don’t drink this late.”
“Come on, Crystal,” he said softly. “Let me toast you on your birthday.”
Reluctantly, she filled another glass. He held up his. “Happy birthday to a woman who deserves all the happiness she can find.”
She raised her eyebrows. “That’s sweet, Mitch. Thank you.”
They clinked glasses. Crystal barely sipped hers, but she watched Mitch over the rim. He never took his gaze from hers.
She felt magic try to stir her soul. She sternly commanded it to go away, putting her glass down on the counter as she broke eye contact.
“Kathryn said she was glad she came to the party. She said she had wanted to talk to you for a long time and just couldn’t make herself.”
Spears of panic went through Crystal’s soul. “It’s in the past. Besides, she seemed lonely.”
“She is. Her husband is divorcing her.”
“She’s pregnant!” Crystal exclaimed.
Mitch shrugged. “He found someone else.”
Crystal walked out into the living room and sank into a chair. “That’s what she meant by keeping a brave front?”
“Yeah. No one in the Valley knows yet, but most people are uncomfortable around her because they do know Tom was seeing someone else. They don’t know what to say.”
“It’s a very radical change to go from being the most popular girl to…” Crystal’s voice trailed off. An object of pity, and gossip. “Oh, my. I had no idea.”
“Well, your business is weddings and happy-ever-afters, not divorce. She confides in me because she doesn’t have many friends here anymore.”
“She always smiles so much.”
“Sometimes people smile the most when they’re in pain. Covers up the misery they don’t want anyone to see.”
Crystal could identify with that theory. She’d spent the whole evening smiling, not about to let anyone pity her. “So. About the favor you wanted to discuss? I think we have eight minutes left on your watch.”
The smile filtered slowly from his eyes. He took a deep breath. “You’re really the only person who can help me with this.”
Her heart started a slow, heavy pounding at the sudden seriousness in his expression. “What is it?”
“You know I have two sisters, Janet and Genie.”
She nodded.
“They’re both getting married.”
“Oh. Congratulations.” She lifted her glass but he shook his head.
“Not quite. My youngest sister is marrying someone my parents object to. As do I, actually.”
“Oh, my.” She lowered her glass to the table. “I’m sorry. But I don’t see how I can help you.”
“You run a bridal salon.”
“Yes, but—”
He edged forward on the seat. “I could suggest she come to your shop.”
“You want me to talk to her!”
“Crystal, it occurred to me tonight that you are the perfect person. You’re an older, unattached woman who clearly doesn’t see the need for a man in her life—”
“Don’t make it sound so stale! Ugh! What was that word you used earlier? Spinster?”
“Well, perhaps I spoke too soon. You’re happy. You’re successful. You’re independent, smart, and have wisely waited to meet the right man.”
Crystal found herself increasingly irritated by Mitch’s thought process. The last thing she wanted
was for him to admire her for her “spinsterhood”! “Maybe she’s in love with him. Perhaps they are right for each other.”
“This will be his fourth marriage. He’s forty-seven. Genie is twenty-two.”
She found herself empathizing with Mitch even though she didn’t want to. Stiffly, she said, “I don’t think Genie would listen to me, and even if she would, I couldn’t advise her against marriage if it’s what she wants.”
“Crystal, my parents are heartbroken,” he said quietly. “Imagine how much your family wants you to find the right person. If your mother has to cart in a truckload of old acquaintances to revive your dating life, she’ll do that, and she’ll even warn off anyone she no longer considers suitable. Such as myself.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t quite that way.”
“It was just that way. But I understood. After all, I’m asking the same thing of you. Just a little role modeling is all you’d have to do.”
It wasn’t the same thing as having to do something with Mitch. She wouldn’t have to spend time with him. One short conversation with his sister was all he was asking. Even though she felt pretty certain there was nothing she could do where Genie was concerned, neither could it hurt to talk to Genie. Right?
“I’d take you out to dinner,” he offered. “By way of thanks.”
“That won’t be necessary, Mitch.” Crystal stood. “If Genie wants to come by the shop, I’ll be happy to talk to her. If she’s amenable. But I promise no results.”
He stood, too. “Guess I have to leave now?”
“Yes. I think it’s best.”
Her mind was racing. She wanted Mitch to stay longer, but to allow it would be to risk letting her guard down.
“Do you think you’ll ever forgive me for what happened?” he asked huskily.
“I have.” She met his gaze evenly. “I think you’re a great guy. I just sense danger when you’re around.”
“Danger?”
“Yes. There are still some feelings pretty close to the surface, I’ll admit. And honestly, I don’t like the feeling.”
“Still want to forget me?” Suddenly, the devil-may-care smile was back.
“With all my heart.”
“Hmm. I think you need your heart examined.”
Her hand flew to her chest protectively. “Don’t you dare!”
He laughed outright. “Only with your permission. But I promise you’d enjoy it.”
“I doubt it.” More relaxed now that they were on the teasing terms that she could hide behind, Crystal let herself move past him to open the door. “I’m a very cautious woman. I don’t do dangerous things.”
He snapped his fingers as if he’d suddenly had a monumental idea. “A firmly rooted woman such as yourself sure would be good for my career. We should get married, Crystal.”
She laughed out loud at the ludicrous comment. “Why do you need a woman like that?”
“People want a model of responsibility opening up their chests. Surgery is a scary thing. They want a doctor with a pretty, devoted wife, and shiny-bright children. Stability. A portrait of marital bliss hanging in the office foyer. Instant respectability.”
“I hear your patient list is longer than a mile. You do just fine without a wife. Anyway, I’ll have to restrain myself to only one favor. I’ll talk to your sister, and pass on the proposal.”
“Are you sure? Once you’ve experienced your own wedding, you might have a better view of the process.”
“I’m enjoying the view from my shop. Thanks, though.”
He went onto the porch. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
“That’s basically what Barney said tonight. And Linc. And Frankie.”
Mitch scowled. “Well, don’t listen to them.”
“I’m not listening to any of you.” But his scowl made her smile.
A car pulled up next to Crystal’s and Mitch’s.
“Mother!” Crystal exclaimed.
“Uh-oh. She’s not going to be happy to see me here.”
“Wonder what she’s doing?” Crystal hurried toward the car.
“Trying to keep us apart, I think,” Mitch muttered.
All three of her relatives were in the car, but only her mother got out, emerging from the passenger side. “We brought you your flowers,” Bess said to Crystal. “Although I see we could have saved ourselves a trip and sent them with Mitch.” Her tone was accusing, a cross between annoyance and gotcha!
“Come on, sister,” Elle called from the back seat. “We’ve run our errand. We shouldn’t linger.”
They got back in the car and Uncle Martin drove off.
Crystal sniffed the flowers. “Lucky for you Mother doesn’t know you also gave me champagne for my birthday. I think she’s suspicious of you.” She smiled at him. “Flowers and bubbly. And to think that once upon a time all I dreamed of was a wrist corsage.”
His lips twisted, as if he wasn’t sure if she was teasing him or not. “It’s the least I could do.” He glanced after the departed car, his expression chagrined. “Think they’ll believe I was merely paying a house call on my patient?”
“No. But I won’t mention the situation with your sister.”
“They’ll think I’ve gone back on my promise not to romance you.”
“Did my mother really say that?”
He grinned. “She seemed to think I made the other guys look bad by comparison. I was flattered.”
“Won’t she be surprised when I choose Barney then?” Crystal asked teasingly.
Horror wiped the grin right off Mitch’s face. “You wouldn’t, would you?”
“He did say he’d cuddle me and protect me from the bad boogeys in life.”
Mitch snorted. “You’re too independent to be treated like a doll.”
Crystal found herself bristling at his know-it-all attitude. She didn’t want him to know her so well after all this time. And yet, they had been in love. It was a fact that had bruised her for years.
But she was over him. She would make sure she was. “Good night, Mitch.”
“Good night, Crystal.” He looked so disappointed as he walked to his car that she momentarily felt wistful. A good night kiss on her birthday would be the perfect ending…but she reminded herself of the danger of falling under Mitch’s spell again. She could not count on him. There was no guarantee. He was just as charming and courteous as ever—and that was the problem.
She would fall much harder than he would.
Thirteen years without him reminded her forcibly how foolish she would be to get even remotely close to a fire she couldn’t handle. He was handsome. He was wealthy. He was kind. He could have any woman he wanted.
He had not cared enough for her before. The chances of him being the type of man who’d let her down would be too great.
Someone like Barney Fearing—devoted, not so high on the Richter scale of sexy, and not quite so sure of himself—would be a far better choice for a woman who didn’t want to end up with a broken heart again.
She went back into the house and let the pack in. They surrounded her with joyful abandon. “I’m not interested in any human male,” she told them. “You guys have a reputation for loyalty and bending a listening ear at all the right times and being great company. I’m sticking with you!”
Three tails thumped gleefully.
“Whoever said you were man’s best friend had it all wrong,” she muttered as she walked back to her bedroom. They vaulted into her bed, assuming their usual lounging positions. The five cats headed to the top of the dresser and bookshelves.
Crystal brushed her teeth, took off her makeup and put on a T-shirt. She came out of the bathroom and eyed the canines taking up most of her bed. “Definitely no room for one more body here,” she said, sliding under the covers in the last available space. A doggy moat shifted around her feet. She sighed with relief. “Clearly there’s no breaching this fortress. I’m safe!”
“THE BOUNDER!” Uncle Martin exclaimed.
“Sca
lawag!” Aunt Elle agreed.
“Rogue. I should have known better than to think he was hearing a word I said to him.” Bess was completely annoyed by Mitch’s presence at Crystal’s house. “I meant to reintroduce Crystal into society, not reintroduce Mitch into her life. This is not going well.”
They sat in the kitchen, drinking tea. Elle laughed softly. “We can comfort ourselves that he was outside the house. She’s keeping him at arm’s length.”
“Where he belongs,” Bess muttered. “I’d be happier if he’d go back to his practice.”
She got up and stalked the kitchen, pacing the length of the black-and-white checkerboard tiling.
“There’s nothing we can do about it,” Martin said practically, tapping his pipe on a bowl. “It’s up to her to say no.”
“Crystal’s very good at that. I heard her say it all night long to Barney, and Linc, and Frankie,” Elle pointed out.
“Those muttonheads. Brawling over her as if she were a football.” Bess sniffed. “No wonder Crystal stays single in this town. I vote we return to our original plan of getting her out of Lover’s Valley for a while. Maybe send her to Paris on a buying spree. Surely she’d meet an intelligent—”
“Sister.” Elle cast a wary eye at her older sibling. “She has to tell Mitch no. This time, we stay out of it.”
Bess trembled, her mouth puckering in tiny lines. “I’m having an attack of conscience.”
She sat down and the threesome stared at one another. “Do you ever think that maybe I should tell her the truth?” she asked, her voice an agonized whisper.
Martin and Elle blinked at her.
“A mother’s conscience handles a lot over the years,” she told them. “It whispers endlessly to her over time. One tries to do the very best for her daughter, her only star, the light of her life. I thought…oh, dear,” she said, tears filling her eyes. “I don’t know if I can go any longer without telling Crystal that I was the reason Mitch didn’t show up for prom night!”
Chapter Six
“The trouble with Mitch,” Genie confided, “is that he’s just so old-fashioned! Beyond old-fashioned. Major fuddy-duddy, if you want to know the truth. No matter how much I love him, we just don’t see eye-to-eye on much of anything.”