When Sparks Fly (Pine Ridge Romance Book 2)

by Holly Stevenson

  She frowned. “What makes you say that?”

  “She told me. At Jade and Connor’s wedding.”

  She let go of his hand, trying to make sense of his words. “She talked to you about me?”

  He squinted and nodded once. “She knew you would want to quit to take care of her, and she doesn’t want you to do that.” He paused, looking down. “She asked me to talk to you about letting her go to a care facility.”

  “What?” Leah stood from the chair, disbelief and anger building in her chest. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He stood to face her. “I wanted to wait for the right time.”

  She crossed her arms, gathering her emotions around her like a protective shield. “I’m not sending my mother away. I won’t abandon her like that.”

  “Even if that’s what she wants?”

  She pressed her lips together, unwilling to answer. Her mother had talked to her about this plenty, almost every time she was lucid. And each time Leah shot the idea down. She couldn’t even bring herself to look at the brochure for the facility her mom had chosen after her initial diagnosis. How could a daughter turn her back on her mother like that? Leah couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t. And she couldn’t believe her mom had talked to Mitch about it—someone she’d barely met. What must he think, being roped into a conversation like this? She was angry at her mom, and hurt. All the insecurities of not taking good enough care of her surfaced, along with the reasons for not getting involved in a relationship.

  She felt the walls come up around her heart, cold and stony and unyielding. “You should leave,” she told Mitch, looking away from him. “I don’t have time to go out tonight. I need to wait until I hear back from Liv, and then I need to call crew support.”

  “I’ll wait with you,” he offered.

  “No.” She turned to him, forcing a steely expression. “Thanks, but I’d rather be alone right now. In fact—” She straightened her shoulders, “—I think it’s best if we end things now, before either of us gets hurt.”

  His eyes tightened and his forehead creased in confusion. “I can’t believe you’re saying this. Why are you pushing me away?”

  She hugged her arms tighter across her chest. “I already told you—so that neither of us gets hurt. If we try to pursue this, that’s how it will end.”

  He stepped closer. “Why? Who says it has to end like that? Who says it has to end at all?”

  “It just will.” She squeezed her eyes shut again and he put his hands on her arms.

  “Leah, it doesn’t have to—”

  “It will, okay?” she shouted, cutting him off as she backed out of his reach.

  Mitch stared open-mouthed at her outburst.

  She looked away, a tear slipping down her cheek as her chest heaved with emotion. “Early onset Alzheimer’s is genetic. It took my grandma’s life. It will take my mom’s.” She swallowed, her voice faltering. “The chances are good that I’ll get it too. And where would that leave the people I loved? A husband? Children? Those aren’t in the cards for me.” She shook her head, the anguish of the revealed secret leaving her raw and exposed. “I won’t put anyone through that. Not after knowing how much it hurts.”

  She should never have let her guard down. She should have stayed away from Mitch and spared him from this. The likelihood of her bleak future had always caused a dull sort of ache, but now that she’d given her heart to him, the disappointment seared like a scalding blade. She cared too much for him, which was exactly why she had to let him go.

  “So that’s what this is really about—the reason you push people away.” His eyes softened in understanding

  She nodded, wiping her tears with the backs of her hands. “I’m sorry, Mitch. I shouldn’t have let things go this far. It was selfish.” She blinked a few times and folded her arms again. At least now it wouldn’t be hard for him to walk away. There was consolation in that.

  He studied her for a long moment. “What if I don’t let you push me away?”

  Her breath caught. Hadn’t he heard her? Didn’t he realize what he would be giving up to be with her? She shook her head, convinced he didn’t understand. “That’s not an option. We aren’t an option.”

  His expression didn’t change. If anything, he looked more determined. Leah cringed and shifted her weight, already dreading the words she knew would cut him, but it had to be done. She leveled him with a cold stare. “We were never an option. We never talked about an official relationship. I thought you understood this was just a passing fling.”

  The determination in his eyes turned to hurt, and her heart squeezed.

  “I’m sorry I misunderstood,” he said finally, his voice quiet and even. “I thought what we had was much more than that.” He took a step closer, searching her face. “Something to cherish. Something to fight for no matter the cost.” He looked at the floor and then back at her. “But you were right about one thing: you are being selfish. You think you’re protecting others from loving you, but you’re really only protecting yourself. Because I’m in love with you, Leah. I can’t help it. And you’re not even willing to give me the chance to prove that love.”

  She stood, stunned and speechless. Her mouth opened, but his words had hit with such force that she couldn’t process a reply.

  He held her gaze, challenging her to say something.

  “I-I’m sorry I caused you pain,” she stammered, her heart throbbing at the disappointment that crossed his face like a shadow.

  “I’m sorry too,” he said, dropping his hands to his sides and stepping back. “I’ll show myself out.”

  Leah nodded, feeling helpless as she watched him turn and leave the room. In a few quick strides, he was gone. She slowly sank back onto the chair, numb with his loss. He’d told her he loved her, even after she’d explained about the likelihood that she would get Alzheimer’s.

  He loved her.

  She let the words sink into her heart before forcing them out again. Maybe he thought he loved her now, but he had no idea what it was like to lose the person you loved to this horrible disease. A fresh wave of tears threatened. She closed her eyes and covered her mouth with her hands, blowing out a deep breath.

  It was better this way.

  No matter what he thought about her motive, she was doing this for him. Eventually he would understand that. He would move on and find someone else and—

  She stopped this train of thought because it was too painful to contemplate. Instead, she stood and grabbed her phone, dialing Olivia again. She couldn’t sit around and wait. She needed to do something. And at the moment, worrying about her mother was far easier to deal with than the pain of letting Mitch go.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Ladies and gentleman, good morning and welcome aboard Synergy flight 267 with service to Houston. Once airborne, our scheduled flight time is four hours and thirty-five minutes. We are anticipating a nice ride today. The current weather in Houston shows light winds with mostly clear skies and a current temperature of eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Thank you for joining us, and we will update you on our progress later in our flight. Welcome aboard.” Mitch ended the announcement, trying his best to sound pleasant, but not quite managing it. He shifted in the captain’s chair. Sam must have sensed his mood this morning, because he hadn’t kept up his usual, steady stream of conversation. Mitch almost wished he would.

  He hadn’t slept at all last night after leaving Leah’s hotel room, and when she wasn’t on the airport shuttle this morning, he guessed she’d gone home after all. Bonnie had confirmed this when Sam asked about it. She said Leah had had a family emergency and flew home late last night, and the plane felt empty without her.

  He wanted to know how Carol was doing, and whether Leah was going to quit or not. But it was none of his business now. She’d pushed him out of her life, just like Carol said she would. There was a reason she was called Heartbreak Hunter, and he’d been a fool to expect anything else. He’d meant nothing more to her than a p
assing fling. A heart to be trifled with. He shook his head in disgust.

  “Alright, what’s eating you?” Sam asked, eyeing him from the co-pilot seat.

  Mitch turned, taking a beat to answer. “Sorry. I’m just a little tired. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

  Sam cocked an eyebrow and folded his arms. “Sounds like girl trouble.”

  Mitch snorted, staring hard at the control panel. “Yeah. You could say that.”

  “Dude, I told you. You just have to be patient. Your girl’s out there for you.” He paused. “Did you bid for the schedule with Candice yet?”

  Mitch had forgotten about that, but the idea had lost its appeal. He had no interest in Candice. He had no interest in anyone who wasn’t Leah. “I’m thinking of embracing bachelorhood,” he stated. “It doesn’t sound so bad, right? I have my career. I’ve got my dog who is always happy to see me when I come home. Who needs women?”

  Sam pulled a face. “Maybe don’t use that as your wedding toast.” When Mitch only grunted in response, he held up his hands. “Seriously, what’s gotten into you to make you so cynical?”

  Mitch raised a shoulder, deciding it didn’t matter anymore. He stared out at the horizon. “I found ‘the one.’”

  Sam grabbed his shoulder. “What? Who is she? Did you meet her online?”

  He shook his head. “No, someone we work with.” Sam was silent beside him, so he continued, “We started dating, and it was mind-blowing amazing. Even though it was only for a few days, I could picture the rest of my life with her. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.” He supported the yoke with his knee and ran both hands down his face, expelling a frustrated breath. “But it doesn’t matter. She ended it last night. For good.”

  “Aw no, man . . . tell me you didn’t.” Sam shook his head slowly. “Tell me you did not get involved with Heartbreak Hunter.”

  Mitch shrugged, knowing the guilt was all over his face. “I tried to get her out of my system, but it just sort of . . . happened.”

  “No, dude.” Sam rubbed his temples. “What were you thinking?”

  “I wasn’t,” Mitch admitted, his shoulders drooping in defeat. “My heart makes all the calls when it comes to Leah. It’s like I’m completely powerless.” He looked at his hands. “But you were right to warn me. She trampled my heart, so I guess I got what I deserved.”

  “Yeah, you did.” Sam nodded. “Still, I’m sorry it happened. It sounds like she played you pretty hard.”

  Mitch swallowed. The thing was, he’d met players before. Girls who were only after him for his looks or a “passing fling” as Leah had called it, but that wasn’t the vibe he’d gotten from her at all. Even now, after everything she’d said, he couldn’t deny the sincerity of what they’d had before last night. It was the real deal, and no one could convince him otherwise. He shifted in his seat. “It’s over now. She left to take care of her mom, and it sounds like she’ll be quitting Synergy to stay with her full-time.”

  “Really?” Sam’s mouth twisted. “Dang, that’s rough.” He paused before lifting his hand. “At least you won’t have to see her anymore, though. That should make it easier to get over her.”

  “Yeah.” The word didn’t sit well on his tongue. He knew in his gut he wouldn’t get over Leah so quickly. Not by a long shot.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Leah was in the backyard, pulling weeds out of the flowerbed with a vengeance when she heard the back door close. She turned to see her mom walking toward her, and she knew in an instant that her mother was lucid. She stood and brushed the dirt off of her shorts.

  “Good morning. I didn’t know you were up.” She smiled, relieved beyond words to see her mom looking like herself again. She’d arrived in the middle of the night two nights ago to find her mother asleep on the living room sofa, looking disheveled and completely exhausted, even in her sleep. Olivia was asleep on the recliner beside her, looking nearly as worn out as Carol. Leah had immediately wakened her and sent her home for some real rest.

  Liv had been sweet about everything, but she’d texted the next day, telling Leah the same thing Mitch had told her: that Carol wanted to go to a care facility. And Olivia agreed with Carol that it was the right call to make.

  Leah had replied with a polite thanks and said she would think about it, but there was nothing to think about. She’d made her decision. As soon as she found another job, and made sure Liv had another job too, she was quitting at Synergy and taking care of her mom. Seeing her smile this morning only confirmed that decision. This was their home, and she wouldn’t take her mom from it.

  “What are you doing out here so early?” Carol asked.

  Leah shrugged. “The birds were up chirping so happily that I thought I’d come out and enjoy the fresh air with them.” And truth be told, she hadn’t slept well since ending things with Mitch.

  Her mom nodded and gazed up at the clear morning sky with a smile. “It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day.” She turned her attention back to Leah. “How about you take a break for a bit and come for a walk with me.”

  Leah’s heart pinched. She’d missed their walks. More than she realized until that moment. She slipped off her gardening gloves and smiled. “Sure.”

  Carol took her arm and they headed out toward the sidewalk, taking their favorite route through the neighborhood, which was still mostly quiet at the early hour. “How is work going?” she asked after they’d walked a few paces.

  “Fine,” Leah said, her smile only slipping a little. She didn’t want to upset her mom by talking about her plans. Not until she found another job.

  Carol waited for more, but when Leah didn’t expound, she pressed, “And how are things with Mitch? I thought maybe he’d stop by yesterday.”

  Leah stiffened. “He’s working.” She cringed at what a coward she was for avoiding the real question her mom was asking. This walk was so pleasant and she didn’t want to ruin it by talking about sad things.

  “I thought you two were working the same route?” Carol stopped to look at her.

  “Um,” Leah bit her lip, knowing she couldn’t outright lie. “We are.”

  Carol dropped her arm, waiting for Leah to explain.

  She took a deep breath. “I’m not seeing him anymore, Mom.”

  “Is that why you’re not working right now either?” Her face softened and she touched Leah’s elbow. “Or does that have something to do with me?”

  “No,” Leah said abruptly. Her mom didn’t look convinced so she shrugged and turned away to keep walking. “We just wanted different things, that’s all.”

  Carol kept stride. “Let me guess . . . he wanted a relationship with you, and you ran.”

  Leah closed her eyes. “Mom, please, can we not talk about this right now? It’s too pretty a morning to dampen it with my dating drama.”

  Carol put her arm through Leah’s again. “I wish I could put it off, sweetheart, but we both know that may or may not work out. I asked you to come on this walk because I don’t know how long I have, and there are things that need to be said.”

  Leah winced, but didn’t argue.

  Carol looked up at the maple trees lining the sidewalk. “I know how devoted you are to me—to making sure I’m taken care of. The fact that you’re so afraid to abandon me only shows how deeply you love me. I want you to know that I feel that love. It’s important that you understand that for the times when I’m not ‘here.’” She pointed to her head and smiled sadly before squeezing Leah’s arm. “You’re the best daughter any mother could ask for, and I love you fiercely.”

  Leah swallowed. “I love you too.”

  Carol nodded. “I know you do. And because I know you’d do anything for me, I’m asking you to do the very hardest thing—to let me go.”

  Leah’s throat tightened and she stopped walking. “Mom, not this again.”

  Carol reached up and tenderly stroked her cheek. “Honey, you won’t be abandoning me. I’m choosing this. I have the m
oney that my parents left me, which will go to pay for my care. The house is yours to keep. Just visit me when you’re in town, and forgive me for slipping out of your life so soon.” Her eyes wrinkled in the corners. “I’m the one abandoning you. And it’s not fair.”

  Leah shook her head, her heart aching as emotion bunched in her throat. “Mom, none of this is your fault. No one ever said life was supposed to be fair.”

  “That’s true,” Carol said, smiling faintly, “but you can’t hold that against it. You can’t keep people at arm’s length forever. You can’t let the fear of what may happen keep you from loving and experiencing life while you have it. You’ve got to seize the opportunities that come your way—the love that comes your way.” She took both of Leah’s hands in hers. “Even if I’d known what was in store for me, I still would have chosen to have you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, my greatest joy. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

  Leah pulled her mom in for a hug, too emotional to speak.

  Carol held her for several moments, allowing the love to pass between them before she pulled away, gently cupping Leah’s face in her hands. “It’s time, sweetheart. You know that, don’t you?”

  Leah took a deep breath. She’d fought against this for so long, but in her heart she did know. The only way she could look after her mom would be to work from home, and jobs like that were few and far between. Aside from that, with her mom’s worsening condition and the episode she’d had the other night, Leah worried she might accidentally harm herself or others. She needed a safe environment with staff trained to deal with unpredictable behaviors.

  Her lungs squeezed in pain at the thought of letting go, but finally she nodded. “Okay.”

  Carol smiled and put her arm around Leah’s shoulders, giving her another squeeze as they continued down the sidewalk. “Now that that’s settled, let’s get back to the topic of a certain pilot we were discussing.”