It Came Upon a Mitchell Clear: A Mitchell Holiday Novella (Mitchell Healy Series Book 16)

by Jennifer Foor

  “How valiant of you two. Always trying to one up us normal people.”

  “Whatever, I wouldn’t expect you to understand the meaning of love and family.”

  “You’ve never really known me at all, Ty. Never. Family means everything to me. It’s all I live for.”

  I’m tired of hearing her talk, and certainly have zero interest in listening to her make me feel guilty for being decent. Rolling the window down seems like a good idea, albeit frigid, if I stick my head out, I may just wake up from this weird mind-screw.

  At one point I manage to maneuver half of my body out the window like an excited dog, while young Heather screams that I’m wasting my time. My face is numb. The temperature seems to be dropping significantly in a matter of minutes. I’m still in the truck, next to Heather, miserably awaiting what will come.

  So I take a few deep breaths and mentally prepare for the pain I’m about to inflict on myself in the hopes of escaping my nightmare. We’re only doing about thirty to forty miles per hour when I shove the passenger side door ajar and let my body tumble to the hard road beneath. The initial smack isn’t as bad as the way my body feels as it rolls down a deep ditch into a patch of half frozen ice.

  How the hell is the ground frozen that quickly?

  Everything hurts.

  I’m balled into the fetal position when I see reverse lights and hear the truck come to a stop before I see her running in my direction.

  “You’re an idiot, Tyler Mitchell.”

  “I would rather die than spend another second with you in that outfit.”

  “I could take it off,” she starts. “I almost forgot how hot my body used to be. I think I’m turning myself on over here.”

  “Stop it!” I manage to lift one hand. “Please don’t go there.”

  She’s laughing.

  She sucks.

  She’s not hot either. She’s like the opposite of hot. She’s the devil. A little red devil in a body she never deserved.

  “Thought you’d wake up, didn’t ya?”

  “Well yeah. I figured a painful fall would do the trick.”

  “You’re not getting out that easy.”

  “Figures. Did I have a heart attack and die? Is this Hell?”

  “You’re very much alive, Ty.” She’s getting closer, crouching down to assess the damage I’ve inflicted on myself. “You could have broken bones. I could have saved you time had you asked me for help.”

  “Leave me alone, please.”

  Now she’s pulling, tugging me to a stance. My back is both aching and on fire even though I know it’s cold. My legs, ass and arms are covered in wet mud from beneath the ice. I’ve now made it ten times worse.

  “Do you want to see Miranda or not?”

  Shoving her off of me, while my teeth chatter, I then brush away the debris on my clothes and walk myself back to the truck. “Piss off! I’ll figure it out on my own.”

  I hate that she beats me to the driver’s seat, and insists on sticking around. Heather cranks the heat as we set off again, my next destination unknown.

  She doesn’t speak, nor offer her smart ass comments about my past mistakes. I don’t need her to drudge up the things I’ve done. Seeing her brings them all back. Being close to her makes me feel like shit. I mean, I know this isn’t real, but it sure as hell feels like it is. The fact that she’s in lingerie makes zero sense to me. It’s freezing and she doesn’t have a single goose bump. She seems absolutely comfortable while I’m becoming hypothermic.

  Minutes go by in silence, and while I prefer it this way, Heather opens her mouth. “Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you the best part of this new and improved you. Better yet, how about you look for yourself.”

  It takes me a few seconds to understand what she’s referring to. Since I’ve always made it known that my most prized possession is between my legs, I pull my pants away and look down. Son of a bitch!

  “What the hell?”

  “Don’t you know, the best things come in small packages.” Her laughter makes me want to throw myself from the truck again.

  “I freaking hate you. You’re evil. I told everyone you haven’t changed.”

  “Hate yourself. This is all you, Ty. I’m just a figment of your imagination, alongside that newly shrunken package of yours.”

  Back to the silence it is.

  It’s not long before we are pulling up to a group of cars in the middle of an abandoned parking lot. After further inspection I notice it’s an old drive in movie that’s been taken over by graffiti artists and young kids who have nothing better to do than drink and vandalize things that don’t belong to them. I’m still taking in the scenery when I spot her from afar. God, she’s so young, just as beautiful as I remember her being. Her smile is contagious and I find my annoyance suddenly fading away with each moment I’m watching.

  My mood is altered when I see another guy put his arm around her and pull her close. She jumps up into his welcoming hold and kisses him, not like a saying goodbye to your grandma kind of kiss. It’s the kind that makes your dick hard. It’s the kind I wish no other man had the opportunity to experience. The kind of kiss that makes me want to jump out of the truck and kill someone in a jealous rage.

  When I inch my way toward the door handle, I’m being held back. “You don’t want to do that.”

  Her small frame has no hold over me. I’m out the door as she calls for me to reconsider. There’s only one thing on my mind, and Heather isn’t going to stop me.

  There’s a stabbing pain in my heart that won’t stop the closer I get. I want to close my eyes to avoid seeing the woman I love, the love of my life with her tongue down some loser’s throat. Some chick cuts in front of me, drunkenly wrapping her arms around me and pushing her face close to mine. Even as I try to free myself from another obstacle, my focus remains on Miranda. The chick hanging over me holds one arm up displaying some kind of plant in her hand. She wreaks of liquor and hair products, and I do my best to keep my face as far away from hers as possible. “Mistletoe time, sexy.”

  Her effort to kiss me fails as I squirm away just as Miranda and the guy are heading toward a row of vehicles opposite to where we parked.

  Afraid I’ll miss her, I desperately call out her name. “Miranda. Randa!” I don’t know why I’m surprised she actually hears me. One second this is real while another proves it’s not.

  “Miranda, stop! Please!”

  This isn’t the kind of look someone gives when they’re happy to see me. Her lip curls as she narrows her gaze on me. “Tyler?” She searches the crowd, probably assuming Conner and Colt are with me. “What’re you doing here?”

  Extending my hand, I explain. “I came for you. I need you to come home. There’s an emergency.” It’s the only thing I can come up with even though I’ve had ample time to make up an excuse.

  “Emergency?” She’s stricken with worry. “Is it my mom? Conner?”

  “Just come back to the ranch with me.”

  “No, first you need to tell me what’s going on.” She doesn’t take my hand. She withdraws like I have the plague.

  Then her companion, the asshole that can’t keep his hands to himself grabs her and motions for them to go. “Forget this loser.”

  “Hang on a minute, Tucker.”

  My stomach drops. An immediate rage overwhelms me. It can’t be. Not him. Anyone but Tucker Chase, the guy who hurt so many people in my family, Miranda’s biggest regret, the reason Van was kidnapped, tortured and miscarried her first child, and lastly the biological father of my precious Isabella. Tucker Chase in the flesh. This can’t be real. He’s dead.

  But just like Krista, I’m looking right at him with his hands all over my woman.

  Miranda tries to talk to me, but he grabs her by the upper arm and jerks her back toward his vehicle. Her wild blonde hair bounces as she attempts to fight with him.

  That’s when I lose my shit. Years and years of anxiety over this one man has lead me to want to do things that I can’
t imagine are humanly possible. I know this isn’t real. I’m dreaming. This is some sick nightmare, and in this version I’m willing to kill to protect the women I love.

  Right when I throw my first punch Miranda is the one defending him. She’s smacking me, screaming for me to leave. “Stop it! Go back to the ranch and tell them I’m never coming back. They can’t control me. I’m in love. This is my future,” she says as she points to Tucker but remains between us so hits can’t be made. “I don’t know why they’d send you. It’s not like you ever cared about me, Tyler. You’re not even my real cousin.”

  I’m so angry, but at the same time, irrefutably heartbroken. I don’t care if this isn’t real, I don’t want to hear it. “I care more than you know. One day you and I are going to be so much more. We’re going to have three beautiful children and so many grandkids. You’re going to have everything you ever wanted and it’s going to be with me, Miranda. In the future you’re my everything. So, no, I can’t let you leave with this loser. I won’t.”

  Tucker Chase, the devil in real flesh, comes barreling back in my direction. I no sooner raise my arm to prepare for battle when I’m grabbed from behind to prevent attack. The punch to my face is the last thing I recall before opening my eyes and seeing the stars in the sky above. Voices are muffled. There’s a heavy smell of something metallic, like I can taste it too. A ringing in my ears and pain at the base of my skull tells me I’ve taken a fall. There’s a crowd of people circling around me, but none of them are Miranda or Tucker. Though I attempt to get back on my feet, the warm rush of blood running into my lips and sudden dizziness keeps me grounded. I’m thinking Heather will come around to assist, but as I scan the area she isn’t there. In fact, she’s not even standing near the truck.

  A stranger helps me to my feet. He’s about my height and build with a backwards ball cap atop his head. He keeps his arm latched to one of mine until he’s sure I can stand on my own. “I’m good,” I tell him while freeing myself and going in the direction of the truck. Once I’m there I find no sign of Heather. The keys are in the ignition. Turning to the people who are still worried and have followed, I simply ask, “The chick I came with, have you seen her?”

  “Dude, you rolled up here alone from what I could tell,” one person tells me.

  “Yeah I didn’t notice a passenger in the truck.”

  “A passenger?” I’m stumped. “I was the passenger?”

  A young female corrects me. “No. You pulled up driving. You were definitely alone.”

  I’m running my fingers through my hair, trying to figure out how this is possible. Heather would have been spotted. She was wearing sexy Christmas lingerie. You couldn’t avoid seeing it if you tried.

  “Maybe you should come sit back down,” the first guy suggests. “Your nose is probably broken, man. You fell straight back on to the ground. You were knocked out for at least a minute.”

  I sniffle, the blood trickling down my throat when I do it. Maybe I should care about myself, but I’m too focused on Miranda. I have to find her, to convince her Tucker is a bad guy. I don’t care if this isn’t real, the idea of him laying a hand on her makes me furious. I won’t allow it.

  Against the advice of the people around me, I climb into the truck and start the ignition. The engine purrs to life and I’m off to search for the taillights of their vehicle. Hell or high water, I’m going to get her back tonight. Dream or not, she’s mine. That bastard will not win.

  It’s starting to snow. The sky is a pink in color as large flakes fall down melting immediately on the warm windshield of the pickup. It’s getting difficult to see, but I’m not giving up. The homes in this area are wide spread. Most of them lit up with holiday decor, lights strung in all directions and an array of lawn ornaments scattered on some. I keep hoping I’ll see the familiar vehicle parked, however so far I’m failing.

  Hours pass and I still haven’t come upon any signs of Miranda. Feeling as if I’ve failed some life mission, my only resort is to head back to the ranch in hopes that she’s returned. If not I’m sure going to hear shit from Colt.

  Just as I’m about to turn around, I see a bunch of cars parked with their lights on in a closed gas station lot. Some people are standing outside their vehicles. Unfortunately, Miranda and Tucker aren’t with this group.

  I punch the steering wheel out of frustration. All I want to do is wake up and this be over with. I’m still damp, freezing, my nose is most likely broken and will need to be reset, and my wife is out screwing her abusive ex-boyfriend.

  With all of this running through my mind I think of my real life, my wife, my children and grandkids. My family. The beautiful life we have now.

  This nightmare needs to end.

  I take the wheel and cut it as hard and quickly as possible. Flipping it was the easy part. Now I just need to let gravity take its course. When I close my eyes the truck is rolling. When I open them back up I’ll be next to my wife on our cozy couch, old, gray haired, and probably with flatulence.

  Someone is incessantly saying my name. It’s like the adults in the Charlie Brown cartoons. “Whomp whomp whomp whomp.”

  I’m mumbling, although to me it sounds like words. “I’m sleeping.”

  “Ty, please. Please wake up.”

  “Baby, just a couple more minutes,” I plead. “I had the worst dream.”

  “He’s waking up, guys. Hurry, I think he’s coming around.”

  Wait a minute. Who is Miranda talking to? And why does her voice sound like Van?

  My eyes flit open to a bright light. I’m warm, dry, and there’s a constant beeping of some kind of device. It takes a few moments to focus in on the people standing over me. Van. My parents. Colt. Krista. Everyone is young. I’m in a hospital bed. Still stuck in this same damn nightmare. Apparently the accident didn’t fix anything.

  “Aw, come on. Not this again.”

  Mom leans over my bed. “You’ve been through something traumatic. Don’t go getting yourself upset, Ty.”

  “Jesus, why is this happening to me?”

  “It’s going to be okay. I know you’re worried about everyone and Christmas, but we can still celebrate once they release you,” Van tells me.

  “Where’s Miranda?”

  Colt responds, “How about we just worry about you for now. I’m sure she’ll come home soon. Her mom can deal with her. I feel bad for asking you to help me find her. That girl is nothing but trouble. She’s going to end up pregnant and living on the streets if she continues on this path.”

  I can’t believe this is happening. Van and Colt haven’t even looked at one another. It’s as if we’ve all entered the Twilight Zone. I’m lost and confused, but also completely enthralled at seeing people I love so young and healthy. Colt not only has a second chance with his father, but to see his first born child come into the world. In this timeline, Van doesn’t even know what she’s missing. I just feel bad because from the look on her face she’s one hundred percent devoted to me, while I will never be able to live without the love I have with Miranda.

  Once the family vacates the room for me to get some rest, AKA me faking falling asleep in order to have reprieve, I scan the room in hopes of finding an electrical shock machine for heart failure. If anything will wake me up it’s that. Trying to remove the IV lines from my arm, I spot Van coming back into the room. She’s alone and her smile breaks me into pieces. If anyone will understand or believe me it’s her. I have to try.

  “Don’t take those out. Let the nurses do it, Ty. They say you’ll be able to go home in the morning. You’re being monitored for a concussion.”

  “I should’ve apologized to Colt for wrecking his truck.”

  “He doesn’t even care. We’re so glad you’re okay. When you didn’t come home we started to worry. A passerby saw the tail lights off in a field and called for an ambulance. You could have froze to death. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I lost you. I love you so much.” Her face falls against mine. My eyes close as I
try to avoid being uncomfortable.

  My voice is almost a whisper while I begin to speak. “Van, listen to me. Please just listen to me. Something has happened and I need to tell you about it.”

  Her eyes are glossed over when they meet mine. “What is it?”

  “What I’m about to tell you is going to sound crazy, but it’s the truth. I’m not nuts. I’m not saying it to make you mad. I’m not doing it as some sick prank.”

  “Just tell me. I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think it is.”

  She tries to take my hand and I let her. This is Van. I’ve known her since we were children. She’s my best friend. She’s married to my cousin. I love this woman for so many reasons. Hurting her hurts me. “Just know that I love you, okay?”

  “I love you too.” When she says it I want to cringe. Maybe it should make me laugh. If only the real Colt were somehow watching this play out. He would be so damn frustrated.

  “Van, everything happening right now is a dream.”

  I can see her face turn from concerned to the opposite of amused. I’m losing her faith already.

  “Please just listen to me. I’m not supposed to be here. I’ve already lived this and so much more. I’m married with children who have children. My hair is supposed to be graying. I was going to wear the Santa suit this Christmas for all the kids.”

  She reaches up and feels my forehead. “I think I should get the nurse.”

  Then it hits me. I need a different approach. “It started with Heather.” If anything will stop Van in her tracks it’s that name. Except that’s not what happens. She’s just staring at me waiting for a better explanation. “Miranda and I were wrapping presents and she brought up Heather coming for the holiday. She asked me if I ever wished we had never crossed paths and how my life would have changed, our lives.”

  Van appears so confused. “I’m sorry Ty, but who is this Heather person and when were you wrapping presents with Miranda? Did you find her and lie to your cousin?”