by JoAnn Durgin
“It was very sweet to see you praying with Mercy.”
Mitch’s smile worked itself further into her affections. “In so many ways, I love how kids show us how simple it is to pray. Adults tend to make everything complicated. It’s like we’re afraid we’ll fail. We stumble over what to say, or how to say it, and we stew over whether we’re even saying it right. But God doesn’t care about that. I hope I never lose that childlike faith and implicit trust.”
“I hope neither one of us does,” Cassie said. “Do you know how the accident happened?”
“One of the workers was cutting up wooden crates with an axe. Donald was walking behind him. From what I can tell, he was talking with Mercy about going on the Ferris wheel. He didn’t see the guy, and the guy obviously didn’t see him, and. . .”
“I’ve heard enough.” Cassie shivered. “How horrible.” Another senseless, freak accident.
“The worker ran off when he realized what happened. Probably scared out of his mind. He’s nowhere to be found.”
“I hope he’s okay,” Cassie said. “We probably should pray for him, too. It wasn’t his fault, and I can’t even imagine how he feels right now. I’m thankful you were there and knew what to do. You’re an intriguing man, Mitch Jacobsen. Famous grandfather and medical skills. Who knew?”
Mercy ran over to Mitch and thrust a candy bar in his hands. “I got this for you.”
Mitch smiled. “Thanks, but you were supposed to get something for you, not me. That means you’ve got to help me eat it.”
“Okay.” Mercy settled back in her chair. Her feet didn’t touch the ground and she tucked them beneath her, boosting her up in the chair. When Mitch offered Cassie a bite of the candy bar, she shook her head and listened as he asked Mercy where she went to school and what subjects she liked.
A plump, middle-aged woman suddenly burst through the doors of the ER, out of breath. She let out a sigh of relief when she spied Mercy.
“Mamaw!” Scrambling down the chair, Mercy opened her arms for her grandmother’s embrace.
“Ah, honey, I’m so glad you’re okay.” The woman gathered Mercy in her arms and held her tight. “I’m sure Papaw’s going to be fine.” Releasing her, she nodded to them. With her hand outstretched, she approached Mitch. “I’m Barbara Corman. I believe we spoke on the phone. Forgive me for being a bit confused, but are you also my husband’s doctor?”
“No, ma’am. Mitch Jacobsen. This is my friend, Cassie Thorenson.”
“He’s the one who saved Papaw,” Mercy said. “He got blood all over him and the nurse brought him some doctor clothes to wear.”
A few tears slipped down Barbara’s face and she threw her arms around Mitch and kissed his cheek. “Your quick thinking saved my Donald’s life.” Pulling back, she pumped his hand. “I can’t thank you enough for what you did for him. And Mercy. You’re a good man. Donald was lucky you were there.”
“I’m thankful God planted me there when Donald needed me. Glad I could help.”
Barbara stepped back and wiped her wet cheeks with the back of her hand. “I’d better check in with the nurses. From what I gathered on the phone, they’re prepping Donald for surgery and they need my permission. I need to go and sign some forms.”
“We should probably take our leave, but I hope you’ll call us later and let us know how he’s doing,” Mitch said. He pulled out his wallet and removed a business card, handing it to Barbara. “My cell phone number is on the card. If I don’t answer, please leave a message.”
After looking at the card in her hand, Barbara’s brown eyes rounded and she looked up at Mitch. “You work in New York? On Wall Street?” She shook her head and ran her hand over her forehead, her brow furrowed. “Forgive me, but this is a bit much. I’m starting to think you’re an angel and, like you said, God Himself planted you at that fair today.” She shrugged and put her arm around Mercy’s shoulders. “Stranger things have happened.” Barbara smiled at them through watery eyes. “I hope to give you a good report later today.”
“We’ll look forward to it,” Mitch said, handing Mercy the uneaten portion of the candy bar. “Here you go, young lady. You were very brave today. The best. Help your grandma and take good care of your Papaw, okay?”
“I will.” She gave him a smile filled with unabashed adoration. Easy to see why.
“Bye, Mercy.” Cassie pulled her into another hug. “I have something I want to give you. Let me run out to the car and I’ll be right back.” Within two minutes, she handed over the purple bear. “This is Eddie, and if it’s okay with your grandmother, I’d like to give him to you.”
The little girl’s eyes lit and she reached for Eddie. “He’s so cute! Purple’s my favorite color.”
“Thank you for giving the bear to Mercy,” Mitch said, moving one arm around her waist and steering her back outside. “What do you say we head back to the Lewis homestead? I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day. I’m wondering how I can get inside and up to my room without Amy or one of the others seeing me in this getup.” Leaning his head back against the seat, he closed his eyes.
Pulling up in front of Sam and Lexa’s house a short time later, Cassie stole a glance at Mitch and silenced the engine. He’d fallen asleep, and she hated to wake him. Who was this man? He worked on Wall Street but somehow seemed completely comfortable in the hospital scrubs. Once again, he’d been a hero. Twice in the same afternoon. How many more layers would she discover about Mitch before the weekend was over?
Brushing a lock of dark hair away from his forehead, Cassie trailed the back of her hand down his cheek. He stirred but didn’t open his eyes. Turning his head, he leaned into her hand.
Something about seeing Mitch so vulnerable like this, so peaceful in his slumber, touched her deep inside, in a place never reached before in quite the same way. Something indefinable.
Something I like very much.
Chapter 16
After Cassie dropped Mitch off in front of Sam and Lexa’s house, telling him she’d be back in a little over an hour, he’d been surprised to find the front door unlocked. The door leading into the kitchen was standing wide open as he’d entered the front hall. Amy and some of the others were sitting and talking on the back patio. He headed straight for the stairs, hoping to get up to his guest bedroom unnoticed. The bright color of the scrubs didn’t exactly help. Three stairs up, he heard Amy call to him to wait. He hesitated and turned back around.
Amy’s jaw gaped as she eyed him up and down. “Well, this is something I never expected to see. Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” he said, his voice hoarse as he rubbed one hand over his eyes and then moved his hands to his hips. “Cassie took me to a county fair and there was. . .an incident. Two incidents, actually.”
“Sounds eventful. Cassie’s all right?”
“She’s fine.” He appreciated his sister’s concern for their well-being. Besides their Mom, Amy had been his greatest source of encouragement and support when his future as a doctor tanked. Likewise when he’d lost Brad. She’d navigated the chaos to reach his side and stayed with him for days, praying with him and forcing food into him.
“Come out back with us and have some iced tea,” she said. “Unless you’re not up to it.”
He debated it for a moment since he didn’t particularly feel like chatting, but figured he might as well tell them so they could pray for Donald. He had the feeling Cassie might not tell them about her traumatic experience, and he needed to be sure and thank Sam and Josh for insisting the ladies take that self-defense class. “For a few minutes,” he said, “and then I need a shower.”
“Did you eat? We fended for ourselves with the leftovers from earlier, but I can fix you a sandwich.”
“That’d be great. Thanks.” Amy knew his preferences and that in itself was a comfort. Climbing back down to the landing, he followed her to the back of the house. Winnie, Rebekah and Natalie had taken the kids to the park before the adults headed out for the evening. F
or the next few minutes, Mitch told the rest of the group what happened. The release felt good, and in the course of the story, he also gave them the short, sad saga of what happened in Boston during his residency.
“God put you there today, for both Cassie and Donald,” Lexa said.
“He’s also using your medical training to help others in unexpected ways and places,” Sam said. “Don’t ever discount the value of that, Mitch.”
After finishing his sandwich, he excused himself and climbed the stairs. If he didn’t want to spend more time with Cassie, he’d pass on the evening’s festivities. The idea of going to a noisy, packed restaurant didn’t appeal to him. The promise of holding Cassie close and dancing with her was the greatest lure in going. From what he knew, Texas line dancing didn’t mean a lot of slow dancing, but he’d sit out most of it and seize whatever opportunity presented itself.
The thought of Cassie made him smile. Amy was right about her. They were good together. No, better than good. They were great together.
~~**~~
Cassie tried to focus on anything other than how handsome Mitch looked. How tall. How broad his shoulders. He’d always been attractive, and maybe the events of the day turned her head, but tonight? The man was gorgeous. His eyes reflected the deep green of his shirt. His dark hair was styled, but it looked soft and touchable. She shook her head. Well, this was ridiculous, mooning over the man. He was the same guy as yesterday, and the same as he’d be tomorrow.
Mitch pulled on a lightweight jacket and waved to the others as they all paraded out of the house and started loading into the various vehicles. “Ready to go? I know it’s been a long day for us already. If you’re too tired—”
“Raring to go. Are you too tired?” Maybe that was his underlying message but he didn’t want to state it flat-out.
“I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to spend more time with you, Cassie.”
Thanking the two teenage babysitters from the church they’d hired for the evening, Cassie grabbed her small purse and a lightweight sweater, draping it over her arm.
“Bye, Cassie. Bye, Mr. Mitch! Have fun.” Chloe gave them a bright smile. Luke was in a playpen while Gracie and Joe sparred over something. Less than a year apart in age, the interactions between those two were fascinating to observe.
“We will. You, too,” Cassie said. “Be good for Miss Kimberly and Miss Traci tonight.”
Mitch gave Joe a high-five in the air when the little boy glanced over at them during a momentary lull in his debate with Gracie. “You’re in charge tonight, big guy.” Joe broke out into a wide grin. Goodness, that child looked more like his daddy every day, right down to the smile lines and piercing blue eyes.
“Looks like you’ve got a new friend,” Cassie said as Mitch closed the front door behind them. He’d played a couple of games with the kids after their indoor picnic earlier in the day and made new friends for life. “Why does it feel like you’ve been here for a week instead of only a day?”
Mitch gave her a grin as they walked toward her car. “When you put it that way, I’m not sure that’s a good thing. It’s true we’ve packed a whole lot into a short time.” His phone rang. Pulling it out, he stared at the display. “I’d better take this call. It’s probably Barbara Corman.”
Listening to his comments, Cassie gathered the news was positive. Thank you, Lord.
“The surgeon was able to save Donald’s arm.” Mitch pocketed his phone. “Praise God.”
“Mitch, I have to ask you something.” She prayed it wouldn’t upset him, but she’d been wondering about it all afternoon. “Were you once in the medical field?”
“Yes,” he said, narrowing his eyes and staring into the distance at the sun beginning its descent on the horizon. “A long time ago.”
“In my opinion, the skill and confidence you demonstrated when you rushed to Donald’s aid today can only come from someone who’s been trained. Well trained.” She waited until he looked at her. “Is that why you punched that guy in the nose and not his stomach? To keep him down but not do internal damage? Because that’s what I imagine a doctor would do. . .in a case like that.”
Mitch dropped his gaze from hers. “You’re right. I’ll tell you about it some other time but not tonight if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” Cassie clicked the key fob. “Would you like to drive? For the practice?”
In the middle of tapping a rhythm on the top of the car, Mitch stopped. “Don’t tease me. I hope you’re serious because I’d love it. Not for the practice either. It’s rather emasculating to have the woman do all the driving.”
“Well, far be it from me to detract from your manhood,” she said. “As long as you drive more defensively than you did in that bumper car. That was a pitiful display.”
“Hey, I let you slam into me, woman. Wanted to empower you.”
“Male chauvinist.”
“Ka-ching! Another chink was added to the old armor.” One thing she admired about Mitch was how quickly he seemed to recover his sense of humor, even if it was only a mask.
She tossed him the keys. “All yours. Don’t put any chinks in my car, please.”
“Let me guess. Your car is named Eddie?”
“Nope. I’m not that unimaginative and boring. This, my friend”—she patted the hood of the Saab—“is Edwina.”
“Cars aren’t named Edwina. I thought women gave their cars a masculine name.”
“I don’t care,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “Call me a maverick.”
“Then you should call the car Maverick. What is it with you and variations of the name Edward, anyway?”
“That was my grandpa’s name. Call me sentimental, I guess.”
“Ah, I see. Nothing wrong with being sentimental.”
Mitch closed the car door and started the engine. “Like the purr of a cat. I love that sound, especially sitting behind the wheel. Make sure you’re strapped in tight.”
“Wait,” she said, putting her hand on his arm. “You do have a valid driver’s license, right?”
“Yes, but I’m not showing it to you unless forced. It seriously looks like a mug shot.”
“Now you have to show it to me. Let’s see it. Dig it out already.”
Laughing, he reached into the back pocket of his jeans and tugged out his wallet. He flipped through a few photos and handed it over. “There. Are you happy now?”
“I can’t see it very well.”
“Maybe you should get out your granny glasses.”
“Be quiet. I guess all the excitement earlier today has made you punchy.”
“Speak for yourself. You’re the one who mentioned the hair net and support hose.”
Even though it wasn’t dusk yet, she needed the inside light to study the photo. “Not bad, but I have to say, you look like a. . .devilish rogue more than a knight in shining armor.”
“Told you. And you asked for it. Let’s see yours. Hand it over, please.”
“No.”
“Why? Embarrassed by your facial hair?”
Laughing, Cassie pulled out her wallet and handed over her driver’s license. “Hope you’re still my friend.”
He twisted his lips and brought it closer. “Not bad. You couldn’t have a bad hair day if you tried. It’s one of your best features. Don’t ever cut it.”
“I was actually thinking of cutting it for Locks of Love. I’ve done it before.”
“As long as you’d grow it back. Right away.”
She sat back in the seat. “As if you have any say in the matter. The truth is revealed. You only like me for my locks.” Crossing her arms, she huffed. “Hush and drive.”
He patted the dashboard. “Come on, Maverick. Let’s show this girl what you can really do.”
“Mitch—”
“I’m teasing, Cassie. I promise to take very good care of”—he grunted—“Edwina.”
“Hey, he who has no car has no reason to tease.”
“Okay, that’s a low blow. I’ve
owned a few cars in my lifetime, and I had a Jeep when I moved to New York. In any case, I’ll get you back for that one.”
“I’m so scared.”
Mitch pulled away from the curb. “I hope you’re going to navigate. We don’t want to get lost. With our track record, anything could happen.”
True enough. “For starters, turn left at the end of the street.”
~~**~~
As he drove, Cassie settled into the passenger seat. She told him it was about a twenty minute drive and left him alone with his thoughts except to give him occasional directions. He couldn’t remember when, if ever, he’d been alone with a woman in a car without feeling compelled to keep the conversation moving. He’d love to know what she was thinking, but he was likewise content with the quiet.
His thoughts wandered back to the talk on the patio. Sam had highlighted something he’d never considered. All his medical training hadn’t been wasted. Sure, he might not have the M.D. behind his name. Neither did he have the long hours and loss of sleep doctors experienced as a way of life. He used to wonder how he’d balance life as a hospital physician with having a wife and family. From what he’d seen, it was difficult to balance the heavy demands, especially being a physician in a bustling, urban hospital. Although it could be done, something usually suffered as a result. Unfortunately, it was often the family.
After Brad died, he’d turned sour on the whole concept of marriage. As a result, he’d dated a lot because he genuinely enjoyed female companionship. And again, Amy was totally right. He’d dated aimlessly, choosing women he knew weren’t right for him long-term. He liked the softness of a woman, the way a woman could make him feel more like a man. Most of the women he dated didn’t share his faith if they had any beliefs at all. He’d turned away from his beliefs, and in essence, turned his back on God. Like Peter, he’d denied the presence and importance of Christ in his life. Denied Him. Maybe he didn’t verbalize the words, but in his heart? Yes, he had. Not speaking up for his faith was perhaps his greatest sin, and it grieved him. His apathy made it too easy to invent flimsy reasons to excuse his reckless behavior. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
