by JoAnn Durgin
“It was one of those unfortunate situations where the mistake started with me and then it snowballed. The nurse on duty was new and young. I was the one responsible and the blame rested solely on my shoulders.” He leaned his head back on the seat and closed his eyes. “I have no excuses except that I was tired and worn out. Med school had been grueling and I was lucky to grab a couple of hours of sleep between classes and rotations. That particular night of my residency, I’d been up for about thirty-six hours straight.”
“Doctors are human and make mistakes,” Cassie said. “I’ve heard how high the cost of medical malpractice insurance is, and there’s a reason for it. I’m thankful the patient didn’t die, but did the powers that be at the hospital ask you to leave?”
Opening his eyes, Mitch refocused his gaze on her. “I didn’t give them the opportunity. I resigned before they could ask me to leave. That would have been the ultimate humiliation. Because of what happened, I was a liability. I’d failed them, but more than that, I’d failed myself.” And like that, the heaviness he’d carried with him for years—an invisible anchor that weighted him with guilt and anger—eased. Not completely lifted, but it wasn’t quite so bad because she’d listened and cared enough to know.
“You’re the only one other than my family that knows the details of what happened.” He squeezed her hand. “Thanks for caring.”
“Mitch, maybe it’s not my place, but I have to speak up. The other day at the fair, you didn’t hesitate when we heard Mercy’s screams. You ran straight to Donald’s side. You knew exactly what to do, and you saved his arm as a result. Talking about what happened in your past, I can hear the regret in your voice. But there’s a passion there that I don’t hear when you talk about your job as a stockbroker.”
Somehow Cassie had managed to cut through his psyche, peeled away the layers to discover the hidden truth. Although it cut deep, Cassie was right. “I’m good at it. And I help—”
“I heard the spiel during dinner. Yes, you help people—and I know you must be very good at it—but where’s your heart in all this?” She sat back on the seat, still holding his hand.
“What about you?” He kept his voice low. Not that he wanted to avoid further discussion, but he wasn’t sure how to answer her question. “Why are you in the catering business? I know you’re good at it, and you love Lexa and Winnie. Those are givens.”
“Without a college degree, there’s not a lot I can do.”
“Have you thought about going to college?”
She nodded. “I’m considering taking some evening classes.”
He leaned his elbow on the back of the seat. “What would you like to do? If you could do anything in the world you wanted, what would it be?”
“Teach.” She didn’t even hesitate.
Mitch’s smile resurfaced. Her answer didn’t surprise him at all. “You’re great with kids. You have a gentleness, a kindness about you. Children respond to that. I’ve seen how great you are with the TeamWork kids. You’d be an awesome teacher.” His phone buzzed in his pocket. “Who’s calling me at this time of the night?”
“You’d better check,” she said. “It might be your mom.”
Glancing at his phone, Mitch nodded. “You’re right, in a manner of speaking. It’s my self-appointed mom. What’s up, Amy? Isn’t it about time for your nap with Landon?”
Beside him, Cassie laughed quietly.
“Very funny, Mitchell,” Amy said. “Although you didn’t ask, we made it back home fine. Thanks for your concern. Welcome to Manhattan. It’s snowing and it took us three hours to get back from LaGuardia. I wanted to tell you I’ll be praying for your safety on the road. I’d also like to speak with Cassie now, if you don’t mind.”
“What makes you think I’m with her? It’s getting kind of late.”
“I heard her laughing.”
“Wow. Your hearing is exceptional for an old married lady.”
“Funny. Please hand her the phone.”
“Yes, boss. Oh, and by the way, she introduced me to Sam and Lexa’s bomb. It’s really quite cool.” He offered the phone to Cassie. “Amy would like to speak with you.”
Me? she mouthed. “Hi, Amy.” Cassie nodded a few times before saying, “I’ll keep that in mind.” She darted a glance his way. “Thanks for the advice. I’ll talk to you again soon. Good night.” Closing his phone, Cassie handed it back. “She said to tell you she’d see you on Saturday if not before.”
Mitch knew there had to be more to it than that, but he wouldn’t push for details. “I hate to say it, but I guess I’d better be getting inside.” Never in his life had he dreaded saying good-bye to a woman as much as he did now. With everything in him, he wanted to stay longer in Houston, get to know Cassie better. Spend time with her. Be silly with her. Kiss her. Find out her idiosyncrasies, her quirks, her joys, her sorrows, where she was ticklish, her hobbies, what she liked to read. . .everything about her.
“Mitch?”
“Huh? Sorry,” he said, shaking his head as he climbed out of the car. When he started to lift the garage door, it wouldn’t budge. He tugged harder, but that door wasn’t going anywhere. “Great. We’re locked in. Not that I’d mind being stuck in a garage with you. I’m sure we could find something to do.”
With a grin, Cassie pushed the button on the side wall and the garage door slowly lifted.
“I guess this is it,” she said a few minutes later. Giving him a shy smile, she tugged on the bottom of her jacket.
He could ask her to sit with him on the sofa. No, that might be too tempting. They could go in the kitchen and share a glass of milk. Milk was wholesome. Anything to keep his thoughts distracted from how much he wanted to hold her and not say good-bye.
“Cassie.” The name rolled like a caress from his tongue. When she walked into his arms, he leaned his head against hers. “It’s not an exaggeration to say I’m going to think of you the entire way back to New York. I’m going through Tuscaloosa, as a matter of fact.”
“You are?” She raised her head, her blue eyes bright.
He nodded. “I had this crazy idea to ask you to go with me, but logistically, it didn’t work. But I guarantee, if you were with me, it’d be an eventful trip.”
She laughed softly in the quiet of the house. “Like you said before, we’ve had enough excitement.”
“What’s your opinion on the whole love at first sight thing?”
“Where you and I are concerned? Nope, I don’t believe in it. Impossible.” Cassie patted his chest and chewed her bottom lip. “What are your thoughts about it?”
Mitch shrugged and covered her hands with his. “I figure you’ll find another guy in a week’s time and forget all about me. Some guy named Stone, or Heath or—
“Be quiet and kiss the girl who won’t think about you while you’re driving back to New York.”
“Gladly since I’ll dismiss her from my mind as soon as I leave this house tonight.” He brushed his thumb over her hand and nuzzled her cheek.
“You’re not leaving. I am.” She giggled when he dropped light kisses near her ear.
“Can’t wait until you leave.” Hungry for her, Mitch stifled her next comment by covering her mouth with his. He deepened the kiss when he sensed she wouldn’t be resistant, wouldn’t push him away. She met his kiss with an eagerness that thrilled him.
“Why, my little Alabama flower. You amaze me,” he said at length, resting his forehead on hers. “Let me walk you to your car. It’s pretty cold out there. Don’t get any ideas about warming yourself up by kissing me or anything.”
“Wouldn’t think of it,” Cassie murmured, tugging on the collar of his jacket.
After one last kiss outside by her car, she climbed inside and Mitch reluctantly closed the door. An overwhelming sadness engulfed him and he missed Cassie as soon as she drove away into the cold, lonely dark night.
Chapter 25
The Next Morning
In sleep shorts and wearing a T-shirt and his gla
sses, Sam sat at the kitchen counter reading the newspaper when Mitch sleepily wandered into the kitchen. Although it was insanely early, he appreciated the other man’s presence. Taking a seat across from Sam, Mitch downed a cup of strong black coffee and gnawed on a bagel smothered with cream cheese. He wasn’t really hungry, hadn’t really gotten much sleep, but—this morning, in particular—he needed something in his stomach and the caffeine.
“Wanna talk about it?”
“Nope. Appreciate the offer, though.” Mitch yanked off a piece of the bagel and stuffed it in his mouth. That should keep his jaws busy.
“If it helps, I know how you feel.”
“Uh, huh. Thanks.” Mitch chewed some more. His somber mood must be written all over his face and he’d closed the cabinet door with a little too much force when he’d pulled out a mug.
Removing his glasses, Sam picked up a peach from a bowl on the counter.
“What’s it like Sam?”
“What’s that? The peach?” Sam took a hearty bite with a small smile.
“Love. Marriage. The whole thing.”
“Have you ever experienced love before?”
Mitch nodded but avoided his direct gaze. “I’ve told girls I loved them before. Foolishly.”
Sam eyed him as he took another bite of his peach. Man, it was juicy. Sam grabbed a napkin and wiped his chin. “You know,” he said with a wry grin, “this peach could be a good object lesson if I wanted it to be.”
“Go for it.” Mitch took another bite of his bagel.
“Love can be pretty messy sometimes, for one.” He winked. “Juicy and delicious, too.”
“You’re creative, Sam. And corny. I’ll give you that much.”
When the other man laughed, his deep smile lines surfaced. “It’s still early and I’m just getting started. I have something I’d like to give you. Call it a parting gift.”
Mitch watched with interest as Sam walked over to the small desk in the corner of the kitchen and pulled a hardbound book from the bottom drawer. Coming back to the counter, he pulled up his stool again and sat down. “Here,” he said, pushing it across the table. “For you.”
Seven Rules of Marriage: A Husband’s Guide to Loving Your Spouse. Opening the front cover, Mitch noted Sam’s signature scrawl and the 2003 publication date. LCJW Publishing, the first release from Landon’s newly formed publishing company. Landon and Sam had both worked hard to promote it, and the book had sold well and become a commercial success. Now Sam had a second book in release, and it seemed to be doing just as well as the first, if not better.
“Nice try, Sam.”
“Take the book with you on the road. Your assignment is to read a chapter every night. Guaranteed, by the time a week’s up, you’ll know the secret to a satisfying relationship. Applies every bit to unmarried men. Most of it, anyway. Trust me. You’ll learn some things.”
Mitch nodded. “Thank you. Sam, I want to personally apologize to you for what happened here yesterday morning. I never meant to hurt Cassie in any way or cause trouble.”
Sam’s smile was kind. “I appreciate your words. You’re a good man and it’s clear you’ve developed feelings for Cassie. In spite of it all, we couldn’t be more pleased. Not that you need our approval. A lot’s happened in a short time this weekend. A crash landing’s bound to shake you up, but I’m sure it’s made you realize how blessed you are. How fleeting life can be, how fragile. Then you meet a sweet, smart and beautiful girl who’s not at all what you expected. A girl you were prepared to resist for various reasons. A girl from a completely different background and yet you discovered you have a lot in common.” Sam took another bite of his peach, chewing slowly. “How am I doing so far?”
“I’m thinking you’re either God’s mouthpiece or pretty good at reading my mind.” Mitch chuckled under his breath. “Please. Keep going.”
“You’ve reached a point in your life where you’re seeking God’s purpose for your life, both professionally and personally.”
Mitch whistled under his breath. “Am I that obvious to everyone?”
Sam tilted his head. “What do you mean?”
“Cassie told me she believes I should pursue something in the medical field again. Even though my medical career tanked, she thinks I should. . .consider other options.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“You sound like a shrink.”
Sam’s laugh was hearty. “Lexa would get a kick out of that.”
“I’m too old to change course, Sam. When I was able to help Donald at the fair, it reawakened something inside me. Reenergized me like nothing has in a long time in terms of my career.”
“Early thirties isn’t too late to change.” Sam finished his peach and tossed the pit in the nearby trash can. “That’s the age I was when I went on a year-long mission. When I came back, I knew mission work in some capacity was what I wanted to do full-time. The position had opened up with TeamWork, so I left my financial planning business behind and haven’t looked back. But that training and experience helped me in ways I never expected. As I said before, Mitch, the Lord’s using your abilities and talents in a different way now. Just be open to the opportunities that might present themselves. Never forget your well-being is in the hands of Someone infinitely more capable. Take the time to stop and listen, and be willing to step out in faith—that’s the key as I see it.”
Mitch nodded. “Sounds right to me. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“It’s exciting to see how the Lord works things out above and beyond what we can ever imagine.” Sam’s smile was kind. “I’ve seen Him work in the lives of my TeamWork crew over and over again. Not that we haven’t had our challenges, but God never promised it’d be easy. I’m here if you need me, brother. Feel free to call anytime.”
“I appreciate that, Sam. It means a lot.”
Lexa came down the steps with the twins and Joe as Mitch was saying his final good-bye. They all held hands and prayed for his trip and then Lexa gave him a quick, warm hug. “I’ll be praying.”
Man, he needed that hug. Since their short exchange the day before, he’d felt a special bond with Lexa. “Thank you. For everything.” He kissed the cheeks of the twins and then high-fived Joe. “Take care of your little sisters, partner.” What a great family. A stab of something—envy?—pierced him as he turned to leave.
“Our door’s always open.” Lexa said, walking him to the door. “I hope we’ll see you again soon.”
“I hope so, too, Lexa. Thanks.”
With a salute to Sam, Mitch picked up his bags and headed to the rental car parked in the driveway. Ready to leave Houston. . .and a pretty big chunk of his heart behind.
Chapter 26
Mid-March 2004
My Adorable Miss Thorenson,
I’m sitting here in my Wall Street office, unable to concentrate on stock quotes today. You are completely capturing my thoughts. Signed, Donald Trump
With a goofy smile plastered on his face, Mitch sat back in his office chair. Waiting. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Houston was an hour behind, but Cassie should be back from her lunch break. Sure enough, within a couple of minutes, she replied.
My Dashing Mr. Jacobsen,
I’m sitting here in my Houston catering office, unable to concentrate on quiche tarts today. You have completely captured my appetite. Signed, Martha Stewart
Mitch laughed. Their email flirting could go on all day, and he’d love nothing better. Forcing himself to concentrate on his work, he stopped after another two hours to send another email.
My Dearest Juliet,
I missed an important phone call from a client because I was buying something for you. It’s all your fault. Answer the door when someone comes calling in the next half-hour. Signed, Mitchell a/k/a Romeo
Concentrating on a report, he kept the email inbox open. He’d sent her a dozen, multicolored roses—two dozen would probably be too much—along with a card commemorating the one month anniversary of thei
r “nuptials.” Had he gone too far? Maybe, but he’d wanted to send her flowers and what woman didn’t love flowers? Within the hour, he heard the sound signaling he’d received a new email.
My Dearest Romeo,
Your messenger arrived and now the office is so fragrant my clients will be distracted. It’s all your fault. Answer your phone when someone calls you tonight at 10 p.m. Don’t be late. Signed, Cassie a/k/a Juliet
Shortly before the appointed time, Mitch settled at his kitchen table with his phone resting beside him. Promptly at 10:00 p.m., the phone rang as if on perfect cue.
“Hi, Mitch.”
“Hello, Moonbeam.” He’d adopted the nickname, and she’d embraced it. “How was your day?”
“Unproductive. Yours?”
He laughed heartily. “Same. Some woman kept flirting with me via email. It was very distracting. She somehow seems to think I find her irresistible.”
“And do you?”
“Completely. I’m a fool over her.”
“A fool, eh?”
“Totally. I love flirting with her. She’s extremely witty.”
“No, I didn’t know. I assume she’s only responding in kind to the intelligence and natural charisma of the fool.”
“I imagine she’s wearing something incredible tonight.”
“Oh, my, the fool’s getting a little too personal, isn’t he?”
“That’s why he’s a fool.”
“I hate to disappoint you, but I’m only wearing jammies and my hair’s in a ponytail. You?”
He envisioned the appealing image in his mind. “Plaid flannel sleep pants and a red T-shirt. No ponytail tonight, though. Where are you?”
“On my living room sofa. You?”
“At my kitchen table.”
“Are you eating this late?”
“I’m snacking, yes. Cereal, actually. You caught me in the act, I’m afraid. I’m cheating.”
“Really, now, that’s a very foolish thing to do, isn’t it? I hope it doesn’t happen often.”
“I love your sense of humor, Cassie. I wish you were sitting here with me right now. Do you think you could fly up here late next week? Stay from Thursday night through Monday or Tuesday?” He heard her sharp intake of breath. “Cassie? Something wrong? Too soon?” It wasn’t like he hadn’t brought up the idea frequently.
