Leah’s face softened into what he was coming to recognize as her relieved look, which was likely due to the fact that Carol was content. His heart went out to her and the constant stress it would be caring for her mother, with no other close relatives to shoulder the burden. He resolved to help however he could so she could enjoy the wedding. “Don’t worry about us,” he said. “We’ll be fine. Go find your friends.”
“Thank you.” She held his gaze a moment, the warmth in her eyes conveying a thanks beyond the spoken words.
He nodded, wishing she wouldn’t look at him like that. It wasn’t fair. After she walked away, Mitch offered his arm to Carol. “Shall we find our seats?”
She took his arm. “Yes, but if it’s alright, I’d like to get a closer look at the lake first.”
“Of course.” He led her past the seating area to the lakeshore, where the water gently lapped along the rocky sand.
Carol inhaled a deep breath. “It’s lovely,” she said, smiling at the view. “I can’t remember the last time I was in the mountains like this. When Leah was little, we used to go on hikes, or have an occasional picnic at the lake. The summer when she was ten, she begged and begged me to take her camping, but we didn’t own a tent. And besides that, I was terrified of bears.” She gave a small laugh and shrugged. “I made a compromise by putting down a tarp in the backyard and we slept out under the stars. We didn’t sleep a wink that night.” Her smile grew wistful. “I should have taken her on a proper camping trip, up in the mountains . . . It’s what a father would have done.” Sadness etched her features that were so similar to Leah’s.
Mitch shook his head. “Camping can be overrated. Your idea sounds much better to me.” He smiled. “And I know you’re an amazing mother—Leah is proof of that. I don’t think she missed out on anything.”
Carol turned to give him a long, appraising look. “You’re right for her,” she said finally. There was no cloudiness in her expression, just a clear, steady gaze as she studied him.
Mitch’s mouth opened, but he didn’t know how to respond.
“Leah knows it too,” Carol continued. “She’ll try to push you away, but don’t let her. She needs you, Mitch.”
He swallowed, his lungs squeezing as he squinted and looked away. “She’s dating my friend, Dan Benson. He couldn’t be here tonight so I’m taking his place.”
“It sounds to me like fate took things into its own hands.” She touched his arm, and he turned to look at her again. “I’m sure you’re wondering if it’s the dementia talking, but it’s not.” She shook her head. “I don’t know how much time I have until this dreadful disease takes over my mind again, and I need a confidant.” She sighed. “I hate that Leah is having to deal with this. No one so young, with so much life ahead should carry this burden. She’s been resisting putting me in a care center, even though I’ve suggested it multiple times.”
Mitch stayed quiet, hoping he wasn’t overstepping his bounds by letting Carol confide in him, but she clearly needed to talk to someone and he wanted to help if he could.
Her eyes crinkled in the corners. “Olivia is wonderful, and I love her, but even in my state, I can tell it’s becoming too much. I won’t have Leah quitting the career she loves for my sake.” She reached for his hand, searching his eyes. “Will you talk to her, Mitch? Tell her what I’ve told you. I need someone she trusts to give her advice. Someone steady, with a good head on his shoulders and a kind heart to help her navigate this difficult path.” She nodded. “I can tell plain as day that you’ve come into her life for a reason—maybe lots of reasons.” She gave him a knowing smile.
Mitch shifted, caught between wishing her words were true and knowing they probably weren’t. “Are you sure you don’t want to ask Dan to talk to her? I really think it would be better coming from him, considering their relationship.”
“Nonsense,” she waved a hand. “I met Dan the other night before the rehearsal dinner. He’s a nice boy, but he’s not the one she’s been pining for.” Again, she met him with a steady gaze. “I’ve never seen my daughter light up the way she does around you. Even though I suffer from dementia, there are things a mother just knows.” She squeezed his hand. “Please—will you talk with her?”
Mitch’s heart pounded against his ribcage. He was probably going to regret it, but how could he refuse when Carol looked at him like that? “I will.”
She dropped his hand as a wide smile spread across her face, making her look years younger. “Thank you.”
He nodded, his heart breaking for this beautiful woman whose life was slowly being stolen away from her, piece by piece. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to come in and out of a fog, each time knowing you were missing out; that you were causing unintentional pain to your loved ones. His throat tightened. He would do whatever he could to help her. And Leah.
“Well,” Carol looked over her shoulder to the seating area. “It looks like the chairs are filling up. We’d better take our seats.”
“Sounds good.” He escorted her back, his mind spinning. Had he really just promised to talk to Leah about putting her mother into a care center? Surely, she wouldn’t want to discuss such an emotionally charged topic with him. But he had to at least tell her what Carol expressed as her wish. Maybe, like Carol, what Leah needed most was a listening ear.
Movement by the arbor drew Mitch’s attention, and he watched the groomsmen and bridesmaids take their places. Leah stood beside her friends, holding a small bouquet of flowers. She caught his eye, silently asking if everything was okay.
He gave a small nod in return.
“Thank you,” she mouthed and then smiled. It was a smile meant only for him, and Mitch forgot to breathe. Carol’s words about Leah’s feelings for him echoed in his mind, and for the first time, he allowed hope to bloom in his chest.
Chapter Twenty-Three
During the wedding ceremony, Leah couldn’t keep from stealing glances at Mitch. The attentive way he interacted with her mom warmed her. He wasn’t trying to win points—he was sincerely kind. She’d seen that kindness in the way he treated his brother. Mitch Harrison had a good heart . . . which made it so much harder not to be attracted to him as more than a friend. As if sensing her thoughts, Mitch met her gaze.
Leah blinked and returned her attention to the ceremony, though her heart still pounded from the exchange. He had that effect on her; always getting her flustered and unsettled, even with a simple glance. She’d been crazy to allow him to fill in for Dan tonight, but she felt a desperate need to prove she could be friends with him. She stole another sideways glance and her heart caught. He was still watching her. Tingles bathed her spine and she found it hard to breathe. It had to be the wedding ceremony—that was what made her react this way. And Mitch in a tuxedo didn’t hurt either.
Leah pulled her attention back to the ceremony as Jade and Connor exchanged vows, and she couldn’t keep the smile from her face. They were such a beautiful couple, and the fact that she’d watched them date in high school made the union all the sweeter. Everyone cheered as they were pronounced husband and wife, and Leah clapped along with the crowd as Jade and Connor walked back down the aisle together as Mr. and Mrs. McGrath.
“That was perfect,” Savannah squealed, hugging first Piper and then Leah as they lingered in the bridesmaid line and the crowd began to mingle again.
“Completely perfect,” Piper agreed, clasping her hands together. “I can’t believe Jade’s a married woman now.”
“Did you see the way Connor looked at her?” Olivia sighed; her eyes dreamy.
Leah grinned. “He’s completely enamored, and so is Jade. I hope the photographer can capture that somehow.”
“She will.” Savannah nodded. “I made sure the hire the best for these two.” She checked the delicate silver watch at her wrist. “Speaking of which, it’s time to switch back into wedding planning mode.”
“Can I help with anything?” Leah offered.
“Thanks, but you guys
just enjoy yourselves. We’ve got this under control.” Savannah looked at Leah, a teasing smile tugging her lips. “Besides, I wouldn’t dream of taking you away from your date.” She nodded to where Mitch and Carol were seated, involved in conversation.
“Yeah, speaking of ‘enamored,’” Olivia smirked. “Someone has been making eyes at you all evening.”
Leah’s face flushed and she put a hand to her cheek. “Don’t be silly.”
Her friends exchanged glances and Piper touched her arm. “Maybe the fact that Dan couldn’t make it was a blessing in disguise,” she said. “Even from here I can feel the chemistry. You’ll have to introduce us when you get a minute.”
“Sure,” Leah said, “as long as you don’t make any more embarrassing comments like this.” She folder her arms and attempted to glare at them, but knew she wasn’t quite pulling it off. “Mitch and I are just friends, so don’t go scaring him away.”
Piper crossed her heart and Olivia nodded, but Savannah pursed her lips. “I have to admit, I was really rooting for Dan. I wanted to be responsible for setting you up, but,” she tipped her head side to side, “like the others said, there’s obviously chemistry here. Go enjoy the evening, and I’ll catch up with you guys at the reception.” She tossed a wave before donning her earpiece and checking in with the caterer.
“She’s a pro,” Olivia said, as they watched her go.
“Seriously,” Piper agreed. “I’ve never been able to see her in all of her wedding planning glory. I’m definitely going to have her plan my wedding someday.”
“Hello, ladies,” Drew appeared, coming behind Piper and putting his arms around her waist to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I don’t think it was quite fair to Jade to have you standing in her line—you were too distracting,” he said, nuzzling her ear.
“Oh, brother,” Piper answered with a giggle, instantly lighting up the way she always did when Drew was around.
Olivia looked at Leah and gave an exaggerated eye roll. “I’d better go find my date,” she announced to the group. She’d come with one of the groomsmen who was Connor’s friend from his Supercross days. “I’ll catch you all at the reception?”
“Yep. See you there.” Leah parted with her friends, her attention already drawn to Mitch and her mom. They now stood at the edge of the wedding crowd and Leah noticed right away that her mom’s face looked pinched. That wasn’t a good sign. She hurried over. “How did things go?” she asked, looking at Mitch.
“It was a nice ceremony,” he said. “It’s easy to tell that they’re happy together.” He gave her a quick sideways glance at Carol to show he was concerned.
Leah nodded her understanding. She took her mom’s arm. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.” Carol’s eyes were growing cloudy again. “I can’t remember where I put my shawl. It’s getting chilly out here.”
“We left it at the house,” Leah answered, pulling her a little closer to offer more warmth. “We’ll turn the heater on in the car.”
“Here.” Mitch shrugged out of his tuxedo jacket and draped it across Carol’s shoulders. She turned to him with a confused look, but didn’t protest as she clutched it closer.
“Thank you,” Leah answered for her mom, her heart softening even more at the kind gesture. She could smell his cologne on the jacket and her stomach fluttered. Just when she thought Mitch couldn’t be any more gallant, he offered to jog ahead and bring the car around for them. Carol accepted the offer immediately, and Leah noticed how nicely he moved when he jogged.
“I need to find my shawl before we go,” Carol repeated, growing more agitated.
“It’s at home, Mom. We’ll be there soon.” Leah’s chest constricted. No matter how many times she experienced this, and even though she knew it was coming, she never got used to having her mom go away. It was like having to say goodbye over and over again. She patted her mother’s cold hand reassuringly as the familiar ache burned like acid in her throat. “We’ll be home soon.” She bit her lip, unwilling to get emotional about the fact that she would have to miss Jade’s reception. At least she’d been able to go to the wedding. That was the most important part.
Mitch pulled the car around and got out to help Carol into the front seat. Once she was settled, he moved to open Leah’s door, but she stopped him. “I’m going to have to take her home. She’ll get worse if I keep her out,” she said, unable to look at him in case he saw the moisture starting to blur her vision. “If you’ll just drop us off at my house, you can still go to the reception and have a nice time. There will be a dinner and, of course, cake—”
He put his hands gently on her shoulders, the contact rendering her speechless as he searched her face. “I’ll watch her. We’ll be great. There’s no way I’m letting you miss the reception.”
Leah’s throat thickened at the sincerity in his eyes. It was no use now. A tear escaped, sliding down her cheek before she quickly swiped it away. “I can’t let you do that.”
He tipped his head to the side, giving her a crooked smile. “Why not? Your mom and I have become good friends these past few hours. I’ll call you if anything comes up, but I promise to take good care of her.”
More tears spilled down her face, and he gently wiped them away with his thumbs. Leah closed her eyes, her heart hammering at his touch. It was so soft. So intoxicating. So maddeningly persuasive. She opened her eyes again and blinked a few times in an attempt to stop the tears.
Mitch bent down, that same sexy crooked smile still in place. “I won’t take no for an answer. It’s what any friend would do.”
She paused. Right . . . friends. Only friends. She needed to slow down and get her head on straight. She cleared her throat, backing up a half step to create distance so she could focus. “Let’s just get her home and we’ll take it from there. Sound good?”
He dropped his hands and held her gaze for a moment before opening her door. “Okay. But just remember, I can be extremely stubborn.”
She gave a small laugh, grateful to expel the emotion that had been building in her chest. “You claim to be, but so far I’ve only known you to be kind and accommodating.”
He leaned his head back. “That’s only because you’re so easy to accommodate.” He winked and closed the door. Leah watched as he circled the car in his white shirt and bowtie, his jacket still wrapped protectively around her mother’s shoulders, and wished she could close the door to her heart just as easily.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mitch was determined to watch Leah’s mom so she could go to the reception. He was concocting all sorts of ways to convince her as he drove them back to their house. Carol was clearly withdrawing into herself, and Leah counteracted by keeping up a light conversation with Mitch about some recent changes in FAA regulations they’d been training on.
He knew she was trying to lighten the situation, or maybe to prevent herself from getting emotional again. He’d almost lost it when she’d cried. It took all of his willpower not to pull her into his arms and find a way to make everything right. To take away the hurt. But after watching Carol change from the bright, intelligent woman he’d spoken with earlier, to this quiet, confused soul beside him now—he knew he wouldn’t be able to take the hurt away from Leah. Not even close.
The best he could do was offer support and a shoulder to cry on. He was offering his friendship—though admittedly he wanted more.
He listened as Leah explained the new flight attendant protocol for land-based evacuations, and gave the occasional comment as it seemed warranted, but his thoughts remained on how to help her. She stopped mid-sentence when her phone rang. Mitch glanced in the rearview mirror and saw her eyes widen.
“Sorry . . . it’s Patty. I’d better answer.” She took the call, biting her fingernail. “No, it was fine. I promise.” A pause. “Yes, my friend Mitch sat with her and we enjoyed it very much.”
Friend. The word grated on him like wind shears on final approach. But he was the one who constantly kept reminding
her they were friends, so what did he expect? He should be glad they were at least that much.
“Really?” Leah’s toned brightened. “Are you sure? I don’t want to put you out after a long day at work.” She glanced at the rearview mirror, catching Mitch’s eye and giving him a thumbs up. “Thank you so much, Patty. I owe you.” She ended the call and smiled. “Well, it sounds like you won’t have to show me your stubborn side after all. Patty is coming over to spend time with my mom.”
Mitch found it hard to keep his eyes on the road when she smiled like that. He raised his eyebrows. “Rats,” he said. “I guess I’ll just have to go on being accommodating then.”
***
The reception was held in the McGrath’s impressive backyard. Mitch learned that Connor had taken over McGrath Construction from his father, and it was obvious from his parents’ home and landscape that the company was a successful one. The backyard had an unobstructed view of the Rocky Mountains, and Mitch guessed it was at least a few acres. White tents had been set up over the lawn, and the same string quartet that had played at the wedding welcomed guests with music as they arrived.
Mitch offered his arm to Leah when they’d exited the car, and to his surprise, she still kept hold of it as they walked onto the lawn. It felt so natural having her tucked next to him, close enough that he feared she would feel the way his heart stuttered beneath the jacket Carol had returned after finding her shawl.
Leah looked at the surroundings and let out a small gasp. “Oh wow . . . It’s so beautiful!” She squeezed Mitch’s arm and turned to him, her velvet brown eyes sparkling in delight. “My friend Savannah is the wedding planner, and I can’t believe what she’s done here. It’s like a fairy land.”
“Was she in the bridesmaid line with you?” Mitch asked, knowing he probably wouldn’t remember her even if she was. He’d been too preoccupied looking at Leah.
She nodded, searching the crowd, when another bridesmaid approached from the side.
When Sparks Fly (Pine Ridge Romance Book 2) Page 11
