“Oh. Why didn’t you bring her with you? I’d love to see her again,” my mother said.
“Who’s Hope?” Hallie asked.
“Mitch’s longtime crush,” Gabe said.
I looked over my shoulder. “No, she’s not.” Jesus, had he known that? All those years I’d liked her, had he been able to tell? “She’s my friend Parker’s sister.” I gave Gabe a look.
“You liked her?” Will asked.
“As a friend.”
Gabe snorted.
“Even if I did like her, which I didn’t, she was Parker’s sister. You don’t go after your best buddy’s sister.”
“Is that rule?” Sam asked. “My experience is that when it comes to sex, men don’t have many rules, except maybe no commitment.”
Hallie nodded. “That’s true.”
“What do you mean?” Nate asked. “I’m pretty committed.”
She laughed. “Except you, sweetie.” She patted his hand.
“Yes, it’s a rule,” I said. I checked the chicken, wanting to move onto a different topic.
“So, what’s Hope working on,” my mother asked.
“She wants to start a design business. I don’t know much about it.” That was a lie. After the last few days, I knew the intricate details of her business plan and was even working on a program to help her better conceptualize her designs.
“She always did like fashion,” my mother said. “Sam, have you ever met her?”
Sam shook her head. “Maybe once when we were kids. The Caldwells were private school kids. How did you get to be friends with a Caldwell, Mitch?”
“Youth soccer,” I said, turning over the chicken.
“I’m glad to hear Hope is finally pursuing her dream,” my mother said. “She was a big help to her family, while Parker got to do his own thing.”
She wasn’t wrong. Parker had gotten his law degree and worked at a big firm in Washington, D.C. while Hope had been roped into helping the family business. I wondered what Parker was doing to help Hope transition now that the family business was about to go belly up.
“So, you’ve got Parker’s sister staying at your place?” Gabe asked.
Shit, why was he going back to that?
“In the extension,” I said. I moved the finished chicken to a plate and added a few more pieces.
“She was a looker,” Will said.
I gritted my teeth, wanting to punch Will for noticing her.
“How long is she staying in the extension?” my mother asked.
“Few more weeks, I think.” I set the plate on the table, hoping the food would make them stop talking about Hope.
My mother brought the corn to me, and I set a few on the other side of the grill. “You’ll bring her next week.” It was a statement, not a request.
“I’ll ask. She’s busy doing her own thing.”
I was glad when the topic of the night turned to baby Annabelle. I loved my family, but I didn’t much like their scrutiny over my private life.
When the dinner was done, I stayed on the deck to clean up the grill, while everyone else went inside.
“Tell me you’re not going to abandon me,” Will said, handing me another beer.
“Okay.” I wasn’t sure what he meant.
“You and Hope aren’t falling in love and then I’ll be the only bachelor Sloane, are you?”
“No. I’m not falling for Hope.” Sure, I liked her company. I liked her brains and her creativity. I liked how she coddled my dog. And I sure as hell liked touching her. But that wasn’t love.
Will patted me on the back. “Good.”
As Duke and I drove back home, I solidified my commitment to bachelorhood. I enjoyed Hope and even cared for her, but our lives were different. In a few weeks, she’d be back in Northern Virginia building her business, while I stayed in the woods, as it should be.
Still, there was no reason not to enjoy our time together. When I arrived home, she was in my bed reading. Will was right, she was a looker. And she looked right at home in my bed. I pushed that thought away as I stripped, and took her in my arms to make the most of the time we had.
Hope—Christmas in September
Hope
Mitch was spoiling me. The Friday before, my car repair was finished, and his friend Eddie even arranged to have it delivered. Then today, a sewing machine showed up. Not just any old machine, but a fancy heavy duty one that had to be at least a thousand dollars, maybe two.
“Mitch, this is too much. I have a machine at home.” Granted it wasn’t this top of the line brand, but it served its purpose when I was making mocks of my designs.
“Consider it my investment in your business.”
I bit my lip, really wanting to keep it but feeling like I shouldn’t.
“It’s computerized,” he said. “I had no idea sewing machines had computers on them.”
I nodded. “Yes, you can program stitches and things.”
“One more thing,” he said, pulling out his laptop. He tapped on a few keys, and a program came up. A shirt appeared on the screen. “This is a three-D design program. You can scan a fabric pattern and have it put on the clothing item. Plus, you can add elements like gathers and buttons. I don’t know all that you do, but if you tell me, I can program it.”
I gaped. “You made this for me?”
He looked up at me from his computer. “Yes. Another investment. Besides, I like programming, you know that. I enjoyed creating this one.”
I couldn’t believe he’d done that for me. I felt like he’d given me the world.
“Play with it, and let me know any tweaks it needs or other commands you’d like. Then we’ll put it on your computer.”
“Mitch, I don’t know what to say.”
He stood and put his arms around me. “Thank you will do.”
I quirked a brow wondering what sort of thank you he meant. “Just a thank you?”
“Well, I’d be happy to accept any forms of gratitude.” He rubbed my back. “But a simple thank you will suffice.”
I was ready to get naked right then and there, but he left me to play with the computer program and the new sewing machine. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning.
I showed my gratitude by making lunch and then giving him a blow job. I left him panting at the kitchen table, returning to play with my new gadgets some more. The program he’d made was tremendous. I could turn the garment on the screen to look at all sides and all angles, change the stitching, add pleats, and more.
I wondered if he’d been as kind and thoughtful with Gwen. What an idiot she was to betray him. If Mitch were mine, I’d have loved him well. I’d have made sure he knew how wonderful he was. Of course, he wasn’t mine, wouldn’t ever be mine. Even if I wanted more than this month would give, he wouldn’t be mine, thanks to Gwen. Not only did she break his heart, but she’d taken away his belief in love.
I hoped Gwen and Mitch’s former partner were suffering. They hadn’t deserved him.
Later that day, I called my parents to check-in. I sat in the studio office Mitch had made for me, enjoying the view of the Blue Ridge. It really was so peaceful here.
“Oh Hope, I’m so glad you called. How is the work going?” my mother asked.
“Good. Really good.”
“Wonderful, honey, just wonderful.”
“How are things with you?” I asked.
She sighed. “We’re making do. Oh, you know who I saw the other day? Mrs. Sloane. I have to say, as difficult as our lives are now, I’m so fortunate that your father is still with me.”
“Yes,” I said, wondering what my mother and Mrs. Sloane talked about. Did they know I was here with Mitch?
“Did you know she’s a grandmother now?”
I could hear the longing in my mother’s voice. “I’d heard that, yes.”
“Mitch is living in the mountains. I don’t think it's far from where you’re staying. You should call him. It sounds like he’s become kind of a recluse. I don’t unde
rstand that. Did you know he made over a billion dollars on the sale of his business? A billion dollars. He’d be a good person for you to connect with on your business.”
“Money isn’t everything, mom,” I said. Mitch was a billionaire, but he’d lost a bit of himself in the process.
“I used to say that. Funny how when you don’t have money, that perspective changes.”
“You still have dad and Parker and me.” I reminded her. “Mitch lost his father.” I decided to keep the information about his fiancé and friend to myself.
“Yes, yes, of course. I asked Parker about Mitch. Maybe he could invest in your dad’s business until he got back up on his feet.”
I groaned. “Mom.”
“What? Rich people invest in businesses all the time. When we had money, we were very good to Mitch. Certainly, he’d want to help.”
She acted like she’d given Mitch money or a place to stay. She’d treated him like any other kid, instead of one that came from a family one level down in the socioeconomic hierarchy. It was nice of her, but it didn’t reach the level of his needing to fund my father’s failing business in gratitude.
“Mom, what did you do for Mitch? Just because you weren't prejudiced against kids who weren’t from our socioeconomic level doesn’t mean he owes you anything.”
“You’re twisting my meaning,” my mother said, sounding offended. “Mitch was always a good friend. I just thought he could help your father. But Parker is adamant that Mitch not know.”
I wondered what my brother would think that I’d told Mitch about my dad’s failing business. I remembered how Mitch offered to help, but I knew my father wouldn’t want that. It would demoralize him more to take a handout, even one in the guise of an investment.
“But if you saw him, maybe you could tell him. He’d probably offer to help.”
I groaned. “Dad wouldn’t like it, mom. You know how he is.”
“What is it they say? Pride goes before the fall. We can’t afford to have pride.”
“If you really want financial help, dad should make a proposal. You can’t’ just ask rich people for a handout.”
“Mitch is like family. Surely, he’d help his family. I went by and saw Mitch’s mother. The updates to her home are lovely.”
“That’s probably from Gabe, mom.”
“How did she raise four boys, all of whom are so successful?”
I know my mom didn’t mean to hurt me, but I that’s what I felt. Parker was successful, but not like the Sloane boys, all of whom were billionaires. And of course, I was starting over at rock bottom.
“I don’t know. I guess they’re just smarter and harder working than us.”
“Now, Hope, don’t go misinterpreting what I’m saying. I’m very proud of you and Parker. I know we’re all going to be wearing your fashions very soon.”
If that was going to happen, I needed to work harder and faster than I had been. While Mitch was giving me the tools and support, he was also very distracting. I’d need to focus more.
I talked a little more with my mother, and then my father got on the phone. My heart went out to them, having to struggle so much after a lifetime of work. For a moment, I wondered if maybe I shouldn’t ask Mitch to help them. I knew he would. But I was sure my father’s ego would be devastated by it, and Parker would likely get mad as he clearly didn’t want Mitch to know.
Next, I called my brother since he was the one working so hard to get my parent’s financial and legal situation in order.
“Hey, how goes the business planning?” he asked me.
“Good. I hope to be checking out manufacturers soon.”
“Excellent.”
“I just talked to mom and dad,” I said.
Parker groaned. “Mom didn’t tell you to hunt Mitch down, did she? She realized that you’re near where he lives now.”
“She did,” I admitted.
“Jesus. Don’t do it, Hope. Mitch doesn’t need our family drama.”
“You don’t think he’d help?” I asked out of curiosity.
“I’m sure he would, but he’s got his own shit going on and doesn’t need to be dragged into ours.”
“What’s going on with Mitch?” Did he know something I didn’t? It was strange to be sleeping with a man that my brother knew something about that I didn’t.
“It’s not my business to tell, but he’s not interested in business and involvement in people’s lives. We need to leave him be.”
“Do you see him?” I asked.
“I sometimes see him when he’s down to visit his mom. I’ve been thinking of giving him a call to visit him to ask about some computer work my firm needs. I could arrange to see you too.”
“Ah…”
“Have you seen him up there?” Parker asked.
My first instinct was to lie, but I wasn’t sure what Mitch would tell him. While Mitch wouldn’t say, yeah your sister is sleeping in my bed, I suspect he’d stick close to the truth.
“Yes.”
“How is he?”
“He seems good to me.” More than good, but Parker didn’t need to know that.
“Good. I think I’ll give him a call.”
When Parker and I were off the phone, I rushed downstairs to try and intercept Mitch before my brother called.
“Hi, Parker.” Mitch looked up at me as I entered the living room.
Too late.
His eyes were intently on mine. “Yes, my mom said that your mom had told her Hope was here.”
His brows quirked up. “Ah, yeah, I did see her.”
I winced.
“That would be great. When do you plan to come?”
I bit my lip hoping that our situation wasn’t outed somehow.
“How about you and Hope come here for lunch?” He shrugged as if he wasn’t sure that was the right thing to do. I nodded.
“Great. I’ll see you both then.”
When he hung up, he said, “I guess you know who that was.”
“Sorry, I tried to reach you.” I looked around the area. “There’s no sign that I’m staying here, so it should be okay.”
He blew out a breath. “I told my family that you were staying in the extension. He wouldn’t have a problem with that, would he?”
“Oh, when did you do that?” I asked. And why hadn’t he told me?
“Your mom and my mom ran into each other. I didn’t want to lie.”
“Well, I guess we need to go with that then.”
“It will be fine,” Mitch said. “By the way, I was getting ready to bring his up to you.” He pointed to a box sitting on his coffee table.
“My fabric?” I rushed to the box. It was still Christmas.
He probably thought I was a lunatic as I ripped opened the box and oohed and ahhed over the fabrics.
“Let me carry it up for you, and you can get sewing,” he said.
Once again, I threw myself into his arms. “You’re spoiling me, Mitch.”
He laughed. “You bought the fabric, I’m just carrying it up for you.”
“That’s a lot. Plus, the sewing machine. And the program…oh my God Mitch, it's wonderful. You could probably make a second fortune on it.”
He laughed. “I have enough money.” He tilted his head. “You can have it.”
“What?” I thought he’d already agreed to let me have a copy for my business.
“The program. You can have it. Your business can own it. If you want to sell it to others, you can or keep it to yourself. Just let me know if you need more work on it.”
I gaped. The program had to be worth millions. He couldn’t just give it to me to own. “Mitch, I can’t—”
He stopped my protest with a kiss. “It’s my pleasure to help you achieve your dreams, Hope. Just talk to your brother about protecting it. You don’t want others to steal it.”
“I don’t know how I can ever repay you. You’re too generous.”
“You repay me by pursuing your dreams and achieving everything
you want in your career.”
I nodded. “I’ll try not to let you down.”
He carried the fabrics upstairs and then left me to work. It took me a few minutes to get my mind to the task at hand because I was so overwhelmed by his generosity. Once I calmed down, I focused on creating samples of my work. I was determined that all his help wouldn’t be in vain. I’d prove to him and to myself that I had what it took to be a great designer.
I pulled out the polyester fabrics that had UVA protection to make my sample. While I knew hiking appeal needed to be comfortable and non-confining, it seemed like a little taper at the waist would make a shirt a little more feminine for a woman. I went with a basic powder blue but used a pretty pastel blue lace to cover the collar and cuffs. The sleeves could be rolled up and used the same blue lace over the fabric to make a tab to button the sleeves in place. It was functional but still delicate and pretty.
When I was done, I realized I’d worked through dinner. I put on the shirt and headed back downstairs.
“There she is.” Mitch sat on the couch with Duke at his feet reading. “I went up to get you at dinner, but you were working so intently, I didn’t want to interrupt.” His gaze raked over the shirt. “Is that it?”
I nodded. “What do you think? It offers wicking to keep you dry and UVA protection from the sun.”
“You’re right, you can be functional and beautiful.”
I grinned feeling pleased with my efforts.
“I have dinner warming if you’re hungry.”
I nodded and followed him to the kitchen. But once again, I found myself needing to hug him. “Thank you again, Mitch.” I felt like there was so much more I needed to say, but the right words eluded me.
Mitch—Guilt
Mitch
Having my friend come over for lunch wasn’t one of the brightest ideas I’d ever had. Sleeping with his sister wasn’t a good one either although I was finding it harder and harder to feel bad about it. I had to hope that Parker wouldn’t be able to tell that I’d seen his sister naked or had done all sorts of depraved things to her. Of course, she was a willing participant. She’d pulled a few doozies on me in the sex department.
Her Mountain Hero Page 8
