Twins Under His Tree Part 9

Stepping away from the group with Grace in her arms, Lily went in search of Mitch. He was her friend, and they would be working together when she returned. She had to keep communication open between them. She had to know what was going on in his mind. Maybe it had nothing to do with her. If it didn't, she'd be relieved. At least that's what she told herself.

She found him in his office, at his computer. She stood there for a few moments, listening to Grace's little soughing sounds, studying Mitch's profile. Her gaze went to his hands as his fingers depressed keys. His left hand was faster than his right and she wondered if the fingers on his right hand hurt to use. What kind of pain did he experience on a daily basis? With what he'd told her, she guessed his injuries had left repercussions. On the other hand, were the memories in his head more painful than anything physical injuries could cause? She wished he could talk to her about all of it. She wished- Moving into the room, she said, "You should still be on your lunch break."

"A fertility specialist never sleeps," he joked. "I have a couple coming in this afternoon because the time is right."

"They're going the artificial insemination route?"

"For now. In vitro doesn't fit into their budget." His gaze went from Lily to Grace. "She seems content."

Lily checked her watch. "Probably for about fifteen more minutes."

Rolling his chair back, Mitch stood and approached her. His large hand gently pa.s.sed over Grace's little head, his thumb brus.h.i.+ng her strands of cotton-soft blond hair. "So you just decided to stop in or did you and Ellie have errands in the area?"

"Sophie and Grace had appointments with Tessa. Since we were in the building..." She trailed off.

"You wanted to stay in touch."

"I think it will be easier for me to come back to work in the fall if I do." He nodded.

"Mitch..." She didn't know what she wanted to say, or how to say it. "I need to talk about Troy."

"I know you do. That was another good reason for Ellie coming to stay with you."

"You left the lounge and I thought-"

"I told you I have clients coming."

"I know." She felt so stymied for the right words to say. She could say, I want to be around you, but when I am, I feel guilty. Yet that couldn't come out because she and Mitch were both fighting becoming any closer.

She bowed her head, placing a tiny kiss on Grace's forehead, trying to figure out what she was doing in this room with Mitch and why she had actually stopped in today.

Yet Mitch wouldn't let her stand there, stewing in her own confusion. He slipped one knuckle under her chin and lifted it. "I think we're both feeling things we don't believe we should be feeling. You don't know whether to run in the other direction or pretend we're just friends."

"I don't want to pretend!"

His brows arched as he gave her a crooked smile. "That is the crux of it."

"Lily." Ellie was standing in the doorway with Sophie, studying the two of them standing close, Mitch's finger under her chin.

He quickly dropped his hand to his side while Lily turned to face her sister-in-law. "I know. They're both going to start crying for lunch soon."

"If you'd like to use my office, you can," Mitch offered. "I have work to do in the lab."

Crossing to his desk and reaching for a file folder, he picked it up, then stopped in the doorway. "It's good to see you again, Ellie."

"You, too," she said politely.

Mitch stood there for a few moments as if waiting to see if Troy's sister had something else to say. But she didn't. After a last glance at Lily and the twins, he strode down the hall.

Lily waited, not knowing if Ellie might have something to say to her. But her sister-in-law just moved toward the door. "I'll get the diaper bag." Then she was gone, too, leaving Lily with Grace in Mitch's office with very chaotic thoughts and feelings.

"They sure like those swings," Angie observed a week later as Lily came into the kitchen and watched her putting together a ca.s.serole for lunch.

Lily stirred the white sauce she was cooking and glanced over at her content daughters. "They're settling into a real schedule."

"Where's Ellie?"

"She went shopping to get material she needed."

Angie poured herself a cup of coffee and took a seat at the kitchen counter. "Mitch hasn't been around for a while. Did you two have a fight or something?"

Or something, Lily thought. "I saw him when I visited everyone at the practice."

"That was a week ago. He stopped in to see Sophie and Grace every day when they were in the hospital and he worried about you. It seems odd he hasn't called or dropped by more."

"I think he's giving me s.p.a.ce."

Angie studied Lily over her mug. "Do you want s.p.a.ce?"

"We're just friends." If she repeated those words often enough, she might believe them.

"I know that. And I know he's watching over you because Troy asked him to."

Lily found herself wanting to protest, to say that wasn't the only reason. Yet she wasn't sure she should. She didn't know what was in Mitch's mind. "I feel I owe him so much for everything."

"So why not call him and ask him to dinner?"

Angie made it sound so simple. On the one hand, Lily would love to do that. But on the other, she wished she and Mitch could have a little time alone, maybe straighten out everything between them.

"I could go to his place to cook dinner," she said aloud, testing the idea.

From the doorway, several bags in her arms, Ellie asked, "You want to cook dinner for Mitch?" There was wariness in her tone and an element of disapproval.

"He did so much for me, including encouraging me to call you. I'd like to thank him."

Ellie came into the kitchen and dropped her bags on the table. Then she went to the twins and crouched down, greeting both of them.

"I'm off for the weekend," Angie offered. "I could watch Sophie and Grace if Ellie has plans."

"No plans tomorrow. Just the concert with you in Amarillo on Sat.u.r.day," Ellie said to Angie, without looking up. "I can watch them."

"Are you sure?" Lily asked. "Because I could invite Mitch here instead."

"No," Ellie responded, standing. "It's fine. Angie and I and Sophie and Grace will have a girls' night together. It will be a blast, even if the babies can't eat popcorn yet."

"Before we make too many plans, I'd better find out if Mitch wants me to cook for him. I'll leave a message on his cell phone." She picked up the cordless phone in the kitchen before she lost her nerve.

An hour and a half later, when Mitch returned her call, Lily had just finished breast-feeding both babies. It was much easier now than when she'd first tried to juggle their needs.

"I got your message," Mitch said. "Is everything all right?"

Lily looked down at her sleeping daughters. "Everything's fine. I..." She cleared her throat. "If you're going to be home tomorrow evening, I'd like to cook you dinner."

"Home? As in at my house?"

She laughed. "Yes. Angie and Ellie offered to watch Sophie and Grace, and this would be my way to thank you for everything you've done."

He didn't say, "You don't have to thank me," because they'd gone through that routine before and he probably knew it would fall on deaf ears. "A home-cooked meal would be a nice change," he agreed noncommittally.

"What's your favorite meal?"

"Why don't you surprise me."

"You're not going to give me a hint?"

"Nope. I like everything."

"Okay, I'll stop at the market and then come over."

"I'm taking off tomorrow afternoon to meet with the couple who own the bed-and-breakfast around three. But I should be home by four. I can tape a spare key under the garage spout in case I'm tied up longer."

Lily was surprised Mitch was taking off, but she knew planning the reunion was important to him. "That's perfect. I can get started and then when you arrive, we can really catch up."

"Catching up sounds good," he responded, as if he meant it.

Lily's heart seemed to flutter but she told herself it was just her imagination.

After she ended the call, she wondered if she was doing the right thing. But showing her appreciation was important to her. No matter what Mitch said, she believed it was important to him, too.

She'd find out tomorrow night.

Lily found the key behind the spout on Friday and let herself into Mitch's brick ranch-style house situated on the outskirts of Sagebrush. She liked the looks of the outside with its neat plantings and tall fencing, and the protected entrance where she'd set the grocery bags on a wooden bench that perfectly fit the s.p.a.ce. Slipping the key into the lock, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.

To the right of the small foyer, a door led into the garage. Beyond that lay a rambling living room. It was huge, with a fireplace, tall windows and a cathedral ceiling with a fan. The comfortable-looking furniture was upholstered in masculine colors, navy and burgundy. Distressed-pine tables and black wrought-iron lamps sat in practical positions around the furniture. She was surprised to see only a small flat-screen TV in the entertainment center rather than a larger model. But then maybe Mitch didn't spend much time watching TV.

The kitchen was straight ahead and she eagerly picked up the bags, took them in and set them on the counter. Stainless steel appliances looked s.h.i.+ny and new. An archway opened into a sunroom where French doors led outside to a large rustic brick patio. A round table and four chairs nestled in a corner of the dining area of the kitchen under a black wrought-iron chandelier. She liked the clean lines of the house, its s.p.a.ciousness, its practical floor plan.

She was unpacking the groceries when her cell phone rang. She thought it might be Mitch telling her he was on his way. Instead, she recognized Raina's number and happily answered. "How are you?"

Her friend said, "I'm in labor!"

"You're not due till next week," Lily said practically.

Raina laughed. "Tell that to our son or daughter."

"Where are you?"

"At the hospital. Emily is with me."

Lily knew Raina was comfortable using a midwife, but her husband hadn't been so sure. "How is Shep handling this?"

"Let's just say he drove here under the speed limit but that was a struggle. Now he's pacing while Emily's trying to keep the mood relaxed."

Raina had wanted to have a home birth, but she'd compromised with Shep. Since Emily and Jared had managed to bring about changes at the hospital to include a midwife in the birthing process, there were two suites there now that were supposed to simulate the comforts of home. The birthing suites provided the advantages of delivering a baby in a more natural setting while having a doctor nearby should any complications arise. "How are you handling labor?"

"I can't wait for this baby to be born. Wow," she suddenly exclaimed, "I'm starting another contraction and it's stronger than the last one. Either Shep or I will let you know when the baby's born. Talk to you later."

Lily thought about her own contractions, how they'd come on so suddenly, how Mitch had helped her. In some ways, that night seemed eons ago.

After considering her options, Lily had decided to make Mitch something she had never cooked before. She'd found the recipe for chicken in wine in her favorite cookbook. It wasn't complicated. It just required a little time to prepare. Today she had the time. She'd brought along her favorite pan and started bacon frying in it. Rummaging in Mitch's cupboard, she found other pots and pans she could use. After she sorted her ingredients, she prepared the chicken to fry in the bacon drippings.

A half hour later, the chicken was browning nicely when she heard the garage door open. She took a quick look around the kitchen. She had managed to set the table before she'd started the chicken. She'd brought along two place mats, matching napkins, as well as a vase filled with pretty, hand-carved wooden flowers. Mitch's white ironstone dishes looked perfect on the dark green place mats.

Lily heard the door from the garage into the foyer open then Mitch's deep voice calling into the kitchen. "Something smells great."

And then he was there in the doorway, tall and lean, his almost black eyes taking in everything at a glance. He wore blue jeans, black boots and a navy henley. Skitters of sensation rippled up and down her spine.

They just stood there for a few moments, staring at each other. He a.s.sessed her white jeans and pink top with its scoop neckline. "Shouldn't you be wearing an ap.r.o.n?"

"The clothes will wash."

"Spoken like a mom."

Moving forward into the kitchen, he caught sight of the table and stopped. "You've gone to a lot of trouble."

"Not really. You're just not used to a woman's touch." As soon as the words were out, she knew she should have thought first before speaking. Letting the thoughts in her mind spill free could land her in deep trouble.

Mitch didn't react, simply hung his keys on a hook above the light switch. "I don't know how long it's been since I walked into a kitchen with something good cooking. Do you want me to help with this?" He motioned to the stove and the sink. "Or do you want me to get out of your way?"

"You're welcome to help, but if you have something more important to do-"

"Nothing that can't wait," he said, was.h.i.+ng his hands. "I worked in the yard earlier this afternoon."

"I like your house, and the way you've decorated."

His brows drew together as he dried his hands on the dish towel. "Maybe you can tell me the best way to set it up to entertain twenty to twenty-five people for the reunion weekend. I'm afraid s.p.a.ce will be tight."

"What about a fire pit on the patio, depending on the weather, of course. It might draw a few people out there to toast marshmallows."

He studied her with one of those intense looks again and she knew it wasn't just the heat from the stove that was making her cheeks flame. "What?"

"You have great ideas."

Smiling to herself, she turned back to the chicken, deciding it was browned just right and that she had to concentrate on the meal so she wouldn't focus too much on Mitch. "My next great idea is that I'd better watch what I'm doing or your kitchen could go up in flames."

He chuckled. "What do you need help with?"

"Can you open the wine? I need a cup. I have everything else ready to simmer." She dumped in onions and celery, stirring to saute them a bit, added carrots, chicken broth and the crumbled bacon. After Mitch loosened the cork and poured out a cup of wine, she took it from him, their hands grazing each other, hers tingling after they did.