Twins Under His Tree (8 page)

“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 space. 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 shiny 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 spaciousness, 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 assessed her white jeans and pink top with its scoop neckline. “Shouldn't you be wearing an apron?”

“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, washing 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 space 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 sauté 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.

Moving away from him, she poured the wine into the pot, put the lid on and set it to simmer, glad the major part of the meal was finished.

“Now what?” he asked.

“I need three apples peeled and sliced into that pie plate. I'll make the topping while you're doing that. Tell me about your meeting. Will you be able to reserve rooms at the bed-and-breakfast?”

When Mitch didn't answer, she looked up at him and saw him staring down at the apples. At that moment, she realized the request she'd made, as well as the mistake of asking him to do that kind of task.

“I've learned to do a lot of things with my left hand,” he said matter-of-factly, “but using a knife to slice apples isn't one of them.”

“Mitch, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.”

“There's nothing to be sorry about. Why don't I look through my collection of DVDs and find something we would both enjoy?”

She wanted to put her arms around Mitch. She wanted to breathe in his scent and kiss him, letting him know the use of his fingers wasn't an issue between them.

“Okay,” she said lightly. “I'll be there in a few
minutes.” That was all the time she'd need to slice the apples, mix them with cranberries and pour on a topping.

Then she might have to decide just where she stood where Mitch was concerned.

M
itch knew he shouldn't have reacted as he had. It had been a very long time since something so simple had pushed his buttons. After Iraq, he'd been grateful he'd survived. He'd been grateful he could retrain in another specialty. He'd been grateful he had a life.

The truth was, he could have peeled an apple with his left hand, but those slices would have been chunky and choppy, maybe still bearing some skin.

At the practice, he spoke with couples, analyzed their needs, helped them decide which process was best. He calculated cycles, administered drug regimens, analyzed test results, sonograms, fluoroscopic X-rays. He could facilitate artificial insemination procedures. But he couldn't peel and slice an apple to his liking.

He could help bring life into the world, but he couldn't perform surgery to save a life.

Why had that fact hit him so hard just now?

He shuffled through the DVDs lying on the coffee table without paying attention to the titles. He was vaguely aware of the scent of cinnamon and apples baking, adding to the aroma of the chicken and wine. But when Lily stood in the doorway for a couple of moments before she took a step into the living room, he was elementally aware of her.

As she sat beside him on the sofa, only a few inches away, he wanted to both push her away and take her into his arms. It was the oddest feeling he'd ever experienced. Desire bit at him and he fought it.

“Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes,” she said, as if that were the main topic for discussion.

He could feel her gaze on him, making him hot, making him more restless. Facing her, he concluded, “Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.”

“Eating dinner?” she asked, a little nervously, trying to make light of what was happening.

“Cooking together, eating together, watching a DVD together.”

“I want to be here,” she assured him, her eyes big and wide, all attempts at teasing gone. It was as if she were inviting him to kiss her.

He balled his hands into fists. “Lily—”

Reaching out to him, she touched the tense line of his jaw. “I don't know what's happening, Mitch, but being here with you is important to me. Maybe that first kiss wasn't as intense as we both thought it was. Maybe it was just an outlet—”

He was tired of analyzing and debating and pushing away desire that needed to be expressed. His hands slid under her hair as he leaned toward her, as he cut off her
words with his lips. For over two years, he'd kept his desire for her hidden, locked away. Now, unable to resist, he set it free.

Passion poured out. Lily responded to it and returned it. For that reason, and that reason only, he didn't slam the door shut. He didn't throw the combination away again. She was softness and goodness and light in his hands. When his tongue swept her mouth, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held on. He was caught in the storm that had been building between them since the day he'd first held her. Warning bells clanged in his head, reminding him he should stop kissing her and pull away. But those warning bells seemed distant compared to the hunger that urged him on.

He sensed that same hunger had built in Lily. She wasn't holding back. Nothing about her was restrained.

The sounds of satisfaction Lily was making were driving Mitch crazy. His hand slid from her hair and caressed her shoulder. He could feel the heat of her skin under her knit top. Was she on fire for him as he was for her? Would she consider this kiss another mistake?

His hand slid to her breast. He knew if he didn't breathe soon, the need inside him would consume him.

Lily leaned away just slightly, as if inviting him to touch her more. His control was in shreds. He tore away from the kiss to nuzzle her neck as his hand left her breast and caressed her thigh.

When she turned her face up to his again, her eyes were closed. At that moment, Mitch knew this could be a very big mistake. What if she was imagining Troy
loving her? What if she just needed someone to hold her and any man would take the form of her husband?

He leaned back, willed his heart to slow and found his voice. “Lily, open your eyes.”

The few seconds it took for Lily to find her way back to the sofa seemed unending. She'd been so lost in pleasure that the sound of Mitch's voice—the request he'd made—seemed impossible at first.

When she did open her eyes, she was gazing into his. They were so dark and simmering, filled with the questions that took her a moment to understand. Until he asked, “Were you here with me?”

Her reflexive response was, “Of course, I was here with you.” But as soon as she said it, she had to go back and think and feel. She had to be honest with Mitch and herself. As he didn't move an inch, she whispered, “
Mostly
here with you.”

While she was kissing Mitch, had she been longing for Troy to be the one making love to her? Shaken by that question, as well as the aftermath of the passion that had bubbled up inside her like a well waiting to be sprung, she jumped when the cell phone in her pocket chimed.

Mitch seemed just as jarred. The resigned look on his face told her he knew she had to take the call. After all, Sophie or Grace might need her.

She checked the screen and then glanced at him. “It's Raina. She's in the hospital in labor. I have to find out if everything's okay.”

Just then, the timer went off in the kitchen. Mitch rose to his feet. “I'll check on dinner,” he said gruffly.

Lily closed her eyes and answered Raina's call.

Swallowing emotion that was confusing and
exhilarating, as well as terrifying, Lily cleared her throat. “Raina?”

“It's a girl, Lily! We had a
girl
.” Her friend's voice broke.

“That was pretty fast.”

“Once we got here, it was like she couldn't wait to get out. You've got to come see her, Lily. I know you…understand.”

Lily did understand Raina's history, the loss of her husband and dreams unfulfilled. Now she'd captured those dreams again. “I'm at Mitch's.”

Raina didn't miss a beat. Her joy was too big and broad. “Bring him, too. Shep could use a little distraction. He's hovering over both of us. Eva's here with the boys but she's going to leave in a few minutes. They're so excited about their new sister that they're getting a little rowdy.”

“I'll call you back after I talk to Mitch.”

“If I interrupted something, I'm sorry. You can wait to visit tomorrow.”

Yes, she could. Yet she knew the joy Raina was feeling. She knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her.

After she and Raina ended the call, Lily went into the kitchen, where Mitch had taken the apple dessert from the oven and set it on the counter.

“Raina had a baby girl,” she announced brightly.

“I bet she and Shep are ecstatic.”

She remembered Mitch had met Shep the night of the awards dinner that now seemed forever ago. “She'd like us to come see the baby.”

“Now? She wants company?”

“You know how it is with new moms. They're so
proud, so full of life. And Raina and I, we have a special bond. She says we can wait until tomorrow, but I don't want to let her down. The chicken should be finished. Do you want to have dinner first?”

Mitch glanced at the kitchen clock. “Visiting hours will be over soon. Let's put it in a casserole. We can warm it up when we get back.”

“I can go alone.”

“Would you rather go alone?”

Their intimacy on the sofa was still fresh in her mind and in her heart. She wanted to stay with him…
be
with him a little longer.

“I'd like you to come along.”

He gave her a hint of a smile. “Then let's put this away and get going.”

Lily thought she'd jump out of her skin every time Mitch glanced at her in his SUV. Their awareness of each other was so acute, it was almost uncanny. She suspected Mitch was feeling the same way when he flipped on the CD player. Both of them had agreed to go to the hospital because that was the easier thing to do. She'd almost gotten naked with Mitch, almost let him make love to her. Then what would they have had to say to each other?

At the hospital, alone in the elevator as they rode up to the maternity floor, Mitch turned to her. “I don't feel as if I belong here.”

“Here?”

“The maternity floor. With your friend.”

“My guess is Shep will be glad to see a friendly male face. He's not real comfortable with the softer things in life, if you know what I mean. But I think Raina's changing that.”

“Softer things in life, meaning women having babies, pink blankets, nurses cooing?”

“You've got it.”

Mitch almost smiled. “That does take some getting used to.”

“I guess the transition from trauma surgeon to fertility specialist wasn't always easy for you.”

“Fortunately I was able to rely on some of the research skills I'd acquired while I was in med school. I was a teaching assistant for a professor studying T cells, so analyzing data and studies wasn't foreign to me. I think the hardest part was learning to act as a counselor sometimes to couples who were stressed out because they'd been trying for years to have a baby and couldn't. All kinds of things popped up. I suppose that's why we have Dr. Flannagan as an adjunct.”

“Vanessa is good. I've sent couples to her who are indecisive or who can't agree on what they want to do. Do you know Vanessa well?” Lily asked.

“No. We had lunch together once to discuss a case. She doesn't like to skate on the surface and I didn't want to be psychoanalyzed, so let's just say we didn't socialize after that—we stuck to business.”

Lily was surprised to find herself relieved that Mitch hadn't gotten on well with the pretty psychologist. She admonished herself that she had no business being possessive. She had
no
rights where Mitch was concerned.

After Lily and Mitch signed in at the desk, Lily caught sight of Shep in one of the family waiting rooms. Joey and Roy, Shep and Raina's older boys, stood in the doorway as if ready to leave. Eva, their nanny, had one arm about each of them while Manuel, Shep and
Raina's almost three-year-old, was throwing a tantrum, his arms tightly holding Shep around the neck, his tears as heartbreaking as his sobs.

“Daddy, you come home,
too,
” he wailed.

Shep spotted Lily immediately and said above Manuel's wails, “Don't you tell Raina about this.”

“She'd understand.”

“Hell, yes, she'd understand. She'd want me to bring them all into the room so they could sleep with her.”

Lily had to chuckle because she knew Shep was right. “She'd call it a birthday sleepover,” Lily joked.

Mitch groaned. “I think you're going to have to do better than that to cheer this little guy up. So your name's Manuel?” Mitch asked, bending down to him, looking into his eyes.

At first Lily thought the little boy would play shy. Instead of hiding in Shep's shoulder, though, he pulled himself up straighter and studied Mitch. “What's your name?”

“My name's Mitch.” He pointed to Lily. “You know her, don't you?”

Manuel nodded vigorously. “She and Mom are BFFs.”

The adults all looked at each other and broke out into laughter.

“Who'd you hear that from?” Shep asked.

“Joey. He knows.”

“Yes, he does know lots of things,” Shep agreed with a grin he couldn't suppress.

“Maybe you should go home and make sure everything's ready for tomorrow when your sister comes home,” Mitch suggested. “I bet your mom and dad would both be surprised.”

Eva stepped in. “We could cut some roses and put them in pretty vases. Your mom would love that. We can make sure everything in the baby's room is just right.”

Manuel stared at Eva.

Adding another incentive, she offered, “I can turn on the new baby monitor and you can watch the lights flicker when we make noise in the room.”

Swiveling toward his dad again, Manuel screwed up his little face. “Okay.”

Shep tapped the pocket of his shirt. “I'll give you a call before bed and you can say good-night to Mom. How's that?”

“That's good,” Manuel assured him, climbing off his dad's lap and taking Eva's hand.

After hugs and kisses from all his boys, Shep watched them leave the maternity floor with Eva.

“Man, that's tough,” he muttered. “It breaks my heart when they're sad.”

Lily patted Shep's arm knowing that before he met Raina, he never would have been able to admit that.

“I'm going to visit the new mom,” Lily said.

Shep studied Mitch. “You want to get a cup of coffee with me?”

“Sure,” Mitch answered, exchanging a look with Lily that told her she'd been right about Shep needing a break.

“See you in a bit,” she said with a wave, and headed for Raina's room.

When she entered her friend's room, she stopped short. This was a woman who had her world together.

The head of the bed had been raised and Raina was holding her infant daughter. She looked abso
lutely radiant and Lily almost envied her calm sense of satisfaction.

“Hey, there,” she called softly from the doorway.

“Hey, yourself. Come on in. Meet Christina Joy McGraw.”

“What a beautiful name! Did you and Shep decide on it together?”

“He just said he wanted something pretty and a little old-fashioned. I added Joy because that's what she's going to bring us.” After passing her hand over her baby's head, Raina looked beyond Lily. “Where's Mitch?”

“He's keeping Shep company for a cup of coffee.”

“This is a rough day for Shep, but if he drinks more than two cups, he's not going to sleep tonight.”

Lily laughed. “I don't think he's going to sleep anyway. You
do
know he's going to stay here with you.”