A Man Not Her Own Page 12

  “Woohoo! A surprise party! Cool! That will make it extra special.”

  Sarah hugged him close. “What do you want to get Lindsey for a gift?”

  He thought a minute. “A new basketball. She doesn’t have one of her own and she really likes to throw hoops.” He scrambled to his knees and kissed Sarah’s cheek. “Good night, Mom. I think I can go to sleep now.”

  “Good night, sweetie. Want me to tuck you in again?”

  “Naw, I’m good.”

  Sarah shook her head and smiled. Her little boy was growing up so fast. Mitch needed to hurry and learn the ropes, or he’d miss out on more of Lindsey’s life. She’d be grown and going off to college soon. Mitch had a lot of catching up to do, and time was slipping away.

  ****

  Mitch sat in his mother’s kitchen, helping—more like watching—her make ravioli. He wasn’t concentrating on the task. Instead, he was thinking about Sarah and the awesome kisses they’d shared. In the past two weeks, he’d only seen her a couple of times, and then only to talk about Lindsey’s party.

  What was there about kissing a woman, getting all hot and bothered, then not following through, that made a man feel like a teenager again?

  Mitch shook his head. He hadn’t been this sexually frustrated in damn near fifteen years. And why had he offered to help Sarah with her problem when he’d convinced himself that he was not the man for the job?

  Because the thought of her with another man drove him crazy, that’s why. And she’d sounded like she was ready to go find any old Tom, Dick or Horny to help her out.

  What choice had he had except to volunteer his services? And damned, if he hadn’t been rewarded with the sweetest of smiles and the sexiest kisses he’d ever been privileged to participate in.

  He’d been going by instinct letting Sarah take control like that. He hoped to God, he wouldn’t do anything to frighten her. She’d felt so good in his arms. He couldn’t wait for the next “lesson.”

  “Earth to Mitch.”

  He blinked. His mother waved a hand in front of his face. Damn. He should not be thinking these kinds of thoughts with his mother in the same room.

  “Where did you go?” Vivian asked. “You were a million miles away. You’re supposed to be brushing that sheet of pasta for me.”

  “Right.” He dipped the brush in the bowl of water and brushed between the rows of meat filling. “I was, uh, thinking about Lindsey.”

  His mother glanced up from spooning the filling onto another sheet of pasta. They were making the ravioli for Lindsey’s birthday party tomorrow. “What about her?”

  “I’m not doing too hot with her, Mom. I don’t think this party will solve our problems.”

  “Of course it won’t, but I think it will help. You have to be patient and give it time.”

  He dipped the brush again. “How come it didn’t take long for you two to get all cozy and buddy-buddy?”

  “Right time and right place, I imagine.” Viv walked over to the stove and stirred the sauce. “I was dying for a grandchild and Lindsey was starving for affection. Plus, it helps that we’re both female. We actually talk to one another. Have you tried to talk to her, Mitch?”

  “What would I say? I still can’t remember her mother, for Christ’s sake.”

  Viv frowned over her shoulder. “Language, sonny boy.”

  “Sorry. I feel like I’m at a distinct disadvantage. I can’t remember the woman I got pregnant. And now I have a teenage daughter I didn’t know about. How am I supposed to take responsibility for another person, when I’m having a damned hard time taking care of myself?”

  Vivian tasted the sauce, turned down the heat and returned to the table. “You’re beating yourself up again. You need to put the past to rest. You’ve walked the straight and narrow for over ten years now. Get over it, Mitch. Move on.”

  Mitch reached for the other sheet of pasta. “I have to be constantly on guard. Twenty-four seven. I’m sure you’ve noticed I don’t drink anything stronger than coffee.”

  His mother leaned over the table and patted his cheek. “You’ve always been a good boy deep down inside.”

  “No, Mom. You don’t know the half of what I’ve done. I’m so scared I’ll slip back into my old ways, it isn’t even funny.”

  “Is that why you don’t play and sing anymore?”

  Mitch’s hand holding the brush stalled over the bowl of water. “Maybe. Maybe I link the music to the destructive lifestyle that almost got me killed.”

  Vivian scraped the bowl for the last drops of filling. “And is that the reason you won’t let Lindsey take guitar lessons?”

  Mitch thought a minute. “I don’t want her to suffer like I suffered.”

  Viv pointed the spatula at Mitch. He eyed it warily. “Let me tell you something, David Mitchell Defalco.”

  Huh-oh. When she used his whole name, Mitch knew he was in trouble.

  “Your music is what saved you when you were in high school.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that because you were so into your music, you were too busy to get into any more trouble than you actually did. Without your music, you would have been darn near a juvenile delinquent.”

  “Mom, I was a juvie.”

  “You were not. You had an attitude is all. You never lost that good heart of yours. Without your music, it could have been much worse. Your music anchored you. Soothed you. Kept you out of really bad trouble.”

  Maybe his mother was on to something. Mitch had never thought about his music like that. “So you think I should let Lindsey take guitar lessons?”

  “That is exactly what I’m trying to say. She told me if she hadn’t had her French horn and band class in school, she wouldn’t have survived living with her mother. Learning to be a good parent means letting your child take risks and not stifling them because of your own fears and insecurities.”

  “Damn, I’ll never get this right.”

  “Yes, you will.” She patted his cheek again. “It just takes time.”

  Chapter Nine

  Lindsey let herself into Grandma Viv’s house. She didn’t knock, because she had a key. Her grandmother had told her she was welcome anytime. Grandma Viv was cool.

  Mitch had closed the studio at noon and was already here. He’d asked Lindsey to stop by after she had eaten lunch with her friend Emily. Emily’s house was a few blocks from her grandmother’s.

  As she walked toward the kitchen, Lindsey heard their voices. They were talking about her and guitar lessons. She flattened herself against the wall near the kitchen door. Had they found out about the secret lessons Thomas was giving her? Man, she was screwing up. She knew she should confess to Mitch, but what if he got mad and sent her away? Thomas had no idea Lindsey was doing it behind Mitch’s back. What would he do if he found out? The lump of guilt in her throat almost made her sick. There was nothing to do except to tough it out.

  Pushing away from the wall, Lindsey walked into the kitchen. The smell of tomatoes and oregano filled the room.

  Grandma Viv smiled. “Hey, darlin’, aren’t you looking nice. Give your grandma a kiss.”

  Lindsey bent to kiss her cheek, and Grandma Viv pulled her in for a hug. Leaning her head on the plump shoulder for a second, she inhaled the now familiar lavender scent. How nice it was to feel safe and loved by her grandmother. But what she really wanted was to feel safe and loved by...okay, by Mitch. There. She’d admitted it. She was starting to like the guy, even though he didn’t have a clue about anything.

  “Hey, kiddo,” Mitch said. “Come on and sit down. Your grandma’s making ravioli. Want to help?”

  “Sure. What’s the occasion?” Grandma Viv only cooked hand-made ravioli for special events. The last time had been when Aunt Judith had made a huge sale and received a big bonus.

  Lindsey sat next to Mitch, and he handed her the brush and bowl of water. She caught a strange look pass between the two grownups.

  Grandma Viv smiled. “We’re prep
aring ravioli for a party.”

  “A party?” Lindsey’s heart raced as she brushed water around the little lumps of meat on the dough. Had they somehow found out it was her birthday tomorrow? No way. “Can we keep some for ourselves?” she managed to ask.

  Another look passed between them. Lindsey’s hand began to tremble. She gripped the brush tighter.

  “You’ll get your share,” Mitch said. “Mom always makes a little extra.”

  “That’s right,” said Grandma Viv. “You come back tomorrow and we’ll have ravioli. Here, you want to cut them?” She handed Lindsey the pastry wheel.

  “Sure.” Carefully, she cut the ravioli into perfect little squares. Okay, she hated herself, but had to ask. “Who’s the party for?”

  “Someone very special,” Mitch said. “Hey, you’re doing one fine job there, kiddo.”

  “Thanks.” Pushing away the disappointment, she finished cutting one sheet of ravioli and moved to the next, while her grandmother scooped the cut squares into a large bowl.

  Lindsey took a deep breath. She’d been meaning to talk to Mitch, and now was as good a time as any, especially with Grandma Viv here to back her up. “Mitch, can I ask you something?”

  He looked at her in surprise, then grinned. “Ask away, kiddo.”

  She liked the way he called her kiddo. He made it sound like he wanted to keep her around after all. “Do you think I could sign up for driver’s ed?”

  Mitch stared at her. “Well...”

  “Of course, you can,” Grandma Viv said. “Poor Lindsey. You’ve been thrust in the middle of a strange group of people. I know it must be difficult. You need to remember that you’re a Defalco now, and Defalcos stick together. Right, Mitch?”

  “You bet,” he said. “Tell me what I need to do, and I’ll write the check.”

  Lindsey breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks. Uh...there’s one other thing. Do you think you could get a—you know—a car? I’ll need one to practice driving. It doesn’t have to be new or fancy. I can’t learn to drive without a car.”

  Mitch frowned. “I don’t know about that.”

  Again, Grandma Viv came to the rescue. “Tell you what, baby doll. You can use my car until Mitch decides what kind to buy. I’ve been telling him for years that he needed a car. No more excuses, right, sonny boy?”

  Mitch hesitated. He didn’t look too happy about the car idea. “Right, Mom. No more excuses.”

  “Thanks.” Lindsey cut another batch of ravioli with a lighter heart. Things were looking up. Now if only she could gather her courage and confess about the secret guitar lessons. Who knew? Maybe Mitch would change his mind.

  Grandma Viv had been arguing on her behalf. Mitch seemed to love his mother and respect her. All her uncles and Aunt Judith had a loving relationship with Grandma Viv.

  Lindsey wished she could share just a little bit of that kind of relationship with Mitch. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about being alone ever again.

  ****

  “Why are we stopping at the restaurant?” Lindsey asked the next day. “I thought we were eating ravioli at Grandma Viv’s house today.”

  Mitch parked his motorcycle in front of Defalco’s, trying to keep a straight face and not give anything away. Planning this surprise party for Lindsey had been damned hard, but it would be worth it if it helped them get closer.

  “She asked me to pick up one of the large pots...”

  “You have a key?” Lindsey hopped off the motorcycle, removed her helmet, and finger combed her long hair.

  Mitch let down the kickstand and dismounted. “Marco should be inside. Sunday’s his day to inventory the liquor, you know.”

  “He’s not eating ravioli with us?”

  Damn, he was getting mired in this web of lies, trying to keep Lindsey in the dark. He’d almost blown it yesterday, asking her to meet him at Mom’s house. He wasn’t good at being sneaky any more. “Marco will be a little late. Come on, you can help me find the pot.”

  “You can’t find it yourself?” Lindsey stood on the sidewalk, slumping in that annoying teenage way, her arms crossed over her chest.

  Mitch couldn’t help it. He had to laugh. “You’re a Defalco, all right, with that smart mouth of yours. Now come on, we don’t want to be late.”

  “Late? How can we be late? It’s four o’clock. Dinner’s not for another two hours.”

  He opened the door and held it open. “Do you always have to argue with me?”

  Lindsey stayed where she was, searching his face, her eyes holding a yearning that made Mitch’s chest hurt. She looked sad. Young. Lost. In a flash, her eyes hardened and she lifted her chin. His daughter’s moods swung from sweet to sour at an alarming rate. Right now, she was back in bad-ass mode.

  “I like to argue,” she said, marching past him and through the door.

  Suddenly the lights flashed on inside the restaurant and there was a big loud “Surprise!”

  Lindsey’s eyes widened and she looked at Mitch with a question on her face.

  “Happy Birthday, kiddo.”

  “How did you know?” she whispered.

  Josh Cooper pushed his way through the crowd. “I told my mom, Lindsey. She told your dad. And we helped with the party.”

  For a minute, Mitch thought he’d messed up, because Lindsey’s eyes filled with tears and her bottom lip wobbled. Then she smiled and gave him a quick hug. “Thanks, Mitch.”

  Josh tugged her away before he had time to respond.

  “Come on,” Josh said. “You gotta see the cake!”

  Lindsey laughed as he pulled her over to a big table in the middle of the restaurant where the rest of the family and some of her friends waited to welcome and congratulate her.

  Mitch let the door close behind him. Sarah walked toward him with that smile he was beginning to look for every time they met.

  “Well?” she said.

  He glanced over at the group around the table. Lindsey had a big smile on her face, the biggest he’d ever seen. “You were right. It was worth it. She hugged me. Actually hugged me.”

  “I saw, and I’m glad for you,” Sarah said. “For both of you. Come on, let’s get this show on the road.”

  ****

  Lindsey sat at the head of the table, a sea of faces surrounding her. Friendly faces. Some, maybe even loving. She’d never been so surprised in her life, or so happy. Wow! An honest-to-goodness birthday party. For her.

  Grandma Viv tapped her wine glass with a spoon to get everyone’s attention. “It’s time for the cake, then Lindsey can open her presents. Mitch, would you do the honors?”

  Mitch lit the sixteen candles, then stood behind Lindsey, with his hands on her shoulders, as everyone sang the birthday song.

  Lindsey felt tears in her eyes and quickly dashed them away. She had to be ready to blow out the candles, when the song was finished. She couldn’t be sobbing and make everyone wait. How lame would that be?

  The song ended. JC clapped. “Blow ‘em out, Lindsey! Make a wish first.”

  A wish. Lindsey squeezed her eyes shut. She had almost everything she had ever wished for. Only one thing was missing. Crossing her fingers for luck, she made her wish and blew out the candles.

  After the cake was eaten, Aunt Judith escorted Lindsey to the table piled high with the gifts. “Ready for your presents?” she asked.

  Lindsey nodded. Aunt Judith handed her the first one. With trembling fingers, Lindsey smoothed her hands over the brightly colored wrapping paper, before carefully beginning to unwrap the package.

  “Aw, hurry it up already,” Josh said, standing at her shoulder. “You’re going too slow. Just rip it!”

  Lindsey laughed and tried not to cry. She didn’t want to hurry up. She wanted to savor every joyful moment of her first birthday party. She couldn’t believe how Mitch had planned everything, with help from Mrs. C and Grandma Viv and Aunt Judith.

  When she opened the big box and discovered a basketball inside, she hugged JC. “Thanks, it’s gre
at. We’ll have a playoff. You and me. And we’ll use my new ball.”

  “Cool!” Josh gave her a high-five, then turned to Aunt Judith to get the next present. “Oomph, this one is heavy.”

  “Don’t drop it,” Aunt Judith said with a smile. Lindsey liked Mitch’s sister. She always dressed cool and sophisticated, even for this small Texas town. Grandma Viv kept telling Lindsey that she looked like Judith when she’d been a teenager. That gave Lindsey hope that she’d fill out and get curves, because right now, she was like a stick. Straight and tall.

  Josh groaned as he lifted the long box. “Here you go. I’m dying to see what this is.”

  Lindsey ruffled the little boy’s red hair. “All in good time, JC. All in good time.” The card said it was from Mitch.

  He smiled. “Happy Birthday, kiddo.”

  She tried to smile back, but a big lump blocked her throat. She peeled the paper away from the enormous box and opened the lid.

  “Oh, wow!” Josh said.

  Lindsey swallowed twice and tried to stem the threatening tears, as she lifted out a beautiful guitar.

  “I hope you like it,” Mitch said. “Sarah has a pretty big selection and it was hard to choose.”

  “I love it.” She jumped up from her seat and for the second time that day, she hugged Mitch. This time, he hugged her back. Lindsey thought she might be having a heart attack because her chest hurt so much. He kissed the top of her head as she stood there in his arms, and she breathed in his special scent. The one she smelled every time she rode the motorcycle with him. This time, though, she hugged him like she never wanted him to let her go, and wonder of wonders, he hugged her tightly, too.

  Then, he pulled back and wiped her tears. “Hey, you’re not supposed to be crying.”

  She sniffed. “I can’t help it. I’m so happy. Thanks, Mitch.”

  “You’re welcome, kiddo. Well, hell. Maybe you shouldn’t open my other gift if you’re going to cry.”

  Her chest ached even more. “You bought me something else?”