A Man Not Her Own Page 4

  Especially for me.

  Sarah didn’t trust the feelings darting around her heart. No way could she let her feelings grow for him beyond that teenage crush. She knew first hand the consequences of inviting the attentions of someone like Mitch Defalco. She had the battle scars to prove it.

  That didn’t mean she couldn’t be friendly and neighborly. Taking a quick sip of Kool-Aid to cool her parched throat, she set the glass back down on the table. “You said you needed a favor?”

  Mitch nodded. “Normally, I would ask my mother or sister, except Lindsey hasn’t warmed up to them like she has to you. I mean, she’s starting to warm up to my mom, but—”

  “So this favor is for Lindsey?” Sarah pushed away the disappointment tightening her chest. What had she expected, for goodness’ sakes?

  He traced the drops of condensation on his glass. “Like I said, this parenting thing has really knocked me for a loop. I’m screwing up with Lindsey. Hell, I’m screwing up trying to ask you for this favor.”

  Sarah had to smile. Gone was the cocky bad boy of long ago. In his place sat a man who was unsure of himself and his fathering capabilities. “Just spit it out, Mitch. I won’t bite.” Good lord, why had she said that?

  His eyes locked with hers. The heat in the kitchen kicked up a notch matching his scorching gaze. Those pesky butterflies started twirling in her stomach again. Sarah reached for her Kool-Aid. Maybe she could drown the little suckers.

  She desperately needed to diffuse these crazy feelings she had for Mitch. Her teenage crush seemed to be quickly turning into major lust. And Sarah knew for certain that lusting after Mitch Defalco could only lead to heartache.

  Or worse.

  Chapter Three

  Mitch watched as Sarah gulped down the grape drink. Sarah Smiles was all grown up, but she still blushed like a kid and even though she’d been married and had a child, an aura of innocence surrounded her.

  Damned, if his body wasn’t reacting in a disturbing manner to the woman sitting on the other side of the small kitchen table. Maybe not so disturbing, considering how long it had been since he’d been with a woman; however, he should not be having these feelings for Sarah Smiles. She represented everything that was good. Mitch knew he was anything but.

  He needed to leave. He needed to get away. Someone as sweet and as good as Sarah was not for the likes of him. He was the wrong sort of man for a gentle soul like Sarah.

  Mitch scraped back his chair, took his glass and set it in the sink. “I’ve got to go.”

  She pushed away from the table, the plastic glass still clutched in her hand. “You were going to ask me for a favor. Something to do with Lindsey?”

  He shook his head. “I changed my mind. Thanks for the drink.” He almost made it out the door. Almost.

  “What do you mean you changed your mind? What’s wrong?”

  His hand froze on the door handle. “Nothing’s wrong.”

  She walked toward him. He was still facing the door, but he heard her footsteps. She stopped and Mitch knew she was standing close. Too close.

  “Mitch, I’ll help with Lindsey any way I can. I know it must be difficult to have parenthood thrust on you like this. It’s tough, even in the best of circumstances.”

  He turned and faced her. “You should know. You’ve lost your husband and you’re raising a son alone. Not the best of circumstances.”

  “Yes, but I’ve had Josh from day one.” Her eyes went warm when she mentioned her son’s name. She was a good parent who loved her child very much. An excellent example and role model for Mitch. He could do a lot worse than to follow and learn from Sarah.

  “Be patient, Mitch. Sooner or later, Lindsey will come around.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease the tension. From his frustration about Lindsey, or the close proximity to Sarah? “I hope it’s sooner than later. The guilt is eating me alive because I didn’t know about her.”

  Sarah gave him a smile, this time directed solely toward him. A stick of dynamite exploded in his gut. “It wasn’t your fault,” she said softly.

  Mitch laughed, but without any humor. “One of the few times, right?”

  She shook her head. “You’re being too hard on yourself. So why did you come over here? What did you want?”

  She stood so close, gazing at him with those beautiful hazel eyes. Eyes that were starting to haunt him. Why had he come over? To see Sarah Smiles? To be near her? Christ, he was losing it.

  He hunched his shoulders, trying to ease the stiffness. “I was going to ask you to go to the parent-teacher conference with Lindsey and me. I could use some support. Lindsey and I are barely speaking and it’s going to be weird setting foot inside that building again. I wasn’t exactly the star pupil in high school and I’ll be feeling at a slight disadvantage.”

  Sarah cocked her head and stared, amusement crinkling the corners of her eyes. “And you think it’ll help if I go with you?”

  Mitch took a deep breath. “You’re the only person Lindsey has gotten close to. Except for Josh. He’s my second choice, of course.”

  She chuckled, just as he’d intended. It felt good to make her laugh. He told himself that he was doing this for Lindsey. That Sarah’s presence would make it easier for them both.

  Just keep telling yourself that, Defalco.

  “What do you say?” he asked. “Will you go?”

  Sarah stared a moment longer, then nodded. “I’ll go. Just tell me when and where.”

  ****

  Sarah glanced at the clock beside her computer. Noon already? Business had been slow this morning, and she’d taken advantage of the time to catch up with her accounts. She shut down the computer and went to the back of the shop to grab her purse.

  She always took a long lunch hour on Tuesdays so she could eat with her mom and dad. She enjoyed the time spent with just the three of them. Okay, maybe not her mom so much. But family was family after all. Every Thursday evening, Sarah and Josh had a standing dinner date out at the small ranch where she had grown up. But Tuesdays were reserved for just Sarah and her folks.

  They usually drove in from the ranch and met Sarah somewhere in town. Martha and Robert Nicholson enjoyed dining at the various restaurants and cafés in Stone Creek. Except for Defalco’s Italian Restaurant. Her mother refused to set foot inside Defalco’s because she still blamed Mitch for Jeanie’s death. No matter what Sarah or her dad said, they couldn’t budge Martha from this belief.

  Today, Sarah was eating lunch with her mother at Josie’s Diner down the street from The Music Shoppe. Her dad had gone to Lubbock with a load of calves to sell. It was always awkward when it was only Sarah and her mom. They had never been close. Jeanie had always been her mom’s favorite. When Jeanie had died, something in Martha had died, too.

  Sitting at a table in the back, Sarah watched her mother stir Sweet ‘n Low into her tall glass of iced tea. “I cannot believe you’re on such friendly terms with that Defalco boy,” Martha said. “The nerve of him moving right next door to you.”

  For the past month, this had been her mother’s favorite rant. “Mitch didn’t know I lived next door when he bought the house. And he’s hardly a boy, Mother.”

  “My point exactly, and that makes it worse. He ran off and broke Jeanie’s heart. Now he’s nosing around you. I tell you, he’s trouble, through and through. He should never have come back to Stone Creek. You need to keep your distance.”

  Sarah tossed her salad with her fork, making sure the ranch dressing was evenly spread. They’d been through all this. “He came back to be near his family. He has a daughter to raise—”

  “Yes, an illegitimate daughter. Mitch Defalco was always wild. Up to no good. I’m surprised you let him step foot in your house and your music store. And the girl, too. I wouldn’t let Josh associate with her, if I were you.”

  Sarah jabbed a cherry tomato and slice of cucumber. “Well, you’re not me, Mother. Lindsey is a sweetheart and she needs my help. Mitch is havi
ng a rough time with her. He’s trying hard to be a good father. I admire him for that.”

  Martha stared at her. “He killed your sister.”

  Sarah sighed and shook her head. “No, Mother. You know Mitch had nothing to do with Jeanie’s death.”

  Martha set her fork down. “I know nothing of the sort. How can you say that? You’re betraying the memory of your dead sister. Mitch Defalco was always bad. Bad, I tell you, and he broke your sister’s heart. I’ve seen him in town, riding his motorcycle, setting up that photo shop.”

  “Mitch did not break Jeanie’s heart,” Sarah said. “And he has every right to open a business in Stone Creek. He’s changed, Mother. He’s not the town bad boy anymore.”

  “Humph. You can’t change the spots on a leopard. I’m warning you, you need to stay away from him and his girl.”

  Sarah speared a bite of lettuce, not hungry anymore. Her mother was obsessed with Mitch Defalco, and not in a good way. Sarah was also beginning to think about the man way too much. That wasn’t good either. “Thank you. You’ve done your duty. I’m a big girl and can take care of myself. Can we talk about something else now?”

  “Don’t get sassy with me. I don’t want you getting hurt. I lost one daughter. I don’t want to lose you, too.”

  “Good grief, Mitch isn’t going to hurt me. He’s a nice man. Trying to do what’s right.”

  Martha sniffed. “I don’t trust him, that’s all. Promise you’ll be careful around him.”

  “I’ll be careful. I promise.” Carbs, she needed carbs. Sarah pushed the salad away and grabbed a piece of warm bread. “Mother, do you think you could watch Josh for me on Friday afternoon?”

  Martha looked up from her grilled salmon. “What’s going on Friday? Why won’t he be in daycare?”

  “It’s parent-teacher conferences. School’s out and you know I never make him go to daycare on holidays. He can go to work with me, but I have a couple of appointments in the afternoon.” And she wasn’t going to mention one was with the Defalcos, father and daughter. That would certainly set her mother off again.

  “Of course, I’ll keep him. Never let it be said, I neglect my only grandchild.” Her mother narrowed her eyes. “You’re not taking on any more students, are you? You have your hands full as it is. I don’t understand why you have to be so busy all the time.”

  “I like to stay busy.” When she was busy, she didn’t have time to think. Sarah didn’t like to be alone with her thoughts. They were too painful. Nights were the worst. When Ryan had been alive, he’d kept the monsters at bay. Now that he was gone, she had to fight the monsters herself. Sarah was tired of battling the past. She needed something or someone to help her.

  If she had a better relationship with her mother, maybe she could have shared her problems. She was close to her dad, except there were some things Sarah could never share with him. As things stood... No, she couldn’t tell either of her folks.

  “It’s not healthy to stay busy every minute of the day,” Martha said. “You’ll make yourself sick. You need time to take it easy.”

  Sarah sighed. This was another of her mother’s favorite rants. “My yoga relaxes me, Mother. And I always rest and putter around on Sundays.”

  “All right. I’ve said my piece. You’re a grown woman. You know what’s best for you, I guess. Just be careful around that Defalco man. He’s dangerous.”

  “I’ll be careful.”

  Careful to keep guard. Mitch was dangerous all right. The irresistible sexual attraction between them scared Sarah to death. She’d never felt it with Ryan. She definitely didn’t want to feel it with Mitch.

  ****

  On Friday evening, Sarah drove the five miles to her parents’ ranch to pick up Josh. Turning off the pavement, she followed the meandering dirt road leading to the big white house where she’d lived all her life until she’d gone off to college.

  As she neared the corral, she saw Josh standing on the fence near her dad, both feeding carrots to a couple of the horses. They turned and waved as she passed on her way to the house. Sarah parked the car and got out.

  “Hey, Mom!” Josh dashed across the barnyard and launched himself at her, hugging her around the waist. Sarah hugged him close. Such affectionate greetings were rare these days. She hugged him again for good measure. Josh looked up at her, his freckled face wreathed in a smile. “Guess what? Grandpa finally let me ride Ranger. We rode all the way to Shady Creek and back.”

  “That’s great, honey. Go get your backpack. We need to get on back to town.” Sarah stole a quick kiss before he wiggled away and ran to the house.

  Sarah smiled at her dad as he closed the distance between them. The red dirt and gravel crunched beneath his boots. Robert Nicholson was a tall, powerfully built man. He looked much younger than his sixty-five years. The harsh West Texas sun had turned his skin dark and leathery. Permanent crinkles at the corner of his steel-gray eyes testified to his easy smiles, so different from her mom.

  “Hey, baby.” Robert tipped back his Stetson and leaned down to give her a hug. Sarah breathed in his pine-scented aftershave, mixed in with the musky smell of horses—a smell that always made Sarah feel safe and loved, no matter how old she grew. Robert straightened to his full height and searched her face. “You look like you’re running on empty. Why don’t you and Josh stay for supper?”

  She shook her head. “Thanks, but we’re meeting friends for dinner. And we’re running late as it is.” Lindsey had begged her to bring Josh to eat dinner with them after the parent-teacher conference. The girl had stolen a place in Sarah’s heart, and she couldn’t find it in herself to refuse.

  “Friends, huh?” Robert asked. “Anyone I know?”

  Biting her lip, Sarah hesitated. Even though her dad had never blamed Mitch for Jeanie’s death, she knew the former bad boy was not persona grata with him. Robert Nicholson hadn’t liked Mitch dating his oldest daughter, hadn’t liked it at all.

  “Who is it, honey?”

  Heart hammering in her chest—whether from nervousness about confessing to her dad or apprehension about the dinner date, she didn’t know which—Sarah exhaled a deep breath. “Mitch Defalco and his daughter, at the Defalco’s restaurant.”

  Robert whistled softly. “Have you told your mother?”

  “What do you think? You know how she feels about him and the restaurant.”

  “She’ll find out sooner or later.”

  “I’ll deal with it later,” Sarah said with a shrug. “Mitch is my neighbor now and needs help with Lindsey. It’s time to put the past behind us.”

  “You don’t have to win me over, honey. I’ve never understood why your mother blamed Mitch Defalco for what happened to Jeanie. You do what you think is best.”

  Sarah smiled. “Thanks, Dad.”

  “All right, then,” he said. “Let’s go gather up Josh and his things. You can say hi to your mother, then be on your way.” He draped his arm around Sarah’s shoulders and walked her to the house.

  ****

  Mitch and Lindsey were waiting in front of Defalco’s Italian Restaurant when Sarah pulled into a parking space. “Oh, boy!” Josh unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped out of the car, before she had time to pull the key out of the ignition.

  Lindsey and Josh disappeared inside while Mitch waited at the door for Sarah, holding it open for her to pass through.

  “I thought you’d chickened out,” he said with that wicked grin of his.

  She stopped and stared up at him. Her heart was doing that hammering thing again, and she didn’t have to guess the reason this time. Courage, Sarah. “Why would you think that?” she asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’ve already spent several hours today with Defalco and kid?”

  Luckily, Sarah didn’t have to reply because the waitress walked up, ready to show them to their table.

  Defalco’s was a crowded, noisy place, and it smelled heavenly. The waitress seated them in a corner booth. The red-checkered tableclot
h and flickering candlelight created a cozy atmosphere. Maybe too cozy, judging by the way Sarah’s pulse was racing. Josh had jumped in on one side of the booth and Lindsey had taken her place beside him. That left Sarah and Mitch to share the other seat—a situation that was both exciting and stressful.

  “Wow, this is great!” Josh said, looking all around. “I’ve never been here before. Your grandma owns this? And your uncles?”

  “Yeah, I can’t believe it either,” Lindsey said. “Italian food is my favorite.” She dipped a breadstick in olive oil and Parmesan cheese, took a bite, shut her eyes and savored the taste.

  Sarah reached for a breadstick and did the same. The warm chewy bread melted in her mouth. Awesome.

  “Josh! Josh!” A little girl ran up to their table, smiling and bouncing with excitement. “Guess what? You’ll never guess in a million years! Give up?”

  “Sheesh, Maggie. I haven’t even tried to guess.”

  “Never mind, I can’t wait. We’re going to have a baby! I’m going to be a sister! Isn’t that great?”

  Beth and Trevor Callahan stopped near the table, chuckling at their daughter. “Goodness gracious,” Beth said. “Settle down, Mags. You don’t have to shout it to the world.”

  “Yes, I do, Mommy. I’m bursting with happiness.”

  “Oh my God! Beth!” Sarah nudged Mitch gently with her elbow. “Let me out. I have to hug her.”

  Mitch stood up, and Sarah scooted out of the booth and threw both arms around her friend.”Congratulations! I know you’re thrilled to death.”

  “We are. We are.”

  Sarah smiled. “When did you find out?”

  “Just this afternoon,” Beth said. “I’ve had my fingers crossed for the past three weeks.”

  “And never a word to me?”

  Beth shrugged. “I didn’t want to jinx it. We’ve been trying for so long, you know.”