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Even if he does, he won’t know it was hers.
The thought took Mitch by surprise. As did the realization that he was feeling the need to be as secretive as A
Of all the buildings in Sweet River, the one known simply as “The Hattan” had always been his favorite. As an architect he could fully appreciate the design of the brick-and-granite neo-Romanesque structure. As a boy it had been the two lizards and salamander on the top spire that had earned his admiration.
The insurance agency that had occupied the building for decades had moved out long ago. Since then family squabbles had kept it boarded up and off the market. When Mitch heard the property was finally for sale, he’d been seized with the idea of owning a piece of Sweet River history.
Although the two-story structure was solidly built, the wiring, plumbing and interior walls needed work. That meant he’d have to dip into his cash reserves to pay for the improvements.
Still, he couldn’t get the place out of his mind. He’d mentioned his interest in the building to Alex—who’d recently started handling his financial affairs—and the attorney had told him there might be grants or tax credits available for such renovations. Mitch had made an appointment to tour the building the next morning.
He slipped the watch on his wrist, grimacing at the time. A
Shaking off the crazy notion, he hurried down the stairs, boots clattering against the hardwood. He shoved open the kitchen door and found Alex sitting in the chair A
Alex brought a cup of black coffee to his lips. “You’re ru
Mitch shrugged. He prided himself on his punctuality, but he’d also learned that sometimes a guy had no choice but to go with the flow. “I was up past midnight getting these figures together.”
“Appears you were looking at figures, all right.” Alex glanced pointedly at the cup with the lipstick smudge and chuckled. “Of the female variety.”
Mitch ignored the comment. If the attorney was hoping he’d open up, he was going to be disappointed. Even when Mitch had a love life, he’d never been one to “kiss and tell.” He crossed the room, splashed coffee into a mug, then gathered the folder from the counter and took a seat in the chair opposite Alex. Pushing A
“You told me you weren’t dating,” Alex said at the same time.
Mitch gritted his teeth and counted to five. “I’m not dating anyone.”
Alex paused for a moment. His eyes narrowed in thought before a look of understanding crossed his face. “So it’s just sex.”
“No, it’s not ‘just sex,’” Mitch snapped. A surge of irritation washed over him. If Alex pushed much more, he’d be forced to lie and that was something he didn’t want to do ever again.
Lying had been a big part of that long-ago summer with A
But the only high Mitch had experienced that summer was A
That was then, he reminded himself. There was really no reason to cover for her now. Of course, mentioning she’d been in his house when he’d been half-dressed would lead to speculation and more questions. Questions Mitch wasn’t prepared to answer. Certainly not to a man who talked way too much.
“I arranged for us to meet old man Hattan at nine and tour the building.” Mitch tapped a pencil against the table. “I assume that still works with your schedule.”
It was a comment, not a question. Alex had told him yesterday that he’d blocked out a couple hours in the morning for their meeting.
“Works fine,” Alex said. “A
Mitch now understood why she’d looked so good this morning. Her red dress had hugged her curves in all the right places and the ridiculously high heels had accentuated her shapely calves. Her honey-colored hair had hung loose to her shoulders, the way he’d always liked it. The summer they’d been together she’d often worn it down…just for him. He loved the feel of the silky strands between his fingers, against his cheek….
Mitch bit back a curse. Her unexpected visit had resurrected memories he’d buried long ago. He picked up a sheet of paper filled with figures and shoved it in front of Alex. “Let’s get down to business.”
One hour and two-pieces-of-coffee-cake-for-Alex later, the men stood on the sidewalk in the heart of downtown Sweet River, gazing at the granite front of the Hattan building. With the large storefront window and a Romanesque arch over the doorway, the exterior was impressive. Though old man Hattan’s grandson had stopped by and unlocked the building ten minutes earlier, Mitch and Alex hadn’t yet ventured inside.
“The surrounding buildings are all well-maintained.” Mitch shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his cowboy boots. He was glad he’d thought to grab a jacket on his way out of the house. Although it was only mid-September, the wind was brisk and the air had taken on a decided chill.
A particularly strong gust sent leaves and dust scattering across the sidewalk. Alex turned up the collar of his overcoat and hunched his shoulders. “It’s a nice building.”
“Nice?” an indignant female voice interjected. “Look at those carvings. The Hattan isn’t just nice. It’s the most beautiful building in the whole town.”
Mitch spun around. He’d been so focused on admiring the building’s facade that he hadn’t noticed Cassie’s arrival. She stood on the other side of Alex, her dark hair twisted in a halfhearted ponytail. With her well-worn jeans and bulky oversize sweater, she looked like she’d just hopped out of bed and pulled on whatever was on the floor.
He couldn’t help but smile, remembering his days in grade school when whatever was on the floor had usually been all there was to wear. For him, because his dad drank any extra money away. For her, because her single-parent mom was more interested in her boyfriends than in providing for her daughter.
Though his life had gotten easier, Cassie still struggled. Her sewing ability was the only thing keeping her out of the welfare line. Last night when they’d shared a beer on her porch, he’d mentioned how tired she’d been looking. She’d assured him that with Stacie’s wedding dress now finished, she was through burning the midnight oil.
“I thought you promised me you’d sleep in,” he chided. The older-brother role was a familiar one for him. After all, he’d looked out for her since they were kids.
“Change in plans,” Cassie said with a rueful smile. “Trenton left his math assignment at home.”
“Uh, Cassie, the high school is that away.” Mitch gestured with his head.
She shoved her shoulder against him. “I know that, you goof. I was headed back home when I got a craving for one of Stacie’s gooey ci
While a ci
“Your friend is welcome, too,” Cassie said quickly.