Night Maneuvers - By Jillian Burns Page 0,55

nostrils flared. “What are you, stalking me? How’d you find out where I was staying?”

“I have my ways.” Yeah, it was called sheer luck. “Now answer my question.”

“My intentions where Alexandria is concerned are far more honorable than yours, that’s for sure.”

“Your intentions? What is this, Victorian England? How about we make this real simple.” He planted his hands on the guy’s chest and shoved. “Stay away from Alex.”

Neil’s face contorted in rage as he grabbed Mitch by his shirt collars and shoved him up against the wall. “You have everything I want and you don’t even know it, you ignorant ass-wipe.” He dropped Mitch and stared at his hands. Mitch couldn’t believe they were trembling. So were his.

Neil looked Mitch in the eye. “I came to town to see if she’d give us one more chance, but she told me flat-out no. That she loved you.” Neil sneered as his gaze traveled from Mitch’s shoes to his eyes again. “What she sees in you is beyond me. But she’s made her choice and I’m not it. All I have to say is you’d better treat her right or I’ll come back and— Let’s just say if you lose her, it’ll be your own stupid fault.” He turned and strode into the hotel before Mitch could form a reply.

ALEX COULDN’T BELIEVE her parents were really here. After her horrendous day yesterday, she’d never needed them more, and here they were.

She hated crying, but couldn’t seem to stop tearing up. Especially when she caught Mitch ducking out of the ceremony. Alone.

“Here you go, sweetheart.” Her mother handed her a wad of travel-size tissues from her voluminous purse.

“Thanks, Mom.” It’s a good thing she had the excuse of her promotion to use for her emotional state.

Dad came back from the refreshment table carrying two cups of punch and a plate of hors d’oeuvres, offering a drink to her mom.

Mom waved away the beverage and rummaged in her purse until she pulled out a camera. “Scoot closer to your dad, Alexandria.” Alex stepped close and put her arm around her dad. He swiped off his ten-gallon hat and hugged her with both arms. Dad smelled like he always had, Old Spice mixed with leather and hay.

An avalanche of memories swamped her. Of working the ranch with Dad, following her brothers around, wanting to do everything they did. Hiding from her mom out in the barn. Dancing with her dad after the rodeos. Looking back on it now, her childhood seemed like a magical time.

Until Mitch’s revelation the night before, she hadn’t thought about how lucky she was.

“Say cheese,” her mom called out and snapped a couple of pictures.

Grady and Lily and Jackson and Jordan approached and congratulated her. Alex introduced them to her parents, and her mom proceeded to take pictures of all of them together.

“Y’all want to come to dinner with us tonight to celebrate?” Alex invited the Gradys and the Jacksons.

“Thanks, Hughes, but we’re going to stay in and take it easy tonight,” Grady answered. The Jacksons also declined and were soon leaving the party.

“Well, baby girl, you gonna show us that new house of yours?”

Alex’s heart tripped at the childhood nickname her dad had used when she was young. He hadn’t called her that since her teen years when she’d obnoxiously told him not to. Now she was thrilled.

As nervous and excited as she was to show off her first home, Alex still felt the absence of Mitch. This would’ve been such a special day for them. She would love to have him meet her parents. But she refused to dwell right now. There’d be plenty of time for that later.

Her parents followed her in their rental car back to her home and she could see the pride and respect in her dad’s eyes as he took in her tidy yard and freshly painted front porch.

Her mother, still snapping photos, walked through each room, scanning and nodding. Alex noticed how anxious she was for her mom’s approval. Had always yearned for her mom’s approval. Even as she’d been rebelling against everything her mother stood for.

“The front draperies are nice, sweetheart.” Her mom finally spoke as Alex served them some iced tea. “Maybe I could sew you some café curtains for the kitchen and bathroom windows?”

A warm glow filled Alex’s chest. “I’d really like that, Mom.”

“Al, get me the measurements on those windows, would you dear?” her mom called to her dad.

“Sure thing, doll.”

As her dad found her yardstick and started