Her Kind of Hero - Cindy Kirk Page 0,19

with you since he was back, Dr. Duggan.” Cassidy’s voice picked up speed and red splotches appeared on her neck. “So I dragged him over here.”

“Doctor Duggan?” Keenan rolled his eyes. “Sheesh, Cass. We went to school with Doogie.”

“Doogie?” Mitzi raised a brow.

Tim met Keenan’s eyes. “I’m not into violence, Keenan. But if you call me that again, I may have to punch you.”

Though there was a definite warning in the tone, Mitzi detected true affection between the two men.

“Boys, boys.” Cassidy stepped between them then focused on Tim. “You didn’t mean to upset Doogie, did you, Keenan?”

Before Keenan could respond, Cassidy placed a hand to her mouth and shot Tim an impish smile. “Oops, that just slipped out. Are you going to punch me, too?”

Tim laughed.

“It’s great to see you, Cassidy,” he said easily, then held out his hand to Keenan. “It’s been a long time. I was sorry I couldn’t make your welcome-home party. One of my girls was sick.”

Mitzi watched the interaction between Keenan and Tim. There was an ease between the two men that hadn’t been present when Tim and Winn had been discussing business. Of course, Keenan and Tim had grown up in Jackson Hole. Like her, Winn was an outsider.

She pulled her attention to Cassidy. “I love your hair.”

A quick smile told Mitzi the compliment was appreciated.

“Thanks. I like how you shake things up all the time with yours.” Cassidy’s gaze lingered, turned assessing. “Tonight it’s a little more...subdued.”

Though it was clear Cassidy didn’t approve of her hairstyle tonight, Mitzi didn’t take offense. Kate had often told Mitzi she was like a chameleon, changing her look depending on the circumstances. All true. “I thought it was appropriate for the crowd.”

“Coward,” Cassidy retorted and made Mitzi laugh.

“Did you and Keenan come together?” Mitzi asked casually in a low tone.

Cassidy heaved a heartfelt sigh. “I wish.”

“Oh—”

“It’s not happening,” Cassidy added with an even heavier sigh. “Too much history, too many years, never got together, never will. Besides...”

The hairstylist crooked a gold-tipped nail and motioned Mitzi close.

Mitzi took a sip of champagne, leaned close.

“The man’s only got eyes for you.”

Mitzi inhaled sharply then began to cough. She quickly brought herself under control.

Cassidy’s eyes danced with good humor as Mitzi’s gaze slipped to Keenan. He appeared so relaxed, laughing with Tim over some incident that had happened years ago on the football field.

Determinedly she shifted her gaze to Winn, who stood with a mildly bored expression sipping a glass of wine.

She thought about engaging him in conversation but feared if he brought up the golf-course development again, she might snap. Besides, it had been her surgery day and she was exhausted.

The book club event at Kate’s home on Tuesday would be soon enough to get to know Winn Ferris better.

Chapter Seven

Keenan thought about skipping the baseball game. But it had been a long time since he’d played with friends. He’d played ball in high school and loved it. And he was good. Not as good as he’d been at football, where his prowess had earned him a scholarship. That was in the past. Tonight Joel had sweetened the invitation by promising dinner.

He took a quick shower after work then pulled on a clean pair of jeans and a white T-shirt. Many of Keenan’s old friends were planning to attend while their wives met for a monthly book club. He pulled into the long drive leading up to the large stone and log home in the mountains and found himself wishing Mitzi would be here.

When he’d casually asked Joel who usually showed up for these types of events, the list of people he rattled off didn’t include her.

All the better. His attraction to Mitzi was a dead-end road. While he enjoyed her company, she obviously had her sights set on Winn Ferris.

Though Winn came off as intense, something told Keenan there was a good guy beneath those hand-tailored suits and Italian shoes. He reminded Keenan a little bit of himself in high school when he’d put on a front, acting as if acceptance didn’t matter when it mattered very much.

Keenan wasn’t going to let the fact that Mitzi was attracted to the executive bring his spirits down. Not tonight. Not when he’d gotten such good news earlier. Bill’s brother was interested in bartering mechanic services for air time.

Tomorrow, he’d be able to fly for the first time in nearly three years. He couldn’t wait.

Keenan parked his early eighties Impala in the drive behind a cherry-red BMW then strode to