Her Kind of Hero - Cindy Kirk Page 0,21
know. But just for tonight, could you please forget that fact?”
“Your wish is my command.”
It was corny but it made her giggle. Resisting the urge to glance in the direction he’d last seen Mitzi, Keenan focused on the woman at his side and gave her his total attention. “C’mon, Hailey. Tell Betsy’s big brother what you’ve been doing since middle—ah—since the last I saw you.”
Mitzi watched Keenan and Hailey from across the room. The couple was laughing and appeared to be having a good time.
“I didn’t realize they were such good friends.”
Mitzi turned. Winn stood beside her, the stem of a wineglass clamped tightly between his fingers.
“I’m not sure they are.”
“Looks that way to me,” he muttered.
Mitzi hadn’t spent much time with Hailey, and what she recalled about the young woman could fit into a teaspoon. She knew Hailey was a speech therapist who’d returned to Jackson Hole when her father’s health had been tenuous. According to the gossip, Frank Randall had responded well to a change in chemotherapy and was now in full remission.
Hailey wasn’t yet working full-time but was helping out at her parents’ ranch and working PRN—as needed—as a speech therapist at the hospital. The girl was bright, bubbly and always seemed to have a smile on her face. Mitzi could see why she’d caught Keenan’s eye. And judging by the look on Winn’s face, his, as well.
“Let’s go say hello.” Winn grabbed her arm and practically pulled her across the room.
Mitzi plastered a smile on her face.
Winn slowed his steps to a saunter as they closed in on the couple. They reached them just as Joel called out for everyone to get some food and grab a seat. According to the evening’s schedule of events, they had a mere thirty minutes to eat before the book club started inside and the first pitch was thrown outside.
A small table for four with a red tablecloth was open next to where they stood.
Hailey smiled at Winn and Mitzi, and gestured with one hand. “We could all sit here? Unless you’ve already gotten a space elsewhere?”
“Thanks, Hailey. This works for me.” She glanced at Winn. “Okay with you?”
Somehow, in the buffet line, Keenan ended up behind her.
“You don’t seem the book-club type to me,” Keenan murmured. “No disrespect intended.”
Mitzi laughed, inhaling the faintly intoxicating scent of his scent, a delicious blend of soap, wood and red-blooded male. “I’m not.”
“Why are you here?”
She shrugged. “Kate’s my dearest friend. You?”
Keenan’s lips quirked upward. “Joel’s my boss.”
“You win.” She laughed. “Your reason is more compelling.”
“What book are you discussing tonight?”
She slanted him a sidelong glance. “Is that a trick question?”
“I thought that’s what was happening after dinner.”
Mitzi pursed her lips. “Kate may have mentioned some book.”
“You didn’t read it?”
“I was supposed to read it?” Mitzi lowered her voice. “I shouldn’t probably admit this, but I’m not much of a reader.”
“I’m not, either,” he said easily, reaching around her to grab two plates, then handing one to her. “I pretended to love it when Betsy was little, because I knew it was important. She loves to read.”
“You were a good big brother.”
“I tried,” he said, his eyes taking on a distant look. “I could have done better.”
Mitzi didn’t want to look back too far or think of her own sister. Perhaps she could have helped her. Perhaps not. Growing up, it had been every sister for herself. Which now seemed a bit sad. “I’m a firm believer in leaving the past in the past.”
“You’re right.” He grabbed two rolls and tossed one on her plate and the other on his. “Looking ahead holds so much more appeal. Take you, for example. Soon you’ll have a brand-new house and no workmen underfoot.”
“I am looking forward to it being done.” Mitzi hadn’t realized how much she counted on her home being her sanctuary until she’d moved into chaos instead of solitude. “What are you looking forward to?”
“Getting my pilot’s license back.” Keenan heaped some potato salad on a plate. “I have my aviation physical scheduled for Friday. A guy I work with, his brother is a flight instructor. He’s taking me up so I can sharpen my rusty skills and get some hours in the air. Then I should be all set.”
“After you get your license, then what?” Mitzi took a spoonful of pasta salad. “I mean, it’s not like you have access to a plane or anything.”
His mouth tightened as he focused on the plethora of salads and side dishes spread out before him.
“I’m