sorry,” she said quickly, placing a hand on his arm.
“No reason to apologize. You only spoke the truth,” he said evenly.
“Knowing you, you’ll find a way to get in the air.”
“I think I may have already found it. Until it’s all settled, I’m not counting on anything.”
After spending so much time behind bars, he deserved some good luck. If she’d been in his situation, she’d have been bitter. From what she’d observed so far, he’d simply moved on. “What kind of way have you found?”
“You know Bill—” Keenan began, waited for Mitzi’s nod. “His brother, Steve, said I can use his plane in exchange for mechanic work.”
“Steve?” Mitzi paused as the name settled over her. “What’s his last name?”
“Kowalski.” Keenan glanced at her. “Do you know him?”
Mitzi nodded. “Ben uses one of his planes to fly to the rural clinics the practice does across the state.”
“No kidding. How often are these clinics?”
“It varies depending on how many patients are scheduled. At least once a month, sometimes more often.”
“Move it along.” Hailey tapped Mitzi on the shoulder. “Quit with the conversation.”
Mitzi glanced around and realized with sudden horror that she’d gotten so engrossed talking with Keenan that she’d stopped walking and was holding up the line.
She made quick work of filling her plate then forced her attention to Winn once they were all seated. It wouldn’t do for him to get the idea she was interested in a romantic relationship with Keenan.
Hailey and Winn had apparently been discussing tonight’s book club selection—Catcher in the Rye—and continued the discussion once seated.
“What did you think of the protagonist?” Hailey asked Mitzi. “Did you find him overly judgmental?”
Mitzi could spout nonsense with the best of them, but she was tired and for once honesty seemed the best policy. “I know I read the book. Or I think I read it. After all, it’s a classic. All I can remember right now is that the narrator had a funky name.”
“Holden Caulfield,” Hailey said and Winn smiled.
“That’s more than I remember,” Keenan said, not appearing the least embarrassed by the admission.
“Winn and I both love the book,” Hailey said with way too much enthusiasm. “I told him it was too bad he has to play baseball. He has such great insight on several aspects of the novel.”
“We could switch,” Mitzi offered, only half joking. “Except I’m not into baseball, either.”
Hailey cocked her head. “What is it you like to do, Mitzi?”
The woman sounded as if she was genuinely interested. But Mitzi knew her answer would make her sound superficial rather than scholarly.
If the shoe fit...
“I like to shop,” Mitzi admitted. “I like to travel, see new places. I like to decorate my home.”
“I like to shop, too.” Hailey flashed a bright smile in Mitzi’s direction. “Anytime you need a shopping buddy, give me a call.”
“I will,” Mitzi said, finding it impossible not to like her.
Mitzi found herself paying more attention to her conversation with Hailey than she did to the plate in front of her. So when Kate announced it was time for the book-club discussion to begin and Joel started gathering up the players for the baseball game, her plate had barely been touched.
“I’ll join you in the family room in a minute,” she told Kate. “I skipped lunch, so I’m going to finish eating first.”
“Bring your plate with you,” Kate offered. “Eat while we discuss.”
To Mitzi’s way of thinking, that would be the quickest way to ruin an appetite.
“Start without me.” Mitzi waved a hand in the air. “I’ll be in soon.”
Winn and Hailey had already left the table, but Keenan remained seated. She heard him tell Joel not to wait on him.
“Go outside,” she told him.
“I’m in no rush, either.” Keenan studied her thoughtfully. “In fact, I wouldn’t mind us cutting out and finding our own entertainment. What do you say, Mitzi? Want to play hooky with me?”
Chapter Eight
Keenan couldn’t believe he expected Mitzi to leave her friend’s party. But when she tilted her head and the air surrounding them began to sizzle, the impulsive gesture made sense.
He wanted her. With him. Alone.
The thought was so far from baseball and book clubs that he had to grin.
A spark of interest flared in her blue eyes. “What do you have in mind?”
You. Me. Naked.
“I’m open to just about anything.” The fact that she asked told Keenan she was halfway out the door with him already. “The only thing off-limits is any discussion of Catcher in the Rye.”
Mitzi took a sip of wine. Considered.
Keenan reined