Her Kind of Hero - Cindy Kirk Page 0,36

Mitzi had to hold nothing back. The confession came out in a torrent of words. Her voice faltered when she spoke of the look she’d seen in Keenan’s eyes when he’d accused her of being ashamed of him.

“As you can see, my actions were calculating and—” Mitzi swallowed hard past the sudden lump in her throat “—heartless.”

Kate placed a hand on Mitzi’s arm, her eyes filled with sympathy. “A bit calculating, I’ll grant you. But not heartless.”

“I could never be ashamed of Keenan,” Mitzi said, her voice cracking. “He’s a great guy. He’s handsome, smart and incredibly kind. Keenan risked his own life to save Itty Bitty.”

Mitzi took a moment to fill Kate in on Keenan’s heart-stopping rescue of the gray kitten.

“That’s amazing. Bitty is a very lucky cat.”

“I love her,” Mitzi said simply.

“I wondered where you and Keenan went when you left the house.” Kate’s lips tipped in a smile. “I’d never have guessed there.”

“Keenan has to watch his pennies until he gets back on his feet,” Mitzi said. “Eating samples on Tuesday night is one way to stretch a paycheck.”

“That was nice of you,” Kate murmured, eying her. “And so helpful.”

“He’d do the same for me. He’s that way.”

“A good guy, you said.”

“Great guy,” Mitzi clarified. “None better.”

Kate nodded, but remained silent. It was as if she knew there was more Mitzi still hadn’t shared.

“When I realized I’d hurt him...” Mitzi blew out a breath, spread her hands and let them drop. She was stunned to feel tears sting her eyes. She blinked them back before Kate could notice.

All light had left Kate’s face. She stroked Mitzi’s arm, her eyes dark and filled with concern. In the distance a baby cried and a toddler’s high-pitched giggle drifted on the breeze.

“Before now I never gave any of the men I dated a second thought.” Mitzi gave a strangled laugh. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me. The funny thing is, I’m not even dating Keenan, not really.”

“He’s more than just a date,” Kate ventured. “He’s a friend.”

“He was...” Mitzi’s voice trailed off as a wave of sadness washed over her.

“You know what you need to do.” Though Kate spoke softly, Mitzi heard clearly.

“Apologize.” Mitzi sighed. “Yes, I know.”

“You’ll both feel better when you do.”

There was only one problem. She met Kate’s gaze. “I’ve never apologized to a man before.”

Surprise skittered across Kate’s face. “Never?”

“Never.”

Kate looped an arm around Mitzi’s shoulders, gave a squeeze. “There’s a first time for everything.”

With her emotions still in turmoil, bright and early Monday morning, Mitzi headed to the private airstrip, prepared for another long day. She’d filled in once or twice at the satellite orthopedic clinics the group did in small towns across Wyoming and knew what to expect. A quick plane ride. A day of seeing patients. Then back to Jackson Hole before dark.

She’d left home before any of the workmen had arrived. When she turned out of her housing area and onto the highway, she was embarrassed to admit, she’d breathed a sigh of relief. Though Mitzi knew it was cowardly, she didn’t feel up to seeing Keenan this morning.

She would set things right between them. She would apologize. But not today. Her earlier awkward attempt told her it was best she take time to formulate and refine exactly what she wanted to say. If she didn’t, she might make things worse. Though it was hard to imagine how it could be any worse.

Mitzi hadn’t heard from Keenan since he’d left her house Saturday. Bitty missed him. And so did she.

After parking her car in the gravel lot, Mitzi made a beeline for Hangar 4. It wasn’t that she was eager to fly. She simply wanted the day over so she could be alone with her thoughts. Perhaps she’d make a list of things to include in her apology. She smiled, feeling better now that she had a plan.

The five-seater parked outside the hangar looked incredibly small, which made her doubly grateful for the clear skies overhead.

Mitzi loved to fly.

Just not in bad weather.

Especially not in small planes.

The pilot cut a fine sight. At least, she assumed the man bent over performing the last-minute checks to the aircraft was who’d be taking her to Delano today. His well-worn jeans encased long legs and the chambray shirt stretched across broad shoulders.

“Good morning.” She spoke in a voice loud enough to be heard over the planes landing and taking off nearby.

The man straightened and turned. For a split second Mitzi forgot how to breathe.

“Hi,