Her Kind of Hero - Cindy Kirk Page 0,48
a strong, healthy boy.”
“And Betsy is a good mother,” he heard Mary Karen Fisher say.
If anyone should know mothering, it was MK. A nurse with five little ones, she somehow managed to always look as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
“It’s amazing how good Betsy is with Nathan.” Keenan lifted his coffee mug, thought of Gloria. “Considering she had such a poor example to follow.”
“My parents weren’t very demonstrative affection-wise,” Adrianna said softly. “I’m determined to be more openly affectionate with our little one.”
Tripp looped an arm around his wife’s shoulder. “You’ll be a fantastic mother.”
“Being a parent is a demanding job,” Benedict said from across the table, his hand curved around his wife’s. Seated in an infant seat in the chair next to her, their baby boy slept, dressed in a white-and-blue sailor outfit. “But a rewarding one.”
“Is anyone else going to participate in the Jaycees’ ‘Go Blue for a Cure?’” Though Mitzi’s comment may have appeared to come out of left field, there was only so much talk about babies she could take.
“Go Blue for a Cure?” Adrianna pulled her brows together, her emerald eyes puzzled.
“Cassidy mentioned it at the last Jackson After-Hours event,” Lexi, a local social worker with a dark chin-length bob, interjected. “She mentioned it again when the girls and I stopped by her salon a few days ago for haircuts.”
“I’m as clueless as Adrianna,” Winn said, shooting the nurse midwife a charming smile.
Mitzi had been relieved that Winn had taken a seat at the other end of the table. Apparently she wasn’t the only one who realized they weren’t a good fit.
“It’s a fund-raiser,” Mitzi said, when no one jumped in to answer. The purpose was near and dear to an orthopedic surgeon’s heart. “The majority of the money will go to fund osteogenic sarcoma research. A portion will go to Ariela Svehla’s parents to help with her medical expenses.”
Last month Mitzi had been forced to amputate the girl’s left leg midthigh in an attempt to eradicate the cancer that threatened her young life.
“Ariela’s father is a bricklayer with Stone Craft.” Sympathy filled Keenan’s eyes. “Nice guy.”
“The way it works is participants get people—sponsors—to donate money,” Mitzi continued. “For those donations, participants are required to color or highlight their hair some shade of blue.”
“An excuse to be wild and crazy.” Tripp grinned. “Count me in.”
“How often do we get the opportunity as adults to do something like this?” Lexi’s husband, Nick, was a prominent attorney with a large family law practice in both Jackson Hole and Dallas. In recent years, he and Lexi spent more time in Jackson Hole, with him commuting whenever necessary.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to dye your hair blue, Delacourt.” Winn sounded shocked. “Your high-profile clients will hardly appreciate seeing the man they chose to represent them looking like some punk rocker.”
Nick laughed good-naturedly. “They’ll understand, once I tell them the reason. I might even get more sponsors.”
Sensing Nick had made up his mind, Winn turned to Mitzi. “You’re going to do it?”
“Absolutely,” Mitzi responded without hesitation.
“Well, count me out.” Winn straightened his Hermès tie. “I am, however, willing to make a sizable donation to the cause.”
Mitzi reached down, grabbed a sponsor sheet from her purse and shoved it in front of him. “Put your money where your mouth is, Ferris.”
Looking pained, Winn pulled out his Montblanc.
Once the breakfast ended, those who didn’t have to run to the church to pick up kids stood talking outside the café. It was as if, Mitzi thought, they were reluctant to leave behind the friendship and camaraderie they’d enjoyed inside.
Winn rushed off, mentioning an important conference call. Mitzi wondered if it was an excuse. Perhaps he thought she’d attempt to convince him that blue was his color. Her lips curved up in a smile. The guy really needed to loosen up.
“What kind of person sets up a conference call for Sunday morning?” someone asked.
“I’m thinking he was afraid.” Mitzi tossed her head, a sly smile on her lips. “Afraid I’d convince him to go blue.”
“You’ve got to give the guy credit.” Keenan chuckled and rubbed his chin. “He recognizes the power of Mitzi.”
Chapter Fifteen
Since they’d parked in the same vicinity, it seemed natural for Mitzi to fall into step beside Keenan when the group dispersed.
“Got big plans for the day?” She kept her tone conversational, one friend to another.
“Thought I’d head over to Yellowstone. We won’t get many more days like this.” His gaze lifted to the clear blue sky