know of fathers? His had split before Betsy was born.
“Kicks me to the curb, eh?” Keenan gave a little laugh. “That’s a great visual. Real encouraging.”
“You’ve got the mettle to go after your dreams, Keenan. Give Mitzi a chance to show she’s the kind of woman who sticks by her man even when he’s down.” Bill took a gulp of beer. “Pick up some flowers on your way. There’s not a woman alive who doesn’t love flowers.”
Mitzi briefly considered stopping at Wally’s Place on her way home from the brewery but at the last second turned her car toward the highway. She refused to run after Keenan.
I’m not his keeper. I’m not his wife. I’m not even important enough for him to call back.
The last hurt the most. Mutual respect and consideration had always been at the base of what they shared. That’s why having Keenan ignore her calls didn’t make any sense.
Had there been any indication of unhappiness last night when they’d talked? Anything she might have missed?
Recalling the call in vivid detail, her lips curved. No, all indications were they’d both been well pleased when they finally whispered good-night.
By the time she reached home, Mitzi’s insides were twisty-tied in knots. Too wound up to sit, she flung her purse on the sofa and prowled the room. Bitty watched from atop the sofa, green eyes tracking her every move.
Mitzi didn’t like feeling so out of control, didn’t like it one bit. The next time she saw Keenan she’d blast him, let him know she wouldn’t tolerate being treated with such disrespect.
“I am so angry at him, Bitty,” Mitzi told the kitten. “If he showed up now, I might just slam the door in his face.”
The doorbell rang and as Mitzi crossed to answer, Bitty regarded her thoughtfully through emerald-green eyes.
Keenan held the bouquet of flowers in a death grip. He didn’t know why he’d picked them up. Flowers weren’t his thing. He didn’t give women flowers, not since he was ten years old. He told himself this was different. Mitzi was different.
When he left Just Blooms, he had every intention of confessing his love and asking Mitzi to marry him. He would put his heart out there and let her decide. With each passing mile, Keenan realized it would be wrong to put her in that position. Regardless of what Bill thought, Mitzi deserved better than him.
Her husband list had been carefully constructed, drawn to include all the characteristics that made up the man of her dreams.
He hadn’t even made the top ten.
For a while, he’d thought if she was willing to give him a chance, he’d work hard and be the successful man she deserved. But if Mrs. Van Ness had her way, he’d have to leave Jackson Hole to build that successful aviation career. Trouble was, he wanted to stay.
He’d spent too many years away already. He wanted to watch his nephew grow up and spend time with his sister and friends. He could build a comfortable life here, but without being able to fly, he couldn’t soar.
The door swung open and there she stood, the woman he loved.
Instead of a welcoming smile, her lips formed a grim line. Her eyes flashed blue fire. Then her gaze dropped to the flowers.
His stomach roiled as a long-buried memory from the past hit him with the force of a sledgehammer. Long ago, he had given a woman flowers. Or tried to...
Keenan thrust the flowers out stiff-armed. “These are for you.”
She stared at the orange and red roses mixed with a handful of lilies. For one heartbeat. Then two.
When she took a deep breath, Keenan braced himself.
“These are lovely. Thank you.” Mitzi looked up then. She cleared her throat and motioned him inside. “Let me get these in water.”
Keenan expelled the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding and followed her into the kitchen. On the way, Bitty jumped down from the sofa and padded after him. He took a seat on one of the barstools and watched Mitzi arrange the flowers in a clear glass vase.
Even dressed simply in black knit pants and a fluffy blue sweater, Mitzi was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. Yet, it wasn’t simply her outer beauty that captivated him. She was just as lovely on the inside.
A woman like her deserved a successful man, not one without two nickels to rub together and a shaky future.
Once the flowers had been arranged to her apparent satisfaction, Mitzi turned to face him. She rested