Her Kind of Hero - Cindy Kirk Page 0,70
fixed on hers. “If you were relaying facts, you’d talk about a girl who overcame tremendous odds to achieve her dream. A girl who did it by focusing on her goal, by not letting anything or anyone deter her. I say she’s justifiably proud of her accomplishments, not uppity.”
Tears stung the backs of Mitzi’s eyes but she refused to let them fall. “If you think I’m so great, why walk away from me?”
Before answering, he took off his jacket and handed it to her. Mitzi slid her arms into the coat sleeves, still warm from his body. As the heat enveloped her and his fingers lingered on the coat’s lapels, some of the tightness around her heart eased.
“There’s so much I need to tell you.” A muscle in his jaw jumped. “Problem is, I don’t know where to begin.”
Seeing the distress on his face, Mitzi pushed aside her pride and touched his hand. “No rush.”
His fingers curved around hers and her heart began to thump. Being with him like this felt so right. She listened as he relayed what had transpired the afternoon he’d returned from Nebraska.
Anger rose in Mitzi and spilled over into her voice. “Did that horrid woman pull her business? Did Steve wimp out and fire you?”
“I haven’t heard from him.” Keenan leaned over and surprised her with a gentle kiss on the mouth. “I love you, Mitzi. So much I can hardly bear it.”
“You said all you wanted to be was friends,” she reminded him.
“That was a lie. I’d convinced myself you deserved a more successful man. If Steve lets me go, if I can’t get another job flying, I may have to move. I don’t want to leave Jackson Hole. But if I stay, I’ll never be the successful man you deserve—”
“What is wrong with you?” Mitzi swatted his arm. “You are a success in every way that matters to me. You raised your sister when you were only a kid yourself. You gave up a college scholarship so you could stay around and watch over her. The only reason you went to prison was because you tried to help a man you didn’t even know.”
“Tell me how you really feel,” he said, but he was smiling.
“I’m proud of you.” She met his gaze, hoping he could see in her eyes all that was in her heart. “If you need to move to be happy, I’ll move with you. If you want to stay, we’ll stay. As long as we’re together, I’ll be happy.”
He touched her hair as if needing the contact. “You are what Gloria told me I didn’t deserve and what I’d never have.”
“From what you’ve told me about the woman, your mother doesn’t sound like someone whose opinions deserve to be given much credence.”
He chuckled. “Fact.”
This time it was Mitzi who needed the contact. She rested her hand on his arm. “What is it you want, Keenan?”
“I want you,” he said without hesitating. “I love you, Mitzi. While I may not possess all the qualities on your husband list, I know I can make you happy.”
“Ah, about that list... That’s been revised recently. I happen to have the latest version in my purse.” She opened her bag and pulled out a single sheet of paper. “Let me read it to you.”
He opened his mouth then shut it, gave a jerky nod.
“These are the essential qualifications.”
Keenan drew in an audible breath, his eyes wary. “I’m ready.”
“Pilot.”
A look of startled surprise crossed his face. “I’m a pilot.”
She nodded firmly. “Criteria met.”
“Loves cats.”
Confusion crossed his face before an impish gleam filled his eyes. “Bitty and I are practically BFFs.”
“That’s because you sneak her kitty treats.” Mitzi smiled. “Criteria met.”
“Is that all?”
“One more.” Mitzi paused.
He cocked his head.
She took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “Name must be Keenan McGregor.”
His grin returned. “Why, that happens to be my name.”
She handed the paper to him. “You scored one hundred percent.”
“A score that pushes me to the top of your husband list.”
She gazed at him through lowered lashes. “Why yes, it does.”
“Riding on that high...” Keenan reached inside the jacket she wore and pulled a tiny box from an inside pocket. Then, firmly taking her hand, he dropped to one knee.
Her heart stopped. Completely stopped. The only way she knew for certain she was alive was she could hear her ragged breathing.
“From the moment I first saw you, I was captivated. When I got to know you, I realized we fit. I don’t know how else to say