Formula: Father. Jolie Kramer
“But not anymore. Harrison Smith might be tall, dark and handsome, but he can’t come close to Ty Redstone.”
“Aha. I was wondering when you were going to tell me about him. Abby hinted…”
Beth smiled broadly. “He’s the most wonderful man in the whole world. And, oh, Darcy, I can hardly believe it myself, but we’re going to be married!”
Darcy was happy for her old friend. Honestly happy. But that didn’t stop her heart from aching. From wanting her own eyes to shine with a love so deep and real, everything else in the world faded into the background.
She might not ever find that kind of love for herself, but she could give that kind of love to a child. To her child. But this was no time to be wrapped up in her own angst. Beth was going to be married. Darcy hugged her friend once more. “I want to hear all about him,” she said.
“Don’t worry, you will.”
“DON’T YOU HAVE an opinion?”
Mitchell focused on his mother, knowing he’d missed the gist of their conversation. The last thing he remembered clearly was telling her about Darcy’s sudden appearance. Then he’d gone somewhere else, even though he hadn’t left the room. “What was the question again?”
Megan Maitland shook her head, but her smile was sympathetic. “I imagine it’s difficult to see her again after all this time.”
He nodded. “But it’s also good. I mean, we sure went through a lot together.”
Megan studied him in that way she had, as if she could see inside him. She’d had that ability even when he’d been a child. He’d never been able to lie to her. She’d always known. “Sometimes,” she said, “the one we love first is the hardest to forget.”
He jerked in his chair. “Love? Who said anything about love? We were friends. Damn good friends. But it didn’t go further than that.”
“No? My mistake. Sorry.”
Mitch cleared his throat. “So who is this man we’re meeting?”
His mother didn’t answer, not in words, at least. But her gaze said she wasn’t fooled. As much as he hated to admit it, he wasn’t fooled, either. Darcy had been his first love. But that had been years ago. A lot had changed since then.
“His name is Harrison Smith. He’s here to discuss his daughter’s birthing plans.” She glanced at the antique clock on her desk. “And he’s late.”
“Why am I here? Shouldn’t he be talking to Abby?”
“I want your take on him. Something seemed a little off when he made his appointment. He wanted to make sure we knew how much money he had and that he was willing to spend it on his daughter.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“Mitchell,” she said, scolding him, but lightly. “With all that’s gone on here in the last few months, you don’t expect me to ignore a gut feeling, do you?”
“Your gut feeling? No way.”
“Thank you. Besides, you know as much about the clinic as anyone, so you’ll be able to answer any questions he might have about the medical side of things.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“That’s all I expect.”
He got up and went to the window. He found what he was looking for in two seconds. The great old tree with their initials carved in the trunk. DT+MM FOREVER. Darcy Taylor plus Mitchell Maitland. He’d found it two weeks after she’d disappeared. And for the next five years, he’d wanted to forget that he’d ever seen it. It was a cruel joke by a sadistic universe. He’d been so shy he’d never been able to tell her his true feelings. And he’d certainly never guessed he was anything more than a friend to Darcy. And then to find out they’d wasted all that time. That they could have been so much more, if only they’d told each other the truth.
He’d often wondered if she might not have left if he’d had the nerve to tell her he loved her. The course of their lives would have been different. It could have been everything he ever wanted.
All because he couldn’t find the courage to say three little words.
“Mrs. Maitland?” The bright voice came over the intercom. “Mr. Smith is here for his appointment.”
“Bring him in, please.”
Mitchell found his seat again, prepared for a boring half hour. Then Harrison Smith entered the room, and boring wasn’t even in the ballpark.
Something happened between Smith and his mother. It might have been recognition. It definitely was a jolt. His mother never lost her cool, and yet, for a moment, when her hand touched Smith’s, she’d grown so pale he was afraid she might pass out. The next second, she was back to her old self. Stately, calm and more charming than any other woman he’d met.
Mitch’s gaze shifted to Smith to see if he, too, had felt something odd. But there was nothing to read on his face. The only thing slightly amiss was the way he looked at Megan. He stared, hard, as if memorizing her features.
Then Mitch got it. He almost laughed out loud when he realized what he was doing. Nothing was going on with Harrison Smith and his mother. It was a classic case of transference. What he’d seen in his mother’s eyes was his projection of what had happened to him when he saw Darcy. Of course. His old psychology professor would have had a good laugh.
He relaxed into his chair and listened to Megan talk about the clinic. Once she got going, no one could turn her down. Smith sat rapt, completely under her spell. He waited until she’d finished before he started asking questions. Even when Mitch answered, Smith’s gaze focused on Megan. That was a little odd. But the questions were all reasonable, if a little obsessive. It was obvious the man was concerned. He wanted to know about the food, the credentials of everyone from the nurses to the anesthesiologist, but mostly he wanted to know the history of the place.
As Megan talked, Mitchell’s gaze went to the window again. How remarkable that a moment’s decision could change everything. How sad that fear could lock so many doors and chip away at a man’s confidence.
Right then and there he decided to take Darcy Taylor as his patient. An unlucky man let fear rule him once. A fool did it twice.
CHAPTER FOUR
MEGAN MAITLAND stared at the photograph of her late husband, William. Such a handsome man. Such a good man. She missed him as if he’d physically been a part of her, and his absence left a hole that would never be filled. Most days, it was a quiet ache, but sometimes, like right now, it hurt like the dickens.
That Harrison Smith. What was it about him that seemed so familiar? He’d sworn they’d never met, but she wasn’t quite so sure. There was something….
It was nice to see a man so concerned about his child. His questions had been astute, if a little odd. He’d wanted to know so much about the clinic, the history, the employees. But it spoke well of him that he cared enough to dig for details. What we do for the love of our children…
Her thoughts turned to the baby. To her grandchild. He was so precious. So perfect in every way. Such a miracle in her life.
She’d never admit it to a living soul, but she was glad Janelle was having trouble getting the birth records for the baby. It was selfish, but Megan didn’t care. Having Chase in the house had changed everything. The sound of his laughter, the sweet smell of his freshly washed skin, the sense of utter peace and contentment when he slept. If she wasn’t so darned old, she’d have another child herself.
Smiling at her foolishness, she turned to her correspondence. The gala was so close, and there was still so much left to do.
Beth had told her this morning that she was determined to convince Darcy to attend. Darcy. Such a beautiful girl. Such a sweet girl.
Memories