Crossroads (16 page)

“Coffee w-would be nice,” Tess said breathlessly when she finally found her voice. “I'll just let Bruce know and—”

“I'll be fine, Mom,” her son called out, clearly tuned in to the conversation in the living room. “Take your time.”

She flushed, and Mitch gave her a crooked grin. “So much for privacy,” she muttered as she walked past him toward the door.

He followed her out, then nodded toward a bench tucked beneath a flowering crab apple tree in a tiny
park across the street. “I'm not retracting my offer of coffee, but do you mind if we just sit for a few minutes first? I have a few things I'd like to say privately.”

Tess nodded, gathering her courage. “So do I.”

He held out his hand, in a gesture of…friendship? Apology? Empathy? She had no idea, but she would happily accept any of the three. Because his reaching out told her more eloquently than words that he still cared, that the dialogue was still open. And that gave her new hope that maybe, just maybe, he'd had a change of heart. She looked down at his long, lean fingers, then slipped her hand into his, closing her eyes for a moment to savor the feel of his strong yet gentle touch.

When their gazes reconnected, she read much in his—gratitude, repentance, tenderness…and yes, love. It was what she had dreamed of seeing every night for the past two weeks, when she had at last managed to fall into a restless sleep. But now she began to hope that maybe, just maybe, her dream might really come true.

He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze, and the warmth in his eyes was like the caress of the sun on a spring day, holding the promise of new life after a long, dark winter. There was a sense of unreality about the scene, an almost too-good-to-be-true quality, but their linked hands dispelled any notion of make-believe. Mitch was here, every wonderful, handsome inch of him, and Tess knew with absolute certainty that this was where they belonged—together, for always. She prayed that Mitch had reached
the same conclusion. But if he hadn't, she was prepared to fight for what she knew was their destiny.

Mitch led her to the bench, angling his body toward hers as they sat, never relinquishing his hold on her hand. “First of all, as inadequate as the words are, I want you to know how sorry I am for what I put you through these past two weeks,” he said huskily. “And all because of some misguided notion that I could be all things to all people. But the fact is, I realize I can't be a father to every boy who needs one. I can be a support system, I can help, but I can't take the place of a father and a mother, of parents who are in their life every day and every night. To think otherwise is not only unrealistic, it's arrogant.”

Impulsively Tess reached over and laid her hand tenderly on his cheek. He immediately covered it with his own as their gazes locked. “Not arrogant, Mitch. Never arrogant,” she said fervently. “Your only fault, if it can even be called that, is that you care
too
much. You want to help everyone who is in pain. And you go out of your way to avoid inflicting pain on others. You may not always succeed, but you do a far better job of it than most people. You don't need to apologize for doing what you think is right.”

The deep, unconditional love in Tess's clear green eyes told Mitch all he needed to know. She still loved him. And she was willing to give him another chance to prove he loved her.

This time Mitch didn't hesitate. He pulled her into his arms, buried his face in her soft hair, and in her loving embrace found solace for the anguish and regret in his heart, forgiveness for the pain he'd inflicted on her. He held her tightly, his hands on her back, in
her hair, pressing her close, as if he never wanted to let her go.

“I love you, Tess,” he whispered fiercely, his voice ragged with emotion. “You've brought sunshine back to my soul, filled my days with a joy I never hoped to find again, given me hope for a brighter tomorrow than I ever dared dream of. I can't promise you a perfect life, but I can promise that I'll try my best to be the kind of husband and father you and Bruce deserve.”

He pulled back and looked down at her shimmering eyes, and his own face softened with love as he traced the path of one tear down her cheek with a gentle finger. “I never wanted to make you cry, Tess,” he said softly. “That's what held me back—I was so afraid I would end up hurting you and Bruce.”

“
I'm
not afraid, Mitch. Because I love you, and I know that together we can make this work.”

The absolute trust in her eyes and the conviction in her voice made his throat tighten with emotion, and he shook his head wonderingly. “What did I ever do to deserve you?” he said in awe, cupping her face with his hands.

“I've been asking myself that same question. I never thought I'd find a man like you.”

“Believe me, I'm getting the better end of this deal, Tess. I'm far from perfect.”

“You're perfect for me.”

He shook his head and gave her a crooked smile. “You have all the right answers.”

She shook her head firmly. “No. I've had a lot of wrong answers. And made a lot of bad decisions. But I'm willing to trust my heart on this one.”

“So am I. It just took me longer to realize something you seemed to know all along…that love doesn't
get
in the way—it
lights
the way.”

The smile she gave him was luminous. “What a beautiful thought.”

“No more beautiful than you.” Then he took her hands in his, and with his gaze locked on hers, spoke in a voice that was steady and sure. “I planned to ask you this question two weeks ago. I'd like to try again now. Tess Lockwood, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

Tess's eyes once more brimmed with tears. “Yes,” she breathed, her own voice choked with emotion. “Oh, yes!”

Mitch's heart soared with joy. He framed her face with his hands, giving himself one brief moment to glory in her radiance before he lowered his lips to hers in a kiss that was gratitude, hunger, passion and tenderness all in one. As his lips moved over hers, at times giving, at times demanding, she met him every step of the way. It was a kiss filled with need, with hope and with the urgency of long-restrained passion suddenly released. Mitch tangled his fingers in her soft hair, cupping her head as his other hand splayed across her back, molding her body even closer to his. He felt her trembling, but he also felt her sweet surrender to fate…destiny…divine Providence…whatever force had brought them together. And with her in his arms, he had the courage to surrender as well, to recognize that the gift of Tess's love had at last freed him from the legacy of loneliness that had shadowed his life for the past six years. As he held her close, he knew that this woman was, above all
things, a miracle, for she had given him back his life. And he sent a silent, heartfelt prayer of thanks heavenward.

Tess felt as if she was drowning in a sea of emotion, overwhelmed by a joy like none she had ever before experienced and by a passion intensified and enriched by the promise of a lifelong commitment. Here, in this man's strong, sure arms, she felt loved and cherished and protected. If for years she had considered herself more mom than romantic interest, tonight she felt all woman. Mitch had awakened in her a hunger that had long lain dormant, had brought to life a passion that she thought had long ago been extinguished. And his kiss tonight, which sealed their engagement, held the promise of so much more, filling her with excitement, eagerness—and gratitude to the Lord for sending this very special man into her life and for giving her the courage to take another chance on love.

When Mitch at last reluctantly eased away, his lips warm and lingering, Tess felt as if every nerve in her body was vibrating. And when their gazes connected, she was able to utter but one simple word.

“Wow!”

He grinned crookedly and leaned over to nuzzle her neck. “My sentiments exactly,” he agreed, his warm lips leaving a trail of fire against her skin. “I hope you aren't planning on a long engagement.”

“H-how does a couple of weeks sound?” she said faintly.

He groaned. “Too long.” His lips claimed hers once again in a lingering, spell-weaving kiss that sent her world spinning out of orbit.

At last, with great reluctance, she pulled back. “We'll never make it two weeks if we keep this up,” she said with a shaky grin. “And we need to set a good example for Bruce.”

Mitch's gaze momentarily flickered to the apartment behind Tess, and suddenly his mouth twitched in amusement. “Speaking of Bruce…I think he just got a great preview of romance 101.”

Her eyes widened and her cheeks grew red. “Tell me he isn't watching.”

Mitch grinned. “I can't do that without lying.”

Tess frowned and bit her lip. “I wanted to sort of prepare him. I mean, I'm not sure he's ready for us to get married.”

Mitch chuckled. “Oh, he's ready, all right.”

Tess looked at him, puzzled. “How do you know?”

“Because he came to see me this afternoon. Waited three hours, in fact. He was a man with a mission. And then he gave it to me straight, laid it on the line about Tony. He also told me that he thought I'd make a great father.” Mitch's voice caught on the last word.

Tess stared at him. “He said all that?”

“Mmm-hmm. And he was very happy when I told him I was going to talk to you tonight. So I think you can be sure that he'll be pleased at the outcome.”

Tess shifted her position so she, too, could see the window of the apartment. Sure enough, Bruce was standing there, a huge grin plastered on his face. Mitch raised his hand, and Bruce gave them a very clear thumbs-up sign.

“See what I mean?” Mitch said with a smile.

Tess turned back to him, and once more her eyes
glistened with unshed tears. “I think this is what they call a happy ending.”

“I think it is,” he replied with a grin. “So what do you say the three of us go out and celebrate?”

A euphoric joy radiated through Tess, filling her with absolute happiness and contentment, and she smiled radiantly. “I think that would be awesome!”