Wish on the Moon Read Free

distancing himself again, making sure
she knew this wasn't a social occasion but a favor he was doing for
Ray Applegate. Fine. That was okay by her. They could remain
strangers if that's what he wanted. She could be as polite as he
could. "Do you think Mandy's ticket will be a problem?"
    "I'll get it if I have to trade ours in for
first class."
    "I can't afford--"
    "I'm paying. This is my idea. I'll take care
of it."
    She responded quickly and firmly. "No. I
don't take handouts. We pay our own way."
    He took a few steps closer until they were
toe to toe. She smelled leather intertwined with spicy cologne and
a heady more masculine scent that made her want to step even
closer, despite her conclusion he wasn't her type. Then he
spoke.
    "Being a rebellious teenager might have
worked when you were sixteen, but the stakes are higher now. Think
about that."
    He stepped away as quickly as he'd
approached. "I'll call you in the morning."
    Without a backward glance, he walked to the
door, said good-bye to George and Mandy, and left.
    ***
    When Mitch saw Laura and her entourage to the
side of the airline counter, his body tensed. The one-piece
turquoise jump suit fit her curves like it had been sewn on. It
wasn't tight, but it clung to all her dips and bends. And that
hair--loose, fluffy, damnably sexy. What would a handful feel like?
Smell like? It hid her face as she bent to talk to Mandy.
    Guilt stabbed Mitch. He'd been unreasonably
sharp with Laura yesterday. He hadn't slept well since Wednesday
because he'd been so damned worried about Ray. But that was no
excuse. He had no right to condemn Laura, despite his reservations
about her character.
    Glancing at the group again, he supposed the
dark-haired woman with George was Anne. What was their connection
to Laura? Were they a couple? Or were George and Laura
involved?
    Mitch strode toward them, not liking George's
proprietary air with Laura but not taking time to analyze why. He
sighed. Laura. She was going to be difficult all the way. He should
have expected it. When he phoned her this morning to tell her he'd
pick her up, she coolly informed him she'd meet him at the airport.
It would have been more practical for them to drive into Cleveland
together, but at this point he didn't care.
    Her history reminded him so much of his
brother Carey's. Listening to the stories Ray had told, Mitch had
assumed Carey and Laura were two of a kind. If she was as
unreliable and headstrong, he just wanted to get her to York for
Ray's sake, then send her back to Independence before she caused
trouble.
    Ray had said she'd been spoiled and wild.
Mitch couldn't understand the idea of any child throwing away a
father's love, wealth, and a stable future. Laura had been foolish
and irrational. Mitch hoped she cared about Ray enough to put him
first this time.
    Mitch reached the group and Laura introduced
Anne.
    Mitch nodded. "I'm glad you're on time."
    Laura took her poncho in multi shades of rose
from George's arm. "Punctuality's one of my virtues."
    Mitch stifled the urge to ask if she had any
others and directed his attention to Mandy. A streak on her cheek
looked like the path of tears. His insides tightened. He hated the
thought of a child feeling sad or hurt.
    He crouched down to meet her at eye level.
"Are you ready to fly?"
    "Puffball's lonely. She can't ride with me.
We had to give her to a lady."
    He addressed Laura. "Do you want me to see
what I can do? It's a short flight. Maybe they'd let her--"
    With a warning look, Laura shook her head.
"This flight is too booked for Puffball to stay with us. I showed
Mandy the hands on my watch and she understands when she'll see
Puffball again."
    "Mommy says people ride with people and cats
ride with cats."
    Evidently Laura had settled the matter with
Mandy. Mitch didn't want to upset the balance. He stood.
    Anne said to Mandy, "Let's visit the ladies'
room one last time." She took the child's hand and led her
away.
    George mumbled, "I'll get her a candy