Texas Heroes_ Volume 1(129)
His eyes went black then, coals of memory smoldering. “That was only—”
She covered his mouth with her hand. “Don’t you tell me that was only sex. I’ve had only sex. This was different. We made love, Mitch. My heart and your heart—they touched.”
Her knees trembled. She waited for him to scoff.
But he didn’t. Instead, sadness filled his gaze before he looked away. “It doesn’t matter.” He shook his head. “I can’t be what you need. I don’t know anything about families.”
“I think your mother would disagree.”
His head shot up, his eyes sparking with the faintest glimpse of hope.
It was a start. Only time would convince him. Time they didn’t have, unless she went back and faced Simon.
“I need your help, Mitch.”
“With what?”
“I want to leave Davey with you while I go back to Boston to testify.”
For the second time that day, Mitch looked stunned. “Leave him with me?”
She rushed to explain. “I know it’s a lot of trouble, but I just can’t risk having him in Boston until I know that Simon can’t harm him. He would be so happy with you and—”
Mitch held up a hand. “He’s not a problem.” Then he frowned. “You would leave him with me, even after what I told you?”
“Of course I would.”
“You’re going back?”
“You were right. It’s what I have to do, or he and I will never be free.” She lifted her gaze to his. “And there will never be a chance for us.”
When he started shaking his head slowly, her heart sank. She could see a war going on inside him as he stared into the fire.
Mitch heard her words, all of them, but believing them was something different. Yet he saw the dream she offered, and deep within him, hope stirred.
Her courage shamed him. She was willing to face a man who terrified her, to give them a chance. He might have doubts the size of these mountains that they could make this work, but how could he do less?
He faced her, noted her pallor, the hands so tightly clasped.
“I can’t let you leave Davey here—”
Her shoulders sagged.
“—but we’ll go with you.”
She blinked. “But…”
He kept going. “I don’t just want Davey safe. I want you safe, too. I don’t want you near Simon alone.”
Joy flared in her eyes, then dimmed. “But Davey…”
“I’ll take care of Davey, don’t you worry. But you’re not going alone.”
“Mitch, I don’t want you in Simon’s path, either.”
He settled his hands on her shoulders, this time caressing. “Honey, I’m not doubting you that he’s dangerous, but I can take care of myself—and you and Davey. If you’re going to face this, we’re going to do it together.”
He stroked her cheek and drew her close. “And when you’re done, I have something to ask of you.”
Her lips parted, almost on a sigh. “What is it?”
“You’re right, too. I need to go back. I want to see Boone and his new wife. But I want more than that.”
“What?”
He drew in a deep breath. “I want you to go with me. I want to marry you. And whether or not I can ever adopt him legally, I want to be Davey’s dad.”
She seemed stunned now herself. “Mitch, I—”
“I don’t have a lot to offer you, Perrie, so you’d better think hard before you answer. This cabin and my truck are all I own in the world.”
“I’ve had luxury, Mitch. It’s empty without love.”
Love. His heart leapt. “I—I don’t know how good I am at love. But what I have is yours…if you want it.”
He thought he saw tears glisten, but she didn’t speak.
He rushed to bolster his argument. “I’ve always worked hard, and I can do whatever it takes to make a life for us. I’ll take good care of you both, I promise.”
Then he stopped, realizing just how much he wanted her to say yes. How afraid he was that she wouldn’t.
He dug deep. “I don’t want to be alone anymore, Perrie. You and Davey…you’ve made me want more.”
Her voice wasn’t steady when she spoke. “I don’t have much to offer, either.”
Relief flooded him. “You have the world to offer. The biggest heart that was ever packed into such a tiny frame. And a lifetime of stories to make up for our children.” Brushing his mouth across hers, he delighted in how easily her lips parted for him. He stroked his tongue over ruby satin.
“Children?” she said weakly.
“I haven’t had a family in a long time. I’ve got a lot of ground to make up.” His eyes studied hers. “I don’t know if I can be the right kind of father, but I’ll give it everything I’ve got.” He kissed her once more. “You’ve brought me alive again. I’ll spend my life making sure you never regret it.”