Family Found

“Not nearly as important as home-cooked roast beef.”

Laura’s expression brightened. “So, I’m not intruding?”

“I didn’t say that.”

Chagrined, Laura grabbed for her purse.

But Mitch’s hand stopped hers. “I’m still misreading you, I see. I thought you could take a little joke. So where’s this world-famous roast beef?”

Laura released her grip on her purse, realizing once again how badly she was out of practice in dealing with men. “I didn’t say it was world famous, simply home-cooked.”

“In my book, one and the same.”

“Don’t tell me you’re lacking in attention,” she scoffed.

His grin was again easy and mocking. “Depends on the kind of attention you’re talking about.”

Some of her humor faded. Yet she knew he was a charmer, a man who loved women as much as they loved him. It shouldn’t prevent her from sharing a simple supper with him. Keeping that in mind, she shored up her smile. “I don’t think you and Morgan lead a solitary existence. No doubt you have more attention than you need.”

“You might be surprised.”

The words startled her and for a moment she saw past the usual nonchalance in his expression. Within seconds, though, his easy smile was back in place, and she wondered if she had imagined the earlier change. Unwilling to explore the thought further, she opened the sack and pulled out the sandwiches, fussing over them more than necessary.

Mitch played along, digging into the impromptu dinner. “This beats the pizza I’d planned on ordering.”

Laura nodded. “I guessed as much.” Remembering the coffee, she took out the thermos from the bag. “Oh, I forgot to bring cups.”

“I’m not completely without creature comforts. There should be something to drink out of around here.” Mitch rose and searched for cups, tossing aside a box of petrified doughnuts. The mugs he retrieved looked a bit worse for wear, but Laura decided she needed the bracing warmth of some coffee. He sat down again and twisted off the lid of the thermos, and in an instant the tang of fresh coffee filled the small space between them.

Mitch poured coffee into the mugs, then sampled the brew. “I get so used to my own sludge, I forget how good coffee tastes. Mrs. Plummer must really be a treasure.”

Laura shifted on the sofa. “Actually, I made the coffee. Mrs. Plummer’s coffee tastes like it has part of the pot in it.”

He laughed. “I should have remembered. I’ve had your coffee before.”

Instantly Laura remembered the morning in his apartment. She also remembered his casual threat about disturbing him again before breakfast. Squirming, she shifted even farther down the couch.

“You keep that up and you’ll end up on the floor.”

Laura blinked. Then the absurdity struck her and she couldn’t contain an embarrassed giggle. “I guess you could say I’m not real comfortable around men.”

“No kidding.”

So he’d noticed. Laura clasped her hands, stopping their nervous motion. Silent moments passed, but finally she spoke. “You know from what I’ve told you that my ex-husband was a jerk.”

“That’s a mild term,” he commented. “I wouldn’t be so generous.”

She grimaced in agreement. “So don’t take it personally.”

Mitch abandoned his interest in the sandwich. “Don’t take what personally?”

Laura gestured vaguely. She knew it wasn’t an answer, but damn, how had she cornered herself this way?

“I don’t read shrugs,” he countered.

She sighed. “This is silly. I shouldn’t have even said anything, especially since we’re only working together.” Meeting his eyes, she saw that he was waiting for further explanation. “I’m just not comfortable with certain types of men.”

“Oh?” Although his voice was still mild, a new note had crept in, one she couldn’t completely decipher.

“It’s just that because of my experience I’m not comfortable with men like…” From the expression on his face, Laura realized her words were a mistake, yet she couldn’t recall them.

“Me?” he said flatly, completing her sentence.

Stomach sinking, Laura wished she hadn’t broached the subject. “As I said, don’t take it personally.”

“You know another way to take it?”

Laura pushed her half-eaten sandwich away. “I’m sure you know a bevy of women who are far more than comfortable with you.”

“Bevy?” he questioned in disbelief.

She squirmed anew. “I don’t know about you, but I was really enjoying our dinner until I opened my mouth.”

“It would be hard to enjoy the dinner otherwise,” he commented, his light tone signaling acceptance of her proffered olive branch.

Laura smiled, noting again the wealth of charm the man possessed. No wonder so many women were interested in him. She ignored the lump in her stomach the thought caused. To find him attractive was natural, she supposed. After all, they were spending a lot of time together. And proximity was an influential factor in many male-female relationships. Laura nearly laughed aloud. As though she knew much about that. Then her gaze caught his and the laughter died away.

Busying herself with the remainder of the sandwich, Laura was startled when Mitch’s hand closed over hers, though not nearly as startled by the movement as by the reaction it caused.

Catching her breath, she stared at his strong, tanned hand.

“Laura, relax. A man and woman can spend time together without anything more exciting than a sandwich between them.”

“Oh,” she managed to croak.

“Unless you count the chocolate cake,” he added with a mocking leer.

Laura remembered to breathe, but she still felt shaky. “And Mrs. Plummer’s cake is pretty darn exciting.”

“Thank God. I thought this was a ploy to get me to work all night.”

Sobered, Laura stared at him. “Did you really think that?”

“Hell, did you have your humor surgically removed, Laura? I’m trying to lighten the mood. In case you hadn’t noticed, it got pretty heavy in here.”

“Yeah, I noticed.”

He tipped up her chin, meeting her eyes. “Then work with me. Laugh a little.”