Daddy's Little Helper by Debbie MacOmber

Author:Debbie MacOmber [Macomber, Debbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, American fiction, General, Fiction
ISBN: 9780263798166
Publisher: Mills & Boon
Published: 1996-11-08T00:00:00+00:00

There was probably some psychological significance in the fact that she'd seek out Ben now, Bethany decided. If she wasn't so sick of analyzing the situation between her and Mitch, she might have delved into that question. As it was, she felt too miserable to care.

"I'm fine."

"Is that so?" Without her asking, Ben filled a mug with coffee. "Then why are those little lines I see between your eyes?"

"What lines?"

He pointed to his own forehead. "When I'm stewing about something, these lines magically appear on my brow. Three of them. Seems to me you're cursed with the same thing. Can't fool a living soul, no matter how hard I try." He smiled, encouraging her to talk.

Bethany resisted the urge to tell him she'd come by those lines honestly. Inhaling a deep breath, she eyed him, wondering how much she dared confide in him about her feelings for Mitch. Darn little, she suspected. That she'd even wonder was a sign of how desperate she'd become.

"What can you tell me about Mitch?" she asked.

"Mitch? Mitch Harris?" All at once, Ben found it necessary to wipe down the counter. He ran a rag over the top of the already spotless surface. "Well, for one thing, he's a damn good man. Decent, caring. Loves his daughter."

"He's lived in Hard Luck for how long?" She already knew the answer, but she wanted to ease Ben into the conversation.

"Must be five years now. Maybe a little longer."

She nodded. "I heard he worked for the police department in Chicago before that."

"That's what I heard, too."

"Do you know how his wife died?" Since Ben wasn't going to volunteer any real information, she'd have to pry it out of him.

"Can't say I do." His mouth twisted to one side, as if he was judging what he should and shouldn't tell her. "I don't think Mitch has ever talked about her to anyone. Hasn't mentioned her to me."

Bethany heard the door open behind her. Their conversation was over, not that she'd gleaned any new information.

"If you're curious about his wife," Ben whispered, "I suggest you ask him yourself. He just walked in."

For the briefest of seconds, she felt like a five-year-old with her hand caught in the cookie jar.

To her surprise, Mitch opted to sit on the stool next to hers. He studied her for what seemed an eternity. "Hello, Bethany," he finally said in a low voice.

''Mitch.'' She refused to meet his eyes.

"I'm glad I ran into you."

Well, that was certainly a change.

Ben strolled over and Mitch asked for coffee.

"I'd like to talk to you, Bethany." He gestured toward one of the booths, the steaming mug in his hand.

She followed him to the farthest booth, and they sat across from each other. For long moments, he didn't say anything, and when he lifted his head to look at her, his eyes were bleak.

"Bethany, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I don't know what else to say. I've lain awake nights worrying what you must think of me."

Confused and hurt, Bethany said nothing.

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