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“Coming!” Riley called, turning away from Mitch. As she entered the dining room, she put her laptop down on one of the smaller tables near the wall. She’d be able to keep an eye on it while eating.
She should’ve deleted the photos of Mitch. What had she been thinking? She hadn’t been thinking, that was what.
Everyone was already sitting down around the table, the only two open chairs next to one another. Swallowing her groan, Riley put on a smile and sat down.
Mitch pulled out the other chair and sat down next to her. Within seconds, his heat, his scent was seeping into her pores. If she didn’t burst into flames soon, it would be a miracle. A hysterical giggle threatened to erupt. Who had mentioned Christmas miracles?
*
With the smellof orange blossoms making him light-headed, Mitch tried to focus on the conversation around him. After a while, he gave up; there was such a roaring in his ears, he was only able to pick up a word here and there.
Restlessly, he shifted on his chair. Under the big, white tablecloth, his leg touched Riley’s. She tried to move, but there wasn’t anywhere to go. Fidgeting, she let her hands slip from her lap to the chair and back. Clenching his teeth, he reached for her hand under the tablecloth. For a moment, it fluttered like a scared bird before it stilled.
The roaring quieted, his heart settled. He was finally able to touch her.
“Mitch, do you know how Matthew is doing?” Janice interrupted his thoughts.
“I visited him this morning; he’ll be okay physically. Mentally, I’m not so sure.”
“The poor kid,” Janice said, her eyes bright with tears. “Ever since his mom died, he’s had a rough road.”
“I saw him just before lunch,” Vivian said. “The principal from school was there, and we spoke a few words. She’d contacted the grandparents, and they’re on their way. Apparently, after their daughter’s passing, their son-in-law didn’t want to see them or have them contact Matthew, so they had no idea what was going on.”
Mitch looked at his watch. “Do you know what time they’ll be arriving?”
“They were going to leave as soon as possible. It’s a nearly two-hour drive, so you can finish your lunch.”
“I want to speak to them and make sure he’s okay.”
Under the table, Riley pressed his hand. A small gesture, but he felt ten feet tall.
As Mitch picked up his fork, he noticed Vivian was whispering something in her husband’s ear, but Aiden just smiled and shook his head before he softly spoke to her. What would that be all about?
Mitch quickly finished his meal. He was being rude, but this might be the only chance he had to talk to Matthew’s grandparents. “If you’ll excuse me?”
“Of course,” Annie said, getting up. “We’ll have dessert when you’re back.”
Nodding, he got up. “I shouldn’t be long.” As he turned around, he touched Riley’s shoulder. He hadn’t even thought about what he was doing—wanting to touch her was instinctive.
When exactly this need to put his hands on her had started, he wasn’t sure. What he did know was that it wasn’t something that was going to change anytime soon.
*
Annie had insistedon looking at the wedding photos again. Riley had fetched the laptop, and while she and Annie, with Aunt Janice and Vivian behind them, scrolled through the photos again, Craig and Aiden were chatting. Dylan was playing with his cars.
Riley was trying to go through the photos as quickly as she could. Nobody knew exactly when Mitch would return, but she wanted her laptop closed and in its bag when he did.
They were nearly done when Dylan ran up to her. “I’m thirsty, Mommy.”
Reluctantly, Riley got up. She should never have left the folder on her computer.
As she took Dylan’s hand, Mitch walked back into the dining room. His eyes met hers before he saw the women looking at the photos again.
“Hi, everyone,” he greeted. “Are we looking at the photos again?”
“I can’t get enough.” Annie smiled as she moved to sit down on the chair where Riley had sat. “I can understand why you’re such a sought-after photographer, Riley. These are really something. Mitch, look, I love this one of you. Riley somehow captured exactly who you are—your goofy smile, your caring nature—this one is my favorite of you, I think.”
“Didn’t you say we can have dessert once Mitch is back?” Aiden asked. “What can I do?”
