Cindy Kirk - The Husband List

“You made the most of the opportunities you were given.” Keenan’s tone seemed to gentle. “That’s commendable. I’m not taking anything away from you, Mitzi. I’m simply saying in many ways you were fortunate and had a leg up on a lot of other people. That’s all.”

Mitzi stared at him for a moment. He made a good point. She hadn’t had to take care of her sister, and her mother had done her best to provide for the family.

“You’re right.” Instead of picking up her pizza, Mitzi stabbed it with her fork. “But I got out of East L.A., left that lifestyle behind because of the choices I made.”

“Hey.” Keenan reached across the table, laid a hand across hers and gave it a squeeze. “You’re a success story. You have every right to be proud of what you’ve achieved.”

Some of her irritation slipped away at the admiration in those hazel eyes.

“Care if I join you while I wait for my pizza? I don’t want to interrupt.”

Jerking back her hand, Mitzi shifted her gaze.

Winston Ferris stood by the table, smiling down at them. From his hand-tailored suit, Hermès tie and black Hublot watch encircling his wrist Winn radiated an aura of wealth and privilege. And why not? He was a successful land developer and son of wealthy rancher Jim Ferris. Though there were some in town who decried his ethics, Mitzi admired his tenacity and focus.

“Please join us.” Mitzi moved over and made room for Winn on her side of the booth.

Keenan took another sip of cola and eyed Winn thoughtfully. But once Winn sat down, her dinner companion extended his hand.

“Keenan McGregor,” he said. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

Winn introduced himself before Mitzi could do it, then gazed thoughtfully at Keenan. “You’re Betsy Harcourt’s brother, the one who just got out of prison.”

Mitzi’s gaze shot to Keenan’s face but his expression remained bland.

“That’s right,” Keenan said easily. “And your father owns the Triple K.”

Surprise skittered across Winn’s face. “You know my father?”

“I know the spread,” Keenan clarified. “I used to do some work for the previous owner back in high school. Prime ranch land.”

“Dad is happy with it.” Looking perplexed, Winn shifted his attention to Mitzi. “I thought you were dating Kelvin Reid?”

“You’re out of the loop, Ferris.” Mitzi waved a dismissive hand. “That player is old news.”

Winn turned to Keenan, but before he could get a word out, Mitzi continued.

“Keenan and I met at his welcome-home party,” she said hurriedly. “Now we’re sharing a friendly pizza.”

“What she’s trying to make clear is this isn’t a date.” Keenan gave a little chuckle. “I’m not her type. She’s not mine.”

Mitzi’s eyes widened then narrowed. Not his type. Whom was he kidding? She’d seen the look in his eyes earlier. If he could have tossed her to the floor and had her right there, he would have.

She ignored the annoying thought that if he had done that, she’d probably have let him. Of course, desire wasn’t the same as being someone’s type. Any more than simply sharing a pizza and conversation was a date.

* * *

Mitzi watched Keenan stroll out the front door of Perfect Pizza. He’d chatted amiably with Winn but when the man’s pizza was delivered and Winn continued to sit, Keenan made some excuse about needing to get home.

She told herself she didn’t care if Keenan left. Winn was whom she really wanted to get to know better.

“How’s the golf-course development coming?” While Mitzi knew golf was the reason Winn had originally come to Jackson Hole and stayed, those tiny white balls had never been her friend. Whenever she’d had occasion to be around one, it always did everything it could to get away, hiding from her behind rocks, in trees, even plopping deep into water.

“We should be breaking ground soon.” Winn leaned back and gazed admiringly across the table at her.

Once Keenan had disappeared from sight, Mitzi suggested Winn move to the other side of the booth so they could face each other. She needed to put a little distance between them. Though his cologne was an expensive brand, she’d never particularly liked the musky scent.

“The environmentally sensitive guidelines have been a thorn in my side,” he said, frustration evident in his tone. “But thankfully we’re finally in a position to move forward.”

“You faced a lot of obstacles,” she observed. “But you persevered.”

He grinned. “That’s the kind of guy I am.”

Here, Mitzi thought, was a true kindred spirit. No wonder Winn Ferris currently reigned at the top of her husband list.

As he talked of his boarding school years, his private-school education and his work with GPG, a large investment firm, her mind wandered.

Granted, Winn had achieved much success. He was exactly what she wanted. In fact, he was practically perfect, Mitzi told herself, even as she couldn’t help looking at the door and wishing Keenan hadn’t hurried off so quickly.

Chapter Five

“Trust me.” Kate passed Mitzi the mashed potatoes at her dinner table the following evening. “You don’t want to move into a home that’s under construction. It’ll be dusty and dirty and dangerous.”

“I don’t see I have much choice.”

“Did I mention dusty?”

Mitzi took a small tablespoon of potatoes and passed them to Joel, who so far had wisely kept his mouth shut on the matter.

Mitzi had already discussed the subject with him in depth at the job site today. He’d done his best to change her mind, but she’d dug in her heels. She realized he was frustrated, but in the end, as the client, it was her decision.

“We always have a choice.” Kate’s gaze shifted from her husband back to her friend, two lines of worry between her brows.

“My swimming teacher didn’t give me a choice,” ten-year-old Chloe piped up from the other side of Mitzi. “She said I had to tread water for five minutes.”

Mitzi smiled sympathetically at the child. “Bummer.”

She and Kate had become friends around the time Kate had given birth to Chloe. Mitzi remembered well the pain Kate had experienced when she’d given the baby up for adoption. And she recalled the joy when she’d finally been reunited with her daughter.

Now she and Joel and Chloe were a family. And last year, Samuel Joel Dennes had been born. The energetic boy was currently engrossed with smashing carrots into his high chair tray.

Mitzi turned back to her friend.

“The closing on my condo is at the end of the week,” Mitzi reminded her. “Then I’m homeless.”

“I made it clear I want you here.” Kate’s hazel gaze met Mitzi’s. “We have a lovely guest room that only gets used when Joel’s family comes to visit. Which isn’t nearly often enough.”

Kate made no mention of her own family, Mitzi knew, because they weren’t close. In her parents’ minds they had one child, Kate’s older sister, Andrea. Though in recent years, Kate and her “perfect sister” had forged a tentative relationship, as far as Mitzi knew, there were no plans for any of Kate’s family to visit.

“This is a lovely home,” Mitzi said with sincerity, glancing around the room with the large picture window overlooking the mountains. “But I like my privacy.”

Kate lifted a brow.

“It’s true.” Mitzi gave a little laugh. “Blame it on all those years with too many people in a one-bedroom apartment.”

“You have a busy practice. Your home should be your sanctuary.” Kate reached over and covered Mitzi’s hand. “A house still under construction isn’t much of a sanctuary. It will be a chaotic place to live.”

“Perhaps.” Mitzi squeezed Kate’s hand then sat back. “But I want to give it a try. If it doesn’t work, I’ll let you say ‘I told you so,’ and come crawling to your guest room.”