Page 84 of Summer Weddings
“Yes. And Grammy asked that her ashes be scattered on the tundra next spring.”
He nodded. “Do you know when the service is?”
“No.” The details had yet to be decided. Lanni lifted her head and looked up at him. “I’m glad you came.”
“So am I,” he said. “I love you, Lanni. Don’t ever hold anything back from me, understand?”
She nodded.
He stood, giving her his hand. “Now let’s go see about meeting your brother’s plane.”
* * *
Mitch heard via the grapevine that Bethany had a date with Bill Landgrin. Bill’s pipeline crew was working at the pump station south of Atigun Pass. The men responsible for the care and upkeep of the pipeline usually worked seven days on and seven days off. During his off-time, Bill occasionally made his way into the smaller towns that dotted the Alaskan interior.
What he came looking for was a little action. Gambling. Drinking. Every now and then, he went in search of a woman.
Mitch didn’t know when or how Bill Landgrin had met Bethany. One thing was sure—Mitch didn’t like the idea of his seeing Bethany. In fact, he didn’t want the man anywhere near her.
Mitch understood Landgrin’s attraction to Bethany all too well. It had been hard enough to sit idly by and watch her date John Henderson. The pilot was no real threat; Bill Landgrin, on the other hand, was smooth as silk and sharp as a tack. A real conniver, Mitch thought grimly.
There was no help for it. He was obligated to warn Bethany of Bill’s reputation.Someonehad to.
He bided his time, waiting until two days before she was said to be meeting Bill. As if it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, he’d stop by to see her after school. He’d make up some fiction about being concerned with Chrissie’s grades—which were excellent.
He waited until he could be sure there was no chance of running into Chrissie. The last thing he needed was to have his daughter catch him seeking out Bethany’s company. The kid might get the wrong idea.
Mitch had intentionally avoided Bethany since the night of Chrissie’s accident. There was only so much temptation a man could take, and that evening had stretched his endurance to the breaking point.
He found Bethany sitting at her desk. Her eyes widened as he walked into the classroom. “Mitch, hello! It’s good to see you.”
He smiled slightly. “I hope you don’t mind my dropping in like this.”
“Of course not.”
“It’s about Chrissie,” he said hurriedly, for fear Bethany would get the wrong impression.“I’ve been a little, uh, concerned about her grades.”
“But she’s excelled in all her subjects. She’s getting top marks.”
He was well aware that his excuse was weak. From the day school had started, he hadn’t had to hound Chrissie to do her homework. Not once. She would’ve gladly done assignments five hours a night if it meant pleasing Ms. Ross.
“I’ve been wondering about her grades since the accident,” he said.
“They’re fine.” Bethany flipped through her grade book and reviewed the most recent entries. “I’ve kept a close eye on her, looking for any of the symptoms Dotty mentioned, but so far everything’s been great. Is there a problem at home—I mean, has she been dizzy or anything like that?”
“No, no,” he was quick to reassure her.
“Oh, good.” She seemed relieved, and he felt even more of a fool.
Mitch stood abruptly and turned as if to leave. “By the way,” he said, trying to make it sound like an afterthought, “I don’t mean to pry, but rumor has it you’re having dinner with Bill Landgrin this Friday night.”
“Yes.” She stared at him. “How’d you know that?”
“Oh,” he said with a nonchalant shrug, “word gets around. I didn’t know you two had met.”
“Only briefly. He was on a flight with Duke and stopped in at the café the same time I was there,” she explained.
“I see,” he said thoughtfully. He started to leave, then turned back with a dramatic flourish. “What about John? Do you often date men you’ve just met?”
