Page 9 of Built of Flames

But his thoughts were pulling to the cabin on his left.

“You want to head over and talk fire with Bella or meet the guys?”

Mitch waved at the men, but his feet refused to go that way. He had to know. “How about I catch up with you later?”

“Sounds good. Text me if we’re not at the cabin when you come back.”

Mitch turned to the left, his feet moving more quickly than they had before.

The trees opened up, and he spotted a cabin. Smaller than Midnight Security. On the deck out front, a woman sat in an Adirondack chair with her feet up on the table in front of her, reading a paperback.

Mitch’s heart rate tripled. Same long black hair. Same body type. She was angled away from him, facing the lake. He couldn’t see the book, but he’d bet every engine in the station that it was an Agatha Christie novel.

He picked up the pace, but couldn’t find his voice to call out. Mitch almost ran the last dozen steps. His approach alerted her, and the woman turned to gaze over her shoulder, eyes wide. Those gorgeous deep brown eyes he’d thought he’d never see again.

“Isabella? Itisyou.”

Mitch dropped the backpack he’d carried with him, hopped over the deck rail, and scooped her off the chair and into a hug.

He held her tightly as he whispered into her hair over and over again. “It is you.”

Meet Your Match

Bella struggled to believe what was happening. Mitch Robinson was holding her. Hugging her as if he never wanted to let her go. Here at Midnight Lake. He wasn’t angry or disappointed in her. He hadn’t forgotten her and he didn’t hate her. Thoughts and emotions whirled, making her dizzy.

It was a long minute before Mitch eased up on his hold. Even then, he held onto her shoulders, looked her over and then pulled her in for another hug.

She’d had a huge crush on him from the moment she’d seen him hanging out with her brother. That crush hadn’t ever faded, had only grown stronger as they’d aged and matured. She didn’t think he’d ever reciprocated her feelings. But this hug was making her wonder about that. Her body warmed from her heart on out because of the strength of his touch.

“I’m so glad it’s you, Izzy. I have so much to say, to apologize for, to tell you. Christo is going to be so excited to know we’ve finally found you. How are you? Are you okay? Is everything good?”

Mitch finally drew in a breath and squeezed her once more before standing back. But he slid his hands down her arms until he held her hands in his.

Of all the ways she’d imagined meeting him again, this scenario had never entered her mind. In most of them, she’d believed they would all turn their backs on her. Again.

“You don’t hate me?” She couldn’t believe those were her first words, but they’d been so prominent in her head and her heart for years, they’d just popped out.

Mitch’s eyes got shiny, but he didn’t look away. “I deserve that, don’t I? No, Isabella, I don’t hate you. No one hates you. We’re all so damn sorry about that day.I’mso sorry.”

And he was hugging her again. This time, she was able to do more than stand there like a mannequin. She raised her arms and wrapped them around his waist. He was solid and real. Even more fit and toned than he’d been before.

She wanted to burst into tears, but she closed her eyes and grabbed onto her determination with everything she had. She could do that in private later.

When he let her go this time, he tugged on her hand and sat on the chair beside the one she’d been using. He didn’t let go as she sank into her own.

“Mitch…” Her voice trailed off. She was so off balance, she couldn’t even find the words.

His smile held sorrow. “Let me start, okay?”

Once she nodded, he took a deep breath, then looked down and pinched the bridge of his nose. When he looked up, his eyes were shiny again. “I didn’t know you’d be here. I’m completely flustered right now. My head is whirling with what I’m supposed to say and how I’m supposed to say it. And I have so many questions, too.”

That made Bella smile. “Same.”

Mitch grinned and took a deep breath. “Okay. Let me start by saying I was a complete ass that day.”

Bella stiffened, but he squeezed her hand when she tried to pull it away.

His voice vibrated with emotion. “I’m sorry. More sorry than I can say. We’d been told that you were at fault and that you hadn’t called for help when Roberto needed it.”

---