Mitch knew he should have mentioned the buyout sooner. Fucking Linda Madison. She and her friends sashayed past him. “Merry Christmas, Flash.” She handed him a card. “Call me.”

The nerve of the woman.

He didn’t have time to worry about her though. Becca had looked as if steam might come out of her ears at any moment. He tossed Linda’s card in the trash and nodded to Becca’s employees as he passed. They stared back at him with wide eyes, looking as worried as he felt.

He’d known Becca might not take his purchase of her storefront well. But hell, she hadn’t owned it before. Harris Madison, that douche, had. Mitch was a great landlord. Sure, he had others managing his properties in Wisconsin, Washington, and Idaho, but he always made sure to put people he trusted in charge of his assets.

Which reminded him to call Sean later and check on that situation in Green Bay.

“I can’t believe you did that,” Becca said, her voice tight, when they stood alone in her kitchen.

“I think you’re blowing this out of proportion.”

Her eyes glowed. Shit. “You can’t just buy me, Mitch. I’m not a groupie, and I’m not impressed by your wealth.”

He sighed. “I know that. Would it help if you knew I bought all the property on this side of Main Street? I’m investing in my town, Becca. Becoming a part of the community.”

She frowned. “I didn’t mean for you to buy me.”

“So you consider this building and yourself one and the same?”

“Semantics. You know what I mean!”

“Hell. I’m sorry, okay? When I heard you talk about the rent going up, I looked into it. And Harris had some nice commercial property here. I have a lot of investments, which is why I’ll never go broke even though I’ll never again get another million-dollar contract to catch a ball.” He tried to be self-deprecating, but she wasn’t buying it. “I bought that used bookstore on Appleton Street, too. Do you want to know what else I bought?”

“No. It’s your money.” She walked to him and poked him in the chest. Hard.

“Ow.”

“You had no right buying this building without talking to me! It’s different, and you know it, Mitch. We’re a couple, and you’re keeping secrets.”

“You want to know what I own and don’t own? Fine. I’m happy to sit down and tell you everything.”

“That’s not it. Your money is your business. I’m not trying to tell you otherwise. But Bragg’s Tea is my business. I put my heart and soul into this place. Why didn’t you tell me you bought the building?”

“Because I knew you’d be upset.”

“Exactly.”

“Because you wouldn’t understand why I’d done it.”

She paused. “You’re trying to tell me this purchase had nothing to do with the fact that you and I are sleeping together? Nothing at all?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. You told me your rent went up, and I wanted to help. You’re kind of prickly about your independence.”

“Prickly? Seriously? I’m not a little girl you have to explain things to, Mitchell.”

Ouch. The whole first name. She’d never been so angry with him before.

“I’m a grown woman raising a son all on my own. I don’t need you or anyone else to bail me out.”

He wasn’t saying the right things. “You let Nora help you.”

“I pay her.”

“In food.” He winced because she kept poking him. And damn, but her finger felt like steel. “How tax deductible is that?”

She flushed. “Nora’s family.”

“What am I? Just the guy you’re fucking?”

She blanched as if he’d struck her.

“Honey, Becca, I love you. I just wanted to help. I don’t know why buying your store is making you so mad. You were paying Harris before. So what? You can keep paying me if that makes you happy. Same rent, okay?”

“No. A three percent increase,” she yelled.

He stared. “What is going on with you? I’m sorry if you think I overstepped. I am. But I only meant to help. I’d never hurt you, Becca. Don’t you know that by now?”

“What happens when you find someone else? Someone prettier and younger who doesn’t have a teenager she’s responsible for? When the newness of a real family wears off, and I still have to see you and deal with you as my landlord?” She brushed away a few angry tears.

He felt lower than low for hurting her, and angry as well. “Why the hell would I want anyone else? I love you. But maybe you don’t love me.” She’d never said it, had she? “I know you’re not using me. You’re not like that. But maybe you just can’t get over Neal. Maybe having you in my bed and getting a few smiles is all I’ll ever have.”

The truth of that possibility hurt more than anything.

“Mitch, stop. That’s not true.”

He took a step back. “Man, I just don’t know. I’ve been honest with you from the beginning. I’ve shared more with you than I’ve ever shared with anyone else. But you hold back, and while I understand, I do, I don’t think I can live knowing the woman I love is in love with another man. I can’t compete with Neal, Becca.”

“It’s not about Neal, you idiot. It’s about you pulling me under your impressive shadow. I don’t want you to own me. I don’t want to be Mitch Flashman’s girlfriend. Mitch Flashman’s tenant. Mitch Flashman’s ex. I’m Rebecca Bragg, and I had a life before dating the big NFL star. I won’t allow myself to disappear under your colossal ego.”

He didn’t understand her. At all. When the hell had he ever given her the impression he was conceited? “I’m going to leave now. And I’m going to think about what you said. I still don’t understand what I did that was so wrong. But maybe you can explain it to me when my big, fat, fucking ego isn’t in the way.”

He left before he said something he’d regret. Simon called out to him, but Mitch shook his head. “Sorry. Later, man.”

His drive home was quiet, the snowfall an oppressive curtain no longer so pretty but daunting on the drive up the mountain.  He slid a few times but made it home safely. Once inside, he put on some exercise clothes and worked out until he had nothing left.

Then he grabbed a six pack and settled in to watch the History Channel, lost in wars he’d never fought and never lost. Or won.

 

******

 

Simon didn’t know what the heck had happened, but all his planning with Jenna would have to wait. “We have to postpone this, okay?”

She nodded and squeezed his hand. “I’ll handle it. Talk to you soon.” She kissed him on the cheek, then scurried out of the shop to stop her aunt from entering.

So much for getting his mom jealous. He honestly had no idea what he’d walked into, but Mitch had looked both sad and mad as he’d stalked from the shop. Simon could only imagine what his mom was feeling. He rushed in to find her crying.

“Mom?”

She sniffled and turned her back. “Sorry. Got something in my eye.”

Simon sighed. “I’m not two. What happened between you and Mitch?”

“He bought the store!” The rage returned.

“So?”

His mother turned around and gaped at him. “So? Simon, he can’t just buy his way into our lives.”

Huh. Simon had no problem with that. “Is it another woman or something like that?”

“What are you talking about?” Her eyes narrowed. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“No. I just don’t understand why him buying the shop is a big deal. Now we don’t have to pay rent.”

“Of course we have to pay,” she said, her tone scathing. “I will not accept charity from a man because I’m sleeping with him. I’m not a prostitute!”

“Wow. You are not making any sense.” No wonder Mitch had stormed out. Simon’s mom was wacked. “Mom, Mitch did a nice thing. I don’t think he’s trying to own you or pay for sex or anything.” He flushed. “God. Forget I said that. I just… He was trying to help.”

“But it’s not right. He’s got more money. He’s got more options. I don’t need his pity.” She started crying again. “I don’t know why he’s with us. With me.”

Man, she had it bad. “Mom, can I offer you some advice?”

She snorted and wiped her nose on her sleeve, reminding him of himself. “Sure. Why not?”

“I think Mitch loves you. The way Dad loved you.”

She froze, her eyes huge as she stared at him.

“If Dad had bought the shop, you’d have been happy, right?”

“That’s different.”

“Why?”

“Because your dad and I were married, a couple. We were a unit.”

“Why can’t you and Mitch be a unit? If you were rich and he needed help with something, you’d help him, right?”

“Well, maybe.” He just looked at her. “Yes, I would. But I’d tell him first.”

“So he did it backwards. He’s a guy, and guys make mistakes a lot. That’s what Jenna tells me.”

His mom laughed through tears.

“I like him, Mom. He’s real. Did you know he’s doing all this charity stuff for homeless teens and the animal shelter? He’s a really good guy under all the football crap. You know you like him.”

“I do.” She gripped counter behind her. “I just…”

“He told me he loves you. And he warned me not to bug you about him, because he doesn’t want to rush you or anything. If he were a tool, he’d use me to get to you. He’d dump you after getting what a guy wants from a girl. He’d tell everyone he got some…” A guy never referred to his mom as a piece of tail, not even when making a point. “Well, I think he’d brag about stuff. But he doesn’t.”

She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “I don’t know.”

“When I’m wrong, you make me apologize. And I have to mean I’m sorry. I can’t just say it.”

She frowned.

“It’s true. I think you were mean to Mitch, not because you meant to be, but maybe you’re scared.”

“Of course I’m scared.” She paced around the kitchen. “He’s a millionaire, ex-NFL star. I’m a single mom who runs a bakery. What the heck do we have in common?”

“Well, seems to me you both love each other. And you always tell me that with a strong foundation, you can build anything. But love comes first.”

She sighed. “Why do you listen to me when I don’t want you to?”

“Because I have a Y chromosome, and it makes me do the opposite of what you want.”

She gave a watery laugh.

“I think Mitch was really mad, Mom. Hurt too.”

She sighed.

“Jenna and me, we had a plan to make you jealous. Mitch didn’t know about it,” he hurried to say, in case she got the wrong idea. “When Jenna wanted to see if I liked her, she made up a story about being into some other guy. It made me see how much I didn’t like that idea, and that I wanted her to be with me. If you saw another woman, like maybe Jenna’s pretty, single aunt, laughing and having fun with Mitch, how would you feel?”

His mom stared and said nothing for a moment. “I’d slap her silly, then drag Mitch away by his hair.”

Simon grinned. “Right. See, that’s how you know how you feel about somebody. When the thought of them with someone else makes you crazy.”

She groaned. “I should probably apologize to Mitch.”

“Yep.”

“And I should mean it.”

“Uh huh.” He glanced out the back window. “You might want to head out now. The snow is coming down faster. I’ll stay with Aunt Nora tonight.”

“She might be busy.”

“On a Sunday night? No way.” He called his aunt, and she said no problem. “There. I’m good.”

“Fine. I guess I’ll drive to Mitch’s. But what if he won’t see me?”

“Then you try again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.” Simon liked the idea of Mitch in his life. But more, he liked seeing how happy Mitch made his mom. The pair together just felt right. So he said the one thing he knew would put her over. “Dad would like him.”

She smiled and wiped her eyes again. “Yeah, I think so too.”

 

******

 

But Mitch wouldn’t see her Sunday night. Or Monday. Or Tuesday.

By Wednesday, Becca had had enough. She called Deacon and told him to make sure Mitch stayed put at his house and opened the door to let her in this time. “Look. I love him; he loves me. We have some things to work out.”

“You’re damn right you do,” Deacon growled over the phone. “My brother is down, woman. Make it right.”

“I will if he’ll let me. Your brother won’t talk to me. I’ve been trying since Sunday.”

Deacon sighed. “You must have really hurt him. He never goes into quiet mode unless it’s a huge deal. Come on. I’ll make sure you get in.”

Becca took time off from work. Simon and Jenna gladly filled in. Nora warned her to pull out all the stops. Seduction, apologies, begging. Because Becca was an idiot who should never have been so neurotic as to throw away a shot at true love a second time.

“Hell. I can’t find one decent guy. You’re on number two.” Nora smiled. “Stop being such a dork and grab him. Or I’ll tell Linda he’s back up for grabs.”

Now Becca wore her favorite Christmas skirt, a form-hugging red sweater, and the earrings Neal had given her for their first anniversary. Tiny gold hoops studded with diamonds. The earrings hadn’t been too expensive, but they looked nice and made her feel special. And they reminded her of how much she’d loved.

And still did.

She parked in Mitch’s driveway, glad to see Deacon’s car there. She was poised to ring the bell when Deacon opened the door and tugged her inside.

“H-hello.”

“Fix it.” He left without saying goodbye. She heard his car start and drive way. But no Mitch.

She walked into the house and heard nothing but silence. A fire crackled in the hearth in the living area. Christmas decorations filled the space, but it still felt empty.

Then she heard a whine and saw a dog streak by.

A dog?

Becca followed the click of nails down the hallway toward the conservatory. Nerves filled every step, as did regret. Replaying their conversation over and over, she realized she’d overreacted. Yes, he should have told her about buying the space before he had. It was her business, after all, and clear communication might have stopped her from making the wrong assumption.

But his heart had been in the right place. He’d told her son he loved her. Had thought about her every step of the way in their relationship. It was time she did the same.

She found him sitting in the conservatory on the couch, one ankle crossed over his knee, a book in hand. On the table before him, a mug of something steamed. And on the floor on a cozy doggy bed lay a black and white dog. Behind him, by the window, a grand Christmas tree sparkled with ribbon, red glass ornaments of all shapes and sizes, and white twinkling lights. Around the tree, pots of flowers had been artfully arranged. The scene looked like her Christmas dreams come true, the man she loved all but done up in a bow.

Mitch glanced up and blinked in surprise. “Becca?”

The dog wagged its tail but stayed next to Mitch.

She took him in, his dark hair, mussed. His deep gray eyes, wary. The jeans and Packers sweatshirt made him more, not less, intimidating. He was a man who knew his worth and had nothing to prove, while she had everything to prove.

His expression closed, and he placed the book down, a bookmark keeping his place.

“The Civil War?” she asked.

“I like history. Studying battles. Past mistakes.” He shot her a cool look. “We can learn so much from it.”

Oh boy. Did she have some groveling to do.