“What’s this?”
“A crisis training seminar. You learn how to talk to people in trouble. It’s a six-month course. At the end you’re not a therapist, but you’re somebody who knows how to listen.”
Mitch dropped the brochure as if it were a live grenade. “What are you talking about? I can’t help anyone else.”
Joss stared at him. “That’s where you’re wrong. You’re exactly the right person for someone in crisis to lean on. It’s not easy and there are plenty who can’t be saved, but when you pull someone back from the brink, when you see him build up his life again, it’s a good day. Don’t you want a few good days?”
Mitch looked from Joss to the brochure, then bent over and picked it up. “I didn’t talk today,” he said. “I don’t want to talk. What makes you think I want to listen?”
“I have a gut instinct about these things.” Joss grinned. “It’s part of my charm. Just ask my wife.”
“I’ll pass.”
Joss patted the brochure. “Think about it. The next class starts in a couple of months. By then they won’t be able to shut you up in group.”
“That will never happen.”
“I know, but it’s fun to think about. You’ve got someone to watch your back, Mitch. There are plenty of guys who don’t have anyone. That’s not right and it’s something we can change-one vet at a time.”
Joss walked back to the physical therapy center. Mitch made his way to his truck. He climbed in and put the brochure on the seat next to him.
Could he help someone in crisis? Did he want to? His first instinct was to call Skye and talk to her about it. Not that he would. She had enough going on.
Joss was right-someone had his back. Who had Skye’s? Who would protect her from Garth’s next move? Except it wasn’t a difficult question and he already knew the answer.
He would.
THAT NIGHT, after Erin was in bed, Skye went to see Jed in his study. Her father was laying low these days. No parties had been planned, which after the last one wasn’t much of a surprise. But he also hadn’t been coming to dinner or showing up at breakfast. He was either at the office or in his study at home.
She knocked on the partially open door. Jed barely looked up.
“What?” he asked.
“I need to talk to you.”
“This isn’t a good time.”
“T.J. was working for Garth.”
Jed straightened in his chair and motioned for her to come in. “Where’d you hear that nonsense?”
“I know it’s true. He was just one part of Garth’s assault plan. He came between me and Izzy, which was his goal. Divide and conquer.”
“You think Garth has a plan?”
“I’m sure he does. He’s working all of us. You, me, Lexi. Even Cruz has had some trouble. No one is safe.” Except Izzy, who was on the rig. “I’m sure T.J. isn’t the first spy he’s had.” She didn’t mention that Garth had approached Mitch. There was no point in distracting Jed.
“We need to have a family meeting,” she continued. “We need to come up with a plan of our own to stop him.”
Jed dismissed her with a flick of his fingers. “This isn’t your fight.”
“He’s made it mine. Somehow he got into the computer system at the foundation. He’s uploaded a second set of books that are completely false. But until I can prove that, we’re under scrutiny from the government. We’re at risk of losing our nonprofit status.”
“No one cares about that,” Jed said flatly. “You want to compare your silly foundation with the charges I’m fighting? I never understood why you’re wasting your time with all that.”
“Feeding hungry children? You consider that a waste? Oh, wait. Let me guess. These kids aren’t worth saving. Is that it?”
“You should put your resources into something that matters.”
“This matters to me.”
“Then you’re a fool. But fine. Keep your foundation. I’ll find someone else for you to marry. You need a husband and more kids. That will keep you busy.”
His total dismissal of who and what she was shouldn’t have been a surprise, yet it was.
“You don’t own me,” she said quietly. “You’re not picking out my next husband.”
“Of course I am. Don’t forget who you’re talking to, little girl. This is my house. Glory’s Gate is what you want and to win it, you have to play by my rules. Lexi played and lost the business. The same thing can happen to you.”
She didn’t know this man, she thought sadly. He was her father and she didn’t understand anything about him. She didn’t think he was deliberately cruel, but he
“Does it occur to you that most fathers don’t have to play the fear card with their children? Why do you think you have to buy us?”
Jed stood. “Be careful, Skye. You don’t want to push me.”
“I will if I have to,” she said, and left.
On her way upstairs, she thought about how powerful her father was. He could be as ruthless as Garth. This might very well be a battle to the death and she had no idea who would win.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
MITCH KNEW he’d made a serious mistake by agreeing to come to Erin’s school and talk to the kids. He didn’t have anything to say and he didn’t want to scare them with his prosthesis. But Erin had insisted and apparently he couldn’t tell her no. So he found himself walking down the halls of Titanville Elementary, looking for the right classroom.
What he spotted instead was a group of adults talking quietly in a hallway. He joined them, figuring this had to be the right place. A pretty blond woman with a name badge that read
“Hi. I’m one of the teacher’s aids.”
“You must be Monica.”
The woman frowned. “Have we met?”
He pointed to the badge.
“Oh, right. I forgot I was wearing it. Yes, that’s me. My son is in this class. You are here with?”
“Erin Titan.”
Monica’s blue eyes brightened. “Erin’s hero. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
If he’d been sure of his balance, he would have shifted uncomfortably. “I’m not a hero.”
“Former SEAL?”
“Yeah.”
“Wounded in action?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Saved countless lives and you don’t want to talk about it.”
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
“You have fulfilled the hero description. I’m sorry, but you’re stuck with the title now. Come on. I’ll show you where to wait.” She led him to where the other adults stood and made a few introductions. Then she put her hand on his arm. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
Her smile was sincere, her eyes wide with invitation. He might have been out of the dating game for a while, but he recognized interest when it slapped him in the face.
He watched Monica walk away, his gaze slipping to her butt, then down her legs.
She was appealing, he thought, belatedly realizing she hadn’t been wearing a wedding band. He should
