Page 88 of Single Mom's Mountain Men
"Working here. Do you enjoy it?"
I shrug. "It’s work."
"Yes but is it work you want to be doing?"
"Why are you asking me this all of a sudden?" He never asked Wes or me whether we wanted to run the mill with him. He simply said in that bar, while we were all still grieving mom’s death, "We need to get the mill back up and running. Dad would have a fit if he knew what it’s turned into. He died for this place and we can’t let it be in vain."
And then Wes and I nodded and pretty much fell into line.
So what's different now?
Luckily, Mitch answers before I can even voice the question.
"It’s just something that Patty said," he notes, "Something that made me think that maybe I’m the one forcing things. Pushing against the tide."
Ah, I see.It warms my heart that Patty is worried about us but I don’t want my brother feeling guilty either.
"You're not pushing against the tide," I say. "And you were right. And it’s thanks to you that we were able to get this place to the level it’s at now. I don't necessarily mind working here."
"But…" He waits for me to continue.
"But…" I sigh and finally decide it's time for me to be honest. "There is a part of me that feels like I would rather own a garage."
He nods. "I figured. I mean I've always known you had a passion for fixing cars. I should have known it was more than a hobby."
I don’t know what else to say so I remain quiet.
"Here’s what we can do," he says. "I’ll hire people to take over yours and Wes’ jobs. Then the two of you are free to pursue whatever you want to do."
I shake my head. "No."
"Charlie–"
"That's going to cost money and we’re barely raking in profit as it is."
"I don’t want the two of you to be stuck here because of me."
"Well too damn bad. It’s not just about you. It's also about mom and dad's legacy."
He shakes his head. "Their legacy isn't stuff. Their legacy isus. They would want us to do whatever makes us happy."
"Mitch…"
"We would have more than enough money if I sold that piece of land you mentioned."
My eyes widen as he continues, "I already have someone looking into buyers. Whatever we get we, split it three ways. I’ll use my third to hire more staff, Wes can use his for whatever he wants to do and you can use it to open up your garage."
"Mitch I…" I'm stunned. Floored. "I don’t know what to say."
Mitch offers a wry smile. "Don't go thanking me or anything. It’s your land too. I’m just not gonna be monopolizing it anymore." He tucks his hands into his pockets. "And if you want to thank someone, you can thank Patty. She's the one who got my head out of my ass enough to see that I was hurting the two of you. I don’t think I would have noticed otherwise."
Yeah me either.
I can picture their conversation now, Patty gently talking to him and pointing out all the errors in his logic. "She really is something else isn’t she?"
Mitch smiles wistfully. "Yeah, she is."
I stare at my brother for some time, and then finally brave the words, "You’re in love with her aren't you?"
