Page 48 of Meant to Be
“Did you win?”
He gave her an affronted look. “Of course.”
“No other teams could beat them with Mitch at quarterback and Brian at receiver.” Chelsea shouted from the kitchen before coming back into the room. “Can I get you coffee or something?”
“No. I need to get Sydney to work.”
“Will you be seeing Jenny? Is she taking visitors?”
“I planned to see her, but I don’t know the visiting routine.”
“If you call before you go, the hospital should be able to let you know if she’s accepting visitors,” Sydney said, as Mitch pressed a hand to her back to guide her toward the door.
He didn’t miss the speculative look Chelsea gave him and then Sydney. Once Chelsea told Lexie about his and Sydney’s visit, he’d have some explaining to do. Not that his denials of a relationship would do any good. Ever since Lexie found her own happily-ever-after, she was determined he’d have one too.
“I’ll be by in a couple days to deal with the lawn.”
And again, she sighed. “You really do spoil me, Mitch. You go above and beyond.”
He smiled, leaned over, and kissed her head. “I’d do it for Lexie. I’d do it for you.” She was his sister now, since her brother wasn’t there to help her anymore. She smiled, and he winked in return.
“That washer brother in the football picture?” They’d been in the truck for several minutes before Sydney asked the question.
“Yes.”
After a few moments, she asked, “He’s the one with you in the picture in the Middle East on your fireplace mantle.”
Mitch gritted his teeth. Up until a couple of days ago, there were two topics that were off limits with him. One was Sydney. The other was Brian. “Yes.”
He waited for her to ask more questions, but she remained silent. He glanced at her. She was looking out the side window. He frowned, hoping that she understood without him saying that he didn’t want to talk about Brian.
They arrived at the hospital and pulled in next to her car.
“I want to take a look at it.” Mitch put the truck in park. “It doesn’t appear Jenny made it to the car, which is why it wasn’t taken in as evidence, but still…” He dropped off as tears welled in Sydney’s eyes again. “It’s not your fault, Syd.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket.
She gave a strangled laugh. “I hope you get more for Christmas. I may go through them all.”
“I’ve got plenty.” Mitch helped Sydney from the truck. “Don’t touch the car yet.” She stood to the side as Mitch rounded the sleek black Audi. He knew from the investigation the night before that Jenny was found several feet away from the car. In the backseat, a stack of magazines sat untouched. Proof that Jenny hadn’t made it to the car. “Are these the materials she was coming to get?”
“Yes.”
Mitch moved away from the car toward the area several feet away where Jenny was found. Rain had washed away the blood and, unfortunately, any other evidence that could have been there. But Mitch looked anyway. “Unless the first responders found something last night, he didn’t drop anything, or if he did, it got washed away.”
Sydney remained quiet so he looked up.
“You okay?”
“No. But there’s no fixing it.”
He stepped to her and rubbed his hands down her arms. He meant it to be a comforting gesture from a cop to a victim. But the moment he touched her, he wanted to pull her into his arms and make all the ugliness go away.
She didn’t help by leaning into him, resting her head on his chest. “I’m sorry I’m not stronger.”
“What?” He gently pushed her back so he could see her face. “You’re strong as hell.”
She shook her head. “If I was stronger, I wouldn’t be going through your handkerchiefs like there’s no tomorrow… and… I wouldn’t be so afraid.”
“Syd.” He used the crook of his finger to tilt her head so she could look him in the eyes. “Being sad or afraid isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign you’re human and smart.”
