Crossroads by Irene Hannon Page B

boring.” He slouched into a chair, stretched out his long legs and scowled. “Why did you say yes to this, anyway?” he groused. “Three days with an ex-cop principal and an old man—some holiday.”
    Tess counted to ten—slowly—as she walked downthe hall to retrieve her suitcase. When she reached the sanctuary of her room, she took a deep breath and sat on the edge of the bed. She hadn’t answered Bruce’s question. Mostly because she didn’t know the answer. The invitation had come out of the blue, taking her by surprise. And Mitch had said all the right things when he’d issued it. Things that made it hard to turn down. Like how beneficial it could be to his relationship with Bruce to let the boy see him in a different setting. And how good it might be for Bruce to get back to the country environment he’d once enjoyed so much, in simpler days. The rationale had seemed to make a lot of sense at the time. She was desperate to help Bruce, and Mitch had positioned this weekend in a way that made it sound almost therapeutic.
    But that wasn’t the only reason she’d accepted, Tess admitted. Yes, she was touched by Mitch’s willingness to go the extra mile for Bruce. And yes, she believed that Mitch was sincerely convinced that a weekend in the country might be good for Bruce. But though Mitch was a dedicated principal who went above and beyond for his students, she really didn’t think he invited most of them—and their mothers—to spend a holiday at his uncle’s farm. Which meant that maybe, just maybe, part of his reason for asking was that he wanted to spend time with her. And even with her teenage son and his elderly uncle as chaperons, that thought sent a shiver of excitement through her.
    Tess knew she wasn’t being wise. After all, romance was not among her priorities. Her roles were clear and straightforward—mother and breadwinner. Period.
    But in her heart she knew it wasn’t quite that simple. Because she was a woman, too. And that part of her, those needs, had been suppressed far too long. Which hadn’t been much of a problem, frankly, until Mitch came along. He made her feel like a desirable woman again, whether that was his intent or not. She had no idea of the depth of his interest in her, only that it had to be there, at some level, or this invitation would never have come.
    Tess knew she shouldn’t get carried away with romantic fantasies. But for just one weekend the temptation had been too great to resist. And what harm could it do? Bruce might very well benefit from the trip. As for her, a weekend with Mitch might help satisfy the longing in her soul for male companionship, even if only temporarily. It seemed to be a win-win situation all around. If she could get Bruce to cooperate, she reminded herself with a sigh as she hefted her suitcase.
    The doorbell rang just as she reached the living room, sending her heart jumping to her throat. She glanced at her son, hoping he would buy her a moment to compose herself by answering the door, but he clearly had no intention of budging from the couch. She took a deep breath, willing the uncomfortable hammering of her heart to subside, but her body just wasn’t cooperating, she realized helplessly.
    A second ring from the bell and Bruce’s curious look finally compelled her into action. She wiped her palms on her jeans and made her way to the door, praying for a modicum of composure. Please, Lord, just let me get through the first few moments, she pleaded. Let me look cool and composed and in control. Let something clever and witty trip from my tongue.
    But that was not to be. Because when she opened the door and caught her first sight of Mitch, her pulse went off the scale and her voice deserted her.
    He was dressed more casually than she’d ever seen him, in well-worn jeans and a forest-green shirt that hugged his muscular chest and broad shoulders. His