Wish on the Moon by Karen Rose Smith Page A

of them even had a website. In this day that
was a necessary part of PR as far as she was concerned.
    Ideas began clicking. November and December
were the months to pick up new customers. If the store offered
something unique, a service--Ladies' night, Men's night, a new line
to pique interest like some of the chains had. She'd have to talk
to Mitch about it with a clear head, without being distracted by
the tension between them.
    "Are you ready?" Mitch asked, sticking his
head into the office.
    Sure, not be distracted. Fat chance when his
voice echoed through her and his appearance accelerated her heart
rate. "Did Dad call?"
    "Yep. He can't wait to get home. Discharge
papers are signed. He just needs our chauffeur service." Mitch's
smile was free and wide. Ray's recovery meant a lot to him.
    Laura was concerned. "He seemed anxious last
night. As if he's afraid to come home. But he insisted he didn't
want a private duty nurse."
    Mitch's smile faded but his expression was
still relaxed. "I think he's more concerned he won't recover as
fast as he wants to. He was delighted by Mandy's visit."
    "She's a little afraid of him."
    Mitch shrugged. "He's a stranger."
    Laura switched off the computer and stood.
"So were you but that didn't stop her from being curious and
friendly."
    "What do you think the problem is? Maybe it
was the hospital setting."
    "I hope that's all. Sometimes I feel like I'm
watching her too carefully, looking for signs of withdrawal again.
If she misses George and Anne too much, we might have to-- Never
mind. I'm worrying too much."
    "I've heard that's a parent's prerogative." A
partial smile chased away his seriousness.
    Laura crossed to the old fashioned clothes
rack and took her poncho from a hook, trying not to be apprehensive
about bringing her father home. They hadn't been together in that
house for six years.
    "What's wrong?"
    For someone who seemed to close off his
feelings, Mitch certainly was aware of hers. She suspected he was
still analyzing her--or at least attempting to. If she evaded him,
he'd think she was hiding something.
    She groped for an explanation that wouldn't
put disapproval back in his eyes, but gave it up when she found
approval and honesty didn't always go together. Slipping on the
poncho, she said, "Dad's not easy to live with under the best of
terms." When Mitch started to speak, she stopped him. "You asked me
what was wrong. I'm worried. I don't want to upset him. But just
being in the house with him brings back memories, some I'd rather
forget. He and I have to establish a new relationship. I'm not sure
either of us is ready for it."
    Mitch stuffed his hands in his front trouser
pockets. "Can I say something now?"
    "Not if you're going to tell me I'm the one
who has to make all the concessions." She stood silently
waiting.
    His blue eyes darkened and she couldn't
understand their message. It didn't seem to matter because he
turned his back on her. "Let's go."
    ***
    As Mitch helped her father into his house,
Laura felt like crying. She should have realized she'd be a fifth
wheel. The only time her father had paid attention to her after her
mother died was when she'd gotten into trouble. He'd thought
grounding or cutting off her allowance or forbidding her to see her
friends would solve the problems. He'd never realized she wanted
his love, his time, and his attention.
    Why should he be any different just because
he'd had bypass surgery? While she was growing up, he'd used his
work to close her out. Now he could use Mitch and the years in
which they hadn't talked to keep her at a distance. Was she wrong
not to have made further attempts to resolve their differences?
Possibly. But her letters had been returned unopened the first
year. It had hurt too much to be rejected over and over.
    Her father had looked to Mitch at the
hospital to help him into the wheelchair, to pick up the suitcase,
to drive him home. Laura had sat in the back seat, trying to make
conversation, but not doing