Wish on the Moon Read Online Free PDF Page A

never stopped studying him, questioning. Maybe she
had an innate curiosity like her daughter. What did he care?
Because he was trying to figure her out...and suddenly, himself,
too. Just when he thought he had his reactions to her under
control, something went haywire. The best thing to do was keep his
distance.
    He opened his eyes and unlatched the car
door.
    ***
    "Laura! Mandy!"
    Laura would know that deep baritone anywhere.
It not only echoed up the spiral staircase to the library/loft, but
resonated through her body, vibrating a hidden part. "We're up
here," she called.
    Mandy ran to the top of the staircase and
started to climb down. Laura's "Be careful, honey," was lost as her
daughter found Mitch at the bottom. Her excitement spilled out. "We
were explorin'. Mommy let me go into all the rooms. We sat on the
bed she slept in when she was little. It's pink and white." She
waved to the loft. "And there's bunches of books up there."
    Mitch had discarded his suitcoat and tie and
rolled his sleeves above his forearms. Laura noted the black wavy
hair and wondered if his chest was covered with it too.
    He lifted Mandy into his arms as if she were
as light as a bag of Oreos. "You've been busy. There's someone
downstairs I want you to meet."
    Laura was thankful Mitch's cool reserve
didn't extend to her daughter. She descended the stairs, careful of
her footing.
    As she neared the bottom, Mitch blocked her
path. "Refamiliarizing yourself?"
    She could smell his cologne, stronger this
morning, now faded into a nuance she could hardly distinguish. She
wondered how he smelled without it. Did he always look so sexy?
    She ignored her increased pulse rate. "Mandy
was fascinated by all the rooms. She's never seen so many doors. I
think the most fun for her was opening and closing them."
    "Are you going to put her in your old
room?"
    On the second step, Laura was as tall as
Mitch and could look straight into his incredibly blue eyes.
"Yes."
    "I found a dog and a teddy bear and pretty
dolls in the closet. Wanna see?" Mandy interrupted.
    Mitch straightened an overall strap that had
slipped down her shoulder. "Maybe later."
    He stepped away so Laura could come down the
remaining curved steps. After she did, they moved down the hall at
the same time. Her breast brushed his elbow. The contact
electrified her. She saw the startled look in his eyes. When he
quickly averted his gaze, Laura walked ahead of him.
    A woman was sitting on the edge of the living
room sofa, waiting. She stood when she saw Laura and smoothed her
hands down her navy skirt. Her hair, once black, was streaked with
gray and framed her face with soft, tight curls. Her eyes were the
same blue as Mitch's. Laura liked the way the older woman's smile
disappeared into full rosy cheeks.
    Wondering what Mitch had told his mother
about her return, Laura extended her hand and introduced herself.
"I'm Laura Sanders and you must be Mrs. Riley. It's a pleasure to
meet you."
    Nora's pudgy fingers enveloped hers. "You
too, dear. Please call me Nora. I'm glad I can help out. I admire
your father and wish him all the best. He's been good to
Mitch."
    Mitch set Mandy on the floor. "And this is
Ray's beautiful granddaughter. Mandy, this is my mother."
    Mandy looked at Laura then stood in front of
Nora. "Hi."
    Nora sat on the sofa to be at Mandy's eye
level. "Hi there, honey. Mitch told me you drew pretty pictures
when you were coming here in the airplane. Do you think you can
draw me a few?"
    Mandy's head bobbed up and down, swinging her
hair across her cheeks. "Sure. But I'm hungry. Can we eat
first?"
    Laura glanced at the grandfather clock. "We
were so busy exploring, we forgot about the cookies. What time can
we see Dad?"
    "Whenever we get there. I'll go get us fast
food sandwiches."
    "Nonsense," Nora protested. "I'm sure there's
something in the refrigerator. Let me go look."
    Laura objected immediately. "Mrs. Riley, I
can't let you do that! You're here to keep Mandy company."
    "Child, I