Read Online The Backup Plan by Sherryl Woods - Free Book Online Page B

but a combination of understanding and tenderness. It brought more salty tears to her eyes. Cordell Beaufort’s compassion was the last thing she’d expected, the very last thing she wanted.
    They sat like that for an eternity, neither of them speaking. Dinah slowly lost the sensation that she was spinning out of control. When she finally relaxed and sighed, she caught a glimpse of the satisfaction on Cord’s face. Some of the tension in his body eased, as well.
    In the back of her mind, she noted with more than a little surprise that he didn’t seem interested in taking advantage of the situation. Based on his reputation, the Cord of old would have turned this into a seduction, or at least an attempt at one. He’d have considered it his duty.
    â€œYou’ve been through a rough time, huh?” he said, breaking the silence.
    The note of sympathy in his voice made her eyes sting with more tears. “I can’t talk about it,” she said. She didn’t even want to think about the last year and shecertainly didn’t want to discuss it with him. Of course, not talking about it hadn’t worked all that well.
    â€œMaybe you should. It usually helps with this sort of thing. Brings the demons out of the closet, so to speak.”
    â€œYou have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said disdainfully.
    â€œYou think not? The Gulf War wasn’t much of a picnic, Dinah. There were…” He hesitated, seeming to search for a word. “After-effects,” he said eventually. “There were after-effects for a lot of us.”
    She blinked at that. “You were there? You had post-traumatic stress syndrome?”
    He nodded, his face empty of expression. “Still do, I suppose.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œI survived.”
    She gave him a wry look. “Apparently you don’t think what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. You could be a little more forthcoming than that.”
    â€œIt’s been more than ten years, Dinah. I’ve done my talking. I’ve put most of it behind me, at least as well as anyone ever can.”
    â€œHow?” she asked, unable to keep the plaintive note out of her voice. She hated sounding vulnerable, especially in front of Cord, but she needed to know that the dreams, the panic attacks would eventually end.
    â€œTime, mostly.”
    Dinah sighed. “I’m not sure there’s enough of that left in my lifetime.”
    He gave her a faint grin. “You’re not that far over the hill, Dinah. You’ve probably got at least one or two good years left.”
    â€œSometimes I feel ancient,” she responded wearily.
    A whisper of a breeze stirred over them and Dinah shivered, then realized that they were both sitting under a ceiling fan soaking wet. Though she hated leaving the unexpected comfort of his embrace, she pushed away and stood.
    â€œI should go.”
    â€œNot when it’s pouring like it is out there. The driveway will be a sea of mud. You’ll just get stuck and then I’ll have to tow you out of a ditch.”
    As much as she wanted to go now that the panic had faded, she knew he was right. “Why don’t you pave the stupid driveway?” she grumbled.
    He chuckled. “Because keeping it like it is generally keeps away unwanted visitors.” He gave her an insolent once-over that heated her blood. “Lately it’s not working half as well as it’s meant to. Some people apparently can’t take a hint.”
    He stood up slowly and tucked a finger under her chin. “Stay put, okay? I’m going to get you one of my shirts and a towel, then you can take a warm shower and dry off while I throw your clothes in the washer.”
    His sudden kindness was confusing her. She wasn’t sure how to react to it. It was easier to deal with Cord when he was being exasperating. “Why are you being so damn nice to me?”
    â€œMaybe I