Read Online Wish on the Moon by Karen Rose Smith - Free Book Online

necessary."
    "When can we see him?" Mitch asked.
    "This evening would be best. And only for
fifteen minutes at a time. Leave your numbers with the desk.
There's no reason for you to stay now. If there's a problem, I'll
call you."
    "Is a problem likely?" Laura's voice
shook.
    "I don't expect anything. But I can't give
you a guarantee. If you don't hear from me, come in around
seven."
    The cardiologist left and Mitch turned to
Laura. She had wrapped her arms around herself and her lower lip
quivered. He wanted to pull her close and push her away at the same
time. It was damned unsettling. "He'll be fine, Laura."
    The tears that trickled down her cheek were
almost Mitch's undoing. She wasn't trying to hide them and he
wished he could let his emotions flow as easily. The past few hours
had tied him in knots but a jog or a game of racquetball would have
to be his release.
    A tear rolled down her nose. Compromising
with himself, he dropped his arm across her shoulders. But when she
turned into his chest, his other arm enclosed her naturally. Too
naturally. She was warm and small against him. Comfort her, a small
voice said. But a ripple of need percolated from his head to his
toes. The involuntary sexual tightening told him to drop his arms
and step back, but she was leaning against him. Her hair smelled
like the gardenias that had scented the bathroom last night.
Contrary to his resolve to withdraw, he couldn't help slipping his
hand under it to finally feel its texture. Soft and thick.
Seductive. Just like the rest of her.
    He smoothed his hand down her back. The
ribbed knit of the sweater emphasized the straightness of her
spine. His thumb slipped and he felt her bra strap. Only one hook.
It must be another wisp of a thing like the one on her bed last
night. When his fingers reached her waist, he realized his hands
could almost span it.
    Her heart beat fast. As her breast pushed
against his chest, he imagined holding it in his palm. Blazes! Why
couldn't he control his thoughts? He sucked in a breath and stood
perfectly still, his arms around her stiffly.
    She raised her head and stared into his eyes.
There were questions there. It didn't matter. He dropped his arms
and stepped back. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
The gesture reminded him of a child's.
    "Thank you." She drew in a steadying breath
and bit her lower lip. "I was more strung out than I thought."
    Sun flew in the window and rested on her
upturned face. There were no marks, no flaws. The symmetry was
perfect. One half of a heart meeting the other in a delicate point.
Her honey brows were perfectly arched; her skin looked as pinkly
healthy as a baby's.
    He fought the inclination to open his arms to
her again. He couldn't let her know how she affected him. Show
someone your vulnerability and they'd use it against you. "It's
been a rough couple of days."
    "Rougher for you than me. You've known about
his condition longer."
    The teariness still hung on her words.
"Laura, you might want to reconsider seeing him tonight. It might
be pretty grim."
    She straightened her spine. "I won't fall
apart."
    He touched her arm, his fingers lingering on
her skin despite himself. "Look, if just the tension from this
morning caused--"
    "Nausea? A few tears? I don't hold in my
feelings. If they need to come out, I let them. Are you going to
hold that against me?"
    He dropped his hand and it clenched into a
fist. "I'm only thinking of you."
    "Really? Or do you want your face to be the
first one Dad sees?"
    "Don't be ridiculous!"
    "Then don't worry about my well-being. Seeing
him will be better than what my imagination cooks up." She went to
the chair, shrugged into her poncho, and picked up her book.
    For a moment he'd felt protective of her. But
it was clear she didn't want his protection although she had
accepted his comfort. Until it wasn't comfortable. They didn't mix.
She was as unpredictable as a shooting star. He was as predictable
as a light bulb. She believed feelings