BOH 8-21-07 (00178434).DOC by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

co-dependence.”
    As she reached for her glass on the coffee table,
    Mike’s fingers curled around her hand. “Why are you
    telling me this?”
    One minute she wanted to flee, the next to move
    against his warmth and cuddle. Other than the hum from
    the overhead fan, the room turned eerily quiet. “I’m sorry.
    This is difficult.”
    He released her hand and relaxed against the
    cushions.
    “I leaned on Peter during our entire
    marriage…looked to him for my happiness. He was my
    world. It was very unhealthy for both of us. In retrospect,
    I can’t believe he carried the extra burden. He encouraged
    me to make friends, to find a hobby and never complained
    when I ignored his advice.”
    Cyn paused for a sip of bourbon. “I’m surprised he
    43

    Pam Champagne

    didn’t leave me.”
    “Hey!” Mike scooted closer and wiped away her tears.
    “Peter loved you. Don’t ever doubt it.”
    “I know he did. It was wrong to let Peter prop me up
    through all the hard times. Not fair to either of us. I need
    to be sure I never make that mistake again.”
    Mike cupped her face and rubbed his thumbs over
    her cheeks. “You’re beating yourself up. Now that you’re
    aware of the problem, it won’t happen again.”
    His closeness fuzzied her thinking. “I’m afraid I
    already have.” The words left her mouth as a whisper.
    His hand tightened on her bicep. “What do you
    mean?”
    It was now or never. D-Day. “I’m a little in love with
    you. I have a hard time imagining my life without you and
    Katy.”
    There. She’d told him.
    The truth should set her free. Except she didn’t feel
    free. She felt like she balanced on a high wire without a
    net. She tried and failed to read Mike’s expression. Fear
    mushroomed with his long silence. God, what had she
    done? She’d never be able to sit across the dinner table
    from him again.
    She rose, a quick getaway on her mind. Then he
    smiled. A long, slow smile that curled her toes. Her
    fingers itched to caress his cheek. She sank onto the couch
    and pushed her hands under her thighs to curb
    temptation.
    “Just a little in love with me?”
    Her voice came out as a squeak. “Yes.”
    “I fell for you the second week. You’re so damn young.
    Knew it wouldn’t work, so I shoved you to the smallest
    corner of my heart. You’re grieving, Cyn. They say a
    person needs at least a year to get over losing a spouse.”
    Afraid she might hyperventilate, Cyn took deep
    breaths, the sound raggedy to her ears. She wouldn’t have
    been more shocked if Mike had shape-shifted into a
    panther.
    44

    Bridge of Hope

    Immediately, he became Mr. Concern. “Are you all
    right?”
    “No.” She gasped a few times before she managed to
    gain control of her breathing. “I can’t believe this.”
    “I’m happy it’s in the open. Now we can get to know
    each other and—”
    “No!” Cyn startled herself with the vehemence of her
    response. “Didn’t you understand what I said? I’m not
    ready to tackle a serious relationship. I can’t take that
    chance. I’ve come this far. I need to know I’m a whole
    person.”
    Cyn blinked at the curtain of hurt that descended
    over Mike’s face.
    “I see. So until you decide you’re a new woman who
    can handle a relationship, we continue as before, ignoring
    what’s growing between us?”
    “We have to.”
    Mike rose, picked up his glass and drained the
    contents in one swallow. “You’ve made a unilateral
    decision. I’m not sure why you even bothered to tell me.
    Since you’ve been so honest, now it’s my turn.”
    Cyn frowned. This was a new side of Mike. But could
    she blame him for being angry?
    “I want a partner who’s willing to give as well as
    take. One that shares problems and is willing to work
    them out—with me. I need someone who doesn’t make
    decisions that affect both of us without discussing the
    issue first.”
    Cyn stumbled to her feet. “You don’t understand.”
    His gaze roamed her face. She saw no