Page 146 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

His grandmother’s face took the place of the girl’s. Gram had been so good to him, had understood him in a way no one else had. And now, she was alone. Gram was standing at the head of a tunnel. He had to get to her, but his legs were cement, darkness closing in around him.

“Help her!” Corbin cried. A sob broke loose in his throat. “Please!”

Chapter Fourteen

Acold sweat broke over the bridge of Delaney’s nose as she shot up in bed, her hands gripping the covers. Her body trembled as she looked wildly around the dark room, her mind trying to process what was happening. Was Hugh here? An icy terror clutched her.

She heard the deep rumble of Corbin’s cry. “Help her! Please!”

Somehow, she managed to find her voice. “Corbin? Are you okay?”

No answer.

For a moment, she wasn’t sure what to do. She looked at the closed bedroom door, expecting it to burst open any minute. Nothing.

She heard more muffled cries. Sobbing?

A prayer for help sounded in her mind as she sat there, shaking. Finally, she pushed back the covers and got out of bed. Her heart in her throat, she rushed through the bathroom into Corbin’s room. A heady relief covered her, making her go weak in the knees when she realized what was happening. Corbin was having a nightmare.

She stood there, trying to figure out what to do. The tough guy was crying like a baby in his sleep. Compassion washed over her as she went to his bedside. Holding her breath, she touched his shoulder.

“Corbin?”

As he sat up and reached for his gun, she jumped back with a yelp. Terror seized her as she held up her hands. “Don’t shoot. It’s me!”

Corbin shook his head in a daze, trying to focus on her. Then he put the gun down. He sat back, rubbing his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled so low that she wondered if she’d imagined it.

“You were crying.” The cold of the wood floor seeped through her bare feet, spreading ice up her limbs.

She heard a gulp, realized he was still crying … or at least trying to squelch it. She stepped closer. “Are you okay?”

“It was my fault.” The words came out ragged and hoarse.

“What?”

Long pause. And then another choking sound. “The girl’s death. If I hadn’t gone berserk and started shooting, she’d still be alive today.”

A thousand questions pummeled her mind, ending with,What girl?

He drew in a halting breath, letting out an embarrassed chuckle as he scooted to sit up. “Sorry, I was still half asleep. Scratch those statements.” He ran both hands through his messy hair. “Sorry … you probably think I’m a head case.” He wiped at his tears.

There were two things Delaney was well acquainted with—sorrow and regret. She’d never fault anyone for going through hardships. In fact, she was surprised Tuck’s death wasn’t plaguing her in her sleep. Her mother’s death did often enough. A sliver of moonlight shone in through the window, reflecting off Corbin’s strong jaw. Even Captain America had weaknesses.She got a good look at Corbin. Realized with a jolt that he was shirtless. A blast of heat went through her as she looked at his defined pecs and six pack.Okay, focus on his face, her mind commanded.

“I’m all right. Just a stupid nightmare,” he grumbled.

She clutched her nightgown, knowing how ridiculous she looked in the striped pink and blue gown. She never would’ve bought this for herself in a million years. She’d considered sleeping in her underwear. But that seemed inappropriate considering Corbin was right next door.

He sighed. “I’m okay now. You can go back to bed.”

But he wasn’t okay. She could feel his pain, filling the empty space between them. She wanted to know about the girl who’d been killed … had a right to know. After all, Corbin was the only thing standing between her and a certain death. She needed to know what had happened to him.

She motioned. “Do you care if I sit down?”

“Sure,” he said in surprise.

In the full light of day, Delaney was sure she could come up with a thousand reasons why being here in Corbin’s bedroom wasn’t a good idea. But at this moment, her guard was down. And Corbin needed to talk this out. She didn’t know how she was so tuned into a man she hardly knew, but like it or not, that was the case.

She sat down, hugging her arms. It was frigid in here. “Did you not plug in your heater?”

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