Page 19 of Cooper's Salvation
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Cooper found Kara standing at the kitchen island, a lost look on her face. She turned toward him at the sound of him closing the front door.
“We need to talk.”
His heart sank to his boots. No man ever wanted to hear those words from a woman’s lips. Gripping his neck, he nodded. “Sure. What’s on your mind?”
For moment, she simply stared at him, her eyes roaming his face. Almost as if memorizing it. His heart reversed direction, climbing to his throat, where it lodged. Her white-knuckle grip on the counter eased as Tammy ran back into the house, planting her furry butt at Kara’s feet and giving a low woof.
Cooper watched her sink her fingers into the dog’s soft coat, remembering how it felt to have those talented fingers in his own hair. Or all over his body. Good God, he had it bad. He’d been considering telling her how he felt, but since they had yet to even broach the subject of his night terrors, Cooper wasn’t sure the time was right for that conversation.
“I’m all right, baby girl. Go on and run some in the yard. Look, your mama’s waiting for you.” As if she understood every word, Tammy licked Kara’s face before dashing off to play in the yard. “Coop, would you –”
“Kara, I need to –”
Kara laughed nervously. “Sorry, go ahead.”
“No, it’s fine. Go ahead. Ladies first.”
“Right. Um – I just wanted to know if you’d like something to drink?”
Feeling like he’d been given a momentary reprieve, Cooper nodded. “Thanks, something cold would be great.”
“I’ve got some cranberry juice or soda. Your choice.”
“Cranberry sounds good.”
He nodded his thanks as she placed a glass filled with the jewel-colored juice on the counter.
“So what did you want to say?” Cooper cleared his throat, uncertain where to start now he had the opportunity. “Coop?”
He blew out a breath, his hand going to the back of his neck again. “K, I know that this thing with Colonel Rollins threw you a massive curveball today, so now probably isn’t the right time.”
“Uh-uh. No. Nope. You can’t just leave me hanging like that. Yes, today was –” She seemed to search for the right word. “Well, it certainly was something. That’s for sure.” She finally continued. “But come on, dude. You can’t leave it there.”
Cooper shook his head, laughing at the frustrated look on her face. “You always did suffer from ‘curiosity killed the cat’ syndrome.” Digging deep for the courage to speak his truth, he said, “May as well get comfortable if we’re going to do this now.”
Kara’s eyes widened. “That sounds ominous.”
“Depending on how this conversation goes, it might take a while is all I meant.”
“Yeah, doesn’t make it sound any less gloomy.”
“Just come on, will ya?”
Settling on the sofa facing each other, Cooper wracked his brain for where to start.
“For the love of God, McDowell, speak.”
“Yes, ma’am.” A bead of sweat rolled down his neck. “Jesus, why’s it so fucking hard?”
He got up from the sofa to pace. Couldn’t sit still as he tried to figure out where to start, what to say.
“Um, Coop – you’re really starting to freak me out here, honey.” She jumped to her feet too. “Oh God, please don’t tell me you’re leaving again.” Tears welled as she stared at him with a horrified expression. “Please, Cooper. Tell me you’re not trying to figure out how to say goodbye.”
“No, sweetheart. No. I’m not leaving. I promise.” Running a hand over his short-cropped hair, he blew out a breath. “I’m making a total fucking mess of this.”
Cooper took her hand, leading her back to the sofa. He needed to choose his words more carefully now since he’d successfully managed to worry her. “Like I said earlier, I know you’re still reeling from your meeting with Rollins, so my timing probably sucks. But here it is.” Restless, he got back to his feet. Paced away. “Do you remember that first day I came home with Tom?”
