BOH 8-21-07 (00178434).DOC Read Free Page A

“For the time you’re in
    therapy, that’s what you’ll be. Do we have a deal?”
    Did she have a choice? “I guess. As long as you cool it
    with the testosterone. I don’t like to be manhandled.”
    She sucked in her breath at the pity shining in his
    eyes. “Trust me. I have no intention of interfering in your
    life any longer than I have to.”

    ****
She was so damn tired she couldn’t keep herself
    straight in the seat. Her head bumped against the
    window every time she nodded off.
    “Are you cold? Mind if I call you Cindy? Cynthia is a
    mouthful.”
    12

    Bridge of Hope

    “Call me Cyn.” She hadn’t meant to bark the words.
    Slouching lower in the seat, she fought back tears. “I’m
    sorry. Must be the pain medication making me irritable
    and weepy.”
    He glanced over at her and smiled. “No problem.
    We’re almost there. Katy will be thrilled to have a guest.”
    Cyn lurched into an upright position. “I didn’t realize
    I’d be imposing on a family.” God! How stupid to think a
    good-looking man Mike’s age—he must be at least thirty-
    five—would be single.
    Mike chuckled. He turned left onto a narrow country
    road. “I’m no longer married. Katy’s my daughter. She’s
    eight going on twenty-one.”
    The implications of his statement bounced around
    her brain like ping pong balls. What happened to his wife?
    Warmth flooded her face. She’d always had a knack for
    shoving an arm, along with both feet, in her mouth. “I’m
    looking forward to meeting her.”
    His voice softened. “She’s precocious—sees and
    understands more than any eight-year-old should.”
    “Who takes care of her while you work?”
    “A neighbor comes to the house and stays until I get
    home. What about your family? Parents? Brothers or
    sisters? Surely, they know the situation. Will they be
    coming to Fort Drum for the funeral?”
    Her nerves danced and anxiety coiled around her
    stomach. “No,” she forced herself to reply. “My parents
    were killed in a car accident while Peter and I were on our
    honeymoon. I’m an only child.”
    Mike reached over and squeezed the hand clutching
    her stomach. “I’m sorry.”
    She had no appropriate response.
    “Where are Peter’s folks located?”
    More pain. “His father died when Peter was a kid
    and his mother passed away soon after we graduated high
    school. That’s when Peter joined the military.”
    “So it’s always been you and Peter against the
    world?”
    13

    Pam Champagne

    She shrugged. “I guess you could say that.”
    “Have you made arrangements for his burial?”
    She shut out his words. The pain in her heart was
    more than she could bear.
    “Cyn?” Mike persisted. “Peter’s body will be arriving
    at the base soon. You have to make plans.”
    “I…I can’t. Once he’s buried…” She turned toward
    the window, tears dropping fast.
    14

    Bridge of Hope

Chapter Three
    Mike pulled into the circular drive and stopped in
    front of the garage door. Cyn fumbled with her seatbelt
    until he reached over and released it. The warmth of his
    hand threatened to bring on more tears.
    “Hey, it’s all right,” he whispered. “You need some
    sleep. We’ll figure it out in the morning.”
    Birds chirped as if to encourage the new morning.
    Cyn breathed deep of the honeysuckle-scented air and put
    away her emotions as best she could while Mike fished his
    keys from his pocket. Before he inserted it in the lock, the
    door flew open. Her jaw dropped at the gorgeous brunette
    standing on the threshold. Mike rested his hand on Cyn’s
    back and urged her forward.
    “Doreen, I’d like you to meet Cyn. She’ll be staying
    with Katy and me for a while.”
    Cyn’s nose twitched at the smell of burning wax. A
    glance into the living room confirmed her suspicion. A
    bottle of wine sat between two glasses on the mission-
    style coffee table. On both sides of the couch, matching
    end tables held round pink rose-scented candles,
    providing the only