Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (good e books to read txt) 📗

to her chest and closed her eyes. If only she could stop thinking. She couldn’t. Flashbacks came to her in a rush and tears leaked from her eyes. The horror of seeing her house burning would stay with her forever. That emptiness that she felt while sitting inside Langston’s car was back.

What am I going to do?

Where do I even begin?

She covered her face with her hands as an overwhelming wave of sadness engulfed her. This was all too much. Her whole life was falling apart and she didn’t know how to fix it. Despair settled around her and seeped into her soul as her sobs came harder and grew louder despite trying to muffle the sound.

What am I supposed to do? The question played around and around inside her mind. For the most part, she’d had an easy life and could handle just about everything. But this? This was too much.

Connie didn’t know how long she sat there crying when she felt a hand on her bare leg.

“Sweetie, we’re going to get through this.”

Trace’s sleep-filled voice penetrated through her thoughts, and Connie frantically wiped her face before looking at him. He had already seen her at her worst, but she didn’t want him to see her still crying.

He was staring at her with bloodshot eyes, and he looked absolutely exhausted. That almost made her start crying all over again. She knew he’d stayed up to get answers...for her. Considering the crap he’d been going through with her this past week, it was a wonder he hadn’t run for the hills.

His large hand was still on her leg and he squeezed. “I promise things are going to get better. Don’t lose hope, okay?”

Not trusting herself to speak, all Connie could do was nod. When Trace turned onto his back and opened his arm to her, she didn’t waste any time snuggling against him. Her head on his chest with his arms wrapped tightly around her helped ease some of the melancholy that had settled inside her.

She inhaled deeply, soaked up his fresh scent, then slowly released the breath.

“Thank you...for everything you’ve done for me and all that you’re doing,” she said. “I can’t imagine going through these last few days with anyone but you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” His deep, raspy voice sounded so tired, but that didn’t stop him from trying to comfort her. “There’s no other place I’d rather be than right here with you. Except maybe on a beach somewhere, but definitely with you.”

“A beach sounds wonderful right now.” Connie closed her eyes and tried to imagine huge waves crashing against rocks and seagulls shrieking in the distance. She and Trace would be lounging on the white sandy beach as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

“I still owe you a real first date. How about when this is all over, we take some time off and go to the Bahamas?”

Connie opened her eyes and glanced at him. “Really? Will I get to meet your dad?”

Trace gave her a tired smile and nodded. “Yeah. We’ll stay in a hotel, though, because you get a little loud when we make love.”

Connie’s mouth dropped open. “Me? I wasn’t the only one screaming my release, if I remember correctly.”

“Men don’t scream. I don’t scream. What you heard was a growl or a roar. Definitely not a scream.”

“All right, if you say so, but I’m pretty sure you were screaming ‘uncle.’”

He chuckled, and Connie returned her head to his chest, enjoying the way his hand glided up and down her hip. And just like that, he managed to pull her out of her funk. Her heart might be aching for the home she had lost, but being with Trace reminded her of what was most important in life. Family and friends.

Acknowledging that made her think about her parents. It was time she put the past in the past and reconnected with both of them. Just because she didn’t agree with a lot of their decisions when she was growing up didn’t mean that she didn’t still love them.

That was her last thought before drifting back to sleep.

* * *

A few hours later, Connie climbed the stairs with a tray of food. When she came up with the idea of giving Trace brunch in bed, she hadn’t realized what a pain it would be carrying food to the second floor.

When she reached the top landing, Trace was exiting the hallway bathroom with a towel around his neck and clothes in his hand.

“I’m so glad you’re awake. Can you help me?” Connie asked. He’d been asleep when she’d gone downstairs to cook, but, boy, was she glad he was awake. Her arms were like limp noodles from carrying the heavy tray.

Trace hurried toward her and reached for the tray with his free hand. “What’s all of this?”

“Whew, thanks. That was tiring,” Connie said and shook out her arms. “I wanted to do something special for you. Before Langston left the house, he told me to make myself at home. So I made you breakfast. Well, actually, brunch.”

“That’s sweet of you, but this tray was too heavy for you to be carrying up the stairs. I could’ve eaten in the kitchen.”

“Then it wouldn’t be breakfast in bed. Now come on and get back in bed.”

Trace chuckled. “I’m right behind you.”

He followed her into the bedroom and dropped his clothes into a nearby chair. Connie repositioned the pillows on the bed, then took the tray from him.

“Now get in.”

“Boy, you’re bossy this morning.” He did as he was told and climbed onto the bed before taking the tray from her. Connie settled in next to him.

“Can’t say that I’ve ever had breakfast in bed.”

Connie’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?” He shook his head while chewing a piece of bacon. “That’s great. That means you’re having a first with me.”

“Sweetheart, I plan to have a lot of firsts with you.” With a finger under her chin, he pulled her close, then kissed her lips.