Dee, Lavada - Nothing to Lose [Blackhawk Brothers] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Lavada Dee Page B

perfectly tuned into each other that the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Early into the ride, Cooper took her hand and rested it on his leg in a need to keep touching her and feeling her touching him.
    Peace filled the car, and it wasn’t long before they were at the end of the lake. Galynn had been half-turned in her seat so she could sit toward Cooper. She pulled her hand back and stretched out her legs as far as she could. “It seemed like it took us less time to come back than it did going.”
    “I agree. It always seems that way. But bet you could use a break. I know I could.” He pulled into the same little restaurant they’d stopped at going up. “How about a cup of coffee?”
    When they walked in, the same waitress that had waited on them the way down greeted them. She asked them how the trip went, noting that they must have gotten out in the fresh air, as their color was so healthy. When she left to get their coffees, Galynn laughed over at Cooper. “Fresh air does this for you, too?”
    “Not in this lifetime.” He laughed back.
    He couldn’t keep from touching her, and reached across the table to take her hand. When the waitress came back, she smiled and said, “Let me guess. Newlyweds, right?”
    Cooper’s laugh bounced around the room. “You’re almost right. I’m working on it.”
    The look on the waitress’s face was one of astonishment when she spoke directly to Galynn. “Honey, you have got to be nuts. There are a million women out there that would be running for a preacher if they had a guy like this asking.” Shaking her head, she held her hands across her heart.
    As soon as the waitress got out of hearing range, Galynn leaned over the table and whispered to Cooper. “A million women? You think?”
    “Sure, but one million or two, I’m only interested in the one sitting across from me.” He picked up his cup and sipped at the hot coffee. “Umm, this tastes good. I guess it was time for a break.”
    He again reached for her hand. “I know this isn’t the place but…” He closed his eyes and pressed a kiss into the palm of her hand. “I love you. I’ve never told this to anyone before. Hell, even if I had, it wouldn’t have been like this because I didn’t know there were feelings like this. I think I always knew something was missing in my life, but I had no idea what. I thought I was happy. I certainly wasn’t lonely. But now, without you, I know I’ll experience what loneliness is.” He stopped, trying to find words to let her know how he felt. “When we go home at night, it doesn’t matter if we walk down together, or if you’ve already left the office, the house feels warm and inviting. The other night when you got back late from the store, it felt…” He rubbed his hand down his face. His voice lowered, sounding husky. “I’m having a hard time here.” He took another drink of coffee, wishing for something stronger, and started over. “Galynn, without you the house, the office, and life is cold and empty. I want to marry you, make a family, grow old…”
    A lone tear trickled down Galynn’s cheek. “Coop…I…” She pulled his hand to her lips and kissed across his fingers. “I love you so much, but don’t you see? It’s because I love you that I have to leave. What would we have if Mick finds me? What if I’m with your mother? Have you thought how dangerous a position it puts your family in?”
    She shook her head and, with a shaky laugh, kissed his fingers again before releasing his hand. Swiping away the tears, she picked up her coffee cup. “Let’s talk about something else.”
    “I don’t want to talk about anything else. I want to talk about us. I don’t want to have that sick, gut feeling in my stomach every time I walk in the office or house and don’t immediately see you. I don’t want to start looking for a neatly placed note. I don’t…”
    Galynn held up her hand. Her voice, barely above a whisper, made Coop lean in to hear her.