It's News to Her by Helen R. Myers

this air-conditioning a few degrees.”
    â€œWe’re lucky you’re here,” Cord said, doing as directed. “My mind must still be at thirty-thousand feet. I wouldn’t have thought of any of that.”
    â€œYou’ve had too much preying on your mind.” Shekept her voice low so that she couldn’t be heard in the bathroom. “Which reminds me—was the bomb scare just a prank?”
    â€œFrom what I heard, some suspicious packages were removed at several locations.”
    â€œDear Lord.”
    When their individual tasks suddenly brought them face-to-face, Hunter uttered a breathless, “Oops,” and would have moved around him, except that he took hold of her shoulders, then slid his arms around her to bring her against him.
    â€œCord—”
    â€œDon’t,” he entreated. “Just give me—us—a second.”
    Although she didn’t struggle, she did murmur, “This isn’t smart.”
    â€œDo you realize you’ve said my name twice tonight and didn’t choke either time?” he teased. Then he sighed. “I’m afraid, Hunter. I’m not ready to lose him.”
    That instantly had her stroking his back. “Don’t. Don’t accept that as a possibility.”
    â€œStanding there looking at him in ICU, Lenore almost broke down. He looked so still, so old. It’s as if the machines alone are keeping him in this world.”
    â€œBut you heard the doctor. He’s a fighter, and he loves Lenore and you deeply. He won’t let go if he can help it.”
    â€œThank you,” he said, touching his lips to her fore head.
    She felt so good against him. If he could, he would keep her like this for the rest of the night. They weremeant to be together; he believed that more with every day. But convincing her would take more time, he realized as she tried to ease away. “Don’t,” he entreated, refusing to let her.
    â€œYour grandmother isn’t twenty feet away.”
    â€œThe door is closed. And I’m only thanking you for making tonight bearable, not attempting to get you into that bed—as much as I’d like to.”
    With an indecipherable oath, Hunter hid her face from him by lowering her head to his shoulder. “Change the subject, please.”
    â€œNo way. I like this one.”
    But with a reproving look, Hunter did free herself. “Why isn’t your mother here? She should be helping Lenore for her father’s sake. Surely you’ve let her know how critical things are?”
    The subject was the last one he’d wanted to dwell on tonight, and Cord grimaced. “Of course. But she and my father are at a friend’s villa in the Mediterranean. I phoned them earlier when I learned that Gramps had collapsed. They’re returning, but it will be at least tomorrow before they can make all of their connections.”
    â€œI’m sorry for sounding judgmental.”
    â€œDon’t be. I told you there’s no love lost between my grandfather and father. Gramps sees him as an elitist and materialistic. That was a result of my father voicing one too many opinions—in this case declaring that Lenore wasn’t up to family standards.”
    Hunter’s expression reflected her incredulousness. “She was a teacher, too.”
    â€œYes, well, as my father will tell you, there’s a difference between a high school English teacher and someone who’s not only been a university instructor, but a magazine columnist. My father feels he brought gravitas to the family, while she—to use his words—mostly contributed her late husband’s medical debt.”
    â€œWhat an awful thing to say.” Then she frowned. “Teachers generally have good medical coverage.”
    â€œBut her husband’s unique blood disease devoured that coverage. Lenore even tried to discourage Grandfather’s interest, afraid she would be seen as