Page 13 of Cooper's Salvation
“Yeah, that’s the one.”
“Sure. I’m going anyway but was dreading going alone too, so I’m happy to accompany you.”
“You’re a lifesaver, K. You know that?”
“Anytime, Coop. Listen, I have a patient now, but I’ll call you tonight, yeah?”
“Yeah. Thanks, K. I appreciate it.”
“Chat later. Bye now.”
Hanging up the phone, Cooper said a silent thank you that something had finally gone his way that morning.
8
An uncomfortable feeling of being watched had the little hairs on Kara’s neck standing up. She attempted to scan the room surreptitiously, but nothing immediately stood out to her. Yet the feeling wouldn’t abate. In a bid to evade the feeling, she leaned over and whispered in Cooper’s ear.
“Excuse me a moment. I need to use the ladies’ facilities.”
He nodded but didn’t reply. Although his eyes followed her progress as she rose to her feet. The smolder in his gaze burned through her, making her forget the sensation of being watched. Ever since the nightmare incident, he’d been keeping his distance emotionally, but tonight that ended.
She’d had her own guilt to grapple with. Tom was the only man she’d ever been with. They’d started out as friends, always watching out for each other in the foster home. Over time, as they’d gotten older, those feelings had morphed into a love based on the strong bond they shared. Their marriage had worked well, but lord knew, Tom hadn’t been herone.
She’d learned that life-altering truth the day he’d first brought Cooper home.
The powder room was easy to find, and Kara was relieved to find it empty. She’d already taken care of business with no need to queue and had washed her hands by the time anyone else came into the facilities. She smiled at them as she turned to dry her hands before exiting the room.
Stepping out into the hallway, she spotted an older gentleman standing a short distance from the bathroom. He turned at the sound of the door closing, and the look of shock on his face as his eyes roamed over her countenance had Kara taking a step back. Her back bumped into the closed portal behind her.
The man held up placating hands. “I mean you no harm, Miss. If I could just have a moment of your time. Please?”
Emotion bled into the words, but she was at a loss as to why that might be. She studied his face. Something about his features tickled at the back of her mind, she just couldn’t put her finger on it in that moment.
“I’m sorry, sir. Have we met before?”
“No, we haven’t.” He shook his head, his eyes never leaving her face.
“My date –”
He cut her off. “Please, just a moment. We can stay right here, where anyone walking by can see us and can hear you if you feel a need to call for help.”
Kara had no idea why she felt she could trust him, yet despite not knowing him, she got the impression she could. That his uniform jacket was heavily laden with service ribbons told her a little about the man wearing the neat dress uniform. She nodded, waiting for him to continue.
“I know this is all a touch bizarre, but you remind me of a woman I once knew. Do you perhaps know a Clarissa Vance?”
Her body went ice cold, and her hands began to shake. A strange ringing in her ears disoriented her.
“Miss? Miss, are you all right?”
Kara felt a hand on her arm at the same time she heard “What’s going on here?”
Is this what it feels like to have an out-of-body experience?Kara turned her head toward the sound. Recognizing Cooper, she opened her mouth to answer him, but nothing came out. She couldn’t formulate the words to reassure him all was well. Though she felt as if they were far from fine.
“Kara? Sweetheart, are you okay?” Cooper asked.
“I’m sorry, young man, it’s my fault your young lady is somewhat in shock.” The man took a step back from Kara, turning to Cooper. “I would like very much to speak with her. Could we perhaps find somewhere to have a seat?”
“I didn’t catch your name, Colonel,” Cooper replied, ignoring the other man’s question.
