Healing Trace by Debra Kayn Page A

and sat down beside him. Her
hands shook, but she managed to fish her glass out of the water and set it
beside her. Her heart threatened to burst out of her chest. Now that the truth
was revealed, what was she supposed to say?
    The
beating of his heart, or maybe it was her own, filled the silence stretching
between them. Her vision blurred and she made no effort to blink the tears
away. Pain should never be hidden, but healed.
    He'd
looked so lost and broken. The impulse to wrap her arms around him had been so
strong she'd almost given in to her need to help him. She glanced at Trace. His
hands remained fisted in front of him and he'd lost himself somewhere in the
memories of his past. She ignored the banter at the other end of the pool. For
the last month, she'd spent all her time with Trace. She'd denied how she felt
about him, but she couldn't do that anymore.
    Without
thinking of the consequences, or what trespassing over the line of what she
deemed a professional distance, she lightly stroked his fist until he allowed
her to slip her hand into his. She never spoke a word, only offered him a light
touch. He squeezed her fingers, grasping, holding, and taking the comfort she
offered like a dying man with only minutes to live.
    It
wasn't much, but she only hoped holding his hand would comfort him.
    She'd
like to offer him more. An ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on, if that's
what he needed. Whatever he wanted her to do, she'd willingly do it, if only
because she sensed he needed something, someone, to tell him it was okay to
react the way he had moments ago. He was living a secretive life that was too
painful for one person to handle.
    Deep
inside, she knew he'd never ask for help.
    Connected,
but miles apart, Joan knew there was more to her feelings than being fascinated
with Trace and the mystery behind his distance. She'd fallen in love with the
gruff, stubborn, magnificent, man.
    "Hey
Joan. Are you going swimming or not?" Brody motioned for her to jump in.
    Not
wanting to put Trace in any more of an uncomfortable position by having to
explain why she was holding his hand, she let go of him but not before Trace
gave her fingers an extra squeeze. Not knowing what to do and afraid to leave
him after having shocked him into a place he feared, where he had to battle his
demons, she gazed up at him. She wouldn't leave if he wanted her to stay beside
him.
    He
motioned his head toward the water. "Go. I'm fine."
    He
was lying.
    "I
could stay here." She glanced down at her shirt. "Swimming's really
not in my job description."
    He
spoke softly for her ears only. "Since when have you let rules stop you
when you've set your mind to something?"
    "Don't
let the red hair fool you." She gently bumped her shoulder into his arm.
"I'm not always stubborn."
    They
were back on even ground. Trace had found the strength to move past what
happened, and accepted her back as a friend. She inhaled deeply. They'd tackle
what happened tonight on another day, when he was ready.
    "Go.
You deserve to have fun." He grinned, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
    Eyes,
which would haunt her for the rest of her life.
     
    ***
    Joan
stood and pulled her shirt over her head.
     Trace's
breath whooshed out, and his body reacted. Shit.
    He
had to get out of here. Not trusting himself around her, he blamed his leg for
his inability to run away.
    His
gaze traveled the length of her. From her long, lean, bare legs up to the pink
bikini bottoms. If he could call that thin strip of material tied at the sides
with a string, a bikini. He swallowed through the rise of desire consuming him.
Not sure if he'd survive if she got her satiny skin wet.
    Her
flat stomach undulated as she checked all the ties on her suit. A sparkle
flashed. He leaned closer and struggled to draw in a breath. She had a
red-jeweled belly button ring. Now that was something he never expected
to see all those times he imagined her with her clothes off.
    He
forced himself to look away from the