Chapter 61

• The lost sounds coming from her made Travis stiffen. He felt like a man who had seen a blow coming but had ducked too late. He looked down at the glossy head pressed against his heart, wincing every time she released another heartbreaking sob. She held onto him, her arms wrapped around his middle like someone who had been treading water too long and needed someone else to take the weight.
• Travis stroked her hair back in long sweeping motions and said soothing things. Eventually the outburst of raw emotion reduced. Her sobs became intermittent hiccoughs. He felt the moment her control returned.
• She lifted her face, cast a slightly embarrassed look up at him and pulled away, wiping her face with the heels of her hands. She gulped before saying huskily, “I'm sorry. Please, Travis, just…” She stopped, her eyes clinging to his dark lean face, breathing hard.