Read Silent Warrior: A Loveswept Classic Romance for Free Online

done.” He saw the slight shiver race over her skin. “I was terrified, but I knew I had to take a stand.”
    “My experience is that what you gain in personal growth, in strength, from standing up to what you fear most is something you can’t put a price on.”
    “You’re right,” she said quietly. “Still,” she went on, “I never made the mistake of thinking I was immune to his tactical emotional weapons. He didn’t win all those war medals for nothing.” Her attention shifted inwardly. “If I hadn’t had Nathan—” She broke off and looked away.
    John let her have the moment to collect herself, not at all sure what he would—or should—do anyway.
    He hated indecision. His intellect was at war with his emotions—a common problem when dealing with Cali Ellis. He could almost sympathize with her father.
    “My father trusted Nathan. It was the perfect compromise. I would marry a man I loved, one who’d already proven he could protect an ambassador’s daughter. I was able to get out again, live like a normal person.” Her voice faltered. “For six whole months.”
    “I’m sorry, Cali.” And he was. As much as he’dwanted her, still wanted her, he’d never wished her to be in pain.
    “It was a tough time. With Nathan gone and my difficulty with my miscarriage, I knew my father would demand that I come back and stay with him as he had after the kidnapping. I couldn’t, John. I know he loves me, but I just couldn’t. I think that’s partly why I called you that night.”
    She looked across the room at him, her expression almost begging him to understand. He had to force himself to stay put. “Cali—”
    “No, let me say it. I knew that when push came to shove, you wouldn’t make me do anything I didn’t really want to do. I also knew you wouldn’t let me wallow in my grief either. I’m sorry I put you in such a tough position—”
    “Cali, stop.” John closed the distance between them before he’d consciously decided to move. He stopped just in front of her. When she wouldn’t look at him, he cupped her cheek. Once their eyes met he let his hand fall away.
    “I shouldn’t have left you when I did. I should have stayed. Helped you somehow.”
    “No, that’s not true. I’d already asked more from you than I had a right to. He was your friend, too, and I wasn’t letting you grieve the way you wanted to, needed to.”
    He traced the smooth line of her jaw, fully aware of the fine trembling sensation that radiated to his fingertips. “I’m not going to tell your father anything about this.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I’ll help you, Cali. But we have to work as a team. You’re going to have to trust me at some point.”
    “I’m trying. I do. Just don’t ask me to step aside and let someone else fix my life. I can’t do that. I won’t do that.”
    A knock on the front door made them both jump.
    Cali turned away first. “Coming.”
    John grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “Are you expecting anyone?”
    “It’s probably Eudora. She was supposed to come and get some flowers to take to a sick friend of hers in the village. She’s owned this property for decades.” She smiled. “I’d guess you’d say she’s my landlady.”
    He knew Cali needed some relief from the tension. But if she really wanted to be in control of her life, she needed to understand right now what that entailed. “Humor me,” he said.
    He started toward the door, intending to peek into the front room, when Cali called out, “Who’s there?”
    “I came for the flowers,” came a strong, heavily accented voice.
    Cali shot him a smug look. “You’ve been playing super-secret spy for too long, McShane. No one knows I’m down here. I didn’t tell anyone but you about the picture.”
    She slipped past him before he could react. He was on her heels as she entered the front room.
    The strident, French-accented voice was at odds with the woman standing on the other side of thescreen. Eudora was tiny, her