Snowbound - Harlequin.com

48 SNOWBOUND
didn’t seem in any hurry to leave the small laundry
room. In fact, she was suddenly aware of how close he
was to her, and of how alone they were even though she
could hear the kids’ voices coming from the kitchen.
Not that she wasn’t aware of him every time she saw
him, but now she found herself noticing the deep chocolate
shade of his eyes, the fact that he’d apparently
nicked himself shaving that morning—and how fresh
and puckered that scar was.
When her gaze touched on the scar, something flared
in his eyes and he took a step back.
Before he could speak, Fiona said hurriedly, “What
about you? Before…Iraq. Were you career military?”
For a moment he didn’t answer, and she thought he
wouldn’t. Then, with obvious reluctance, he said, “No.
National Guard. Before, I was an engineer.”
“Really?” Oh, no; had she sounded surprised?
Please God he hadn’t noticed. “What kind? Did you
design bridges?”
“I was a mechanical engineer. Mainly robotics to
increase workplace safety.”
“From that to innkeeper.” She’d meant the words to
be light, but she could tell he didn’t take them that way.
A muscle spasmed in his jaw. “That’s right. Now, if
you’ll excuse me?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“Nothing to be sorry for.” He walked away, his limp
pronounced.
Why had her asking about his past distressed him?
Had he had some kind of breakdown when he got back
from Iraq? Like the Vietnam vets who’d gone to live in