Read Words Heard in Silence for Free Online

idea."
    Rebecca picked up the pillow and blanket, heading for the door. "Enjoy it, Colonel. You have earned it."
    "Miss Rebecca, is this your bed?"
    "Yes."
    "Oh." Then, very gently, "I will not take you from your bed. Give me those. A davenport is far better than an army cot."
    "No, Colonel, it is all right."
    "No, it is not. Now come on, Miss Rebecca, be reasonable."
    "You do not know much about southern women do you, Colonel Redmond? We have been called many things. Reasonable is not generally among them."
    His laughter rang over Rebecca’s head at that last comment. "Darlin’ Miss Rebecca, I know quite a bit about southern woman. And they are eminently reasonable when they want to be. Now, I will not take your bed."
    "Well then, it will go unused this night!"
    He growled a little as he tightened the belt of the robe and ran his hand through his hair. "Tell you what, it is a big bed. We can share it."
    "Hmm…… how do I know this is not a ploy on your part to get me in a position so you can take advantage of me, Colonel Redmond?" Rebecca said.
    All the blood drained from his face as he took a step back. "Miss Rebecca, I……I……I would not……I……."
    "Colonel, I was teasing. Of course, we can share the bed. You are right. It is a big bed. Now come on in here and get into it."
    "Maybe I should take the davenport." His voice seemed to be struggling to get out of his throat, a barely vocal squeak instead of his normally rich, low voice. He seems to sag against the door jam.
    "Nonsense. Now come on." Rebecca gave his arm a little tug and pulled him inside, closing the door behind him.
    "Miss Rebecca, you do not understand." Charlie swallowed hard, almost afraid to make the admission. He released a deep breath, gathering his courage. The worst that would happen is that she would order him from her home. "One of the reasons I play the role so well is because……because……." He dropped his head then lifted it again. "Because I prefer the company of women."
    "Then come to bed, because I assure you, Colonel Redmond, I am the only woman within five hundred miles willing to share her bed with you."
    "Miss Rebecca? Surely you do not……you have not……." Charlie’s eyes grew wide.
    Rebecca had never seen such a confused combination of emotions in one human being before. Hope, fear, longing, an aching loneliness, shame…… all of them and much more crossed Charlie’s face in that moment.
    "Colonel Redmond, I offered to share my bed. I asked for your protection because I believe you are a person of unquestionable honor. Therefore, your preferences in companionship are your own business. Now come to bed."
    The blonde watched as this strange combination of man and woman before her removed the robe and climbed into the bed. "Umm, do you prefer the right or the left?" Charlie asked before settling in.
    "Actually, I have been sleeping alone for so long I have pretty much taken to sleeping in the middle of the bed so you pick a side and I will try to stay on my own." She nodded as she settled down on the right side of the bed. Rebecca joined her from the left side and she had to laugh. "Colonel Redmond, it is all right. You do not have to sleep on the very edge of the bed."
    "I want you to have plenty of room, Miss Rebecca."
    "And I want you to enjoy sleeping in a big bed and you cannot do that on the very edge, holding on to keep from falling off." She reached out and took Charlie by the shoulder, pulling her back into the bed.
    As Charlie rolled over on her back, their faces were only an inch apart. Her eyes were still the most amazing thing Rebecca had ever seen and those lips seemed to have a power all their own. Slowly Rebecca licked her lips as they watched each other. "Charlie,"
I wonder if I sound as breathless as I feel.
"I……unh……I……"
    A look of such pain and longing flickered through those sky blue eyes, and then the stern, determined colonel was before her again. "Good night, Miss