After Wyatt left, Marley paced the cell and prayed. First came prayers of gratitude. Braden was safe and happy. And Wyatt didn’t hate her. He might not ever trust her again, but he still cared enough to use his brilliant brain and expertise to clear her name.

Within the hour, Sheriff Hawk announced more visitors.

“Wyatt?”

“Connie and the other women.”

She recoiled. “I don’t want them to see me in this place.”

“It’s up to you, but you’ll hurt their feelings if you refuse. Connie’s carrying a food container that smells real good. Tamales, I hope.” He offered a smile that would have melted most women. “And I hope you’ll share.”

She’d not eaten anything since the amazing Christmas dinner yesterday. She hadn’t had the appetite, but the thought of Connie’s cooking made her stomach growl.

“All right. I’ll see them. And sheriff, I want to apologize.”

“To me?” He blinked, surprised.

“I know you’re close friends with Wyatt’s family. Arresting me at their home wasn’t easy for you. I’m really sorry for ruining your Christmas.”

Wearing the strangest expression, he said, “I don’t think anyone has ever apologized to me for arresting them before.”

He unlocked her cell door, and Marley followed the muscular lawman to the same room where she’d met with Wyatt. Outside the door, she balked. Shame heated her face. “I don’t know if I can face them.”

Lawson ignored her and pushed the door open. Four women converged on her, all talking at once, one of them in Spanish. Four pairs of arms encircled her. Struggling not to cry, she clung to them, basking in their compassion. If she could ever emulate anyone, it would be these amazing women.

The sheriff allowed the visit to linger for more than an hour. By the time Marley returned to her cell toting the plastic dish of homemade tamales, some of which she’d already eaten, some she’d shared with the lawman, she had more hope than she’d been able to find in weeks. Though they weren’t blood, she finally had a family she could lean on.

Maybe this was going to work out, after all.

At noon, Dooney appeared dressed in a long white fur and a shimmering, Christmas-green gown, her pale hair swept up with sparkling combs. She looked like something out of a fairy tale. Though her stay was brief, she brought Marley toiletries, a change of clothes, and a promise.

“My local lawyer has already been called and says not to worry. The holidays slow things down, so fortunately, you can stay right here in Calypso near all of your friends until we get this ridiculous situation resolved. Now, I must run.” She winked. “The lawyer and I are having lunch. He’s widowed, like me, and quite handsome. Do I look presentable?”

“You’re beautiful, as always. Stunning. He’ll go blind from staring.”

The countess laughed. “You are a darling.”

She kissed Marley on each cheek and sailed out of the room.

A female jailer escorted Marley back to her cell and left. Marley sat on the edge of the bed surrounded by the things her friends had brought. Because of their kindness, the small cell felt warmer. She put on her makeup and brushed her hair, thankful she’d been allowed a shower that morning, even though privacy in this place was a real issue.

When she ran out of primping, she opened Dooney’s chocolates and tried to guess what filling waited inside each one. Anything to pass the time until she heard something from Wyatt.

“You’re lucky,” a voice said.

In search of the source, Marley looked up from a decadent-looking chocolate truffle. Two cells down an old woman with no teeth and scraggly brown hair stared at her through tired eyes.

“Not lucky,” Marley replied. “Blessed. God has been good to me.”

“Huh! You’re in jail, girl. What’s good about that?”

“Being in jail is awful, but I’ve learned some things through this.”

“Yeah? Like what? Jail food makes you gag? This place stinks like sewer?”

Marley chuckled. “That, too, but I’m talking about true friendship.” Maybe true love, too. “Real friends don’t fade away when things go bad. I thought they would, but they’ve circled me with love.”

“Yeah, well, you’re right about one thing. You sure find out who your friends are when you get stuck in here.” The old woman laughed, a bitter sound. “I found out a long time ago, I ain’t got a friend.”

“You could have.”

The old woman squinted at her. “What are you talking about?”

“Jesus.”

The woman rolled her eyes. “Oh, man. Get real.”

“Jesus is about as real as it gets, Miss… What’s your name?”

“Sheila.”

“Sheila, I’m Marley, and I know for sure, Jesus loves you, and He’s sad that you’re in this place. If you ask Him, He’ll forgive any wrongs you’ve ever done and help you do better.”

Sheila’s shoulders lost their defensive posture. She scratched at her neck. Her fingernails were broken and dirty. “Too late for me. I’m headed to prison this time.”

Pity welled in Marley. And fear. She couldn’t imagine being stuck in prison for even a day, a reality for Sheila, and maybe even for Marley if Wyatt didn’t discover the truth.

“Jesus will go with you. If you want Him to.”

“I’ve heard about jailhouse religion. I won’t be one of those, using Jesus as an excuse to get out and get high again.” But there was longing in her voice.

Gently, Marley asked, “Is that why you’re here? Drugs?”

“Yeah. I only sold to make ends meet, but no one understands that.” Her lips turned down. “I lost my kids three years ago. Don’t even know them anymore.”

Marley blinked, stunned. “You have kids? What ages?”

“Well, let’s see. Ricky was ten his last birthday, I think. Maybe he’s eleven now. Then Becky is three. No, that’s Brooke. They took her right out of the hospital.”

The woman’s revelations shocked Marley. Sheila looked at least sixty, though she had to be much younger. And she didn’t even know her children’s ages.

Sheila sniffled and wiped a sleeve across her eyes. “I love my kids. You probably don’t believe that. Probably think I’m a terrible mother.”

Marley stayed silent as she battled dual emotions—compassion for the woman’s broken state and frustration that she’d done this to herself and to her children. Yet, who was Marley to judge? Both of them were in this jail. A tremor ran through her. Maybe they’d both be in the women’s prison soon.

The female jailer passed, making her rounds. Marley moved to the bars and nodded toward Sheila’s cell. “Would you mind giving this to Sheila?”

She turned the candy box sideways and slid it through the bars.

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

The guard handed the chocolate through the bars, and Sheila took them. Her mouth fell open. “Seriously? Those are the fancy ones.”

Hand-dipped of the finest Swiss chocolate. “Consider them a Christmas present.” And then, because she couldn’t take credit for the gift, she added, “From Jesus.”

A light appeared in Sheila’s eyes. Nodding, she said, “Tell Him thanks for me.”

“You can tell Him, too. He’s listening, and He’d love to hear from you.”

“You think?”

“I know. He’s waiting.”

Feeling rich and satisfied, Marley went to her bunk and sat on the edge. She’d never felt worthy to share her faith before today. She still had so much to learn. But here in this jail cell, she saw something she’d never considered before. Though they were as different as could be, she and Sheila were the same, too. Like her, Sheila was a broken person who needed Jesus. No matter how many chances Sheila may have had to do better, and even if the whole world had given up on her, Jesus never would.

---

Wyatt stayed up most of the night scanning the flash drive Lawson had allowed him to copy. The sheriff wouldn’t release the original, calling it “evidence.” Fine with Wyatt. All he needed was access.

After a thirty minute nap, his eyes popped open with an idea. He needed help, and he knew exactly where to get it.

An accountant buddy in the military owed him one. He made the call, learned the name of some very useful software, and downloaded it.

Hours passed in frustration. As expected, revenues were far shorter than the amounts skimmed from deposits—the amounts that had led to Marley’s arrest. Finding the person responsible for those missing revenues proved more difficult.

Eyes gritty, Wyatt tipped his head back, stared at the ceiling, and said a prayer, letting his mind flow through the possibilities. He was a hacker. Could the truth be hidden deeper than these books showed?

“Gotta be,” he muttered. And he began to do what he did best—discover what others wanted to hide.

---

Late that afternoon, Wyatt propped his laptop on the table in the jail’s stark concrete visitation room, waiting for Marley’s arrival. The heavy, pneumatic doors scraped open, and she entered. Lawson followed, his gun and badge a harsh reminder of where they were.

Marley’s eyes captured his, anxious but hopeful, silently pleading for good news.

Wyatt held back a groan. He wanted to go to her, hold her, and promise everything would work out. He started to rise, thought better of it, and waited. When he took her in his arms, he didn’t want the watchful eye of the sheriff, friend or not.

She looked better today. Not so haggard and afraid. Had she slept last night? He hoped so. The whole family had prayed for her. He wondered if she knew how many people were on her side. Including the sheriff.

Lawson had gone out of his way to make things as easy for her as possible. One of the perks of growing up with the local sheriff was trust and a deep friendship. And it didn’t hurt that the Caldwell brothers were the only people in town who knew the esteemed sheriff had pulled a few ornery stunts as a teen, including a couple that could have landed him in jail. Lawson trusted their judgment, and the feeling was mutual. If the Caldwells believed in Marley’s innocence, Lawson would too.

Wyatt scraped a chair away from the table and motioned for her to sit. Marley offered him a look of gratitude as she settled at his side. She smelled fresh, like flowers. He breathed her in, wondering how she’d managed that in jail.

“You okay?” he asked softly, aching to touch her and wipe the fear from her face.

She nodded. “How’s Braden?”

He wasn’t surprised at the question. Even in her situation, Braden was the one who mattered to her right now.

“Anxious to see you, but being a trooper.”

“I miss him so much. I don’t want him to be upset.”

Wyatt resisted no longer. He touched her hand. “I know. Hang in there. We’re going to resolve this thing.”

She swallowed and nodded again. “I hope so.”

“Maybe this will help.” Wyatt inserted the flash drive. “Something I want to show you.”

Lawson hovered over his shoulder. “Whatcha got?”

“I found some encrypted files buried several layers deep in DOCx’s.”

Lawson grunted. “You might as well be speaking Chinese.”

“Hidden documents heavily encoded to keep anyone from knowing they exist. So I ask myself, why would a business hide their files?”

The sheriff shrugged, dubious. “Could be a legitimate reason.”

“Possible, but unlikely.”

“You think the evidence proving my innocence is in those hidden files?” Full of worried hope, Marley’s eyes searched his.

“The information I found looks promising. The rest is up to Lawson and the DA.”

Marley raised clasped hands to her chin, almost prayerful. “Sheriff?”

She was holding on, strong and brave, but jail was taking a toll.

Lawson braced a hand next to the computer and leaned closer. “Show me those files.”

Wyatt tapped a few keys, and a document popped up, warning that the folder was unavailable. He pointed. “This is where most people quit, thinking the file has been deleted.”

“But it’s not?” Marley asked.

“Nope. It’s in there.”

She shook her head, amazed. “Even if I knew the file existed, I wouldn’t know how to open it.”

Wyatt smiled. “Because you’re neither an embezzler nor a hacker.”

She bit down on her lip, sighed. “The problem is getting authorities to agree with you.”

Lawson put a hand on her shoulder. “If it’s any consolation, I do. And if Wyatt’s found useful evidence, I’ll do my best to get you out of here.”

The sheriff’s words meant a lot. To Marley. To him. And he was grateful.

Eager now to get this over with, Wyatt tapped a few more keys. Another warning, more taps, and a requested password. He pulled a paper from his pocket and typed in a code. A set of files appeared.

Marley leaned closer to study the screen. She smelled amazing. And her shoulder brushed his, her hair tickling his cheek, activating every pleasure center in his brain. He braced against the feelings. Getting her out of this place took precedence over the other things rattling around inside him. But soon, very soon.

“I work with spreadsheets like this…” Marley halted, made a wry face. “Or I used to. These are vendor payouts. They look fine to me.”

“Right. That’s the point. They appear normal, but they aren’t.”

She squinted, looking closer. “I still don’t see anything.”

“I wouldn’t have either, but once I discovered the files, I knew there had to be a reason someone had kept them hidden. So I contacted my accountant buddy again and forwarded the files to him.”

Lawson shifted. “What did he find?”

“An ingenious balancing act. That’s why she—or he—created these in the first place. To keep track. Otherwise, your thief risked getting confused and showing their hand. They would pay a bill when it came due, and then at some point later, pay that same bill again, only this time the money would go into their private bank account.”

“But the check would have been made out to the vendor and required the vendor’s signature. How could anyone put it into a personal account?”

“More than one way, according to my buddy, but his theory in this case is this.” Wyatt turned away from the screen to explain, his focus moving from Lawson to Marley. “Whoever did this set up their own DBA, or doing-business-as, account at another bank using the name of one of the company’s biggest suppliers. In this case, Sun Garden Supplies. The embezzler made himself the new bank account’s sole proprietor, meaning that only he or she had access. The legit payouts to Sun Garden were large and frequent, so who would notice if, occasionally, the invoice was double-paid?”

Lawson’s brow furrowed. “You got proof of that?”

“I do. It’s in another file, but I can pull it up.” It had taken a while to crack the encryption, but he’d done it.

“Good. Anyone’s name on it?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

Lawson shook his head. “Then our problem’s not solved. Even if we know how the crime was committed, we still don’t know who did it. In the law’s view, it could still be Marley.”

---

Marley’s heart sunk faster than a rock in a pond. For a minute there, she’d had such hope.

With a moan, she leaned back in her chair. “We’re right back where we started.”

“Not completely.” Wyatt gave her a gentle look. Lines of fatigue surrounded his eyes and mouth. “We have more hidden files. There has to be something in some of them that points to our embezzler’s identity or the name of the bank holding that account.”

Marley touched his cheek, soft with concern. “Have you slept at all?”

“Enough.” Grasping her fingers, Wyatt gave them a squeeze and gently placed them back on the tabletop. After a quiet look she could only describe as loving, he returned to the computer and popped up another window so that the pages were side by side.

He looked exhausted.

Bittersweet tenderness moved inside Marley. Wyatt, her warrior. No matter the cost to himself, he wouldn’t stop until he’d found a way to save the world, and he wouldn’t stop until he’d saved her, too.

She hoped and prayed he could.

Her eyes filled. She’d done nothing to deserve this man’s steadfast kindness, his caring. In fact, her lies had accomplished the opposite. She’d hurt him, but he hadn’t abandoned her.

No wonder she loved him. Loved him. Something she’d have thought impossible a few weeks ago.

Everything in her wanted to tell him just how much. Instead, insides tender, Marley leaned against his shoulder and caressed the forearm he’d propped between them on the table.

Wyatt shot her another soft glance before turning his attention back to the computer. A few taps later and a spreadsheet appeared.

“This is one of the most heavily encrypted files. Notice anything?”

Both she and Lawson leaned in.

“A spreadsheet of payouts, amounts and dates,” Marley said. “Some are highlighted.”

“Courtesy of my accountant buddy. He wanted them to be easy to see.” Wyatt put a finger close to the screen. “Notice the same invoice numbers beside two different checks on two different dates? Here and here.”

“To the same supplier for the same amount of money, just as you said. And with the same invoice number.”

“Right. Your embezzler kept impeccable records. Here, he-or she-paid the original bill on March 3, and then two months later, on May 12, he paid it again. Chances are no one would ever notice unless they opened the bank statement before the thief could remove the extra checks and reconcile the books.”

Marley chewed her lip, thinking about the office, about who did what jobs. Her thoughts landed on one person.

“Janet always opens the bank statements. She’s fussy about it, so none of us touches them. But she’s an excellent employee, probably the company’s most dedicated.”

Lawson’s sharp eyes narrowed. “How so?”

“Well, she comes in early and stays late. And it’s nothing for her take the books home after work to finish up…” Her words trailed off as she realized the incriminating truth. “That’s why she was so conscientious, isn’t it?”

“To cover up.” Wyatt nodded. “Sounds like it to me.”

Marley placed a hand over her thudding heart. Was this it? Would she finally be cleared? “I can’t believe it’s Janet.”

“I can.” Lawson scribbled on a notepad. “This Janet have a last name?”

“Welker-Thomas. She’s the owner’s sister. She wouldn’t do this to her own family.”

Wyatt pushed back his chair to look at the sheriff. “What do you bet you can find a bank account for DBA Sun Garden Supplies somewhere in Tulsa under Janet Welker-Thomas’s name?”

“I’ll get on the phone with the Tulsa police right now. If there’s an account under that name in Tulsa, we’ll find it.”

Wyatt rubbed his hands together and let out a long exhale. “Hoping you’d say that. Can I take Marley home with me now?”

Marley’s heart leaped. She was desperate to see Braden. Desperate, too, to tell Wyatt how much she loved him.

Lawson shook his head, and her hope tumbled. “Sorry. Not until we know more. We have suspicions, some strong evidence, and a possible suspect, but until we have more evidence linking Janet to the money trail, I’m afraid Marley’s stuck.”

“We’ll post bond.” Wyatt closed the laptop and stood. “No matter the amount.”

Love swelled in Marley until she thought her chest would burst. Wyatt Caldwell hadn’t said the words, but she felt his love in every action.

“Soon.” Voice sympathetic, the sheriff headed toward the door. “Let me make those phone calls first.”

As soon as Lawson left, Marley rose and slid her arms around her hero, burying her face in his strong chest. He held her in his protective arms, this man whose quiet love was all she needed to keep going.

Uncharacteristic tears slid down her cheeks. Gratitude, relief, pent-up fear. Wyatt tilted her face, thumbed away the tears, and with exquisite tenderness, kissed her long and sweet. More tears fell, and he kissed each one.

“Hey, now, no crying. Everything is going to be okay.” He propped his forehead against hers. “We’re getting you out of here real soon. I promise.”

Promises. Wyatt made them, and he kept them. Every one. No matter the personal cost.

She traced his stubbly jaw, evidence of his personal sacrifice. He hadn’t slept. For her. “Thank you.”

He cocked his head. “For?”

“Everything. Not giving up. Finding the hidden files. Believing in me even though I’d lied to you.”

He tilted his head in a semi-shrug. “I’ll admit I struggled with that for a while.”

“What changed your mind?”

“We all have things we keep inside out of fear.”

“Including you?”

“Yes. How can I criticize you when I’m guilty of the same? Not of the lies, but of holding back the truth.”

“From me?”

“Mostly from my family. I came home with a powerful secret eating me up. They have a right to know, but—”

“You have a great family, understanding and loving. Whatever it is, you can tell them.”

“It’s not that.” He blew out a breath, and she saw then what worried him. True to nature, he wasn’t afraid for himself.

“You think this will hurt them. That’s it, isn’t it?”

He hooked an arm around her neck and kissed her nose. “You’re amazing, you know that? And you make me want to spill my guts right here and now.”

“You can if you’d like.” He’d done so much for her. The least she could do was offer support about something that obviously weighed heavily on him. “I’m a good listener, and I can keep a secret.”

“No more secrets. Well, maybe for the army, but not the personal kind. Secrets caused the problem in the first place. Sort of.”

“You realize you aren’t making much sense.”

“I will when I tell you.” His gaze skimmed around the barren room. “Lousy place to talk.”

“But no one’s listening, and”—she offered a grin—“I’m definitely not going anywhere. All I have is time.”

He gave a short laugh. “You’re something, you know that? Finding the humor. A man could fall for a woman like you. I think I already have.”

Wyatt’s admiring stare gave her a reason to really smile. She stared back, holding his gaze with hers.

“Ditto for me,” she said, hoping he could see the love in her eyes, hear it in her tone.

Fire flared in his blue irises. He reached for her, must have thought better of it, and let his arms drop. “Later. We have to talk us.”

Us. Marley’s pulse executed several jumping jacks. Was there an us? Would he want there to be after all the headache she’d caused?

Oh, how she hoped so.

Wyatt pivoted away and paced, talking as he walked. Every few steps, he stopped to look at her.

Marley listened. Her heart broke for the damage the information could do to the Caldwell clan. It broke more because kind, protective Wyatt couldn’t protect his loved ones from this.

When he’d finished, she went to him, circling him with her arms. “That’s a lot to carry. You have to tell them soon.”

He swiped a hand over his scratchy whiskers. “I will. I have to. But I want you with me when I do.”

Marley gazed upon his face, loving him so much it shook her, but it filled her too. “God willing, I’ll be there.”

Taking her by the upper arms, he pushed her away. Not far, but enough that she could read his seriousness. “Fact is, I want you to be with me as much as possible.”

Marley licked dry lips. Her insides trembled. “Even if I go to prison?”

“You won’t.”

“But what if I do?”

“I’ll wait.”

“I can’t ask that of you. You deserve better.”

“My feelings won’t go away no matter where we are. I care for you, Marley. A lot.”

“I feel the same, but—”

He put a finger to her lips. “No arguments. We’ll figure the rest out later. Right now, I want to kiss you, and then I want to get you home.”

Heart pounding, her lips curved. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

---

The mills of justice ground too slowly for Wyatt, but Lawson did his best to speed things up. Ace worked the phones on his end, calling in a private detective he knew in Tulsa while Wyatt caught a long nap. He awakened to a little boy sitting on the edge of his bed, quiet as a mouse, watching him sleep.

“Hey, buddy.” His voice sounded like gravel in a grinder.

“Are you awake?”

Wyatt levered up on his elbows. “I am now. Fresh as today’s milk.”

“Huh?” Braden crawled up on the bed and leaned across Wyatt’s belly.

Wyatt laughed. This little guy could lift his mood like nothing else. Except Marley. She’d done a great job yesterday when he’d told her about Dallas, asking smart questions, giving great advice. What she’d said was true. His family was strong and supportive. They’d do the right thing.

He tilted his chin toward Braden. “What are you doing up here?”

“Waiting for you to wake up. Connie said don’t bother you. You sleeped a long time.”

One glance at the clock and Wyatt sat straight up, bringing Braden with him. The boy was light but stuck to his side like a cocklebur. “Too long.”

“Did you talk to my Mommy some more?” Braden’s little head leaned against Wyatt’s shoulder and tilted back to stare into his face.

Wyatt tapped him on the nose. “I sure did. She loves you and misses you. I told her you were the best kid in the house.”

Granted, Braden was the only kid in the house after the nieces and nephew had departed, but he’d been as good as any kid could be. Another reason to love Marley. She knew how to raise a child.

He pondered that. The two of them, having a child together. Him, a daddy. Marley, the best mom around. A sibling for Braden.

A sweet fantasy, but he was jumping the gun.

Marley was still in jail.

“When’s she coming home?”

Good question. He’d promised, and if had to hire Dooney’s high-priced lawyer, Marley would be free. “That’s what I’m going to find out right now. Can you be real quiet for a minute or two while I make a call?”

Braden squeezed his lips together with two fingers, brown eyes wide as he nodded.

The sight squeezed Wyatt’s heart like a sponge. A sweet, loving sponge.

No matter what it took, he wouldn’t let this little boy down.

---

The next afternoon, Wyatt walked out of the Calypso County Safety Center with Marley at his side. Though her case wasn’t cleared as yet, the rest was a matter of paperwork and formality, and she’d been released on her own recognizance.

A feeling of accomplishment such as Wyatt had never known gushed through him. He’d taken down terrorist cells and helped liberate entire cities, and he was proud of that. But this was different. Marley was personal.

He still didn’t know what he was going to do about these feelings he had for her.

Uncle Sam remained his boss, and he had to return to Georgia. But regardless of where he went or what he had to do, he also had to find a way to keep Marley and Braden in his life.

A cold wind whipped in from the north. Marley drew her jacket closer, walking with her head down. Wyatt led the way, his boots thudding against the concrete walkway.

Before Marley was aware that her son was waiting in the parking lot with Emily, Braden spotted them. A cry Wyatt would always remember as the most joyous sound on earth broke from the child.

“Mommy!” Short legs churned as he ran toward them, his blue hood blowing backward.

“Braden!” Marley fell to her knees and received her son, taking the full force of his running weight. She rocked back on her heels. Wyatt put his hands out to keep her from tumbling down.

The reunion was everything he’d expected. Tears flowed down Marley’s cheeks as she laughed and cried and kissed her baby boy. Braden smiled and smiled, the happiest child on earth.

When at last Marley looked up, she held out a hand. Wyatt pulled her to her feet and didn’t stop tugging until she and the boy snuggled close to his chest. Braden sighed against his neck. Marley, lips warm and soft, kissed his jaw.

“We love you,” he thought she whispered.

Wyatt closed his eyes and relished the moment.

Braden wasn’t the only happy person in this jailhouse parking lot.

---

Freedom was a beautiful gift she would never again take for granted.

These were Marley’s thoughts a few days later as she made the journey back to Tulsa and unfinished business. This time, her warrior cowboy was by her side, and she was no longer a terrified fugitive from justice. Braden remained at the Triple C with Connie and their promise to return with his beloved chicken nuggets.

Wyatt, looking sexy and handsome in a deep gray shirt, jeans and cowboy boots, clicked on his signal light and took the proper exit. “Nice of your old boss to give you back pay and a severance.”

At Jack Welker’s request, Welker’s Nursery and Landscape had been their second stop, after a visit to her attorney.

Even though the Welkers had apologized profusely and offered an increase in salary, Marley refused to return to her former job. There were other businesses that held less humiliating memories, and Jack promised a glowing reference.

But Tulsa held no appeal. Not anymore.

“Jack’s a good man. I don’t blame him for what happened.”

“Must have been an awful shock to learn his sister was stealing from him and had been for years.”

Marley pressed a hand to her chest, feeling her former employer’s pain. “He’s heartbroken. He had no idea Janet had a gambling problem.”

“And you were the perfect person to blame, being the only non-family member working in the office.”

The knowledge hurt, but Marley didn’t dwell there. She was too thankful that the truth had come out.

Thanks to the amazing man beside her.

Four lanes of busy Tulsa traffic rushed past, a stark reminder of how different the city was from Calypso. Wyatt kept his eyes on the road, glancing her way now and then. With the radio playing softly, they talked. About the Welkers, about Wyatt’s decision to tell his family about Dallas when they were all together on New Year’s Day, about Braden’s newfound attachment to Dixie, the gentle palomino.

The one subject they avoided was Wyatt’s rapidly approaching return to the army.

She ached with the knowledge, wishing she could hold back time. Two weeks and he’d be gone.

When Marley’s gray-and-green apartment complex came into sight, she pointed. “That’s it.”

She didn’t want to go inside.

Being in this apartment, this town, felt like closing a door on Calypso. And she didn’t want that. Ever.

She wanted the warm, small town that had accepted her at face value. She wanted her friendship with Dooney and the Caldwells and the people at Evangel Church.

Most of all, she wanted Wyatt.

But she didn’t know what Wyatt wanted. He loved her. And she loved him. Even if he hadn’t said the words, which he had, she would have known. But soon, he’d be going back to his life in Georgia. Things would change. Out of sight, out of mind.

People said, “I love you,” all the time. She should know. Braden’s dad had loved her madly. For a moment.

Forever was a far different thing.

She turned to gaze out the side window, heart heavy, though she wouldn’t push. Wyatt had enough on his mind. She wouldn’t whine or cry or ask him for more than he was ready to give.

Wyatt pulled the truck into the parking area outside Marley’s two-story apartment complex. Three children played on the adjacent playground, the fenced area one of the reasons she’d chosen this particular apartment.

Nowhere near as much room for Braden to run and play as on the Triple C Ranch.

“My place is the third one down. First floor.”

Wyatt killed the engine. They got out, walked up the few steps to the door and went inside, both of them quiet, Marley hesitant.

She stared at the home she’d made with her son. Small. Efficient. Furniture that had come with the apartment. A few pieces that were hers.

Everything remained as she’d left it, clean and neat except for Braden’s Legos on the small, round dining table. One of his drawings hung on the refrigerator next to a snapshot of the two of them. Yet, she felt like a stranger staring at a home that belonged to someone else.

“Glad to be home?” Wyatt murmured close to her ear.

“Actually, no.” Her voice was quiet, husky. Did he hear the yearning she couldn’t hide? “I don’t want to live here anymore.”

A soft smile played around this mouth. She wanted to kiss it.

“Does this mean Calypso has won your heart?”

“Not only Calypso.”

His eyes lit with mischief. Loving, hopeful mischief. “Then who?”

Her pulse thudded, afraid of rejection, but she wouldn’t lie. Not again. Not ever. “You.”

Marley turned into him and looped her arms around his trim waist, letting loose of pride. God had put Wyatt in her path, and he was worth the risk.

“I know you’re leaving soon, and I know you have a life in Georgia. Which doesn’t include me. And the army owns you, and I’m not asking for anything, and I don’t want to be a burden to anyone—”

His lips shushed her. The tumble of words evaporated.

He could kiss her like this forever. But forever wasn’t promised.

When the kiss ended, his lips remained close to hers. Tempting, wonderful. “You could never be a burden to me. Ever. And no matter where I go, I want you in my life.”

“But—”

He kissed her again. When he finished, he murmured, “Stop arguing.”

“If you’re gonna kiss me like that, I don’t want to.”

His quiet chuckle sent happy tickles over her skin. “I was waiting to be sure.”

“Of what? Kissing me?”

“That you didn’t want to come back to Tulsa, to your home and job. I thought once you were absolved of the crime—”

It was her turn to silence him. She rose on tiptoes and planted her lips over his. He laughed against her mouth.

“We both seem to have a lot of arguments,” she whispered.

“Some of which are valid. I have to go back to Georgia.”

Her happiness faded. “I know.”

“But I won’t be there long.”

Her heart dipped. “You’re being deployed.”

“I’m leaving the military.”

“But you love the military. They need—”

He kissed her. “Stop talking and hear me out.”

She touched her lips. They tingled. “Okay.”

“For a while now, I’ve been discontent but couldn’t put my finger on the reason. Being home cleared my head. You cleared my heart. Truth is, I’m burned out.”

“Isn’t it illegal to walk away from the military?”

“In a few months, I’m eligible for reenlistment. I’m mustering out.”

“For good? Are you sure? I know how much your career means to you.”

“Do I have to I have to kiss you again?”

She smiled. “Yes, please.”

He did, laughing.

“Now, what were you saying?”

“I’m leaving the army, coming home where I want to be. To raise horses and cows and kids and maybe get married. If the woman of my dreams will shut up and say yes.”

Marley’s mouth opened, closed, opened again.

Because she was too happy to do anything else, she whispered, “Yes.”

And of course, he kissed her.