Julie Anne Lindsey - Marked By The Marshal

“That was when I began to unravel,” he admitted. He dragged his gaze back to hers, hating what his hesitation had done to the lives of Jenifer Sayers and her family. To Kara’s. To his. “For me, that was the beginning of the end.”

Kara set her fingers over his hand on the table and warmth spread through him. “Hey.”

Ryder raised reluctant eyes to hers. “I’m so sorry.”

Kara nodded once. “I wish I had known.”

“I couldn’t say it out loud,” he whispered. “When I came home to my happy life. My fiancée. Planning our wedding.” He swallowed long and slow. “Everything Jennifer had lost because I didn’t act faster...”

Kara’s fingers curled under Ryder’s palm. “If he’s in Shadow Point, I know you’ll find him. You can get him this time.”

Ryder forced a painful lump of emotion deep into his chest. “I will.”

“Okay,” she said. “Should I guess from the duffel bag that you’ll be staying here while you’re in town?”

He glanced at the couch. “If it’s all right with you, I’d rather not leave you alone. Tomorrow I’ll find a better place for you and your baby until Sand is captured.”

Her panicked gaze jumped to the baggie with the charred matchbook. “You don’t think I’m safe here? You think that guy might burn my house down?” Kara was on her feet then, hands waving helplessly in front of her.

Ryder met her there in an instant, and he wrapped her in his arms. The fear on her face ripped at his already shredded heart, and he did the only thing he could in that moment. Be there for her . Shockingly, she let him. “I’ll protect you, Kara,” he vowed. “You and your baby. We’ll move you someplace safe tomorrow, but right now there’s work to do.”

Kara wriggled free, wiping her eyes and staring anywhere except at Ryder. “Right. I’ll go pack my things and a bag for Casey so we’re ready.”

Ryder nodded, already back to the island and setting up to check the matchbook for fingerprints. “I’ll call and make arrangements for the move.”

The baggie fell from his fingertips then, caught by the counter beneath his hands. He turned to gape at Kara as she hustled toward the steps to the second floor. “What is your daughter’s name?” he asked, projecting his voice so Kara was sure to hear.

Her cheeks went crimson. Her feet slowed on the carpeted stairs. “Casey,” she repeated, a pained look in her eye, before hurrying out of sight.

Ryder Casey Garrett worked to reinflate his lungs.

He’d been gone far too long to be the baby’s father, but maybe Kara hadn’t written him off as completely as he’d imagined. Maybe there was still hope there.

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