“And when he called you about Noel being kidnapped, you rushed here. That’s so noble of you. Wanting to help your new family in their time of trouble.”
“I had to.”
“Did you ever forgive your mother?”
“She’s tried to contact me through social media, but I’ve ignored her.”
“Maybe God is telling you something different now, huh?”
“Maybe.”
Was He? Had He put Hannah in his life to soften him. And Gabe? Should he tell her all of his secrets?
“There’s more.” He took off his gloves and rubbed his chilly hands together. Was he stalling? Tell her. Before it’s too late. “I promised myself never to get involved with anyone because of my mother, but it’s not only as a result of her beatings and deceit. My second year on the force I got a new partner. Amber Maurier. I was smitten by her good looks. Everyone was, but it appeared that she liked me. I was shocked and humbled.”
“Wait. Why would you be shocked? You’re an amazing and handsome man.”
He raked his hand through his wavy hair. “I didn’t see that. Still don’t, really. Anyway, she played me to get ahead in her career. Made it look like I doctored evidence, which I did not. She did it to get me fired, so she could take my place at our detachment and move up. During a stakeout a year ago, I left her side as I was so angry to be in her presence. Something went wrong and she ended up getting shot. It was all my fault. I haven’t been able to forgive myself for that mistake. I vowed I would never trust another woman again after what she and my mother did to me.”
He shifted in his seat and turned his body toward the redhead. “And then you came into my life and rocked my world. I—”
A curl escaped from behind her tuque.
He entwined it between his fingers, letting his hand linger close to her cheek.
How could he have doubted his feelings for this amazing woman?
His heart hitched, stealing words from his mouth but opening wide.
Yes, he could finally move on from his past wounds and give his all.
Would Hannah let him in? He hoped so as suddenly thoughts of marriage and children with her filled his mind.
He moved closer and stared at her lush lips.
Her eyes widened and she pulled back. “I can’t.”
His bruised heart sank.
* * *
Hannah clamped her eyes shut. There was nothing she wanted more than to feel the handsome officer’s lips on hers, but she would not start something she couldn’t finish. He deserved someone who could bear children.
And she couldn’t.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Layke brushed it away. “Hannah, will you tell me why you’re so sad?”
Could she? After all, he’d let her in on his secrets.
“Tell me. Did you have a bad relationship with someone?”
Well, there was that. Colt had scarred her from trusting men, but that wasn’t what was now holding her back from giving Layke her heart.
“I did. In college.”
“What was his name?”
“Colt. He swept me off my feet like all fairy tales start, but I soon discovered his deep, dark secret. I almost lost my life because of it.”
“What?”
The image of that frightful night flashed in her mind. The darkness in Colt’s eyes haunted her dreams still to this day. After discovering his secret, she’d tried to get away from his lair. However, he had other plans. It was too late for her to escape. He had taken her away from the college under the cover of darkness with evil intentions. However, God had other plans.
“My first real boyfriend almost raped me.”
“What?”
“Yes. There was a rapist running rampant in our college, but I had no idea it was Colt. Until I found his trinkets. Trinkets the news said the perpetrator took from each woman. None of the women could identify him. Until now.”
Layke whistled. “What happened?”
“He caught me when I found them, and in a struggle I let one drop in my room. Kaylin found it and recognized it from a fellow student he’d attacked. She called the police.”
“So, this was when you were training in the CBSA?”
“Yes. He was a spoiled rich kid who thought he wanted to become a border security officer. He moved up fast in the class and it went to his head.”
“How did the police find you?”
“They didn’t. I never told you, but I excelled in my defensive tactics class. I was able to overpower him and escape. I led the police to him. They arrested and convicted him under my testimony. Plus, he was in possession of the other girls’ trinkets. That sealed the deal.”
Layke pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry you went through that.”
Her heart leaped at his embrace. She wished she could stay there forever.
He pulled back. “Sweet Hannah. I’m not Colt. I want you to know I would never hurt you.”
She smiled and ran her finger down his face, lingering on his five-o’clock shadow. “I know.”
“Then what is it?”
She sighed and pulled her hand down. How would he take the news? She couldn’t hide it any longer. “I can’t have children, Layke. You deserve someone better because you would make an awesome father. I can’t give you that.”
He jolted backward and turned his head.
But not before she noticed the look of disappointment on his face.
There, she’d done it. She’d crushed his heart.
And her own.
* * *
Layke moved back to his side of the seat. Why would she think that confession would change his feelings for her? Did she really think that little of him? Disappointment raced through him. Not because of her condition but because she thought he wouldn’t love her anyway. He would make it work. Adoption was always an option.
Maybe she didn’t care for him like he did her.
“Layke, I’m sorry I—”
Scratching sounded near them.
He held up his hand. “Shh.” His tone was too harsh. “What’s that noise?”
It grew louder.
Someone
