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A single tear dripped from the corner of her eye, and she wiped it against his chest. He still smelled like the horses, and oddly, the familiar scent comforted her.

“Don’t be. You would have been miserable here. We couldn’t have been together in public then. Maybe ever. And you deserve more than that. And you’ve already said you were sorry a dozen times. Let’s put it in the past.”

“I didn’t want fanfare or screaming from the mountaintops. I just wanted you.”

Brett pulled her closer and threaded his fingers tighter with hers. “I missed you,” he whispered against her hair.

“I missed you too.” The words threatened to bring on tears.

“I know leaving was best for you, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted–what was best for you. I couldn’t have gone with you. The investigation was ongoing, and it was good that you got away from that. From all this.”

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed, gripping his shirt as if something might pull her away from him at any moment. “I’m so sorry.”

He rocked her gently in his arms. “Shh. It’s okay.”

“It’s not.”

“It is. I’m over it. Well, I’m not over you. I won’t ever be. But I promise I’m not mad at you. My pride was a little bruised, but I can live with that.”

Thea wiped her eyes and lifted her head. “You’re too good for me. For all this. You’ve been blamed for things you didn’t do your whole life. You’re so much better than your family, and you never get enough credit.”

Brett’s fingertips brushed against her cheek, smearing more of the wetness. “I don’t want credit. I just want you.”

The telltale rumble of Hadley’s car grew louder outside, and Brett’s grin widened.

“We really need to learn to get to the kissing part earlier in the evening.”

Thea laughed and wiped her face again. “You’d think we’d learn.”

“I’m definitely learning. I hope to keep learning about you for a long time.” He lifted the hand that still clasped his and kissed it. “I need to wrap up a few things at the barn and change clothes. I’ll be back soon.”

Hadley burst in the door, shaking and shivering. “I don’t like the cold!”

“We’ve noticed,” Thea said.

Hadley brushed her hair over her shoulder. “It doesn’t get this cold in Tennessee. Not even close. I don’t know if I’ll survive my first winter here.”

“You can do it. You’re tough,” Brett said as he wrapped his arms around Thea and stood. He turned and laid her back on the couch. “I’ll be back. Take care of my girl while I’m gone.”

Hadley’s brows lifted. “Your girl, huh?”

“My girl.” Brett winked at Thea, sending her heart into a marathon.

“Maybe I should start calling before I barge in,” Hadley said.

Brett snapped his fingers and pointed at her. “A heads up would be greatly appreciated.”

Hadley laughed and hung her coat on the hook. “You got it. See you later, bodyguard.”

Brett closed the door behind him, and Thea fell back onto the couch and let out a dreamy sigh.

“How cute are the two of you?” Hadley said as she stepped up to the couch with her arms crossed. “Seriously, it’s like romance movie cute.”

Thea grabbed a pillow and pressed it over her face. “He’s so amazing.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Hadley joked. “But really, it’s adorable. I’m happy for y’all.”

Throwing the pillow to the other side of the couch, Thea sighed. “I don’t know if there is an us, but I desperately wish there was.”