Page 34 of Colton On Guard

Parker’s jaw tightened. “Verbal or physical?”

“Both. I survived. But what matters is that I became a shadow of myself. Where once I’d been happy and outgoing, I withdrew inside.” Her self-conscious laugh hid so many emotions; none of which she felt ready to reveal. “You wouldn’t have recognizedme. I was a docile, quiet person. Head down, withering away into a shell without any heart or soul.”

Hand still on top of hers, he squeezed. “I’m glad you got out.”

Those words had her lifting her chin. “I am, too. I suspect if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here on this earth any longer.”

He swallowed hard. “I’m sorry you went through that.”

“I am, too, but I’m not proud that I stayed so long. Looking back, it’s unbelievable that it took him having an affair with my best friend to make me leave. All the abuse, the way he treated me, and it took his cheating to finally gave me the courage to leave.”

Hearing herself say it out loud, she had to shake her head. “Actually, I didn’t have the energy to leave. I learned in therapy that depression can do that.”

Getting up the courage to meet his gaze, when he only nodded instead of commenting, she felt grateful.

“Anyway, long story short…” She gave a wry smile. “That’s why I’m not in the market for a relationship right now. Maybe not ever. I think I might be too damaged.”

Bracing herself, she waited for Parker to explain that he wasn’t that guy and would never treat her like that. If he did, that’d mean he completely missed the point.

Instead, he simply nodded again. “That’s understandable. Thank you for trusting me enough to share that with me.”

Dumbfounded, Genna got up to make another cup of coffee, certain words would fail her.

“Do you still want to drive up to Valdez and check out the animal shelter?” he asked.

She waited until she’d finished fixing her coffee before she turned. “I don’t know. Maybe getting a dog right now isn’t the best idea, since I’m your temporary houseguest.”

“I think you should still consider it,” he said. “But, of course, that’s completely up to you.”

Sipping her second cup of coffee, she thought about it for a moment. “We can go look,” she finally conceded. “But I doubt I’ll bring one home. The timing is wrong.”

Though he shrugged, something in his gaze told her he believed she’d go, take one look at some poor dog in need, and fall instantly in love with it. The old Genna definitely would have done such a thing. The woman she used to be, who’d believed in happy endings and rainbows, trusted her heart and acted on impulse, believing everything would work out in the end.

Not anymore. Now she knew better.

“What about you?” she challenged. “You said you’d been wanting to get a dog. Maybe this is your chance.”

He grinned. “Could be, you never know. Let me get these dishes cleaned up and we’ll head out.”

“I’ll get them,” she offered. “You cooked, I can clean.”

Though he appeared uncertain, he finally gave in.

It only took her a few minutes to rinse everything and put the dishes in the dishwasher. When she finished, she dried her hands off on a towel and turned to find him eyeing her. The intensity in his gaze sent a bolt of desire through her.

“Ready to go?” he asked, a slight smile curving his mouth as if he knew her thoughts.

“Sure. I’m driving.” She already had her keys in her hand. “Since I invited you to go with me.”

He nodded. “Sounds good. Lead the way.”

Once they were settled in her car, she glanced at him in the passenger seat, unaccountably nervous. The drive would be a straightforward one, with a lot of beautiful scenery in between the two towns. There were two ways to get there. The quickest route was inland, but she preferred the meandering road that went by the water. She waited until they’d turned off Parker’s street before asking him which route he’d like to take.

“That’s up to you,” he answered immediately. “You’re driving. I’m good with whatever way you choose.”

Since she was in a bit of a hurry, she chose the more direct route.

The City of Valdez Animal Shelter sat on a picturesque road with jagged mountain peaks behind it. The smallish wooden building had been painted blue, she guessed in an effort to make it look more cheerful. A white-lettered sign hung over the double glass doors, advertising pet food and supplies. Only one other car sat in the parking lot.