Page 116 of The Rancher's Wedding Deception

Far-fetched.

Desperate.

But since desperate was exactly what she was...

MEMORIES OF THE EVENTSthat led to this pivotal moment flashed in her mind as she watched Paul’s expression turn stoic at her silence. She wished she could speak, but what was there tosay? And did she even have a right to say anything, considering that shehadlied, not just to Paul but to Joyce as well?

The mere thought of Paul walking away from her for good had her entire body shaking. But all she did was clench her fists against her sides, telling herself that this was what she deserved.

And so she forced herself to wait.

For Paul to call her a liar.

Ask for a divorce.

Maybe even lose his temper, to the point that he’d be tempted to lift a hand against her.

And if he did...

She wouldn’t hold it against him.

Because this...

This was her fault.

Her fault for not believing in Dolores when her mother told her that God would help them.

Her fault for thinking that there was a “right” reason to lie and deceive people, and that asking for money for false reasons wasn’t stealing.

All this was her fault.

And so...

Why was he still there?

Was he waiting for something?

Could it be that he wanted his pound of flesh, and that included her begging for his forgiveness?

Her throat tightened as she slowly raised her head. She steeled herself for anything and everything...but when her gaze finally lifted to his—

I don’t understand.

Paul stood before her, jaw clenched tightly, and rigid tension outlining his powerful figure.

She had been prepared to see hatred in his eyes.

But what she saw instead had her heart shattering into pieces—

God, I’m scared.

Help me.

Please.

Because shewasscared. Terrified even. So, so terrified that in her pain and desperation, she had finally lost her mind and was now seeing things that wasn’t there at all.

Please, please, please—