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C olt Reed watched the familiar streets pass outside the window.

Home. Finally. And not just for a short stay between missions. He was home for good.

He hadn’t told many people he was coming back. His mom, Noah…that was it. He’d tried to call Indie, but she hadn’t answered, just like she hadn’t answered any of his other calls over the last year.

But he was back now. And he was going to make things right with his wife.

His phone rang, and he didn’t need to look at the screen to know it was his mother. She’d known what time his flight got in, and even though he’d told her he was making a stop first, she’d probably call another couple times before he actually got to her place.

What would Indie say when he saw her tonight? She’d be surprised, but would she be happy?

His mind went back to the night she’d told him it was over. He still remembered the disbelief…the pain he’d felt in every muscle of his body.

He fucking hated remembering that. The tears in her eyes had gutted him.

There were so many things he wished he’d done differently that night.

Well, now he was planning to make up for it.

He pulled up on the street. Not directly in front of their house, but a house back. Why, exactly, he wasn’t sure. Maybe a part of him was scared that if she saw him coming, she might not answer the door.

Shit, that thought hurt. There’d once been a time she’d have run out of the house and jumped into his arms.

But that was before the strain of years of infertility combined with him being away for his job had taken its toll on them.

He scanned the exterior of the old house. Their second home. They’d bought it when Indie’s best friend and cousin had gotten sick. Or at least, that was the reason Indie had given for wanting to buy it. But there was a deeper reason…a reason he’d realized too late.

Indie’s mental health had been struggling with the IVF and the distance from her family…and he hadn’t done a thing about it.

He should have realized earlier. He should have done something to be there for her.

He was about to climb out of his car when his phone rang, Noah’s name on the screen. Even though Indie had separated from him a year ago, her brother, also a Marine, had kept in contact. Now he and Noah were ending their active service with the Marine Corps at the same time.

He pressed the phone to his ear. “Noah, hey. How’s the last few weeks of transition going?”

“Strange. I can’t believe this chapter of my life is coming to an end.”

“I know what you mean. We spent so long giving our entire lives to something. It’s hard to picture life after.”

“You’re not wrong.” There was a small pause. “I spoke to Indie about the Wilderness Adventure Park today.”

His chest tightened just at the sheer fucking mention of her name. “And?”

“She said she was okay with it…”

“But?”

“But I think she needs some time to wrap her head around it.” Noah cleared his throat. “You know you’re a good friend, but she’s my sister—”

“Say the word, and we kill the idea.”

“I don’t want to kill it just yet. I just think we should move slowly, for Indie’s sake. I know you’re back in town tonight, but I think you should wait to see her. Give her some time to get used to the idea of you being back.”

His fingers tightened around the phone. That was the last damn thing he wanted. Every part of him craved to be close to her. To hear her voice. To feel the softness of her skin.

“I know you’re itching to go to her,” Noah continued. “Just not tonight. Not after she just found out you’re home.”

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, hating that he was going to have to wait longer. “Okay.” The word was almost a growl.

“Thank you. Are you all right?”

“Yeah. I’m staying at Mom’s tonight.” Although, he was already regretting that decision. If he wasn’t going to see Indie, he didn’t really feel like talking to anyone, and all his mother did was talk.

“Good. Hey, I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you soon.”

“See you soon, brother.” Colt hung up and looked back at her house.

It had been Colt’s idea to reopen the Wilderness Adventure Park.

The place had shut down ten years ago, but when it had been open, it was popular, offering zip-lining, rock climbing, mountain bike trails, and a few other activities.

The owners had gone out of business, but shit, Colt had good memories of the place.

Colt had expected Noah to say no. He hadn’t.

And a part of Colt—probably the stupidly optimistic part—thought it was because he knew, just like Colt, that his and Indie’s marriage wasn’t over.

When he’d married her, it had been for life.

And he was going to do anything and everything to get her back.

He was about to start the engine when a familiar Subaru Crosstrek passed him before pulling into her driveway. The door opened—and Colt’s breath stopped.

Indie.

The blond highlights in her hair shimmered in the light, giving her a radiant, golden glow. And when she turned her head and he got a look at her face, he was thrown back in time. To when life made sense. When he had her and they were happy and he’d thought nothing could break them.

He still loved her. He’d loved her since the day he first lay eyes on her.

They weren’t over. They would never be over. She was his wife, and he was going to make damn sure everyone knew it.

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