CHAPTER 37
Kori wasn’t usedto being so personal with people. She worked hard to keep her private life private. Even her friends in DC only knew parts of her life. She’d told herself it was better that way.
But, for some reason, she’d felt compelled to share her story with Wyatt.
He’d pulled his hand away from hers several minutes ago. But she could still feel the warmth of his touch.
Something had broken inside her at his sincere concern.
She hadn’t realized it had been so long since she’d felt an honest human connection. Ever since the Flint fiasco, she’d put up walls, not wanting to be hurt again. She’d kept people at a distance. She’d thrown everything into her work.
But now she suddenly felt those walls coming down. Maybe it was Wyatt and Thunder. Maybe it was this situation.
She didn’t know.
But the realization both thrilled and terrified her.
Their food arrived and pulled her from her thoughts.
Wyatt lifted up a prayer before they dug in.
The corn chowder tasted extraordinary—rich and warm. As she ate, something in her shoulders eased a little. A good meal and good company could do that.
She looked across the table at Wyatt as he worked on his pot roast. She’d noted on day one that he didn’t wear a ring. But she’d learned enough in her career to know that the absence of a wedding band didn’t always mean what it suggested, especially when it came to those in law enforcement.
She had the impression he was single. If he had a wife or kids, it seemed like someone would have asked about them at Refuge Cove last night
“Can I ask a personal question?” she started.
“Go for it.”
“I’ve talked a little about myself. But I don’t know much about you.”
He sliced into a tender potato, seeming unaffected by her statement. “What would you like to know?”
“Are you married? Do you have children? What’s your life like outside the job?” She shrugged. “I mean, you know all about my heartbreak. It just seems fair for you to share something personal also.”
He wiped his mouth with his napkin before nodding slowly. “I’m not married. I don’t have any children—except Thunder. But I was engaged once.”
“What happened?”
“When I decided to move back here after my sister’s death, my fiancée wouldn’t even consider coming with me.” His voice tightened. “Brynn didn’t want to settle down in some small Virginia mountain town. It had nothing to offer her. Those were her words.”
“But it had you . . .”
His eyes clouded. “I wasn’t enough, apparently. So I chose to come here, and she chose her own way. I guess we just weren’t meant to be.”
Kori blew out a breath. “That had to be tough to stomach.”
“It was. But I have to believe that things worked out the way they should. All things work together for the good of those who love Him.”
Her eyes widened. “Romans 8:28.”
Surprise flashed through his gaze. “You know the verse?”
“It’s one of my favorites.”
“Mine too.”
