Finally, the Sheriff’s Department cruisers, the ambulances, and the other assorted people who had showed up at the farm to lend a hand departed.
At last Tessa and David were alone. There were still depositions to file and charges to be brought against Kyle, if he lived, and against her mother, Tessa decided. That would come later.
David found the divorce papers on his bed. He carried them to the bathroom where he’d left Tessa soaking in the whirlpool tub. She was pretty beat up. He’d wanted her to go to the hospital. She’d refused.
She saw the papers and cast her eyes down. “Can we talk about that tomorrow?” He’d been so tender and loving. She didn’t want to think of a future without him.
“No. We talk now.” He tore the papers into fourths then tore them again. “I took four bullets for you. You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”
“I thought your truck took the bullets.”
“Well, it did, but you know how we Texans feel about our pickups.”
David grinned crookedly at her, and she felt hope flutter in her wounded heart. “Are you saying you want to stay married?”
“I’ll say it anyway you’ll believe it.”
Her eyes solemn, Tessa said, “First, I need to tell you everything.”
He let her.
They both cried, but the tears washed away the pain of the past.
Later, they made love. This time there were no barriers to overcome—within them or between them. No bad memories to mar their happiness. Only a future they couldn’t wait to share together.
Only passion, desire, and love between them as powerful as heat lightning flashing in the dark summer night.