As he reached her side, she turned and wrapped her arms around his chest. “I’mamess.”
“Shh, it can’t bethatbad.”
She clutched his shirt as she sniffed. “You’re right. I lied. I’m not betterthanhim.”
“Thanwho?”
“Myfiancé.”
He stepped back. “You’reengaged?”
“I was. Notanymore.”
He sucked in a breath. “Do you want to talkaboutit?”
“No,” shewhined.
He stroked her back and held her close. His protective instincts were on high alert. He didn’t know anything about her other than what she’d told him. How much of it had beenalie?
“Is your name even Madison?” heasked.
“Yes.”
“Okay. So you didn’t lie abouteverything.”
“No.”
He glanced around the room, trying to find a place for them to sit. The bed was his only option and he wasn’t getting near one with her. He couldn’t trust his bear tostaycalm.
“Let’s go outside and get some air,” hesuggested.
“Okay,” shesniffed.
He grabbed a thick jacket from the closet and settled it around her shoulders. After leading her outside onto the back porch, he sat on top of the stairs. She sat beside him and leaned into him. He wrapped his arm around hershoulders.
“Talk to me,” he saidsoftly.
“You won’tunderstand.”
“Imight.”
“You’re going to bepissed.”
“Maybe.Maybenot.”
“I’m sorryIlied.”
“What exactly did you lie about?” heasked.
“I’ve never run a bed and breakfastbefore.”
He chuckled. “I figured that out when I had to use the fireextinguisher.”
“Why didn’t youfireme?”
“I don’t know. There’s something about you that I’mdrawnto.”
“Like a moth to aflame?”
