I'll be back before you're asleep. Carolina, honey, I wish I could undo how I handled things earlier but all I can say is I'm truly sorry.” Dylan rose and strode into the bathroom.
Turning on the faucet, he shaved with a shaking hand. Then he walked to the side of the tub where he'd so badly ravaged her. Sitting on the floor, with his head bowed, he silently wept as he had the day he learned his parents had died, his chest burning, his eyes continually leaking the salty evidence of his agony over the woman he loved desperately but treated so horribly and his son who he'd not protected. Burying his face in his hands, he fought to keep real and made-up images out of his mind.
A longtime passed before he returned to where Carolina slumbered in their bed. Sliding under the covers, he turned to face her, pulling her close to him he noted she still wore his robe and he smiled sadly. He stroked the silken flames of her hair that lay upon the cream pillowcase, admiring her snowy complexion and nymph pink cheeks. She belonged with him, to him. His soul cried out for her, an experience he'd never know with any other woman besides his mother. Placing his mouth next to her ear he whispered, “Carolina, promise me you'll never leave me.”
“I promise,” she whispered dreamily, snuggling deeper into her pillow.
Sadly, undeservedly, Dylan requested, “Tell me you love me just this one time.” He watched as she turned away from him, her gentle snores the only sounds breaking the silence between them.
Chapter 10
Early the next morning they rose from their bed together, but aloof. Still in his robe, she journeyed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and Dylan strolled to the stables for a long ride to clear his head. When he returned she was still working diligently over steaming pans and sizzling griddles but he could see she wasn't well. Dark smudges underlined her eyes and a deep furrow marred her usually smooth brow. When he offered to relieve her of the task so she could return to bed she waved him aside saying she'd promised her boys something special, then she'd go home and rest.
Dismissed and on leaden feet Dylan walked out to the tree house to wake his sons, sending the reluctant