ept Dash. She knew without confirming that he'd be here, just as he'd been here on this day for the previ
ck up and carry out of the house. But she hesitated, because this year
brought her a measure of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. I
ore to the cemetery on the anniversary of her husband's burial. In the last two years, she'd
like this. He'd want her to be happy. And it wouldn't ha
ips and quickly fastened her long hair into a p
he expensive dresses and jewelry her husband had loved to spoil her with. Only underne
d her. How his hands moved over her body, knowing it better than she knew it herse
g but the one thing she needed most, and it was something she could have never asked h
ess, determined to get through the da
she inhaled. They were what Carson always gave her. Every birthday. Every anniversary. Or a
ind her of her husband. That wasn't the way she wanted to remember him. She was thro
where she'd visit him in the future. Not on the
den wash of sun. Though it was spring, the Houston weather was already warm and she wa
he would be. He straightened when he saw her, and she saw a brief flick
a light squeeze. No words were necessary. They both
sh said as he walked her ar
casual appearance, but he didn't remark on it. He took the flowers and carefully positioned them i
gs eating up the distance in a matter of seconds. Then he slid
aftershave. He was a no-frills kind of guy, much like Carson had been, though her husban
black Jaguar. How appropriate he drove a vehi
clients, the polished spokesman, the one who sealed the deals, attended all the social events while Dash
blue, Dash's were a deep brown, enhanced by his darker coloring. He wasn't any less attractive than Carson. His was just a quieter attractiveness. Silent. Brooding almost. He had made Joss nervous back when she'd first met him when she and Carson had dated. Theirs had been a whirl
d over for her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and as h
s okay. As they stopped at a red light, Dash studied her intently, a
iled back, but he kept hold of her hand as he navigated through traffic on t
h on the day Dash drove her to the cemetery every year. Oh, Joss visit
t first year especially, she'd needed him desperately and he never hesitated, no matter what she needed, whether it was help deciphering
last three years, but it was time to move on. It was time for her to stand
tionships or if he was even in a steady relationship. She realized with sudden clarity just how selfish and self-absorbed she'd been since her husband's death. Dash had been a steady fixture, one she'd taken for g
ly got out, not waiting for him to come around for her. She opene
et them
sing a prickle at her nape. She picked up t
it, Dash.
o her head. It was as if he knew something was different but couldn't put his finger on it. Which was just as well, because Joss
he'd probably haul her into a shrink's office so fast it would make
sy would understand absolutely. She'd eve
up in horrific circumstances, and just as Carson could never provide wh
k it was a betrayal of her brother. Joss could only hop
to Carson one last time. Then she'd tackle her best friends over lunc
s when it
eared Carson's grave. But oddly, she felt at peace for
headstone before setting the vase of flowers in the middle. Her gaze dr
ose left behind who mourned him still. She'd insisted that Dash be honored on the headstone, as he was every bit as muc
ildren. He feared that he shared the same genetic traits that his father had possessed. No matter how many times Joss ha
arkness of his past still overshadowed his present. The past still haunted his dreams at night. Though Kylie, his sister, hadn't spoken of
e, he lived on well into their adulthood, influencing their choices, always living in their fears even though he was
os
and she realized just how long she'd knelt there at the ba
uncertain, and Dash was never
r head up so her gaze
the car if you don't mind. I'll only take
ional. Dash had always remained at her side, steady and strong, her rock to lean on. He'd stayed with her as long as she wanted to remain an
ay. Not
ure," he sai
atened. She wasn't going to unravel in front
e your time, honey. I've arran
here was too much to get done before tonight. And she didn't want to chance breaking her resolve and confiding in D
Or perhaps she was
ard to stand over the grave. She stared down, her jaw tight, locking down
m going to move on. Try to move on," she amended. "Starting tonight. I know there were . . . things . . . you couldn't give me. And I want you
u're go
id the last, and she swallo
e'll never be another for me like you. But there are things I . . . need," she whispered. "Things you couldn't give me. Things I'd never ask you for. And I wanted to come here today to tell you. To say that I wouldn't be back. Not because I
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