Now she understood why. He hadn’t wanted to marry her because he cared about the other woman he’d met, but he likely would have gone through with the wedding because he felt responsible for her. And now that Wyatt had come after her, everything within her wanted to run to him, throw herself into his arms, and tell him she’d stay married to him.

But the other part of her—the rational part—demanded she finish getting the annulment and set Wyatt free from any further responsibility for Astrid and her. She wouldn’t shackle either of the men.

Wyatt took off his hat and dug his fingers through his hair. His jaw flexed, and his dark eyes turned murky. “I want to make our marriage work.”

“I have to go away, and I’m not certain I’ll be able to come back.”

“I know.” His tone was resigned though turmoil still etched his face.

“That’s not fair to you—”

“Do you love me?”

His question threw her off guard. Yes, she’d admitted to herself that she loved him. But she couldn’t tell him that. Doing so would only complicate matters. She pressed her lips together.

He waited, his brows furrowed.

“I won’t give you false hope,” she whispered.

“I love you.” His voice was earnest and pricked her heart, causing tears to well up. “If you can look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t love me—even a hair—then I’ll let you go and won’t bother you no more about it.”

She shut her eyes so he wouldn’t see the truth.

His footsteps clomped nearer, and she could feel his presence directly in front of her. When his hands grazed her shoulders and brushed down her arms, she couldn’t keep from turning into a puddle under his touch.

When he drew her to his chest and enveloped her, she rested her head against him. This was home, this was where she belonged, this was where she always wanted to be. Regardless, she forced out the words she knew she had to say. “You’ll be better off without us, Wyatt.”

He tightened his embrace. “Remember what you told Astrid earlier? You told her not to think that she’d be better off without you.”

“That was different—”

“Nope. It ain’t any different. We’re here for each other. And because of that we make each other stronger. You make me a stronger and better man.”

She pulled back so she could see into his eyes—his beautiful, dark eyes surrounded by his beautiful dark lashes. “Oh, Wyatt.”

“Then you won’t sign the annulment papers?”

“Are you sure you won’t come to regret it?”

“Never.”

“But you know I have to leave with Astrid.”

He brushed his hand over her cheek and smoothed back her hair. “Yep.”

“And you know you have to stay here and keep the ranch running?”