Danny inched closer. “I’ve seen the scar. What happened to him?”

“When he was a baby, he and my father were in a bad car accident. Bill almost died. He was left with a traumatic brain injury that affected everything from his mental development to his coordination. Physically, he’s a large man, like my father, but Bill didn’t progress much beyond a cognitive age of seven. No, that’s not fair. He’s more complicated than that; for example, his language skills are pretty good, but the whole concept of math doesn’t make sense to him. His emotions aren’t easy to pin down either. For instance, he seemed to understand my mom’s heart attack, and he was a big help taking care of her. I expected him to freak out. He didn’t. He even went to the hospital to see her, even though he hates strangers and prefers everything to be routine.”

“What happened to your father?”

“He walked out one night and never came back. Just like that.” She snapped her fingers. The memory of that night was as clear as the conversation she and Danny were having right now. She could hear her mother’s pleas and her father’s excuses. She could see the door close behind him and feel the stab of betrayal and loss. The pain of his abandonment was a permanent splinter lodged in her soul. It was part of her. Could she let it go the way Danny had put his parents’ deaths behind him?

“I’m sorry.” Danny stepped closer.

“I don’t know how my mom managed. It’s hard enough now, taking care of her and Bill and keeping the inn going.”

“She’s a strong woman.” Danny wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her close. She didn’t resist. Leaning against his chest felt right. Like the strain of the past twenty years since her father left was bearable. “And so are you.”

Danny stroked her back. She arched under his touch.

“Geez, you’re tense. You need a massage.”

“Good luck finding a spa around here. We live in the middle of nowhere, if you hadn’t noticed.” Though Danny’s hands would suit nicely. Mandy had never been so tired. Every part of her body ached. His fingers rubbed a knot between her shoulder blades. She nearly purred.

Danny laughed. “Believe me. I noticed.”

And there it was. Danny would never stay in Huntsville. Her mother was right. She pushed out of his arms, her muscles coiling tight as springs.

“I can’t do this.” She left the kitchen.

“Do what?” Danny called as the door to the apartment closed.

In her room, Mandy locked the door. What was she thinking? He’d almost kissed her. She’d wanted him to kiss her.

Nothing could happen between her and Danny. To remind herself why, she lifted the corner of her mattress and stared at the threatening pictures.