“I—I can’t believe she told you. She doesn’t talk about it. Ever. Not to me. Or Caelyn. Or even Harriet. She’s locked it inside for so long.” Tears filled Bell’s eyes, and Ford was immediately rounding the counter to wrap her in his arms. “I’ve been so worried about her for so long. She stuffs it all down. Thinks she can control the emotions that way. But I know it’s been slowly eating away at her. You—you’ve been so good for her.”

I shifted on my stool, the praise suddenly making my skin feel too tight for my body. “I was just there at the right time.” And I wouldn’t let her shut me out. I felt a little guilty for how I had pushed, threatened to leave. But I didn’t regret it. Knowing the full picture of who Kenna was, hearing how strong she was at the worst of times, seeing into that tender heart…it had made me fall for the incredible woman.

Bell shook her head fervently. “No. You two have something special. But I see that fear in your eyes, Crosby. Don’t hurt her because you’re not ready to make the leap.”

I had already made the leap, whether I wanted to or not. I was gone for the woman with her amber eyes and shields of stone. I just hoped I survived the fall.

36

Kenna

The phone on my desk rang, and I let out a muttered curse. It was one of those days where nothing seemed to go right. I’d almost poked my eye out with my eyeliner that morning. I’d spilled coffee on my skirt. And I’d been working on the same payroll accounts for far too long. Logically, I knew that it would take some time to shake off the events of yesterday. But I didn’t do well with not working at an optimal level.

I picked up the phone. “Hello, this is Kenna Morgan.”

“Kenna, it’s Chris. Would you please come to my office?”

My stomach sank. What did he want to chew me out about now? I’d followed my time off requests to the letter. Sure, I was leaving at five p.m. like the rest of the office more often lately instead of staying until seven or eight. But, so what? “Of course. I’ll be over in just a minute.”

I hung up and pushed to my feet, attempting to flatten the wrinkles in my skirt. Thankfully, the material was black, so the coffee stain didn’t show, but I knew it was there, and just the knowledge seemed to throw me off my game. “Get it together, Kenna. Show no fear.”