“And…well, I’ve decided I’ve been a fool about our marriage, saying we ought to wait until next summer. If you want a Christmas wedding, that’s fine with me. Or we can even do it sooner than that if you want.”

Do it? What a peculiar choice of words. As though it were a task to be gotten out of the way. But she showed no response. She had known this was coming sooner or later, had even told herself she welcomed it so she could stop agonizing over what she would say. But now that it had come, her courage wavered. Just two weeks ago—was it only that long ago?—what she would have given to hear those words.

Travis was watching her closely, the drumming of his fingers increasing in tempo. “I mean,” he added, “it’s clear to me now just how flimsy my excuses were. Since you’ve been gone, first with Eric, now with your aunt, I realize just how much you mean to me. And I—”

She took a deep breath and plunged in. “Travis?”

He stopped.

Once started, her words came out in a rush. “Travis, when I report to work Monday morning, I’m turning in my resignation from the Guardians.”

“What?” The stunned look on his face was almost comical. He had played his best hand, and she had just trumped it.

“Yes. Effective immediately. Then I’m moving to Mount Pleasant to stay with my aunt for a while.”

“But why?”

“I’ve talked with a computer manufacturer there. They have an excellent opportunity in their testing department.” She reached down and slipped off the engagement ring. “I think it’s better if you take this back for now. Maybe later, if we can get the whole thing sorted out, then…” She trailed off, not sure how to finish.

“But why, Nicole? Why?”

“I can’t be a Monitor anymore. I think you’re right. I don’t think Eric has run away. I don’t think the battle is over. If I stay, there will be more commands to push the red buttons, more Dr. Camerons in the hot summer sunshine. And—and I don’t have any more of those battles in me. I can’t face those options. Maybe they have to be done, but not by me.”

She moved over in front of him and held out the ring. “So I think it’s best if you take this back now.”

He just stared at her, so she dropped the ring in his hand and moved back to the couch.

“It has something to do with what happened at the dam, doesn’t it.”

Nicole considered for a moment, then finally nodded. “Yes, in a way it does. Not as much as you think, but some.”

“Nicole, I didn’t have any choice. The Major wouldn’t let Eric’s family go.”