The lie crowded his vocal cords, demanding to be said. He could lead her on, make her believe he was still a wealthy man, still capable of saving their company. His silver tongue had told bigger lies, woven more complicated stories. But this was Darci, the only person who had ever believed in him no matter what he did.

“Honey, my wallet’s flatter than a pancake. I’ve got enough to support…myself, but there’s not enough for even the smallest frills.”

“What happened to it all—the success, the endorsements, the big purses?”

He tipped his head back to stare at the sky, looking for the right words. “It’s a long story, and I’m not sure I’m ready to share it just yet. Is that okay?”

She searched his face, probed his eyes, looking for the truth. Finally, she nodded, once. “It’ll do for now. But no more stories. If you don’t want to tell me, just say so. Don’t make something up. Is that clear?”

He almost smiled, his relief was so great. She wasn’t ready to judge him and she wasn’t demanding answers he wasn’t ready to give. Maybe she would understand when she finally met Mandy. “Yes, it’s very clear.” He wove her fingers through his, enjoying the feel of her delicate bone structure. “But that still leaves us with the matter of a ring.”

“I know just the place.” She started forward, towing him behind. He was beginning to feel like a horse on a lead, but what really bothered him was that he was actually starting to like it.

The neighborhood quickly deteriorated, and Cole wondered about the wisdom of giving Darci her head. Her fingers tightened around his, letting him know she was uncomfortable with their surroundings, too. Finally, she stopped in front of a battered storefront, then went inside.

A burly old man was standing behind the counter of the pawn shop. “Can I help you?”

“We need to look at wedding rings, please.” Darci’s voice echoed around the old room, the cavernous depths absorbing the slight quiver Cole felt transmitted through her fingers.

The old man grinned. “Newlyweds, right? Just eloped with no thought of what needed to be done, huh?”

Darci didn’t seem able to answer, so Cole stepped in. He draped his arm across her shoulders, tugging her closer to his side. “We couldn’t wait another day, but I want her to have a nice ring to show all her friends tomorrow. Have anything special?”

The man chuckled as he leaned under the counter. “Me and the missus eloped, too. Best thing we ever did. Been married almost forty years now and never regretted a day of it.”