Cole massaged his knuckles, and she couldn’t decide if he was in pain or if he was looking forward to another chance at Jeffrey.

“About him? No. But I need to know what you’re thinking, how you feel about him, about my past relationship.”

“He was waiting in the hallway, apparently hoping to have one more chance to talk to you.” His laugh was rough, sarcastic. “When I came out, he demanded to talk to you. Alone. He didn’t want me to have the chance to influence you in any way. When I told him you didn’t want to talk with him, he made some…disparaging remarks about you that I took exception to.”

Cole shrugged, as if his actions were the most natural thing in the world for him. “So I hit him.”

Darci bit back a laugh as warmth swelled inside her. He’d been protecting her, defending her honor. It had been a long time since anyone had cared enough to do that. Not since Daddy…She shook off the bittersweet memories of the man who had seen her through her teenaged years. He’d loved her, taken care of her like she was his own daughter.

Pulling to a stop in front of the hotel, she threw a questioning look at Cole. Did he really care? Was there a chance for them to make this work? Was it too much for her to dare a dream of more than the agreed-upon year with Cole?

She shook away the gossamer fantasy before it could even develop. Her sigh filled the car, escaping into the cool evening air as Cole opened the door.

“I’ll be right back.”

The seconds ticked by, but Darci forced her mind to remain still. It would accomplish nothing to worry the possibilities one more time. Without warning, the back door flew open and a single suitcase dropped inside before Cole joined her again.

“You travel light.”

He smiled and agreed, not willing to admit that almost everything he owned was in that suitcase. Other than the truck, a few toys and some sparse furniture stored at a friend’s house, he’d sold it all in a desperate attempt to pay some of Mandy’s mounting medical bills. An attempt that was doomed to failure because he hadn’t even made a dent in what he owed. And now he was doing his best to drag Darci down with him.

Darci drove to her condo and pulled to a stop in front. Cole looked around the complex with interest, anxious to get a glimpse into the woman Darci had become. He was surprised at the simplicity of the building, expecting the elegance she’d grown up with to be reflected in her life now.