“Why not? There’s certainly sparks flying between you two. And where there’s sparks, there’s fire. You could stay in Denver.” Todd’s face lit up as he began to plan Cole’s life for him.

“Your rodeo career is probably over, and you don’t want to be one of those hangers-on everyone just feels sorry for. Take the chance, Cole. Stay married, start a new family, try to make the relationship and the company work. You could build something for the both of you, and I think Darci really loves you, even if she won’t admit it.” Todd grinned. “Have you seen her eyes when she thinks you’re not looking?”

Cole resisted the urge to tell his friend that if he wasn’t looking, he wouldn’t be able to see her eyes. But he could imagine them, the green of her eyes deepening with the desire he’d stirred in her this morning. Just the memory set off a slow burn deep in his gut.

Todd stood, turning his hat in his hands. “You got problems, that’s for sure. I’m just an out-of-work cowboy, but you’ve got yourself a tangle that may never get straightened out. But you know I’ll help any way I can.” He jammed the dusty old hat on his head. “I got some chores to do. Should I meet you back here later?”

Cole agreed, shook hands with his buddy and walked him to the hallway. Cole didn’t want to take the chance of Todd irritating his secretary again.

He stood in the hallway, staring into the emptiness. He’d have to talk with Darci…and Mandy, would have to try to prepare them for what would come in the future. Somehow, he’d have to find the right words, make them both understand. The two women in his life were both desperate for love, looking for attachments, and he had to find a way to keep either of them from getting hurt when he was forced to leave Darci.

Or else he’d have to pick up the pieces when it was all over. And he wasn’t certain he had the strength to do that again.

“Mr. Blackmore?”

He turned away from his troubles and forced his attention to what his secretary was saying.

“The hospital’s on the phone, sir. Shall I put the call through to your office?”

Cole nodded, his skin going cold as he hurried to the phone. If anything had happened to Mandy, he’d never be able to live with himself. Deep in his heart, he knew he was doing the best he could, but he couldn’t convince himself it was enough, couldn’t believe he didn’t have the ability to work miracles.

“Hello!”

The nurse’s soft voice assured him Mandy was fine, but that she was asking for him.