Blackmore’s Gourmet Chocolates was like her baby now, demanding all her energy and attention, but children would easily take its place. If she lost both her job and Cole, she wasn’t certain she’d be able to force herself out of bed each morning. And she wasn’t certain she’d be able to build another relationship with another man, pinning her hopes and dreams on a faceless partner somewhere in her future.

Cole was the only man she wanted.

Trying to run from the pain her thoughts were generating, she grabbed her own dishes. Cole had already put away the leftovers and was washing the kettle.

“I can do that.” She set down her dishes. “You cooked, I should clean up.” She needed action, activity of any kind to distract her thoughts.

“Is that another one of those rules of marriage?” He rinsed the soap off the oversize kettle.

His work-roughened hands drew her attention. “No, but it’s the fair way to do things.”

“And you always play fair, don’t you? No matter what the cost?”

She suspected his words held a deeper meaning, but she was too tired to sort them out. Instead, she slipped her dishes in the dishwasher and turned away. She had to get away from him, had to put their relationship back in its proper place. “I’m going to take a bath.”

He stopped her retreat with a hand on her arm. “Darci, I’m sorry. It’s been a hell of a day, and I’m taking it out on you.”

She frowned, waiting for him to share what was eating him alive. She sensed there was something else in his life, something deeply disturbing. But she had no right to demand answers, to probe deeper. If she were a real wife, she could gently lead him to talk about it, but in their present situation, she felt it was up to him to make the first moves toward revealing his secrets.

His fingers cupped her face, and he smoothed away the frown on her forehead with his thumb. “Don’t, honey. Don’t waste your worry on me. I’m not worth it.”

“Yes, you are. You’re worth it to me.” She hadn’t meant to say the words, hadn’t wanted even to hint at her growing love, but now that the words were out, she was glad. Maybe he would see the love she offered, change his mind and stay with her after all. She’d dreamed bigger dreams and had them come true.

“Sweet Darci.”