He wanted to protest, to ask her to let them stay, in spite of his own conclusions. Instead, he nodded as her words pierced his heart. He’d finally found a home, a place where he could love and laugh, but he didn’t dare take it. He would only destroy Darci the way he had everyone else in his life. He only hoped he was leaving her soon enough so she could still pick up the pieces and save what was left.

He stroked her cheek, swallowing all the words he wanted to say. “Mandy needs time to heal. The place we’re going will expose her to lots of fresh air and horses. She loves horses, wants to ride in the rodeo someday like her daddy did. I’m hoping that will give her the incentive she needs to walk without crutches again.”

“Will you be okay?”

Cole almost smiled, but he was afraid his lips would shatter with the effort. Trust Darci to be worried about him when she didn’t have a lot going for her, either, at the moment. He wanted to stay, to help her pick up the pieces, but didn’t dare. It was already too late for him. He cared for Darci, deeply, but didn’t dare let himself admit his love for her. To love her would be to destroy some part of her. Now he had to think of Mandy, had to leave before his little girl was hurt again.

“We’ll manage. Do you want to take care of the annulment or should I?”

Her eyes flickered with an emotion he was all too familiar with. After less than a week of pretend marital bliss, it was painful to end a relationship, even though it was something they’d always planned on doing. There was still a sense of loss, a feeling of failure—both sensations were Cole’s intimate companions.

“I’ll do it. I need to see my lawyer about several other matters, anyway.” Her fingers caressed his forearm. “Be happy, Cole. Find someone to love you, someone to give Mandy her dreams.”

Her voice cracked on the last sentence, and Cole felt another sharp stab of guilt. In his greed to not share his daughter, he’d forgotten how badly Darci wanted family. And he’d forgotten her need to take care of the wounded. Mandy was silently crying out for the very thing Darci was aching to give.

“I think I’ll give up on love. All my attention needs to be focused on raising Mandy.”

“You need love. You deserve it, Cole. Don’t close that door on yourself.”

“I’ve hurt everyone I’ve ever loved.” All the ghosts from his past rose up to haunt him, to torment him.

“You credit yourself with an awful lot of power over the realities of life.”