Page 81 of Without Fail

It had been like that between them for years. He shared a connection with Marshal that was hard to describe. Just the man’s presence was enough to send his pulse humming as it did now.

Rather than speak to him, Marshal stayed silent.

Would today be the day he told Marshal to fuck off? Or had his anger abated enough to hear the man out…

“I…” he began and then his voice trailed off.

Marshal stepped up a few feet away from him and placed his gloved hands on the top wood railing of the horse corral.

Ryker squeezed the wood beneath his own gloved hands. He wore a white T-shirt and on his head was his favorite cream-colored Stetson.

The lighter version of Marshal’s black one.

Ryker cleared his throat and began again.

“I don’t know how to forgive you.” He darted a quick glance at the side of Marshal’s face.

A muscle ticked in the man’s jaw and tension bunched and corded the man’s arms.

“I know.” Marshal’s voice was rough. “I don’t know how to forgive myself.”

“Wasn’t it your job?” Ryker knew that much at least. In truth, he knew more, but hadn’t wanted to believe that Marshal was anything but a liar.

“It was.”

Ryker waited and Marshal stayed silent. Not asking for forgiveness or trying to excuse his behavior.

“Why did you leave last year?”

That was an important question that needed an answer.

Marshal’s eyes closed and his face looked pained and the words came through a hoarse whisper.

“I don’t think it matters now.”

Ryker glared and hit Marshal on the shoulder.

That seemed to snap the man out of whatever was going on.

Whirling toward him, Marshal stared at him in shocked surprise.

“It matters to me,” Ryker hissed. “Why did you leave?” He fisted his hands.

“Because I loved you and I couldn’t keep…fuck!” The man lifted his hat, thrust fingers through his hair, and then replaced it, pulling the brim low.

“Keep what?” Ryker pressed.

“Keep betraying you.”

“Because?” He wasn’t going to let Marshal off. The man needed to come clean so they could have a chance to move forward.

“Because I’ve fallen in love with you,” Marshal croaked. “I don’t expect to be forgiven and I’m okay living my life knowing you’re doing okay. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you are okay.”

“So, you’re content to live in the background?” Ryker squinted. Was Marshal serious? The man would stand silent in the background while he went about living his life?

Wasn’t that what Marshal had been doing? Silently supporting him and never interfering.

“So, I take it you’re no longer in love with me,” Ryker said, deliberately pushing Marshal’s buttons.

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