Page 40 of Guarded Hearts

For a moment, she didn’t pick up another letter. She just sat there, face turned toward the window as though the blinds weren’t closed and she could perfectly see dawn’s light spreading across the vast Wyoming sky.

She issued a heavier sigh and turned her attention to her desk.

She had no idea what the Malones were doing behind the scenes to put an end to her stalker problem, but she hoped it happened fast so she could get back to a normal life.

A pang hit her stomach. The end to her problem would also mean an end to any possibility of her and Carson reconciling.

She sat back, eyes blurring as she stared at the stacks upon stacks of envelopes. Did she want to reconcile? Was there any point? They were adults. More than years separated them. After their brief conversation at the restaurant, then at the movies, she’d seen just how different Carson was from the boy she’d grown up with.

Determined to bridge that gap between the past and present, Layne picked up the next letter and began reading.

Hey doll,

It’s hard to express how difficult it is being here without you…with the way we left things. It’s been three weeks since I arrived, and I haven’t received a single letter from you. But if you think that will stop me from writing to you, you’re wrong.

Even with states between us, and no communication at all, I know you are thinking about me as much as I think about you. I miss your smile, your laugh. The way you toss your hair over your shoulder when you’re mad. My memories keep me going.

Carson’s tender words dragged all of Layne’s emotions to the surface. Even the spaces between words were like soft strokes to her heart.

But these letters were written two decades ago. While it helped her understand what he’d gone through when they lost contact, she couldn’t mistake the past for the now.

Her ex was only here because she called for help.

And possibly because he was keeping his promise to protect her, a promise made twenty years ago.

As she read the rest of the letter, tears seeped from the corners of her eyes. Emotions thickened her throat, making it hard to swallow.

Oh, who was she kidding? Carson was the right guy for her. Years ago, her father didn’t give her a say in who she chose to be with. Back then, her opinion didn’t matter. Now his opinion really didn’t enter into the equation.

The paper trembled in her hand. She set it aside carefully on the stack of letters she’d finished reading.

Was it even possible to work things out between her and Carson? These letters might as well be cement weights dragging them down.

But if theycouldwork things out…what would that look like? He had his hands more than full with Black Heart Security and the ranch that provided a home base for two other businesses. Even with the entire family pitching in to run it all, Carson had always been the leader of the Malone family. He couldn’t leave Wyoming.

Layne’s home base was states away. She traveled at least one week a month. All of her business transactions took place in other states or even other countries.

They both had a deep responsibility to their careers. They both had businesses to keep afloat.

From the corner of her eye, she saw the door swing inward. The scent of coffee made her senses stir, but the man carrying the mug stole her breath.

When his stare landed on her, his expression was decidedly neutral. The mask was becoming far too familiar to her. It made her rethink her idea of connecting with him. Did she know Carson at all?

He dropped his attention from her to the letters spread across the desk, then flicked his focus back to her, searching hereyes as if trying to determine how many of these letters she’d read.

Cautiously, he drifted silently toward the desk and held out the mug—a peace offering if she’d ever seen one.

“Thank you.” Reaching up, she took the coffee with a slight smile she hoped would put him at ease.

“Sure.” His fingers lingered on hers a beat longer than necessary for simply exchanging a mug. Then he stepped back, slicing the same hand through his hair.

“What’s the plan for today?” Small talk seemed unnecessary to her ramped-up libido—it knewexactlywhat she wanted from her bodyguard and clamored for it.

He widened his stance, drawing attention to the way his worn jeans hugged his body. “A new case came in this morning. Oaks was next in line to take it, but I need his skills behind the scenes on your case. I sent Colt in his place.”

It was kind of hot how Carson called the shots in his company. Making big decisions that literally affected people’s lives.

Then she remembered that somewhere out in the world, another person was in a dark place, just like her. Living in fear.

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