Page 74 of Sheltered by the Lawman

There were only a few feet separating Cull and her, yet the distance was growing by the second. She wanted to say something—do something—but her feet were frozen to the floor. Finally turning around, she looked at the man who’d shown her so much love.

Crossing the room, she picked up the folder and opened the cover, looking down at the grainy picture of herself. It was faxed over from the Department of Motor Vehicles. “I think you should take some time, read through the documents and let me know what you decide.”

“Okay.” What more could she say?

Once he was gone, she sat on the couch and went through piece after piece of her life. Although there wasn’t much personal information, it was an open doorway into a life she didn’t want to know again. She was thirty-two, no children, never married, and her last known address, which was on her ID, was in Cheyenne. Sure enough, back two years ago, she and Burke had registered for a marriage license. So, he was telling the truth?

Swallowing the sobs that threatened to send her into a mess, she closed the folder and stood. Going into the bedroom, she unzipped the bag she’d had when she was found and took out the oversized jeans and T-shirt. She brought them to her nose and inhaled deeply. They had a musky, outdoorsy smell. The same vivid image came to mind. It was of her sitting on a bench, cradling a take-out coffee in her hands. And nothing else.

The clothes were a relic from a different time and place, for a different person.

Removing the T-shirt, she dropped it aside and dressed in her clothing, instantly feeling out of place. The woman she was now, the one she’d become over the last few weeks, wasn’t the same person.

Looking at herself in the full-length mirror, she squinted at the image. The clothes hung on her and were ratty. Why did she have what appeared to be someone else’s clothing? All she could think of was how much she wanted to be in Cull’s arms.

A wave of dizziness washed over her. She had to see Burke. Maybe this awful spell would be broken and she’d find out that she didn’t love him. Of course, she didn’t love Burke. She didn’t know him.

If the truth of her heart could be figured out she would be free to make a choice. Yes, that could work. Would Burke understand that she wasn’t the same person he knew?

She’d have to be strong.

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