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He rushed to her and pulled her into his arms.
“Is it—is it dead?” Her voice trembled along with her body.
He glanced back at it, then at her. “It’s dead.”
Selina sunk against his chest. Her shoulders shook.
“Hey, it’s okay.” He rubbed her back in what he hoped was a soothing gesture. “Everything’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t. And it ain’t never gonna be, neither.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m leavin’, Michael. I’m goin’ back home.”
He yanked his head back and stared down at her. “What? What do you mean?”
“Just what I said.” She pulled out of his arms and swiped at her eyes. “I can’t stay here anymore.”
He wanted to snatch her back, but her look sent him a warning not to.
“You can’t go. I don’t want you to go. You’re my wife.”
“I’m sorry, Michael. But my mind is made up.” With a shudder and a sigh, she turned to walk away from him.
Michael caught her by her arm and turned her around to face him. “Look, I know this isn’t the ideal marriage for either one of us. But we need to work at it.”
“I can’t never be like Rainee. Or Aimee.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
“But that’s the kind of woman you want. That dress and them slippers told me that. Can you look me in the eye and tell me that I’m wrong—that you don’t want a woman who can wear those things and act all proper?”
Michael looked away. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t.
“Just as I thought.” She yanked her arm away from him and headed down the mountain.
His head hung low in shame as he followed her. Ever since Rainee had arrived, he’d dreamed of a woman like her. One who could fit into his ranch-style life and the elite social life if need be. Knowing he had hurt Selina over his discarded dreams made him feel lower than low.
Selina headed upstairs to pack her meager belongings. She wouldn’t be able to leave until morning, but when morning came, she’d be ready. She would ask Rainee to loan her the money for a train ticket and when she got back to Kentucky, she’d take in sewing to pay her back.
She opened the closet door and reached for a dress but stopped. Those weren’t hers. She closed the door and sat on the bed.
The stairs creaked. Michael was coming.
Selina sprang up to close the door, but Michael stuck his foot inside and blocked it before she had the chance. “Please move your foot, Michael.”
“Not until you let me in.”
“We have nothin’ more to say to each other.”
“Well, maybe you have nothing more to say, but I’ve got plenty to say.” He pushed on the door, and she was no match for his strength. His body filled the doorway.
She stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Look, Selina,” he said, his voice going ragged. “It doesn’t matter what I want or don’t want. God chose to put you and me together and we need to stay together. We need to try and work this out. I care about you, Selina. I really do.” His eyes searched hers.
She blinked. “I can’t live like this, Michael. I tried wearin’ dresses to please you, to be the type of woman you wanted. But when I saw that fancy ballgown, it reminded me that that was the type of woman you really want. That even with all the changes I made, I still ain’t good enough for you. And never will be.”
“I’m so sorry you took it that way.” He took a step toward her.
She held up her hands. “Please don’t come any closer.”
“Why, Selina?” He took another step toward her.
“You know how I feel about you, and you comin’ closer ain’t helpin’ things none. I ain’t made of stone, you know. I got feelin’s.”
“So do I.” He took another step.
“But they ain’t for someone like me.” She stepped back.
“How do you know that?” He took another step.
“I just do.” She took another back.
“Are you sure?” He stepped closer.
She moved back farther until her back touched her bedroom wall. Against her will, his eyes held hers prisoner, and she was unable to pull her attention from him.
He pulled her to him.
She stiffened, but he tugged harder until she found she couldn’t resist him.
His arms went about her, and he pressed her head into his chest, settling his chin atop her head. “Please stay. We need more time.”
Being in his arms, breathing in the spicy forest scent that was all Michael, her heart skipped like a stone across the pond, and she found she couldn’t say no.
