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“Sadie,” Wally turned her to face him, coming to a stop right near the well. “Right now, you’re in shock, and as glad as I am you decided to come back for me, I have to know what happened to change your mind. Why did you help her?”

Sadie’s vision blurred with tears once again. He’d never meant to stay. But she’d never meant to betray him either. “I was doing it to trick her to go back to the TCR. Once we were there, I was gonna turn her in.”

Searching her face, Wally shook his head. “You and your plans. You should’ve told me. You should’ve trusted me. We should be working together, Sadie.”

Sadie shoved him right in his broad chest. “You don’t get to chastise me. I’m trying to keep myself and my son safe, and all around me are selfish—what did you call it?—assholes with their own selves in mind. And you’re one of them!”

Wally stumbled back a few feet and stared. “Me? I’ve done nothing but help you since I got here. Even when you lied and kept the cloaking device from me. I have every reason to be mad at you right now for leaving me tied to a bed and helpless.”

Sadie stormed forward, rage flooding her veins. “I lied to protect us. What’s your excuse, Wally? You lied about who you are. You made me think you cared. That I stood a chance of winning you over.”

Expression turning sad, Wally shook his head and let her beat her fists against him. “I never lied about that, Sadie. I always told you I had to go. Do you think it’s what I want? I don’t. I don’t want to leave you or Teddy here.”

Sadie let her anger out on this frustratingly wonderful man. “It isn’t fair! I have nothing left.”

Wally grabbed her wrists and pulled her forward until she was on tiptoe before smashing his lips against hers, hungry and full of want.

Sadie was sure she tasted of snot and ash, but he didn’t seem to care as he pressed forward, claiming her mouth with so much emotion he stole her breath. When he finished the kiss, he pulled away, still holding on to her, clutching her against his chest.

“Damn it, Sadie, you have my heart.”

Shuddering, Sadie cried louder but managed a smile through it. “Damn you, Wally, you have mine, and apparently, I’m going to keep helping you even if I’m left behind with a son to take care of and no home to go back to.”

“I won’t leave you like that. I promise.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Walter Doyle.” Sadie tilted her head, inviting another kiss, this time slower, and gentler.

When she pulled back, she’d stopped crying, and Wally grinned down at her with a face full of love.

“So, since you don’t lie, Wally, why did Caroline say I was supposed to be dead?”