Wyatt nodded slowly. “But you’d like to know.”

“I’d like to know as far as it relates to me,” she admitted as they approached their boats.

“Ironic, though, isn’t it?” she continued with a small smile. “I wanted to know about my past. I wanted to know who would have something against me. I know that now, sort of, assuming the person who died in this crash was the one who was after me as well... But I still don’t have any more answers as to why they came after me, or who I was.”

Her smile was sad. The lack of resolution made the celebration feel hollow.

But they still had plenty to be thankful for, Wyatt thought. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in for a hug. She folded into his chest, small and fragile against him. He held her carefully.

After a minute, he pulled away. “Ready for me to walk you home? By boat, that is?”

She smiled at his attempt at humor and nodded.

“Yeah. I would like that a lot.”

Elsie hadn’t been to town in a bit longer than she’d remembered, so rather than a grand celebration feast, they shared part of a box of Cheez-Its, some beef jerky, celery and an apple. But Elsie didn’t remember when she’d been happier. Her and Wyatt. Who would have guessed?

Part of her was still terrified. Not because of Wyatt—he’d proved himself trustworthy over and over during this case. He cared about her more than Elsie could ever remember anyone caring, but...

Didn’t that give him the power to hurt her? And could he really love her if her past always stayed a secret? Would he know who she was if she didn’t fully know?

Or did she not need to know about her past to fully know herself?

The questions plagued Elsie. She was exhausted, physically and emotionally, but it had been worth it to find what looked to be the start of a relationship she would never have seen coming.

A fresh wave of optimism hit her. Maybe she would never know who she had been, but you didn’t need to know your entire past before you could pursue your future. Wyatt was the future. Watching him, talking to him, wishing he would press his lips to hers again...

“What are you thinking over there?” he asked from his place on the couch beside her.

Elsie shrugged. “Just thinking about you.”

“Me, too, about you.” They rested in silence for a moment longer.

Then she said, “But...I’m also thinking about who was behind these attacks. Do you really think a senator would hire a contract killer?”

“Travis Cattleman. Sounds like a fake name.” Wyatt made a face.

She snorted. “Do you think maybe I was in the way of his career somehow? I mean, think about it. I was three when someone tried to make me disappear the first time.”

He immediately seemed to understand what she was implying. “Just the right age to be the proverbial skeleton in someone’s closet.”

“Or maybe it was some kind of political power move. Maybe I’m related to someone who opposed him and it was revenge? Or I was supposed to be a bargaining chip?”

“Any of those make sense.”

It hurt that they would never know. Maybe she was just supposed to learn to live with uncertainty. Was that what she was supposed to have learned from this entire situation?

“I wish you could have found out.”

Even though she hadn’t put it into words, Wyatt understood. He saw her feelings and considered them in a way no one else ever had.

She looked over at him, nerves jumping in her stomach. What now where Wyatt was concerned? He’d said he was falling in love with her, but that had been during high stress, out of their real world. What about now? Would he feel differently back in town, with their lives and jobs always crowding in and likely reminding them how different they were?

Nerves humming, she angled herself to face him a little more. “Thank you for caring.”

“You make it easy to.”

“Should we play cards? Go for a walk?” Elsie laughed self-consciously. “I’m not really used to having visitors.”

“I just want to be here with you,” he said, his voice deep, his eyes steady.

“I could get used to you being here for me,” she admitted.

She saw something spark in his eyes as he heard her words.

Then Wyatt slid from the couch.

Got down on one knee.

Panic rose in her chest.

“Elsie, would you marry me?”

She stared, as a roar in her ears intensified. What...was he doing? Proposing? Really? Now?

“Wyatt, stop, no. Get up.”

“I love you.”

“You don’t even know me! Get. Up!”

She was yelling now, and Elsie hated herself for it, but what had he been thinking? One second everything had seemed perfect and now...it felt like it was falling apart. Why did this happen to her? More importantly, why had she thought that she, a person who was used to being alone, could change and be anything but alone for the rest of her life?

FIFTEEN

She was pulling away. That was all Wyatt could think as he felt the ache in his knees, stood from his impulsive kneeling position and then sat back down on the couch.

That wasn’t how he had envisioned this at all. Wyatt had messed up. He knew it as surely as he knew his own name. After all this time of being patient, waiting to fall in love till he’d found the right person, he’d rushed once that had happened. Elsie was right for him. He was convinced of that.

“I, um.” He cleared his throat, wishing he could fast-forward through the awkwardness. “I’m sorry about that, I guess?”

“Don’t...apologize.” She stood up, started to walk around the room. Her eyebrows were scrunched together in a way he found adorable. “You just don’t even know me, Wyatt.”

He bristled. “Yeah, I think I do.”

She shook her head. “It’s been what, a week?”

“We’ve known each other for decades.”