Darnell nearly jumped out of his skin when a hand settled heavily on his shoulder. The deep stern voice startled him even more. Unbelievable as the rancher’s presence was, miles from home, Darnell knew at once who it was.
Wade clearly tried to keep his voice down, but his words still came to Darnell’s ears as a roar. “What in the hell are you doing here? Why didn’t you come talk to me first before you took off? You broke the kids’ hearts. Mine don’t count, but it hurts like the blazes, too.”
Darnell struggled to his feet, circled the end of the bench, and then stopped short. He’d been ready to throw himself into Wade’s arms. That would not do at all, right out here in front of God and everyone. Probably no one he’d ever see again, but that was beside the point. He knew he could not make
