He snapped, his last scrap of self-control demolished in one fell swoop as he dropped his bag and lurched at his brother-in-law, both hands snagging Alex’s collar. Lockers rattled at the force of his push, Alex flinching as Marshall raised one fist.
“If it’s what you need to do, go ahead.”
Alex’s calm tone, the way he met Marshall’s eyes—it was a wound all its own. For one tortured moment, he couldn’t move. Couldn’t do anything other than wince at the pain in his head and the guilt punching through him.
Finally, lungs heaving, he dropped his balled hand. Backed away. What had he almost done?
Alex slumped against the locker. “Let us help—Beth and me. Or the captain. You know he’d do anything for you.”
Marshall picked up his bag, slung it over one shoulder. He placed his firearm and badge on the bench running the length of the lockers. “Turn ‘em in for me, would you?”
“Marsh—”
Legs brick-heavy but pace brisk, he escaped down the hallway.
Read the rest of Mara and Marshall’s gripping story in Now and Then and Always!
About the Author
MELISSA TAGG is the Christy and Carol Award-winning author of swoony and hope-filled small-town contemporary romances, including the Maple Valley series, the Walker Family series, the Where Love Begins series, and the Enchanted Christmas Collection. She’s also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl. Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not happily lost in someone else’s book or plugging away her own, she can be found spoiling her nieces and nephews, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next fictional hero. Connect with Melissa at melissatagg.com.