And then, for the first time, Martin understood. Not everything, but enough. He should have realized it before, but he’d been too deep in his own muddled head to piece together an accurate representation of hers. A woman capable of such sincere, bone-dissolving warmth toward the young and vulnerable didn’t armor herself with fierce, chilly composure for no reason. Rose had dealt with bullies before. Rose had been hurt. Badly. Rose would likely understand his own fears. Might have even been patient with them. Might have helped him overcome them. And because of those fears, he’d just turned down
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