“So, seeing as you know all the details already, can I count on you to be best man?” Cole watched fear creep over Blake’s face. “The ceremony is at night,” he added quickly.“If Mr. Old Timey is still all jacked up from being a bullet catcher, we’ll put it off,” Kyle added.Blake smiled and held his arms open to the female ball of fire. “I’ll be fine, Kyle. I wouldn’t want you to spend one extra day not married to Cole because of me.”Kyle hugged him carefully. “Your being well is one of the only things that could ever make me wait.”Blake answered Cole’s question still hanging in the air. “I’d be honored to serve as your best man.”

“Cole returned and took her hand. “Kyle, will you promise me something? It’s all I’ll ever ask of you, please?”“Yes. I’ll promise you anything.” Kyle looked into his eyes.“Don’t let that girl inside you win. Ever again. Be the real Kyle. Promise me you’ll be you.” Cole looked desperate.Kyle shook her head, eyes pleading, but she responded in the affirmative. “I promise. Cole, what’s next?”Cole looked around the room sadly. One man was clearly dead and the other moaned softly.“My sweet, beautiful Kyle, I have to atone for what I’ve done here. I want you far, far away when they put the cuffs on me.”

“Kyle nodded and bit her lip. She looked nervous as a virgin. “This feels like jumping off a cliff,” she finally said.“I’ll only do this if you want me to. Do you want me to?” Cole took a step back.Kyle reached around and unzipped her sundress. She held her arms out like a sacrificial lamb.“Say it, so I know for sure.” Cole’s eyes glowed with lust and reverence.“I want you to.” Kyle watched him.”

“If I watched your church burn down, would you kill me?”Cole looked suspicious. “No, and that’s a bizarre question.”“If I watched Kyle die, would you kill me?”Cole’s eyes practically glowed red.Beckett nodded. “You might already have the answer to what’s hurting you.”

“But then Cole ran for her, sliding on his knees to close the final distance between his hands and her skin. Kyle wrapped his head in her arms, cradling him.“My sweet Cole. That’s better. That’s better.” Kyle braced her hands on his shoulders and slowly lowered herself to her knees. She put her hands on his cheeks and waited until he looked at her. “You forgot something last night.”Cole looked puzzled.“You made me promise you something. Now you owe me a promise.”Cole nodded somberly.“Be the real Cole. Promise me you will be you.” Kyle’s voice was strong and sure.Cole felt his heart soar with her embrace, settling the feelings inside him. “Kyle, I’ve done so much wrong. I think I’m done being the real Cole. How much hurt can I cause?” He could hardly speak through his fear.She smiled again. “I’ve done my own share of wrong, but look. Look around. We’re in the perfect place.”The church looked like paradise. A frame of broken rainbows arched above the lovers on their knees.Cole held her face to his, whispering, “Help me.”Kyle gave him the absolution he needed with her lips.”

“Kyle, I was so afraid.” Cole lifted his head from the comfort of her bosom to see her face again.She smoothed back his wild, knotted hair. “It’s you. It’s you. It’s you.”A crowd in the doorway interrupted their loving revelation. Nurse Susan stormed into the room.Cole ignored them all and kissed Kyle’s sleepy lips. “I love you, Kyle. Thank you for being alive. They didn’t hurt you, did they?”Kyle sighed. “They hurt me so much when they took you, Cole. That’s the worst pain on earth. The worst.” Kyle kissed his forehead and ran her hands over his back. “I’m your shadow. I love you too.”