
"Oh, Jeb," she breathed against his wet neck. "I don't want this to end. Not yet." She nibbled at his ear.
"Remember me, baby. Remember this. Don't forget."
There was tense yearning to his voice. She cupped his face and looked him straight in the eye. "Jebediah Holliday, you promise me."
He brushed her damp hair away from her face. "What, darlin'?"
She was afraid she wouldn't be able to hold back the tears. She swallowed hard. "You promise me you're coming home to me. Promise me. You say it."
"Trudy, don't do this. You know I'm coming home. We'll be fine."
"Dammit. I want you to promise me. I want to hear you say it. You never break your promises. Never." She heard the quaver in her voice, hated herself for being weak, not staying strong.
The other times he'd left had been different somehow. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Maybe it was the length of time he'd be gone this time, but it was something she couldn't identify. And she didn't like the feeling.
He stroked her back. "Tru, I promise, okay? I promise you, I'll come back."