She eyed Carolyn’s wet blouse. “Apparently you’ve had too much to drink. No matter what you’ve heard—”

“Oh, I heard all right. The gossip about you two being cozied up last night already got back to me.”

Carson swore behind her.

“I’m here to put a stop to it.”

“Honey, I don’t have any control over gossip. If folks around here are saying your man is looking to scratch an itch that he ain’t getting scratched at home? You can’t blame me if he’s sniffing around because I got me some nice claws.”

That did it.

Carolyn took a swing at her and was the little witch ever surprised when the punch landed right on her smart, lying mouth.

Edie stumbled and Carolyn struck again.

This time she socked Edie in the gut with everything she had. When Edie doubled over, Carolyn pounced on her, knocking her to the floor.

Carolyn went down with her, on top of her, continuing to strike her with body shots even when Edie curled into a ball to escape the blows.

Hands landed on her back and Carolyn twisted away, determined to keep swinging until her fist connected with solid mass.

While the anger still churned inside her, Carolyn grabbed a handful of Edie’s hair and tried to jerk her head up. “Look at me,” she demanded.

Edie shook her head.

Carolyn bent closer to Edie’s ear. “Look at me or I will start yanking out chunks of your hair in bloody clumps.”

That got her attention. Edie moved just enough that Carolyn could see her scared eyes and her bloodied face.

“The reason you weren’t successful in seducing my husband is because he’d sooner f**k a diseased sheep than you. Stay away from me and mine or I will finish this and f**k you up until you’re unrecognizable. Do you understand?”

She nodded.

“Say it out loud so I and everyone else can hear you.”

“Yes.”

Breathing hard, Carolyn slowly stood. Pushing the hair back from her face, she noticed a circle surrounding them. But the inner circle was all women, who seemed to be stopping the men from breaking up the fight. She recognized several of the women, and they were nodding at her with approval.

Holy. Cow.

“Back up and get outta the way,” the bouncer barked and crouched next to Edie.

The bartender stomped over. “That’s it. So much for me thinking you’d class up the joint—you started a damn bar fight! Get out. Don’t ever come back because you are banned for life.”

Her jaw dropped. “What do you mean banned for life?”

“Just what I said. I ever see your face in here again I’m calling the sheriff.”

Infuriated, Carolyn threw up her hands. “I’m banned?”

“Yes.”

“Is she banned?” She pointed to Edie, still curled up on the floor.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because she’s bleeding; you’re not.”

Carolyn opened her mouth to argue or maybe lunge at the guy who’d decided—unfairly—to toss her out, when Carson’s strong arm created a band across her chest.

“If my wife is banned, then you’ll never see me in here again, understand?”

The bartender went bug-eyed. “She’s your wife?”

“Damn straight she is.”

“Sorry, man, we’ll miss ya, but I can’t let this slide.”

She jabbed her elbow into Carson’s gut with enough force he loosened his hold on her. “Fine. I’m gone.” Holding her chin up, she marched to the front door and the crowd parted for her.

The shame she expected to feel? Strangely absent.

Maybe for the first time she understood why her husband liked to fight. It was cleansing.

She’d almost made it to the parking lot when hands landed on her hips and pushed her into the shadow of the building, then spun her around.

Carson wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, holding her in place. The fierceness in his eyes…wow. Been a long time since he’d looked at her that way.

“That was the most magnificent thing I’ve ever seen. Except for the two times you brought our sons into the world.”

“I’m mad at you, Carson McKay. So don’t you dare try and charm your way out of this mess.”

“I’m not. I’m tellin’ it like I saw it, sugar. You were spectacular. Spectacular. Callin’ me on my shit. Not backin’ down from me or anyone else. Reminding me of why I fell in love with you.”

“Maybe you ought to remind me why I fell in love with you,” she challenged. “Because a man who claims to love his wife doesn’t avoid coming home.”

“I know.”

“What is going on with you?”

“Besides the obvious that I’ve been drinkin’ too much?” He pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ve been a lousy husband and a shitty father.” He inhaled. Exhaled. “Fuck. It’s like stabbing myself in the heart even sayin’ that to you because you are such a damn good wife and mother. You are the most important thing in my world. And if I lose you…”

Carolyn watched his chin wobble as he fought to retain control. Her gut clenched and her heart hurt to see this strong man start to crumble. But she let him struggle.

“Truth is, my life is over if I’m dumb enough to lose you. So I ain’t gonna let that happen. Ever. I f**ked up but I’ll do whatever it takes to fix this. Whatever it takes.” He stared into her eyes. “Say you’ll give me another chance.”