A thick lump formed in her throat. She wanted to be held, to lean against him and take comfort in her husband. But that was just it: Ben didn't want to fill those shoes, and he never had. A small cry, a whimper really, escaped her as she fought the onslaught of heartbreak.

Ben was too good a man to leave her the way she was asking him to. So, as it always seemed to be, it was up to her to make the dramatic decision. To once again force them down an unknown path.

Melody shook her head no.