"It will fade," Matt told her, his body suddenly tense. "They assured me of that. It just takes time."

"It's just a scar," she told him. "It's not who you are." She reached up and touched his chest where his heart was. "This is who you are. Do not forget it."

He blew out a breath and the tension eased from him. Then he knelt before her again, lifted one foot and undid the straps of the sandal. He eased it off, dropping it to the floor, then bent his head to lick her ...