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had not completely lost his soul. Perhaps he could save this woman where before he had failed another. Perhaps he could prove to himself that he was a man worthy of salvation—not the soldier who had no hope for redemption.
    * * *
    “Wake up, sleepyhead.”
    Frightened and disoriented, Sunny jolted her head up from the pillow and attempted to focus on the figure before her. Thankfully, the familiar face and smile helped calm her raw nerves and bring her back into reality. Not that she was overly happy with her sister’s sudden appearance, nor did she understand why she had her arms full of garment bags.
    Sunny threw back the covers, climbed out of the too-tall bed and sighed. “You could’ve knocked, Piper.”
    “I did. Twice, in fact. And I’m really sorry if I scared you.”
    “I’m not scared.” The slight tremor in her voice belied her confidence.
    “It’s okay, Sunny. I know it’s been tough to overcome the effects of your ordeal.”
    Her twin couldn’t even imagine what she’d been through. “What time is it, and did you raid the local dry cleaners?”
    Piper looked down at the bags as if she didn’t remember what she had clutched in her arms. “It’s close to noon, and no, I did not raid the dry cleaners. I did, however, raid the local boutique earlier this morning to find you something suitable to wear.”
    Lovely. Just what she needed after a restless night—wardrobe criticism. “You told me to pack what I normally pack.”
    “Yes, but tonight we’ll be attending an event that requires something a bit more formal than cotton and khakis.”
    Sunny swept her mussed hair back with one hand and adjusted the top of her sleep shirt to better cover her neck. “What event?”
    Clearly bent on avoiding the question, Piper laid the bags across the end of the bed and unzipped the first of three garment bags. “This is my personal favorite,” she said as she withdrew a black, slinky dress.
    The plunging neckline would never work, not when she needed to hide the reminders of her recent torment. “Too much bling, and you still didn’t answer my question.”
    Piper tightened the band securing her dark auburn hair into a low ponytail before smoothing a palm down her flowing peach-colored sundress. “It’s no big deal, really. Just a simple state dinner Madison arranged several months ago. A few dignitaries hoping to hold court with the king. Some schmoozing. That kind of thing.”
    The kind of thing that made her head hurt. “Am I required to attend?”
    “No, but you’ll miss a lot of great food.” Piper withdrew another dress and held it up. “What about this one?”
    She eyed the satin evening gown that reminded her of a shiny hothouse tomato. “You know I look horrible in red, and I’ve had fancy food before. Just bring me a take-out box after you’re finished schmoozing. Or I’ll scrounge around in the kitchen after the festivities if I get hungry.”
    “You can come to the banquet and leave early if you’d like.” Piper brought out the final evening wear selection. “I’m sure Rayad wouldn’t mind seeing you in this one.”
    “That’s perfect.” Sunny was caught off guard by the verbal seal of approval that spilled out of her mouth without thought. One mention of the mysterious sheikh, and she was ready to party. What in the heck was wrong with her? “I meant it would work if I decide to go, and it really is immaterial to me whether Rayad is there or not.”
    Her sister sighed like she’d lost her best gal pal. “Stop being so stubborn, Sunny. You need to get out and socialize a while. Meet new people. Get to know those you’ve already met, better.”
    She needed to stay in and lick her wounds. “Believe me, I had enough socializing to last a lifetime in my youth. I swore at our debutante ball I’d never put on another ball gown again.”
    Piper chuckled. “I remember how much you hated being a deb.”
    “And I remember how much you loved the attention, although I don’t