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She’d given these wonderful men no warning about the risk they were taking by just being with her. To add insult to injury, she heaped lie on top of lie and still they gathered around, willing to protect her against an unknown evil.

One man had already died for her selfishness. She wouldn’t let anyone else pay that price.

“We need to get back to the inn, Rodney.”

Rodney nodded. “Yeah. I think maybe that would be best. Um…maybe you should get dressed.”

She blinked in surprise, then glanced down, mortified to discover her bare legs sticking out from beneath the blanket. Mercifully, Rodney couldn’t see exactly how naked she was from the waist down.

“Okay.”

“Wait,” Matt said, putting his hand on her arm to prevent her from rising. “Why don’t you two spend the night here? Now that we know what’s going on, we’ll be better prepared.”

She shook her head, fighting back the tears at his chivalrous offer. He had no idea what kind of shit storm awaited her. Even if Thompson’s henchman didn’t find her, she had no choice but to return to New York City. While there, she’d continue to be sequestered during what was certain to be a highly publicized trial.

“No.” She couldn’t continue with the charade. Much as her heart longed to stay here, she knew she’d only be living on borrowed time. That wasn’t fair to Matt and Mark. “We really should head back.”

Wrapping the blanket securely around her, she headed toward the guest room and her own clothes. She’d only made it one step in the room when she felt a tear slide down her cheek. She batted it away quickly. Matt and Mark would never let her leave if they saw her crying. She took a deep breath and dressed quickly.

All four men were standing in the living room when she returned. While Jacob looked disappointed, Matt and Mark looked downright miserable.

“I had a great time.” She felt like she owed them at least a little bit of truth. The reality was tonight had been one of the best evenings of her life. She reached for Matt’s hand, then took Mark’s in her other. Squeezing tightly, she smiled, trying to hide the sadness behind it. “Honestly. You’re both amazing men. I can’t thank you enough for…” She paused, a million words flying through her mind—the riding lessons, the omelet, the friendship, the sex. Finally, she just said, “Everything.”

Mark’s face darkened. “You make this sound like a good-bye.”

While it had to be farewell, she also realized how much harder this would be if they knew she was planning to run. “Does it? I don’t mean it that way. I guess I’m just overly tired. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

And that was the most painful lie of all. She swallowed, but the lump forming in her throat held tight. She was saved from having to speak again when Rodney stepped up beside her.

“You ready to go, Bridge?”

She nodded and let him lead her away from the ranch.

Away from them.

Chapter 6

Bridget opened her eyes the next morning, then closed them again quickly to shut out the bright stream of morning sunshine.

Still here, she thought.

She and Rodney had gotten into a hushed-voices version of World War III last night after Jacob dropped them off at the B&B. It had been their first major disagreement since being thrust into each other’s lives six months earlier.

When they’d tiptoed up to their room shortly before two a.m., Bridget had been ready to start packing their bags immediately, but Rodney told her she was overreacting. She’d just managed one of the most difficult tasks of her life—walking away from Matt and Mark in order to keep them safe—and he said she was overreacting?

Her head had exploded as they heatedly argued—in whispers lest they wake up the other patrons of the inn—for nearly an hour. She’d lost the fight.

Rodney informed her they had nowhere to go and no money to purchase transportation out of town. He also insisted that he was determined to crack Lyle’s code and find that flash drive. According to him, he couldn’t go back to New York without it and expect to keep his job. Even with it, he feared he was facing the unemployment line. Rodney intended to continue searching for Ellen, the godmother, even though Bridget was beginning to think that clue was as wrong as “God’s grave” had been.

She’d told him as much and then accused him of only wanting to stick around for Jacob. Rodney got angry and said she only wanted to run because she was hot for two cowboys and too chicken to do anything about it. After that, they’d gone to bed, the silence in the room suffocating her until she finally managed to drop into a restless sleep.

“I know you’re awake.”

She didn’t open her eyes or acknowledge Rodney’s comment. She was still mad.

Her bed dipped and she felt Rodney’s thigh press against hers as he sat next to her. “Bridget? I’m sorry about last night.”

She opened her eyes and looked at him. She didn’t like the tired look in his eyes or the sadness on his face.