admit the truth: that after Billie got the job at one of Quinn’s properties, Quinn asked his friend and resort manager Aiden McBride to keep Quinn in the loop. In other words, let Quinn know how Billie was doing.
Quinn couldn’t help himself. He’d felt a connection to her, a connection he chose to ignore because he excelled at hurting the people closest to him. He’d already hurt Billie in so many ways, ways she didn’t even know about.
Even though Quinn kept his distance from Billie, he’d appreciated the updates from Aiden: Billie excelled at her job as a restaurant hostess, was making friends in the community and was active in the local church. She had blossomed after leaving Quinn’s life. He was glad, even if some days he missed her so much it physically hurt.
“Injuries?” he asked her.
“Head mostly. I’m okay.” She tried to sit up.
“Lie down. You don’t want me to get in trouble for not following protocol.”
“Fine.” She lowered herself to the ground. “How did you get here so quickly?”
“I was in a business meeting nearby. Aiden texted me after Bree got the alert from your personal locator beacon. She would have been here, but she was stuck up north on business. Sheriff’s office also got a call from another hiker who saw you fall.”
“Another hiker.” She opened her eyes, panicked. “Did he see the guy who attacked me?”
Every muscle in Quinn’s body tensed. “Someone attacked you?”
“He grabbed me and I pulled away and lost my footing. He was wearing a denim jacket and gym shoes and he asked me about Rick, and...and...”
Her breathing sped up and her cheeks flushed. Quinn guessed her blood pressure was in the triple digits.
“Shh.” He placed an open palm against her cheek. “We’ll deal with that later. Right now you’ve got to lie still and relax.”
With a few shallow breaths she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. The feel of her skin against his hand spread warmth up his arm. No other woman had this kind of effect on him. A part of Quinn ached to explore the dynamic further, but he’d never do that to Billie.
She suddenly turned her head, breaking the connection.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“Try again.”
She opened her eyes, now tinted with amber and golden hues. He relaxed a little.
“You don’t believe me about the man on the trail.”
“I do believe you, but I’d like to deal with one thing at a time. I know you’re the master multitasker, but I’ve got a guy’s brain, remember?”
He thought she smiled. He hoped she smiled.
“We’ll get you to the hospital, then we’ll deal with the mystery hiker,” Quinn said. Although he hadn’t a clue how he was going to control himself if he ever came face-to-face with the guy.
“I’m afraid,” she whispered.
“He’s not here. It’s just me.”
Quinn assumed she wasn’t afraid of him, yet he wouldn’t blame her if she were.
She sighed. “Quinn, if my injuries are worse than they seem and I don’t—”
“Stop it,” Quinn ordered, because if she didn’t make it...
He wouldn’t be able to survive that kind of pain.
“But, Quinn,” she started, “you should know that the hiker accused me of coming out here to get something Rick left behind.”
She obviously couldn’t stop thinking about the threat so he encouraged her to continue. “Left something? Like what?”
“I have no idea. Something worth a lot of money apparently.”
“Why did you come out here?”
“I was hiking.”
“Alone?”
“I needed closure.”
Quinn leaned back on his heels. Closure was something he’d wished for with so many people in his life, especially his mom, who died when he was a kid.
He glanced at the ridge above, then at Billie. “So, was it worth it?”
“You’re making fun of me?”
“No, I’m not, although I was hoping to make you smile.”
“This isn’t funny. The guy said we’d make a good team. He was creepy and his breath smelled awful and he shoved me against a tree, and I thought, I thought—”
“Shh.” He touched her shoulder. “He’s gone. No one’s going to hurt you while I’m here.”
She sighed and looked away. They both knew that wasn’t true since Quinn could hurt her worst of all. Not physically, but in every other way that mattered. He couldn’t give Billie the sincere love and devotion she deserved. He was incapable of such feelings, incapable of opening his heart to a woman. After everything Billie had been through, she deserved a loving man with integrity.
“I hate this,” she muttered.
“The pain?”
“No, I meant I’m sorry to be inconveniencing everyone, making them drop whatever they’re doing to come out and rescue me.”
“It’s not an inconvenience. They live for this stuff—you know that.”
“Well, I’m embarrassed that I need their help.”
“There’s nothing wrong with accepting help, Billie.”
She chuckled and clutched her wrist to her chest, pinching her eyes shut.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“You giving me a pep talk about accepting help from others.”
She was right, of course. Quinn was not the type to seek counsel or ask anyone for help. A few seconds passed and he wondered if she’d lost consciousness. He was about to speak her name.
“Thank you,” she suddenly whispered.
“For what?”
“For saving me...again.”
“I haven’t saved you yet,” Quinn said, trying to lighten the mood.
She opened her eyes and he could tell she struggled to crack a smile. She was in pain and it was driving him nuts.
He yanked the radio off his belt. “Artie,
