you is getting to be a full-time job, Ms. Bronson.”
“Don’t worry, this will be the last time,” she said, her tone flat.
“Hey, I was—”
“Kidding, I know.” She cracked a sad smile. “But I wasn’t.”
That sounded awfully final, as if she no longer wanted him helping her, being there for her. “I don’t mind playing hero where you’re concerned.”
“Maybe I do. Maybe I mind depending on you because it makes me feel weak and naive. You won’t be there forever, or even tomorrow, or—”
“Hey, calm down.”
“I’ll be calm when you get me out of here,” she snapped.
He wondered if a head injury was causing the edge to her normally affable personality. She suddenly didn’t seem like herself.
Not taking his eyes off her, Quinn stood and reached for the radio to see what was taking so long.
“Quinn!” she cried, her eyes rounding with fear.
He glanced up and caught sight of something careening toward them. There was no way to dodge what looked like a large piece of equipment without leaving Billie exposed, making her the prime target.
“Close your eyes!” He instinctively threw himself over her body like a human shield and clenched his jaw in anticipation of the impending blow.
Adrenaline rushed through Billie’s body and strangled her vocal cords. One minute she was setting her boundaries, letting Quinn know he didn’t need to feel obligated to her in any way. The next, she saw something barreling down the side of the mountain—straight at them.
She wasn’t sure what she expected Quinn to do, but throwing himself on top of her wouldn’t have been her first guess.
“Quinn?” she said.
His warm breath tickled the side of her neck as he exhaled. Was he unconscious?
“Quinn, are you okay?”
He groaned. “What was that?”
“The litter, I think.”
“I’m gonna be sore tomorrow.”
She realized they’d never been this physically close before. She’d practically lived at his lake house as his personal assistant, but they’d never touched except for a polite hug now and then.
His body, pressed against hers, felt solid and comforting. But she couldn’t afford to enjoy it too much.
“Are you hurt?” she asked.
He tipped his head back to look at her. He was so close she could see the gray specs in his blue eyes.
“It nailed me in the back, but I’m okay,” he said.
“Then would you mind...?”
“I’m heavy, right. Sorry, I’m probably crushing you.”
She didn’t correct him. It wasn’t his weight that bothered her as much as the ache of wanting something she could never have with this man.
Shifting off her, he stood and clenched his jaw as he pressed his hand against his back. He yanked the radio off his belt with his other hand.
“Artie, what’s going on up there?”
No response. Quinn glanced at Billie and she started to sit up again.
“Hey, hey,” Quinn said, putting out his hand to stop her.
“The litter’s gone and it’ll be dark in a few hours. I’m not spending the night here, Quinn. I can’t,” her voice cracked.
“You won’t. I’ll get you out of here.” He tried the radio again. “Artie?”
A few tense seconds passed. “Sorry, Quinn. A new guy messed up.”
“Then they shouldn’t have approved him for fieldwork.” Quinn sighed, shaking his head. “Have you got another litter, over?”
“Sending one down now, over.”
“Roger that.” He glanced at Billie. “You’re going to be okay.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, relieved that she’d be lifted out of here instead of having to climb her way out.
The search-and-rescue team would take her to the hospital where Quinn could absolve himself of his responsibilities. She knew he wasn’t here because he cared about her. He was here because Billie had become his pet project ever since he’d rescued her last year. He’d given her a job and a place to live, away from her local notoriety. He’d helped her find solid ground during a turbulent time in her life.
She’d always be grateful to Quinn for that, but she had to make it clear that it was time for both of them to move on. Alone.
* * *
Between the doctor’s examination, tests and giving her statement to the police about the man on the trail, six hours had passed and she still hadn’t had a chance to speak with Quinn alone. She wanted a private moment to set the boundary between them that she needed so desperately to define. Sure, he’d stuck close since the rescue, practically tailgating the ambulance to the hospital. He’d even tried pushing his way into the examining area but security managed to keep him out—at her request.
The sooner she distanced herself the better for both of them. But she wouldn’t humiliate him by having that conversation in front of strangers.
It was a necessary conversation. She was done being dependent on men who kept her at an emotional arm’s length. When she’d worked for him, Quinn had never missed an opportunity to remind her that he’d never be foolish enough to settle down with one woman.
Then why did he keep showing up to save her? It was a coincidence, that’s all. He happened to be nearby and responded to the text alert.
Stop thinking about him and focus on protecting yourself from Rick’s questionable business practices.
The man on the trail said Rick had worked for him. Doing what, some type of illegitimate activity? Her attacker accused Billie of going into the mountains to get something Rick had left behind worth a lot of money. But a sensible person wouldn’t hide something in the wilderness that could be destroyed by animals or weather.
The first thing she’d do after being released from the hospital would be to dig into Rick’s accounts. She’d abandoned her life after the accident because her insides had been so tangled in grief and regret, confusion and shame. Yet maybe a part of her was afraid to find out how far he had fallen.
She couldn’t do it any longer, especially since Rick’s business seemed to be putting her life at risk. Maybe she should leave Echo Mountain
