Page 235 of Ride a Cowboy

Mark’s gaze darkened. “Good. I don’t want you with any other men besides us. Ever.”

It was as close as any of them had come to speaking their desire for a future together.

Matt reached over and ran his hand along her arm. “Me either. Lay down, Bridget. Let us hold you.”

She claimed her spot in the middle, accepting their individual cuddles as they each took turns going to the bathroom to dispose of condoms and clean up. She was touched when Mark brought back a warm washcloth and cleaned her gently.

“Sore?” he asked when he ran the soft rag between her legs.

“No.”

He gave her a disbelieving look and she giggled.

“Maybe a little. But I like it.”

Matt laughed. “Our little pain junkie. You need to stop teasing me like that or I’m going to start taking you seriously.”

She didn’t respond. Instead, she curled into Mark’s embrace, wrapping her arm around his waist. Matt claimed his spot behind her, spooning her. They’d discovered early on this was their ideal sleeping position. She sighed contentedly. She had a million things to think about, to consider, but her body was simply too tired.

She gave herself up to sleep. For the first time in months, her nightmares disappeared completely, replaced by sweet dreams of her handsome cowboys.

Chapter 10

The next day passed in a whirlwind of activity as they prepared for Rodney and Bridget’s return trip to New York. Rodney hadn’t seen the hit man since that day outside the hotel over a week earlier. They were hopeful he’d determined they weren’t there and had moved on.

With the trial date quickly approaching, Rodney had returned to the cabin as they planned their departure from Saratoga. He’d secured them airline tickets under assumed names with the help of his partner on the police force. His partner had confirmed that Rodney’s chief had blown a fuse after their disappearance and wouldn’t be satisfied until Rodney’s head was served to him on a platter.

Bridget wished the man hadn’t been so forthright with the details, as Rodney had been a powder keg of nervous energy since that phone call. He was more determined than ever to retrieve the flash drive, certain it was his only ticket to salvation.

Bridget scratched her head. The black wig Rodney had procured made her head itch. She sat in the passenger’s side of Mark’s truck as they began their bumpy descent off the mountain. Jacob, Matt and Rodney were in Jacob’s car, following behind. They’d decided to split up. While Bridget wore a disguise, Rodney didn’t. His hope was if the hit man was waiting at the airport and looking for them, he’d see Rodney but not her. Rodney had booked a later flight on his own. Matt and Mark would be accompanying Bridget to New York. In the city, Rodney’s partner would be waiting to usher Bridget, Mark and Matt all into protective custody until the trial began.

She’d been touched when Matt and Mark had offered to travel to New York with her. They’d already risked so much for her. While they remained with her in the city, Caleb, Jessie and Jake had assured them they would hold down the fort on the ranch. Bridget knew there simply weren’t words to thank the James family for all they’d done for her.

Bridget had convinced them to make one stop on the way out of town. She was determined to make a last-ditch attempt at retrieving the flash drive. Rodney had been back to the bank twice since his initial visit, once with a list of guess pin numbers they’d created using Lyle’s birthday, her birthday, and the year they graduated from college. None of them had worked. The second time, Rodney had shown the bank manager Lyle’s obituary and told him he’d been left the key in the will. The manager had requested to see the will. Rodney had left in a pique of anger and frustration.

Mark pulled up in front of the bank just as it was opening. They had four hours before their flight to New York took off, but they had at least an hour’s worth of driving to get to the nearest airport in Laramie.

He glanced around at the mostly deserted street. “I still think this is a mistake.”

“I can’t go home without trying, Mark. I know what we’ve spent all this time looking for is in here.”

She watched Rodney get out of the car as Jacob pulled into the bank parking lot at the side of the building. The plan was simple. Rodney would go inside to make sure the coast was clear. He’d text Mark, who would follow Bridget to the door. Then Matt and Mark would stand guard duty at the front entrance while Jacob watched the back.

Bridget’s heart began to race with fear and anticipation when Mark’s phone beeped. He glanced at the screen. “Looks like it’s go time.”

He got out of the truck, crossing to open the passenger door for her. He kept her in front of him, covering her back against most of the open street behind them as they approached the bank.

Matt met them at the door. “Ten minutes, Bridge. Then we’re coming in to get you. I don’t like this. I’ve got a real bad feeling.”

She agreed, but they’d come too far to turn back now. “I’ll be fast. Promise.”

Walking in, she spotted Rodney standing near a side wall. He walked over to meet her. “Tell me again why we’re doing this?”

Crap. Did everyone have the heebie-jeebies? “I just want to talk to the bank manager.”

Rodney sighed. “I’ve done that. A few times. He’s an asshole and he’s not going to budge.”

Bridget ignored his skepticism and walked to the office near the back. “Is this his office?”

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