“Nah, that’s not necessary. I’ll do it. Just give me a couple of days.” I set my phone down and looked at Hadley. “Dane’s dead. You’ll be able to go home soon.”

She shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere. The last thing I want is to deal with the press when all of this is going down. I just need a couple of weeks.”

“You know your agent isn’t going to like this. Everyone’s going to want you back.”

“I don’t care. If you want me to go, I will, but I’m not ready to leave yet. I need a little more time. Everyone will just have to understand.”

I pulled her into my arms and breathed a sigh of relief. I wasn’t ready for her to go either.

Blake

“You’re going home today, girl.” I rubbed Snowflake’s muzzle. She huffed and bumped me with her nose. She wasn’t the only one I was losing. Hadley’s two weeks were up and first thing in the morning, she’d be on her way back to California. I didn’t think it’d be so hard to let her go.

Grabbing the brush, I slid it down Snowflake’s body so her coat would shine. It was a special day for Josie and I wanted it all to be perfect for her.

My phone rang and when I set down the brush, Snowflake snorted. She loved it when I brushed her. “Give me one second,” I told her. I looked at the phone and smiled. “Well, I’ll be damned,” I said, answering the phone.

“Have you missed me?” Mason joked. Mason Bradley was the leader of our undercover group and an MMA legend. Not only was he a heavyweight UFC Champion, but he had solved one of the most heinous crimes in the sport.

Chuckling, I leaned against the wall. “You’re damn right, I have. What ya been up to?”

“Nothing much, just taking a break. I heard you were watching the Rivers girl. That must be a pain in the ass. Don’t people know you’re not a bodyguard?”

“I don’t think they got that memo. Besides, it hasn’t been too bad; she leaves tomorrow. What can I do for you?” I asked.

“I have a job for you. Well, for me and you. It looks like I called at the right time.”

“What’s going on?”

“There’s a situation out in Texas, where a couple of girls were found dead in a barn. The owner of the property is an elderly man in his nineties. I think his ranch hand is the one who did it, but no one can find him. I could really use your knowledge on this one.”

I glanced at the house where my bedroom light glowed through the blinds; Hadley was awake. “When do you need me?”

“Tomorrow, if at all possible. I’ll send you the details.”

“Sounds good, brother. I’ll be ready.” Sighing, I hung up the phone and dialed Robert’s number.

“Hello,” he grumbled.

“I’m going to need you to escort Hadley home. Can you fly out here by tomorrow morning?”

He yawned. “Why can’t you do it?”

“Mason just called and asked if I’d help him with a job in Texas. I leave tomorrow.”

“All right, I’ll be there first thing.” We hung up and I got back to brushing Snowflake. I only had one more night with Hadley before we parted ways. Now all I had to do was tell her I wouldn’t be going with her.

Hadley

“Aren’t you ready to come home?” Nick asked.

I wanted to get back to singing, but I didn’t want to leave Blake. “I am,” I lied, hoping he couldn’t hear the trepidation in my voice.

“I’ve been given permission to get back on the ice in limited practice. The wound still hurts, but I should be able to play again soon. Everything will go back to normal.”

No, it wouldn’t, but I couldn’t tell him that yet. I wanted to wait until we were in person. He sounded so happy over the phone. “That’s great, Nick. I know how excited you are about playing again. I think when I get back, I’m going to find somewhere else to live. I just can’t bring myself to stay in that house.”

He sighed. “I understand, baby. I’m sure the team will be happy to help you move.”

I watched Blake through the window, talking to Snowflake’s owners. He was handing her over to them. “Thanks, Nick. I think I need a new start.”

“And I’ll be with you every step of the way. But here’s Felicity. She’s been dying to talk to you. I miss you and I can’t wait to see you again.”

“Same to you.”

“Bye, babe. I’ll see you at the airport.”

“Okay.”

He handed the phone to Felicity. “Can you believe our lives are about to go back to normal? Do you have any idea how many people have missed you?”

“A lot?” I laughed.

“You’re damn right. And you have a few concerts to make up too. I hope you’ll be ready by next weekend?” she asked excitedly.

“I’ll be ready, don’t worry. Where am I going first?”

“New York, baby! I know you’re excited about that.”

I was, but my heart wasn’t. Leaving was going to be harder than I thought. “You know it.”

“All right, I’m going to get off so I can get back to work. We’re going to have a welcome home party for you when you arrive. It’ll be so much fun.”

I said goodbye to both of them and made my way outside. Blake was cleaning out Snowflake’s stall. Without saying a word, I went up behind him and put my arms around his waist. He was sweaty, but I didn’t care. “You okay?”

He chuckled and set the rake down before closing his hands over mine. “Did you think I was going to cry?”

“Not really, but I know I would if I was that close to Snowflake. I know you’ve grown attached to her.”

“I have, but it’s not like I won’t see her again. The Wright’s live just down the road. I’m sure Josie will bring her by to visit.” He pulled me around to face him.

We stared at each other and all I wanted to do was tell him not to let me go. Too bad I didn’t have a choice. I had to go. Lifting up on my toes, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “What’s on the agenda for my last night here?”

His gaze darkened, but then he smiled and kissed me. “I have it all planned out. I just have to finish up out here and then take a shower. Why don’t you grab a glass of wine in the meantime?” He slid his hand up my sundress and smacked my butt.

“Hey,” I said, stepping away from him. “What are you up to?”

He winked. “It’s a surprise. Now go.”

I went inside and poured a glass of wine while he finished up in the barn. Tyla showed up and handed him something, but I couldn’t see what it was. I wanted to tell her goodbye, but she left before I could catch her.

“Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready to go,” Blake said as he shot past me to the bedroom. Once the ten minutes were up, he joined me in the kitchen, dressed in a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt. “Let’s go.” Taking my hand, he led me out to his truck and opened the door.

“Where are we going?”

He flashed a small smile. “You’ll see.” Shutting the door and jumping in his side, he started up the truck. Instead of going down the driveway, he pulled us around to the backyard and into the pasture.

“You’re not kidnapping me, are you?” I joked.

He chuckled. “If I could get away with it, I would. It’s going to be quiet around here without you.”

“I know the feeling. Luckily, I have a lot to do when I get home. Felicity already has me booked in New York next weekend. It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been on stage.”

“How’s the new song coming along? Have you finished it?”

“Almost. I still need a good ending. Hopefully, it’ll come to me soon.”

He reached for my hand and squeezed. “You’ll figure it out. I wish you would sing it to me. It’s not the same listening to you in the shower.”

I gasped. “You’ve been spying on me?” I smacked him on the arm and he burst out laughing.