Rick was entitled to privacy, she told herself. Hed already bared his soul to her, what more did she want? Besides, it was probably just business.

She heard Ricks footsteps as he returned to the front porch. Sorry, he said, a frown on his face.

Im the one whos sorry! Josie blurted out. I shouldnt have been eavesdropping!

Rick laughed, resting his hands on the arms of her chair and bending toward her. Sweetie, youre in my house and in my bed and in my life, so there is no such thing as eavesdropping. I dont have anything to hide from you, and I never will.

Josie nodded, biting her bottom lip.

Do you trust me, Josie? Please answer me truthfully.

I do. There was no question in her heart. But Teeny wanted to talk in private, and he seemed upset…

Rick stood up and returned to his rocker, moving back and forth a couple times before he spoke. Teeny can be overcautious at times, which isnt a bad thing.

This is about your security?

Yes, it is. Ricks voice sounded weary.

Josie sat up straight. Is something wrong?

Rick rubbed his chin, as if he werent sure how to answer. He studied Josie a long moment. Margot Cummingss father wants revenge for her deaththe eye-for-an-eye kind of revenge. He wants me dead.

Josies jaw dropped.

And Teeny thinks hes already on his way here to kill me.

Shed finally gone to sleep. It had taken Rick four hours to convince Josie that Bennett Cummings could not get to him, and that there was nothing to worry about.

Earlier Rick had asked Teeny to join them on the porch and the two of them spelled everything out for herthe exact nature of Cummingss threat and how many people were on Ricks security payroll at the ranch, at work, and at his home in Pacific Heights. They explained to Josie how the motion and heat sensors worked and the exact location of all the security cameras. He confessed that the Lexus was custom designed, bullet-and bombproof. He gave her the combination to the gates at Samhain and at his place in the city.

Teeny described to Josie how hed been keeping track of Cummingss activities all this time. He explained that the old man hadnt been seen in four days, that the word was he had the flu but Teeny didnt believe it. He said that even though Cummingss leased jet was still in a hangar and he hadnt purchased air or rail tickets under his name, he could have traveled under an alias or by car.

Teeny even told Josie how she herself had been the subject of an exhaustive security check before Rick accepted her invitation.

Do you remember the day you barged into corporate headquarters? Teeny asked her.

Josie sniffed. I did not bargeI was wearing a visitors badge, she said.

Rick went on to tell her that he was reviewing her background report the very moment she showed up outside his office door.

But you had a big stack of papers in your hand, she said, confused. You could put my life story on a Post-it note.

It was then that Teeny shot Rick a look of helplessness, and Rick told him hed take over from there. Teeny said good night, and Josie hunkered down to hear the most difficult part. Rick explained that they had to be sure she wasnt connected to Margots father, a chemical company owner named Bennett Cummings. He said her background check included information on her whole family, her friends, her boyfriends, her job history, her finances, and everything in between.

When he was done, Josie got up without a word. She left the porch and wandered off into the night. Rick gave her about fifteen minutes to be alone, then found her sitting on the stone wall under the big live oak, crying softly. His dogs lay near her dangling feet. Genghis sat, resting his head on her leg.

I understand youre angry, he said, approaching her slowly before he perched next to her on the wall.

The dogs were thrilled to see him, even if Josie wasnt.

Dont give me the silent treatment. Id much prefer it if you called me names and cussed me out.

Josie turned to him then, her face catching the moonlight. Her cheeks were streaked with tears. Is there anything else? she asked quietly.

What do you mean?

Is there anything else you need to tell me?

No.

Nothing? Are you absolutely sure?

Rick sighed, knowing hed come this far and he had no choice but to let go of the last morsel, as much as it pained him. Theres one more thing.

Josie swiveled on her butt so that she faced him, then crossed her legs.

This ought to be interesting.

Youre pissed. You have a right to beI violated your privacy. But I was explaining to you how careful we are, that the reason Im not overly concerned about Bennett Cummings is because we do our homework, without fail.

This is an awful lot to digest in just one day, she said.

I know. Rick reached for her hand but she pulled it away.

You spied on me and my family and friends, Josie said, shaking her head.

Youre carrying around so many secrets I dont see how you can stand up straight. And if I have a relationship with you, Ill be a part of all this.

I understand.

This is way over my head, Josie said. My last boyfriend was normalhe designed computer software and played in a pickup basketball league.

Waityou already know that, dont you?

I am who I am, Josie. Thats what Ive been trying to tell you all daythis is the whole package. I know its a lot to accept, and I know it isnt everyones idea of a Prince Charming.

Good Lord, Josie said, wiping her cheeks. Look, Rick, theres only one thing thats a deal-breaker for me. Its the part about the children.

What children? he asked. He had no idea what she was talking about.

If you are getting ready to tell me you really did get someone pregnant or you havent taken care of a child you brought into this world, Ill just No, Josie. There are no kids. No pregnancies. Im asking you to believe me.

Josie waited a moment before she continued. You know, everything else youve done was reckless and stupid and selfish. I get the picture. And youve paid a horrible price for all of it. But you never once set out to destroy someone else.

Rick nodded soberly.

But men who deny their own children are the lowest of the low. Its unforgivable.

I agree.

Josie chomped down on her bottom lip and hugged her arms close across her chest. She searched Ricks face in the moonlight, looking for what, he wasnt sure, but he was happy to let her stare as long as she needed.

He had nothing to hide.

I believe you, she said eventually. So, whats the one last thing you have to tell me?

Rick sighed. Youll be the sixth person in the world to know this.

Josie didnt seem impressed. Yeah?

Im chairman of a nonprofit called the Meadowbrook Foundation. It pays the medical bills of severe head injury patients without insurance coverage.

Josie squinted at him. A foundation?

I hired an executive director to keep it running so I can stay behind the scenes. I dont want any recognition.

Thats it? Thats the one last thing?

Yes.

She uncrossed her arms and let her hands fall in her lap. Very quietly she said, Its a way of remembering Margot, isnt it?

It is.

So why that name?

We crashed on Meadowbrook Lane. I thought it would be as good a name as any.

Josie continued to study him, her face slowly relaxing, her frown subsiding. You sure thats the last thing?

Positive.

Come on. Josie hopped up from the wall and reached out her hand. They walked in silence up the lawn and toward the main house, the dogs running alongside. They climbed the stairs to the balcony outside Ricks suite. When they reached the door, Josie looked up at Rick, her face stricken.

I have my own secret, she whispered. I wont feel right until I tell you.