Page 54 of Return to Me Always

After hanging up all of our wet items on the line, we pulled the bench over to the fireplace for a quick dinner that we wolfed down. Between the warmth of the fire and my full stomach, I was so tired I almost leaned into Tyler who was right next to me.Almost.

But I stopped myself at the last second. I couldn't let my exhaustion lead me down the wrong road again.

Tyler stood up. "We need to get you to bed, Ryder."

"I'm fine. Really," I answered weakly.

But even to my own ears, I could hear my voice was laced with exhaustion. So I didn't argue as Tyler began to unpack the bedding and sleeping bags.

"You okay on the top bunk?" he asked.

"Perfect."

At this point, I'd sleep on the floor. Seriously, I didn't care as long as I was warm and dry. I set up my stuff on the top platform, wondering if Tyler would sleep below and Ben on the floor. But when Tyler pushed my sleeping bag over against the wall and set his next to mine, a gushy feeling spread throughout my core.

God, I was pathetic.

He was just sleeping next to me... as he'd done quite a few times before. But after my stupid, stupid comment—Tyler, I'm falling for you. Tyler, I'm falling for you—and the awkward silence that followed, I felt so vulnerable.

While I settled into my bed, Ben popped his head over the ledge. "Hey, Kat, you need some earplugs to drown out Tyler's snoring?"

What? I hadn't noticed any snoring before.

"He's joking," Tyler said while climbing up after me. "He'sthe bloody snorer."

"Oh. In that case, yeah. I'll take some. I mean, if you really have them."

He handed me some earplugs that I put in my pocket, but honestly, I was so exhausted nothing was going to wake me up tonight.

Chapter Fifteen

I knelt down at the water's edge, appreciating the calm beauty of the lake in front of me. Greedily, I drank big gulps from my hands then splashed the cool water over my face, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

A sudden sound behind me. A presence. A feeling of malice. I froze. A hard hand clamped over my mouth. A voice in my ear said, "Don't move."

My panic mounted.Something was tied over my mouth. I fought for every breath.

Rough hands tossed me onto a horse. My hair covered my eyes. I couldn't see anything. Or anybody. But I knew.

It washim. God help me. What did he want from me?

A loud noise woke me, and just like in my nightmare, I felt a breath near my ear. But this time, I knew it was Tyler. Not Malcolm, thank heavens. But Tyler.

"Shhh," he whispered.

What the hell was going on? And what was that noise?

The sound grew louder. Almost like an airplane. Understanding hit me. It was a helicopter. A very close helicopter.

Oh, my God.Were they looking for us?

My heart frantically kept time with the whirring noise of its blades. A bright light suddenly lit up the room from the skylight above me. My whole body clenched as I waited… waited for a voice to ring out in the night, a loud voice telling us to come out with our hands up. Just like in the movies.

The helicopter hovered above us, drowning out everything. Seconds ticked by. I cringed, waiting for all hell to break loose.

Shit.What could we do?

We were literally sitting ducks out here in this big open glen. There was no place to run or hide. Not one single tree. Just vast openness. I couldn't breathe. Just like in my nightmare. I imagined us running out the door being pursued by this helicopter, its blinding beam chasing us.

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