Seeing her now, he still couldn’t figure which act he wanted to do more.
When she saw him, she jumped up from the chair followed by other staff members from Nirvana. Chase stepped out front. He’d known the cowboy a while now and he’d never seen him more distraught. “How is he?”
Cam rubbed his jaw. “He isn’t out of the water yet, but we were able to stabilize him. He had a nasty gash on his head, some cuts on his face that needed stitching, and he’d been shot in the leg with an arrow that snapped off while he was being dragged.”
Chase blew out a long breath. “The horse had been shot too. That’s why she reacted the way she did.” Chase placed his hands on his hips, wrinkles appearing around his eyes.
Cam nodded. “I can’t say if the gash on his head was from being hit or from being dragged, but the arrow in his leg is obvious that someone intentionally did this to him. It’ll have to be removed surgically, but we’re wanting to get his vitals stable first.”
“I’ll speak to the sheriff when he gets here. I already called him. Just keep me posted on how Cole’s doing.” Chase patted Cam’s arm then joined Kaycee.
“Can I speak to you?” Cam asked Moon.
She nodded. Together they walked to the vending machine area where they had more privacy. Her hands were pushed into her back pockets and she looked at him in a way that cut straight into his gut. He wanted to be angry with her, but how could he be? “Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine.”
He watched as a couple walked through. He greeted them with a nod and waited until they were out of ear shot. “What you did was ridiculous.”
She blinked. “I did what I had to do,” she said in a lowered voice.
“Putting yourself, and the baby, in danger?”
“So I should have just allowed the horse to drag Cole further? If that would have been anybody else strung up in that rope being dragged I don’t think you would be so quick to scold me.”
He winced. “Are you being serious?”
“It’s not unknown how much you despise Cole. You might not like him but that doesn’t mean he should die because of it.”
He rubbed his temples where a headache threatened to unfold into a migraine. “Yea, and that’s why I just spent two hours working on him to make sure he survives.”
She sighed, some of the harshness around her eyes disappearing. “I’m sorry. You’re right. That was a low blow. It’s just that…well…you have no right to be angry with me. I’m not used to someone telling me what to do or snapping at me.”
“I’m not telling you what to do. I’m taking care of you.”
Pulling her hands out of her pockets, she dropped them at her sides. “I don’t need to be taken care of, Cam. I’m a grown woman.”
“It’s time you told Chase everything.”
“He probably already knows about the baby because you certainly didn’t worry when you blurted it out back at Nirvana.”
“I’m serious, Moon. After what happened to Cole you need to tell him what happened from the beginning.”
“Why? This has nothing to do with what happened.”
“You don’t think it’s suspicious that Nola gets hit over the head, you get locked in the bathroom and now Cole is in his room fighting for his life because someone attacked him?”
“Yes, it could be connected, but…”
“But what? While you’re at it tell Chase you’re pregnant. He needs to know. You’re well-being is more important than your pride.”
“My pride? Let’s not do this again. I told you I need my job. How will I take care of this child if I’m not working?”
He squinted. “That’s the pride I’m referring to. I told you before. I’m not a dead beat, Moon. I’ll help.”
“I can’t rely on you. You and I…well…I have no clue what’s happening.”
He wasn’t sure why her words were like a dull blade slicing through his chest. “Then we’ll get married,” he blurted. Damn. This wasn’t how he’d planned to ask.
Her mouth fell open and then she snapped it shut. “Now you’re not being serious. This is absurd.”
“The hell I’m not. Why does it sound so absurd? People marry for far less reasons.” Once the words were out, he understood the gravity of them, especially by the sadness that appeared in her eyes.
“Sheesh, thanks for the romantic proposal. You might know people who marry for anything less than love, but I’m not one of those people. I’d rather be a single parent than get married to someone just for the sake of our child. Or someone who can’t get over the loss of his wife.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “You can’t watch over me as if I’m a china plate. I get that what I did back on the ranch wasn’t the best decision, but if that would have been you, or me, being dragged I’d want someone to step up and help me. You would too.” She sighed. “I’m not asking for you to not concern yourself with my health, or the baby’s, I’m only suggesting that you not kill me just to save me.”
He shook his head. “Kill you to save you? Is that what you think I’m doing?”
“As I’ve said before, Cam. I understand losing someone must be the hardest thing, but what would you like for me to do…live in a bubble? Will you keep our baby from playing, riding horses, enjoying life because you’re always afraid that something bad will happen?”
He opened his mouth…
“Dr. Parker, please report to ICU. Dr. Parker to ICU,” the female voice called over the intercom.
“We need to talk more, but right now you need to tell Chase or I will.”
“You wouldn’t!”
“Yes, I would. This comes down to your safety and you’re not safe. There’s someone very dangerous at Nirvana.”
“What’s really sad is that you refuse to listen to me!” She turned and walked away.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“You’re resigning?” Chase steepled his fingers, looking over the tips at Moon. “If this is about what happened with Cole—”
“No, Chase. This has nothing to do with Cole.” Moon was still angry as she sat there. Never in her life had she had a man attempt to tell her what to do! And she wasn’t about to sit back and let it happen. She’d show Cam!
“Is there something else I should know?” he asked.
“I’m ready to move on. It’s time.”
He dropped his hands and leaned forward. “Moon, you’re a hard worker and Nirvana certainly won’t be the same without you. I feel like there’s more to the story. Whatever it is…”
“I’m pregnant,” she blurted. Damn, why did I do that?
He dropped back into his chair. “That certainly explains a lot.”
She lowered her gaze for a second before meeting Chase’s sympathetic one again. “Although I know I could still do the job I was hired to do, I also know I can’t ask for any of the hands to take up my slack here in a few months when I’ll be more limited.”
He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “We can work something out. I’m with modern times, Moon. All of my employees get family time, including, and especially, you.”
“Chase, you’re a kind man and I know you’d be more than willing to work things out, even if it means you’ll lose money. Kaycee’s a lucky woman. Please don’t think that this decision was made on a whim. I’ve thought about it long and hard for the last few days and I’m sure this is the right decision. If I would have been a few months farther along, I wouldn’t have been able to stop the horse from dragging Cole. I couldn’t have put my baby in danger. And that’s not fair to any of the hands, or the guests.”
He nodded. “I hope I’m not crossing a line here, but would Cam play a role in this decision?”
Moon crossed her legs. “No, he wouldn’t.”
“Oh.” He tapped his fingers on the desk. “I could have sworn...” He shrugged. “Maybe you’re telling me it’s none of my business.” He chuckled.
“I’m only saying that I’ve prided myself on my independence and that won’t—can’t—change.”
“Just for theory’s sake, let’s say if Cam was the father, I’m not saying he is, but I’m going out on a limb here and saying that I haven’t known him a long time, but for some folks you don’t need to know them very long until you get a good idea of who they are. Cam, well, he’s one of the good ones. I often think of his situation, he and his wife were newly married, and expecting their first, when she was diagnosed with cancer. I couldn’t imagine that happening to Kaycee, and if heaven forbid it did, I couldn’t imagine ever getting over being afraid of losing everything again. That’s just my two cents.”
“I-I didn’t know she was pregnant.” Her heart dropped into her stomach. “Why didn’t he tell me?”
She didn’t realize she’d said the words aloud until he answered.
“Maybe for the same reason no one here knew about your divorce. You’re a private person and so is Cam. You both have gotten so used to taking care of others that neither one of you want to open up and allow someone else to take care of you. You’ve built a wall as protection.”
“Chase, thank you.”
He shrugged. “Damn, this losing ranch hands is getting old.” He shook his head.
“No worries. You won’t ever have any trouble finding people to come out here to paradise.”
Moon left the administrative building and headed toward staff row, her eyes misting as she wrapped her brain around what she’d just done. Yet, there was no changing her mind. After she’d left the hospital two days ago, and speaking with the sheriff about what she knew, she’d ignored every call from Cam. When she knew he’d be at the ranch, she disappeared to a quiet spot on the land where he wouldn’t find her. She’d needed the time to finally admit to herself that the baby was her concern and not only did she need to stay safe, but she couldn’t become the pregnant lady who needed the others to do her job because she couldn’t. She was too independent for that idea.
She had the money left over from her divorce settlement which would allow her to cover expenses until she could figure out where she needed to go from here. She also wanted to visit home. Her mother and father were always the strength for her when things were rough. She would call Cam and speak to him before she left. She wasn’t one to leave things hanging. It wasn’t fair to him, and now knowing that his late wife was pregnant and not only had he lost her but the baby too, she couldn’t do that to him.
She loved him.
However, the last thing she wanted, or needed, was for a man to feel obligated to her because she carried his child. She’d been in a loveless marriage before and she swore she’d never find herself in that plight again.
And yet, she missed Cam.
Reaching for her phone, she dialed his number. His voice mail immediately picked up. She started to hit ‘end’ but she decided to leave a message.
“We should talk. Please call me back. I’m stopping to tell Nola goodbye, but after that I’ll be free. Call me or stop by.”
She hung up.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Dr. Parker, your patient is waking up,” the nurse said from the doorway to Cole’s room.
He dropped his chart at the nurse’s station and hurried into the room. Cole’s eyes were open and he was staring at the ceiling. Cam pulled out his small flashlight as he approached the side of the bed. “Hey there, Cole. Welcome back.”
The man turned his head ever so slightly. “How long?”
“A few days.” Cam used the light to check Cole’s eyes. “We kept you sedated to help speed up the healing from the head injury. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been dragged by a horse for a mile,” he said in a rough, raw voice.
“So, do you remember what happened?” This would help Cam get an idea if Cole’s brain was functional.
Cole nodded. “I think I do.”
“The staff at Nirvana have kept the door revolving. They’re all on your side. The sheriff has been here a few times too. He’s interested in hearing what happened.”
“I bet he does.” Cole coughed.
“Let me grab you some water.” Cole’s hand clutched his sleeve. “What is it?”
“You…need…” he coughed again. “Moon. Not safe.”
Cam stiffened. “Tell me.” He leaned closer.
“It’s Nola. She…hit me, shot me. She is obsessed with Moon.”
“Cole, I need to call her. I’ll have the nurse get your water.”
Cam hurried from the room, already grabbing his cell from his pocket. He started to dial Moon’s number when he saw that he had one missed voice message. Clicking the icon on the screen, he heard her voice.
His throat felt like it was on fire. He could barely speak. “Nurse Rhoden, call the sheriff and tell him that he’s needed at Nirvana Ranch. It’s an emergency.” He didn’t wait around, but dashed down the hall, missing patients and visitors as he raced to where he was parked in the lot.
He jumped behind the wheel and tore out of the lot as he dialed Moon. It just rang. He hit speed dial to Nirvana. Nothing. “Shit! Where the hell is everyone?” He looked up in time to see the light turn red. He slammed on the brake and the back of his SUV slid a few feet and the tires squealed, earning him a few odd looks from people on the sidewalk. “Fuck!”
Moon could be mad at him, but he didn’t care. It didn’t change the fact that he loved her. If anything happened to her he wouldn’t know how he’d recover. He couldn’t lose again, not twice in a lifetime.
Since their conversation at the hospital, she’d ignored all of his calls and when he showed up at Nirvana she mysteriously was missing on the land. He’d been too overbearing, and that’s not the kind of man she needed. She needed a man who would support her, love her no matter what. He could do that—wanted to be that man for her. But first it was important that he confessed his demons—everything about the death of his wife.
First, he had to get to Nirvana and make sure Moon was safe…
The light turned green. He pressed the gas pedal, squealing the tires again.
*****
Moon’s cell buzzed and she looked at the screen. Cam again. He had no patience. Well, he’d just have to wait.
“Is there a problem?” Nola asked as she placed a cup of steaming coffee on the table in front of Moon.
“No, nothing. Just a situation I have to take care of later. I wanted to stop and say goodbye. I hope you feel better about leaving.”
Nola sat down and looked into her cup as if she was looking for an answer. “No, not really. I feel so bad about Cole. How is he doing?” She looked up, her eyes misted.
“He was still medically sedated to help with his head injury, but from what I understand his prognosis is good.”
“I wanted to go see him, but I wasn’t sure they would allow anyone but family in to see him.” She took a long sip.
“That’s very kind of you.” The phone vibrated again. She looked at the screen. It was a text from Cam. She clicked the button and read…
“It’s an emergency. Call me.”
Fear walked down her spine. Maybe something went terribly wrong with Cole. “Nola, I’m sorry but I need to make a call.” She stood and dialed Cam’s number. He answered on the first ring.
“It’s about time.” His breathing was labored.
“I hope there really is an emergency. If not…” She saw the bow leaning against the wall next to Nola’s suitcase. It wasn’t one of Nirvana’s bows. Why had Nola brought her own?
“Trust me. This is an emergency. Where are you?”
“I’m with Nola.” She took a step closer to the bow and her heart skipped a beat. A red stain was on the handle, which looked a lot like blood.
“Get the hell away from her. Cole woke up earlier and he said she was the one who did this to him.”
Moon’s mouth went dry as the facts swirled through her brain—one by shocking one. Nola shot Cole and the horse. The evidence w
as right there in front of Moon. She lowered the phone as she wrapped her head around the seriousness of the situation.
She slowly turned on her heel in time to see movement, but not a second later she was struck on the head and everything went black.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Moon’s vision was blurred as she fluttered her eyes open and her head ached. She attempted to piece together where she was and what happened. Slowly, the events came back. Nola had hit her.
Moon jerked and couldn’t move. She was tied to a chair in the dilapidated barn that had been in the process of being torn down.
“It’s about time you woke up. If my guess is right, we won’t have much time before the cavalry arrives.” Nola stepped from the shadows, holding a golf club in one hand, dragging it behind her through the hay covered, dirt floor. “Yet, I think this will be the last place they’ll suspect that I have you.”
“Nola? Why are you doing this?” Moon pushed against the ropes holding her in the chair. She knew her rope tying pretty well and Nola had tied them with no slack. This could be hard to maneuver out of.
The older woman shrugged as she stopped in front of Moon, leaning on the club. “I thought you were different, Moon. I thought we were friends, but it seems you were just being nice.”
“That’s not true. I was your friend.”
“Friends don’t lie to each other,” she snickered. “You’ve lied to me repeatedly. The time I caught you in the treehouse, writhing under the good ol’ doc. You didn’t know I was watching through the window. I wonder if that would have changed the filth you were sharing with him. I doubt it. No one seems to care about modesty these days.” She sniffed loudly.
A Perfect Cowboy Daddy (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 7) Page 16
