by Jane Jamison
“Thrown off? Sure. But I landed on my feet. I kept telling my friends it wasn’t a big deal, but they can be as stubborn as a bull aiming for a cowboy’s ass.”
Uh-huh. Stubborn knows stubborn. “And you’re not?”
“’Course not, baby.” He chuckled then winced. “Okay, maybe at times. Aren’t we all bullheaded to a point? I’ll bet you’ve got one hell of a stubborn streak.”
She laughed, having just thought the same thing. “How can you tell?”
“Easy. All spirited fillies have a stubborn streak. You’ve got the look.”
“I see.” She kept away from his mesmerizing eyes and concentrated on taking care of him in a strictly unattached way. Or, at least, she tried to.
“What do you think, pretty lady? Is he going to live?”
She pivoted around to find one of the other cowboys, the blond one with incredible light-blue eyes peeking around the edge of the curtain. Letting him call her pretty lady and Wy call her baby wasn’t very dignified, but it sure felt good.
“Get out of here, Mitch. She’s not finished checking me out.”
Checking him out? “No, it’s okay. I’ve completed my examination. You can come in.”
Mitch pushed aside the curtain then pulled it closed again. “So what’s the deal, doc? Is he going to live?”
“Naw. Like my daddy always said. I’m so mean I’m going to nasty away.”
She let the joke slide over her. He was funny, but laughing at his joke would only encourage him. She gave his friend a very courteous, but not-too-friendly smile. “I’m Dr. Kirkland.”
“Mitch Wilson. I’m Wy’s cousin.”
She nodded, but didn’t take the blond’s outstretched hand. “Your friend’s bruised up, but everything seems to be in good working condition.”
“Everything?” Wy was definitely the flirting kind. “I don’t think you can say for certain, baby. You haven’t checked my…everything.”
She wasn’t going to fall for that old ploy to make her look down again. He wasn’t the first man who’d tried to pull a fast one. Besides, she’d already looked enough. “Don’t worry, Mr. Wilson. I was very thorough. I suggest you take it easy for a few days. Take some pain relievers if you need to and, if you start hurting more or anything else doesn’t seem right, come back in.”
“Something already doesn’t feel right, doc.”
She scanned Wy’s body then gave his bruise another look. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s just not right that a beautiful woman like yourself is stuck in the ER on a Saturday night.” Wy sat up, grimacing at the movement. “How about you let my friend and me take you out to dinner?”
She’d been hit on by a lot of men, both on the job and off, and she didn’t like it. Yet having Wy flirt with her was fun. It wasn’t what he said as much as how he said it. He had a down-home charm she liked. Add the charm to a tone in his voice that could melt butter and it was an irresistible combination. “My cousin doesn’t have many ideas, but when he does, it’s usually a good one. How about it, doc? Would you like to grab a juicy steak? You choose the place since you know the town better than we do.”
Which meant, of course, they weren’t local. Disappointment flooded her. What use would it do to get involved with someone who didn’t live in San Antonio? “Thank you, but I’m still working.”
“How about after your shift?” Wy sat on the edge of the bed, redoing the few buttons she hadn’t torn off. “We’ll wait for you.”
The two of them had such eager expressions she couldn’t help but feel flattered. “You and your other two friends?”
“They headed back to finish their events.” Mitch sat down on the other side of the bed as though he had no intention of going anywhere. “So how about it? Pick the place.”
She pulled the curtain open. If she didn’t get back to work, she might just accept their offer. Who knew what might happen if she did? “Don’t you need to get back to the rodeo, too? Mitch, that is. Not Wy. He should stay off the horses and on his feet for a few days.”
Mitch glanced at Wy, who shook his head. “Nope. If Wy’s done, then I’m done. I asked the other two guys to take care of our horses. We’re all yours, doc.”
All mine.
She had to resist the urge to take another slow ride over their bodies. Maybe, just this once, she could take a break and have some fun. But was it safe to go to dinner with two men? Still, she’d always thought of herself as a good judge of character, and they had the look of nice guys. Nice and oh-so hot.
“I’m going to take your silence as a yes, doc.” Mitch’s blue eyes were as alluring as Wy’s green ones.
“I really don’t think it’s a good idea.” Had they heard the lack of conviction in her voice? Or the yearning in her tone?
“Sure it is.” Wy slid off the table.
Before she knew it, they had her trapped between them. She wasn’t a large woman by any means, but she felt diminutive next to them. Heat rushed into her as they both stepped closer, narrowing the gap between them.
“Come on. Name the place, doc.”
She didn’t eat out often. At least not enough to know many of the restaurants in town. But she had heard of one steak house other people raved about. “Okay, fine. I’ll meet you at eight at Montgomery’s Steak House on the River Walk. You know about the San Antonio River Walk, don’t you?”
Everyone, even people who’d never visited Texas knew about the River Walk. The city’s number one tourist attraction boasted a large park that was open year-round. A host of restaurants, bars, and shops lined the river where tourists and residents alike could ride a colorful boat from one end of the river to the other.
“Sure thing.” Wy slid his hand around her waist. “We’ll be there.”
His touch acted like a torch, firing her body into an even higher burn. She swallowed, suddenly unsure of herself, but determined to see them again. “Okay. Sounds good.” Easing away, she pulled the curtain open and snagged the clipboard with Wy’s paperwork. She motioned for a nurse. “Carla, go ahead and get Mr. Wilson signed out. He’s good to go.”
* * * *
“Unless I got kicked in the head and scrambled my brain, I’d say she’s something else.”
Mitch nodded, agreeing with Wy. “You didn’t get kicked in the head and she is something else.”
He hadn’t been too worried about Wy after he’d gotten a look at his chest, but he hadn’t wanted to take any chances. Getting kicked by a horse no matter where the hoof struck wasn’t anything to brush off. Taking him to the ER had been a good choice in more than one way.
They watched the doctor as she examined the next patient. If the obvious respect the nurses gave her, as well as the way the patient relaxed in her presence, was any indication, she was good at her job.
“I’m already starving and it has nothing to do with food. Still, I could go for a steak.”
Mitch chuckled. If there was any better sign that his cousin was okay, it was his appetite. Wy could put away more food than any man he’d ever known. “Yeah. I’m hungry, too.”
“Let’s grab a cup of coffee and wait for Chey.”
“Chey?”
“Yeah. Short for Cheyenne.”
“I like it.” The name Chey sounded laid back, sweet, cute, unusual, and a whole lot of other adjectives she inspired.
“Me, too.”
Mitch would’ve loved to stay in the same room with her, but he doubted they’d be allowed to do so now that Wy was getting discharged. Instead, they’d have to move out to the main waiting room and stick around until she was off work. “Back to getting that cup of coffee.”
“Right. Let’s do it.”
And yet they still didn’t move.
“Doctor Kirkland!”
Mitch whirled toward the shout, his body tensing and ready to go into action. A young man in his late teens shoved a nurse out of the way then ran toward the pretty doctor.
He didn’t think twice. As other people moved away fro
m the man, he took off in a run toward the pretty doctor. She stood still, unmoving, as though she wasn’t sure what was going on. Mitch sensed his cousin next to him, ready to do whatever was necessary to keep her safe. They didn’t need to speak. They knew each other well enough to know what the other would do.
They made it to her a moment before the man did. Mitch caught hold of the young man’s left arm, pulling it behind him as Wy grabbed his right arm and did the same. As easily as roping a calf, they brought the attacker to his knees.
“Turn me loose!”
Mitch ignored the commotion around him, vaguely hearing a nurse call for security. “Stop struggling, kid. We’re not letting you go. Give it up before we put you facedown on the floor.” Mitch’s training as a police officer came in handy. Although he’d given up the force a few years earlier to take on ranching full-time and to ride the rodeo circuit, his reactions hadn’t dulled one bit.
“What the hell’s wrong with you?” Wy’s injury didn’t seem to bother him as he kept a secure hold on the man.
“Let me go. I didn’t come here to hurt her.” His brown hair was slicked back, and pimples dotted his face. “Dr. Kirkland, I’ve got to talk to you.”
Mitch lifted his gaze to Chey’s just as a balding man and two security guards burst into the room. As soon as they were close enough to take over, he and Wy released their holds and backed off.
The guards pulled him to his feet. He didn’t attempt to lunge at Chey, who remained rooted to the same spot. She shook her head at the balding man. “Don’t start, Al.”
“Damn it, Chey.” Al was huffing, trying to drag in much-needed air. “This is what I was talking about. You need a bodyguard.”
A bodyguard? Why would a doctor need someone guarding her?
Mitch’s gaze jumped from Al and back to Chey, trying to understand.
“What if he’d had a gun, Chey?”
Then she’d probably be dead. He frowned at Chey. What the hell’s going on?
“But he doesn’t,” argued Chey. “Do you, Warren? Do you have a gun or any other weapons?”
“No. I didn’t come here to hurt you. I need to talk to you. You’ve got to listen to me. I have to warn you about my father.”
“I was hoping your father had started to understand what happened. Should I speak to him again?”
“No way, Chey.” Al turned to Warren. “What are you talking about? What’s he planning? Is he here?”
“No, but I know he’s planning on keeping his promise to ki— hurt you. He’s coming. He’ll be here soon.”
Someone’s out to kill her.
“Did you call the police?” Al got in Warren’s face. “Why didn’t you call first? You should’ve called me.”
“I–I didn’t think about you. I tried to call her, but the hospital operator wouldn’t put me through so I headed over here.” Warren shook his head, his face a mask of confusion. “I don’t know. I guess I thought if I could warn her first, I could keep him out of trouble. Then I could have more time to talk him out of it.”
Mitch came to Chey’s side and wrapped his arm around her waist in a protective hold. He didn’t care what anyone thought. Only that she was trembling. “You’re going to tell us what’s happening, but first, we need to take care of you.”
“Can you handle him?” Wy positioned himself between Warren and Al.
“Who the hell are you two?” If Al’s face got any redder, he’d turn fire-engine red.
“We’re her friends and we’ll take care of her. Do you have this under control or not?” Mitch shot Al a pointed look, giving Al a chance to answer.
“Chey?” asked Al.
She dragged in a ragged breath. “It’s okay. They’re friends.”
“My father’s headed this way. You have to get out of here.” Warren struggled against the two men holding him.
“Where’s your office?” Mitch leaned closer. “Let’s get you there then we’ll decide what to do next.”
She took in a long, slow breath, obviously considering whether to trust them or not. “It’s on the third floor.”
“Let’s move,” added Wy. Keeping a firm hold on her, Mitch started her toward the elevator.
“You’ve got to stop him. But, please, don’t hurt him,” begged Warren.
“What’s going on?” questioned Mitch.
“It’s hard to explain.”
“The police are on their way.”
Chey nodded at Betty, the head nurse. “But he hasn’t done anything wrong. He came to warn me.”
“I don’t give a crap. Get him out of here,” ordered Al. “Take him outside and wait for the police. We’ll let them handle him. Whatever happens, don’t let him back inside.”
Her walk was stiff as Mitch and Wy hurried her toward the elevator. Just as the doors opened and she was about to step inside, a shot rang out, piercing the air with its horrible sound.
Mitch pushed his body in front of hers, roughly shoving her into the elevator. He wrapped his strong arms wrapped around her, putting his body between her and the danger. Wy punched the button on the panel as he jumped back out of the elevator.
“Get her to safety, cuz.” Wy ran back into the throng of screaming people.
Chapter Two
“We have to go back.” Chey pushed Mitch away and punched the elevator button for the ground floor and the ER. The elevator kept going up, carrying them to the third floor where most of the doctors had their offices. “We have to help. Someone might’ve been shot.”
Mitch stood back, not attempting to take hold of her again. “Wy and the rest of them will handle it. The point is to keep you safe.”
“But it’s my fault they’re getting shot at. I have to go back and help them.”
“You’re right. It’s your fault someone’s shooting at them.”
She froze, stunned. “Screw you. You don’t know anything about the situation. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“The reason someone’s shooting at you doesn’t matter. But the longer you stay in the ER, the likelier he is to shoot someone else instead. Either to get past them to you or by accident.”
He was right. She was the target. A target that put everyone else in danger. Al had said as much, and now it had happened.
When the elevator doors finally opened, she punched the first-floor button again. But it didn’t matter. His strong arms wrapped around her, giving her no alternative except to go along with him.
“Let me go. Who the hell are you to hold me against my will?” She let out a low curse as the doors closed behind her. Lunging, she tried to punch the down button, but he grabbed her, lifting her off her feet.
“Put me down, damn it.”
“Which way is your office?” The sounds of police sirens accented his words.
She struggled, but it was no use. “Down the hall.”
“Good.” He set her back on her feet. Taking her hand firmly in his, he led the way.
Again, she had no choice but to let him take control. When he’d finally tugged her to her office door, her name engraved in the plaque next to it, he waited quietly as she pulled out her key and opened it.
He tilted his head to the side, telling her to enter. “You first, pretty lady.”
How had she ever been attracted to such a brute? “Don’t call me pretty lady.” Scowling, she led the way into her office. Snatching up the phone, she called the ER and waited, her heart in her throat until someone finally picked up.
“Yes?”
No “Hart Memorial ER.”
“Betty, is that you? It’s Dr. Chey.”
“Yes, it’s me.” Betty’s voice wavered.
“Are you all right? Was anyone shot?”
Mitch stood by her door. Was he blocking her way out?
“No. Everyone’s okay. The police are here, but they didn’t find the shooter.”
“They didn’t? Do they think it was George Glasson?”
“They’ve started looking for him. Al’s on his way up to yo
u with that other cowboy.”
“Good. Thanks, Betty.” Her gaze drifted to Mitch. Part of her realized he’d done what he thought was best. Getting her out of the room was the only way to keep the attacker from shooting someone else by mistake. Yet part of her also wanted to slap him silly for manhandling her. She hung up the phone.
“Wy and Al, head of hospital security, are on their way here. Once they arrive, you and your friend can leave.”
“We’re not going anywhere until we know you’re safe. What’s going on, anyway? Why is someone trying to kill you?” He sauntered over to one of the two chairs seated in front of her desk and took his place in one.
“It’s really none of your business.”
“Yeah, it kind of is. I don’t like getting in the middle of other people’s troubles, but when I hear bullets flying around my head, it gets personal.”
“One.”
“What?”
She crossed her arms. “There was only one shot. It was one bullet. Not bullets.”
“Okay. One. Still, I’d think you’d be grateful that we got your pretty butt out of there.”
He was right. He had a right to scowl at her. “I am grateful. And I understand why you brought me upstairs.”
“You’re welcome.” He grinned at her returning his scowl. “Now tell me what’s going on.”
She relaxed into the big leather chair then leaned her elbows on the mahogany desk. “George Glasson’s wife died when she came into the ER. Actually, she died before she ever got here.”
“Dead on arrival?”
“Yes. But I still tried to revive her. It was useless, but I had to try.”
Losing a patient was a part of the job. As a physician, she’d been trained to put the pain of those losses away. And God knew she’d tried. Yet, for her, every life lost became another hole in her heart. Even the ones she hadn’t had a prayer of saving.
“But he still blames you.”
“Yes.” The sound of footsteps echoed down the hall.
“And the kid downstairs?”
“That’s Warren, their son. He’s a good guy so I hope they don’t throw him in jail. After all, he was trying to warn me.”
