by Kelly Moore
Boone pulls in behind the ambulance, and I jump out before we stop moving. The paramedic who was driving swings open the back door. They roll Ellie out on the gurney. Her face looks ashen against the dried blood in her hair.
“Ellie,” I say, grasping her hand. Panic rolls through my gut when she doesn’t flinch.
“We gave her a drug to help ease her pain,” one of the paramedics says, rolling her through the double sliding doors of the emergency room.
“You need to wait here.” The other points to the waiting room. “A doctor will speak to you as soon as they know anything.”
Bear, Ethan, Chet, Noah, and Clem are all gathered in the waiting room. Boone and I storm toward them. “Any word on Wyatt?” Boone asks.
“They took him directly into surgery. He’s lost a lot of blood, but the surgeon said he’d be okay if he can repair the damage.”
Taking my hat off, I rake my hand through my hair. “That’s good.”
“Ellie’s strong, she’ll be fine too.” Clem hugs me.
“Did Watkins do this? Did Ellie confirm it?” Chet blares.
I nod.
“Now’s not the time.” Bear steps up to me. “Nita wanted to be here, but someone needed to stay with Missy. She doesn’t need to see any of this.”
“Ellie wouldn’t want her here.” I clasp his shoulder when Clem releases me.
“Waiting around ain’t gonna do us any good. It will allow Watkins time to get out of town.” Chet’s voice is full of rage.
I make a beeline to him. “Nobody wants him dead more than I do.”
“That’s my son and daughter he tried to kill!” Wrinkles deepen in his face with his harsh scowl. “Boone will handle him.”
“Daddy!” Clem hollers. “Leave him out of this. We need to call the police and let them chase down Watkins.” Clem is pressed in between us.
“So his fancy lawyers can have the charges dropped?” He huffs. “I don’t think so.”
“If you want him dead so badly, you do it yourself!” Clem clenches her teeth, and an angry finger jabs into his chest.
“You don’t think the man deserves to die for what he’s done to this family?” Chet barks.
“He deserves to be punished for his crimes in a legal manner.” She juts her chin at him. “Wyatt would want to see justice done by the law, not at the hands of his family.”
“Wyatt’s a pansy when it comes to these matters.” Chet isn’t backing down.
“He is not! He loves the law and justice. You’ll ruin his career if you take matters into your own hands!”
“Good. Maybe he’ll gain some sense and learn that his job is the ranch!”
We all gasp when Clem’s hand strikes Chet across the face, including Clem. “Daddy, I’m…sorry.” Her eyes are wide, with tears filling them.
Chet rubs his cheek. “I will protect this family in any way I see fit.” His voice is low but filled with a sternness.
“Boone,” a voice coming from behind has us all turning around.
Boone walks over, shaking the man’s hand in a white coat. “Dr. Smith, how is she?”
I race beside him. “Are you Ellie’s doctor?”
“I am.”
Boone turns toward me. “Dr. Smith has taken care of several of our men when they’ve been injured. Myself included. He’s the best.”
“Even though she looks bad, there are no internal injuries. She’s very lucky.”
“Lucky my ass!” Chet butts in between us.
“Mr. Calhoun,” Dr. Smith says, then presses his lips together. I’m guessing he’s dealt with him before. “All I’m saying is that it could’ve been much worse. Ellie has three broken ribs. We put her dislocated shoulder back in place and stitched up the gash at her temple. She’ll need to stay the night for observation. If all her tests are negative in the morning, she can go home. She’ll need lots of rest and someone to help care for a week or so. She’s going to be in a lot of pain with those ribs.”
“Any word on Wyatt?” Bear joins us.
“I poked my head in on his surgery. The bullet did a lot of nerve damage. He’ll need physical therapy to gain the use back in that leg. He may never fully gain mobility in it.”
“You saying my son won’t be able to walk again?” Chet’s voice is shaky.
“I’m saying time will tell.”
Chet yanks off his hat. “What kind of justice do you think this is?” he snarls at Clem.
Boone gets in his face. “That’s enough. I love you like a father, but I swear to god if you ever talk to my wife like that again, I’ll take her and leave.”
Chet closes his mouth, glaring at Boone. He goes to say something but instead sits in a chair in the waiting room.
I turn back toward Dr. Smith. “When can I see Ellie?”
“Are you family?” he asks.
“He is.” Boone squeezes my shoulder.
“For now, one at a time. I don’t want her getting upset,” he says, going through the double doors.
I stay by his side as we weave through the emergency room, following him upstairs. I take off in a trot when I see her behind a glass window.
Her arm is in a sling, and her beautiful face is bruised. “Ellie,” I whisper.
Her head slowly turns in my direction. “Ian.”
“You’re going to be okay. I’m gonna take good care of you.”
“I might let you.” A giggle escapes before she winces.
“I’m so sorry, baby.” She gingerly inches over, and I crawl in next to her, lying on my side. Brushing her auburn hair out of her face, I softly kiss the bruised area of her jaw. “I’ll never let anything happen to you again.”
“This isn’t your fault.” She gazes at me.
“Everything that’s happened to you since the day I left town is my fault.” A tear rolls from the corner of my eye, over my nose, and onto the bed.
“I’m a grown woman, responsible for my own actions.” She lifts her hand, placing it on my face.
“Boone told me about risks that you took because of me.”
“Maybe I did do them because I was hurting, but they were still my choice.”
I prop up on my elbow. “I was an idiot to ever leave you. I was fucking miserable all those years without you. You owned my soul, and I could never free myself of you no matter how much I tried.”
“It’s hard to own a soul without losing your own.” She lifts her head, kissing my lips.
“I’ll never leave you again. I don’t need anything else from you but you in my arms.”
“I want to give you everything. I…”
“Please don’t. Not now,” I sob. “I don’t care if you ever say the words to me. I feel them, right here.” I lift her hand, placing it on my heart. “You asked me if I couldn’t feel how much you loved me, and I said it wasn’t enough. I couldn’t have been more wrong.”
“But I do…” Her words fade as her eyes close, drifting off to sleep.
I slowly untangle from her, climbing out of bed. As much as I don’t want to leave her, I’m sure her family is chomping at the bit to see her.
They all rush toward me when I walk back into the waiting room.
“How is she?” Clem sniffs.
“She’s sleeping, but she’s going to be okay. Any more news on Wyatt?”
“He’s out of surgery. They said we can’t see him until he’s in recovery,” Bear says.
“I know this is really bad. I need to tell Jane the surgery is off.” Noah’s face appears haggard.
“You’ll tell her no such thing. I’ll do it.” Chet pats Noah on the shoulder.
“Daddy, you can’t. We’ll find another match,” Clem cries.
“I’m a tough old bastard. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” Noah asks.
“It’s been a rough day. I almost lost two of my children today. There’s no way in hell I’m going to lose Jane before I’ve even gotten the chance to meet my daughter. I’ll give my life to save hers.”
He can be mean as a snake, then turn around and be the most loyal man to those he loves. I’ll never understand him.
“You set things up as soon as these two are home,” he tells him. Noah looks awkward for a moment before he hugs Chet. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me, Son.”
Clem steps up to me. “I called the police. As soon as Ellie is up to it, they’ll want to speak to her and Wyatt.”
Boone bites his bottom lip holding back his thoughts.
“She’ll need an attorney. Wyatt won’t be up to helping her.”
“He’s the only one that can defend her,” Clem says.
“When the time comes, Wyatt will be up for it.” Boone places a kiss on her temple. “Why don’t you go see Ellie?”
She shakes her head. “Alright,” she says as she walks off.
“The police aren’t going to be able to find him. He’s likely long gone,” I say quietly to Boone.
“I’m sure he had a plan in motion before he went after Ellie and Wyatt.”
“We can go after him.” Bear comes up from behind us.
“We all can.” Ethan and Noah join us. Chet listens from a few feet back.
“You have your sister to worry about,” he tells Noah. “And you, you’re the only one of us that hasn’t been arrested a time or two, so you need to keep your nose clean.” He points at Ethan, then he angles toward Bear. “You have Missy to think about.”
“We all have something, including you,” Bear says. “This man came onto our property and attacked our family. We can’t let him get away with it.”
Chet steps in the middle of us. “And he won’t.” A knowing look passes between him and Boone. “He will get what’s coming to him, mark my words.”
“As much as I want to go after him, I think we all need to stick together right now for the sake of Ellie and Wyatt,” I say.
“He’s right,” Noah says. “Family means everything at a time like this.”
“You’re part of that now. We’ll all be there for Jane when the time comes,” Bear adds. “You’ll bring her back to the ranch along with our old man to recover. She’ll need her family.”
“I’m sorry I ever hated all of you.” Noah tries to hold back his emotions but fails.
“You had good reason to hate me.” Chet grips his arm.
“But I didn’t have cause to dislike the rest of you.” Noah glances at each of us.
“You didn’t know us. We had what you never did. I think I would’ve felt the same way.” Bear claps him on the shoulder. “We’re all good here.”
A nurse interrupts us to let us know that we can see Wyatt. I watch as Chet pulls Boone aside, whispering something to him. Boone’s face is covered in a frown when he nods in response. I know he’s just ordered Boone to hunt down Watkins.
Wyatt’s groggy but has color in his face. “Ellie,” he says as if his lips have been parched for weeks.
“She’s good. A little beat up, but she’s tough,” I tell him.
A look of relief washes over him as he relaxes into the pillow. “I thought he was going to kill her. I couldn’t stop him.”
“He didn’t want you to. That’s why he took you down first.” Boone sits on the side of the bed. “Clem called the police. Do you think you’ll be up to talking to them?”
He nods. “I don’t know how much good it will do. I’m sure he high-tailed it out of town.”
The room door swings open. Clem is pushing her sister in a wheelchair. Ellie’s eyes glass over the minute she sees Wyatt. “I’m so sorry,” she cries as Clem gets her by his side.
Wyatt pushes himself up the bed, dragging his leg. Ellie leans over to hug him. She grimaces when he reaches around her but doesn’t let go of him.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“A few broken ribs, but I’ll live. How’s your leg,” she asks when he releases her.
“I don’t feel much.” He looks at it. “I’m sure when all the pain meds wear off, it will hurt.”
“You two were lucky he didn’t kill you on the spot.” Bear paces the small room. “Why didn’t he?” He stops, rubbing his chin.
“He said he’d come back when we’d let our guard down thinking he was gone,” Ellie says.
“That’s his plan. Then we won’t let our guard down.” Bear protectively crosses his arms over his chest.
“I think we need to let these two get some rest.” Clem grips the handles of the wheelchair. “We’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
“I need to go home and let Missy know everyone is alright. She’ll be worried sick along with Nita.” Bear walks over to Wyatt’s beside. “I’ll check on you tomorrow.”
“All of you go home, but keep your eyes peeled.” Wyatt scoots down in the bed. “I’m tired, and my leg is starting to throb.”
Ethan takes the wheelchair from Clem. Boone walks Clem out with Ethan right behind them. Noah hesitates at Wyatt’s bedside. “I’m sorry this happened to the two of you.”
“If you’re worried about it, I’ll get clearance from the docs to go help Jane.”
“That’s not necessary, besides the fact that you’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Chet…” He pauses. “Our father is going to donate his kidney.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I’m not sure either, but Jane’s running out of time.”
“Make sure the doctors clear him before he follows through with it. His heart isn’t the greatest.”
“I don’t think I could stop him at this point. He’s one determined old man.”
“I’ll check on you later. I really want to spend some time with Ellie,” I say, hustling it out the door to catch up with her.
Chapter Nineteen
Ellie
One month later…
* * *
“Daddy will be coming home this week and bringing Jane with him. I can’t wait to meet her,” Clem says, shaking out the crisp white sheet before she makes her bed.
“Me too. It will be nice to have another sister to pick on.” I giggle, thankful my ribs are no longer tender.
“You be nice to her. I don’t want you running her off before she gets a chance to know us.”
“She’ll surely run then,” I tease her.
“How are you and Ian?”
“He’s been smothering me since the day I got home from the hospital. Why do you think I’m hiding out here?”
She tucks the corners of the sheets under the mattress. “He loves you. Like Boone loves me.”
“I know, and sometimes it scares me.”
She sits on the edge of the bed. “What do you mean?”
“His love tears at my gut. It’s so powerful and consuming.”
“Don’t you feel the same way about him?”
“Yes, and that’s equally as scary.”
“Oh, Ellie. It’s a good thing.”
“Is it? I’m not so sure.” I sit next to her. “What if something happens and he leaves again. How would I survive?”
She lays her head on my shoulder. “He’s never going to leave you again. I’ve heard him tell you that a million times.”
“Still.”
“Still nothing. You need to let that heart of yours melt into his. I promise you there’s no feeling like it in the world.”
“What I don’t understand is, he’s been living under my roof since we got back, and he hasn’t laid a finger on me.”
Her mouth gapes. “You haven’t been belly-bumping?
“Nope.”
“Maybe he’s afraid of hurting you.”
“Well, if he don’t hurry up, I may forget how to use my lady parts.” I look at my lap.
“I don’t think that will ever happen.” She bursts out laughing.
Feeling sorry I even mentioned it, I want to change the conversation. “So, things are good with you and Boone?” I ask.
She lifts her head. “Why wouldn’t they be?”
“Because Watkins is still out there
, and Daddy wants him dead.”
“Boone promised me he wouldn’t kill him. The police are still looking for him.”
“They aren’t going to find him, and one day, he’ll keep his word, coming back here to kill one of us.”
“Ian, Boone, Bear, and Ethan aren’t going to let that happen.”
“I hope you’re right.”
She stands. “When’s Wyatt getting out of rehab?”
“I think the staff is ready to kick him out. He’s gotten so dang ornery,” I snort.
“I’m sure he’s ready to be back home in his own surroundings. Margret told me he demanded she not come visit him.”
“What do you make of that?”
“I think he likes her more than he lets on, and he doesn’t want to feel like less of a man around her.”
She cocks her head at me. “Really? You think he likes Margret?”
“You’d have to be been blind not to see it. I don’t know what she sees in him. He’s a hard man to love.”
“That’s pot calling the kettle black,” she snickers. “Why do you say that?”
“Hello, it’s Wyatt. Mister ‘I keep to myself and act untouchable.’ Even though I happen to know deep down, he’s a softy.”
“As much as I disliked Margret in the beginning, she’s got a good heart. Maybe the two of them would be the perfect pair.”
“You’d be okay with her around our dinner table on Sundays like she used to be with Boone?”
She shrugs. “Why not? That’s all water under the bridge, as Momma would say.”
I plop back on the bed. “I miss her every day. What do you think she’d say about Noah and Jane moving to the ranch.” I lift my head to look at Clem.
“Well, knowing Momma’s kind heart, she’d welcome them as her own.”
“Do you ever wonder why she didn’t in the first place?”
“I’m sure she had her reasons.”
I sit on the edge of the bed. “She must’ve loved Daddy a whole lot to take him back, knowing he’d slept with another woman.”
“Gawd love her, she did.”
“Ellie, you in here?” Ian yells.
“You found me,” I say, whispering with my hand to the side of my mouth.
“You be nice.” Clem wags a finger at me.
