by Piper Stone
Simply trying to keep her alive.
Chapter Eight
Montana
“It’s been three fucking hours! What the hell is going on?” I jerked up from the seat, my booming voice bellowing over the television and the dozens of people in the waiting area.
“Why don’t you just calm down.” Garland held out my keys. “I parked your truck so you wouldn’t get towed and I have an old shirt of mine for you. It’s clean. Maybe a little large for you but you’ll look less like a serial killer.”
I huffed, grabbing both, shoving the keys into my pocket. “What the hell does it matter what I look like?” I couldn’t get the rage out of my voice.
“Why don’t you let me find out what’s going on? Okay? You just go cool off.”
I hissed, pacing several steps before noticing that Dr. Samoa was at the emergency nurse’s station. When the nurse pointed in my direction, I lost it, charging toward him. “What the hell is going on?” I’d never hated seeing Jack as much as I did at this minute. I couldn’t believe the fucking hack was involved with Holland’s care.
“Whoa. Hold on a second, Montana. I was coming to talk to you. Just cool down,” Jack said as he gave me a once-over. He had the same damn sneer on his face as usual, eyeing the blood covering my shirt with disdain.
“Don’t you dare tell me to cool down! Since when do you report to the emergency room?”
“Since one of the doctors assigned called in sick. Since there was no one else who could handle it,” he countered. “What the hell did you do to the girl?”
I reacted without thinking, punching him directly in the nose. The stifled screams and exclamations were heard from every direction. Jack went down hard, sliding across the tile floor as he slapped his hand over his nose.
Immediately, two security guards rushed toward us.
Jack held out his hand as he struggled to stand, waving them off. “It’s okay. We were just having a disagreement.” He closed his eyes, obviously trying to shake off the hard blow. When he removed his hand, there was blood streaming down his face.
Hell, I didn’t even feel guilty.
“I deserved that,” he offered, still keeping his distance.
“I think you boys need to talk about this away from all these good people. Don’t you?” Garland moved in between us, glaring from one to the other.
I snorted and looked away, finally nodding. “Yeah. Fine. Whatever.”
“Why don’t we talk over here,” Jack said as he rubbed his nose again. I had no doubt I’d broken it.
Hesitating, I threw the shirt back at Garland before trailing behind. Jack led me around the corner to a quiet location. I simply stared at him. “Well?”
“She’s stable. You managed to get her here just in time. Her reaction was one I’ve never seen before.”
“How bad is it?” I managed.
“Still unconscious. From what I can tell, there is no permanent damage to her heart, but her blood pressure skyrocketed, and she came close to having a stroke. She’s on various antibiotics, but I need to know exactly the amount you gave her. We’ll keep her overnight for observation, but I don’t see any lasting effects occurring.”
I rattled off what I’d done, almost unsure of my initial reaction.
He nodded. “You did all the right things. I don’t know what happened. Maybe the saline was old or contaminated. I’m not certain but I think you should have it tested.”
I wanted to punch him again, but he was right. “Yeah. I’ll do that. Can I see her?”
“Need to run a few more tests. Why don’t you go and clean up, maybe grab a drink? Come back in a couple hours. I swear to God that I’ll call you if there’s any change.”
Everything inside me was screaming to stay, but I knew I couldn’t do any good.
“Come on, buddy. I’ll buy you that drink and maybe a new shirt,” Garland said, half laughing.
“You don’t have to stay with me. I’m a big boy,” I countered.
“Yeah, that’s obvious but I’m off duty and could use a cold one myself. And I couldn’t give a shit what time it is. It’s five o’clock somewhere in this wretched world.”
I shifted my hateful gaze back in Jack’s direction, pointing a finger. “You need to take care of her. Anything, and I do mean anything that happens, you are going to call me. Got it?”
Jack held up both hands. “Oh, I got it but look, I think it’s better if I have another doctor assigned.”
I gave him a wary look, still fighting the anger.
“There’s too much bad blood between us. I’ll make certain she has the best doctor and no, that’s not going to be you, Montana. You’re too close.” Jack’s tone was even, compassionate in a manner I wasn’t used to.
“That sounds like a good idea,” Garland piped in.
Fuck good idea. “Fine. Do what you need to do. Okay? Just make certain it’s not some first year intern.”
Jack snorted. “Always the same hothead but I get it. You care about her. Maybe that’s a good thing for you, Cobra, being the snake you are.”
I reared back, my fist clenched until Garland shoved out his arms, giving both of us a nasty glare. “That’s enough. You’re both professionals. If you want to have a fist fight, I suggest you do it another time and place.”
Every muscle was tense, every cell in my body on fire and for all the wrong reasons. Damn this shit. “Yeah, he’s right.”
Jack shook his head. “One day, you and I are going to need to talk.”
That one day might come sooner versus later.
I followed behind Garland’s car to one of the local dives, but at least it was close to the hospital. After parking, he tossed me the shirt once again along with a rag, the look on his face condescending.
“I don’t think it would bode well if you walked in that way, at least not with an officer of the law.” He took off his gun, securing it in his trunk, pulling off his shirt and replacing with another while I did the same.
I was hyped up, the adrenaline kicking me hard between the eyes. I could barely flex my muscles, they were so tight. I rubbed the blood and dirt off my face and arms, tossing the rag into the truck and noticing her phone and purse. Just the sight of them brought another round of anger sweeping through my system.
“Come on, let’s get that drink. I think we can both use one.” Garland walked inside. We sat at the end of the bar, ordering a round. “You gonna tell me about the blood now?”
“Delivering a foal.”
“What?” He burst into laughter. “You’re kidding me?”
“No. Breach birth. Almost lost them both. Holland refused to allow me to take her to the hospital unless I managed to deliver.”
“Well, you are a man of many talents. I’m not even going to ask you about the snake.”
“Happened after you left,” I said, cringing as I heard the gruffness to my tone. I was a man full of rage, the kind that pushed a man into doing stupid things.
“Uh-huh. So, she did spend the night.”
The bartender slid the drinks across the bar and I had the bourbon half gone in five seconds flat.
“Take it easy, buddy. Jesus Christ. I don’t want to see you arrested for drunk driving,” Garland grumbled. “What’s the damn bad blood with you and that other doctor?”
“I don’t like him. Okay? He came into town barely months ago acting like he owned the joint.”
“You think he’s sweet on Holland, don’t you?” Garland teased. “He did seem interested in her.”
As if the man could handle a feisty woman like Holland. “Doesn’t matter what I think.”
“Well, I think you need to work on your anger management skills. You act like you need to prove something to the world. I don’t care about the shit that happened in the past. You’re a great doctor. Or least you are when you get your head out of your ass. Thought the bull would have kicked the piss and vinegar out of you.”
“Yeah? Well, you thought wrong.” Maybe I was trying to prove my worth to t
he world. I was certainly angry and bitter.
“Anyway, she seems to be doing fine. That’s good news,” Garland added, more under his breath.
He’d been a good friend since I’d returned to town, better than the majority of people I’d become reacquainted with. No one wanted to take the time to befriend a loser. A killer. Only Garland had listened to my drunken stories over and over again, taking my keys when I’d been too drunk to drive.
“Tell me the real story about Holland.” His challenge was solidified with a wink.
Swirling the drink, I honestly didn’t care at this point and I had no reason why I’d fallen into some kind of pit. Other than my thoughts about the past. Why now? Because of her? Because of actually caring again? The answer seemed more unrealistic than I wanted to buy into. “Actually, I found her breaking into my house.”
He spit his sip of scotch across the bar, coughing several times. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
“Not kidding you. Long story and don’t get your hackles raised.”
Grabbing a napkin and wiping his mouth, he coughed several additional times. “You always have excellent stories. You also manage to grab the hottest women. I’ll say that much.”
“Yeah, well, this one is a pain in my ass.” I took another gulp, enjoying the burn sliding down the back of my throat. The shit was rotgut but at that moment, I didn’t care.
“The girl is interesting. I’ll give you that. A veterinarian, a rodeo star, and a looker. That’s a dangerous combination.”
“You saw the damn article this morning.” I cursed under my breath.
“The entire town did, buddy. You’re both stars now. The whole thing actually went viral and national. I think it’s pretty damn cute if you ask me.” His boisterous laughter drew the attention of the few others in the dank bar.
National notoriety was the last thing I needed.
I punched him on the arm, snarling, “Nobody’s asking you. Besides, I don’t need that shit. I enjoy the whole rodeo scene, but I don’t want the crap to interfere with my practice.”
“Then don’t let it.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Damn, you really do like this girl. After all these years, I have to ask why?” Garland leaned over the bar, a grin on his face.
“Hell, I don’t know. She’s...” I honestly had no answer. By all rights, she wasn’t the kind of girl I’d gone for before. When I’d worked in Chicago, I’d dated buff blonde bombshells who honestly enjoyed being on my arm for parties and attention. That had been my armor, allowing me to never get close other than for one night, maybe two, except for the single girl who’d tossed me to the curb. I had no plans on settling down. Trouble was, Holland was down to earth and real, a girl who I wanted to... Fuck.
Dominate.
Own.
I felt a single bead of sweat form along my hairline and immediately lifted my glass, garnering the bartender’s attention. “I just like her but that doesn’t mean shit.”
“Even after she broke into your place?”
“Maybe even more so.”
He laughed again. “You’re one tough man to figure out. Do I even want to know why she broke in? Do you think she needs a lesson from local law enforcement?”
“To learn about my rodeo techniques. I’m handling her punishment.”
Garland lifted his glass. “I just bet you are.”
I glanced at whatever sports event was on the fuzzy television over the bar, my hands clammy. “You know, I don’t blame her for wanting to enhance her techniques. She’s trying hard to learn how to make some headway, not just as a female either. She wants to make a name for herself.”
“Interesting. You’re not that kind of guy, but okay. Let’s just hope she doesn’t have a penchant for breaking and entering. I will have to arrest her.”
“She’ll learn her lesson.”
“Whatever you say, my friend.” He chomped on a handful of peanuts. “Been a shit week. Makes me wonder why I entered into this field in the first place.”
I thought about the animals and shrugged. “What you were telling me earlier. Do you think there’s any chance some folks in town are behind the poison attempts?”
He shrank back. “I really can’t tell you anything, Montana. I think you know that. It’s an ongoing investigation. The town council would have my ass.”
I nodded, polishing off my drink. The town council was a bunch of stuffy corporate types who had no understanding of the Cheyenne way of life. But everyone had to answer to someone after all.
“Why do I have the feeling that you know more than you’re telling me?” he added.
I fiddled with the bowl of peanuts, picking at several. “The horse I took care of today had been poisoned. Trying to find out how. Holland has reason to believe that this has happened before with other ranchers. My guess is she’s right given your questions this morning. Now, I’ve heard a few rumors, but nothing indicating this is a widespread problem.”
“Why would she think that? What does it matter to her anyway?”
“I didn’t have a hell of a lot of time to ask her since she was in the throes of dying, but I’ll venture a guess that being a vet has a way of requiring a love of animals,” I snapped, immediately huffing under my breath.
“Okay. Okay. Jesus. I hear you. You know I had to ask you some questions. You’re a member of the rodeo circuit and you keep your ear to the ground. I’m not going to lie to you that there’s some suspicious activity going on, but that’s all you’re going to get, friend or no friend. I value my job and enjoy having a juicy steak every so often. And I’m suggesting a conspiracy here. We got good folks in this town. I don’t think they’d appreciate you going around spreading those rumors.”
“Yeah, I get it,” I said quietly. For some reason an unusual tension slipped between us. He was being pressured by someone. Why not toss out a cookie and see what happens? “She couldn’t get a toxicology report on the horse. With her suspicions and given the condition of the horse she’s trying to save, she’s been digging, trying to find answers.”
Garland shifted closer. I could feel the heat of his nervousness. “You need to tell her to lay low. Back off.”
“And why is that?”
“Goddamn it, Montana. You push hard at everything you do. No wonder you’re not well liked around these parts, especially since your return.”
“I didn’t come back to defend my honor or my decisions in some popularity contest, Garland. This is my home and no asshole is going to take it away from me!” I slammed the glass down on the bar, once again garnering the attention of one pissed-off bartender. I snarled under my breath. My past had nothing to do with what might or might not be going on.
“Just calm down,” he muttered. “Look, I really can’t tell you anything except that I have my own suspicions. I think this is more widespread than anyone is willing to talk about. I’m not afraid to admit I’m worried.”
“Inside job?” I asked as casually as possible.
“Eh, I’m not so certain. Nothing makes any sense, which is why I’m losing sleep.”
The bartender shoved a drink in my direction and my gut churned. There was something going on.
Garland fiddled with his drink for a full minute, eating peanuts although I could see his mind processing what I’d said. “Do you think she’s involved somehow?”
“Holland? I doubt it. She’s a troublemaker, but I honestly don’t see her as some calculating criminal.” Although I had a certain level of skepticism that she’d tell me absolute truths in the first place. She had her own secrets.
“Even though she broke into your place?”
I noticed he wasn’t looking in my direction or acting amused at the situation. You bet there was much more going on. “I honestly think she needs money and hopes to change her financial status with the rodeo. That’s it, Sheriff. No grandiose criminal activities other than trying to get under my skin.”
Snorting, he took a swig of his drink.
“Unlikely that’s going to matter given her performances.”
“Yeah, well, she is tenacious as hell. If anyone can do it, she can.”
Another round of tension.
Another series of questions forming in my mind.
“You really think this horse was poisoned?” Garland asked.
He was fishing again, making me even more cautious as to my answers. I’d trust the man with my life, but I also knew there were political and outside forces that continued to push his department. Not just the city council. “Yep. I do. What from, well, hopefully we’ll get to the bottom of.”
Garland very slowly turned his head, locking eyes with mine. Even in the dim lighting, I could sense he was on edge. What the hell was going on? “Just be careful. I’d hate for you to be caught in the crossfire.”
I had about a dozen questions for him, many of them pointed but I didn’t get the opportunity, his phone going off.
“Shit. I have to take this. It’s the office,” he huffed, yanking his phone from his pocket.
“I thought you were off duty.”
“A lawman is never off duty, my friend. You should know that by now.” He laughed as he eased off the barstool.
I did know. I watched as he walked toward the entrance, the conversation almost immediately heated. I’d never backed down from a difficult situation, even one I’d been caught in the middle of. That had always been my problem. Getting in the middle of things. When my cell phone rang, I was anxious, another bead of sweat trickling down the side of my face. “Cobalt.”
“Hey, Montana. It’s Bart. I thought I’d give you an update.”
I was almost relieved that it wasn’t a call from the hospital. “How’s Misty?”
“She’s going to be fine.”
His words seemed almost curt. “But?”
“I did what you asked, pulled a favor at the lab,” Bart half whispered.
Was there some dark cloud hanging over Cheyenne? “O-kay.”
“You were right. High doses of rodenticide mixed with some unknown substance. They’re still checking.”
“Shit,” I muttered. “Then we have an issue.”
“Not necessarily. It’s used by pretty much everyone in the ranching business, especially if they have a rodent outbreak. Given all the wet weather, it’s entirely possible that Misty ingested something she shouldn’t have.”
