“I won’t leave her side,” he reassured.
“Well, then I’ll take off so I can jump into the investigation before anyone else is attacked in my county,” the sheriff said. “The task force trying to lock this bastard behind bars is sending an FBI agent.”
After a concussion test, Audrey was advised that she’d been lucky. She wasn’t showing any signs there. The back of her head had a small cut.
“Heads are bleeders,” Dr. Garcia said. He was almost completely white haired, with good bedside manners. Considering he was hit with all manner of emergencies at his job, the man was a sea of calm. “The cuts aren’t as bad as I first feared.”
“That’s good news,” she agreed.
“I’d like to keep you overnight for observation, but I’m guessing that’s not going to be an option,” Dr. Garcia said.
“A hospital is no place for rest,” she said with a smile.
“I’d have to agree with you there,” he said with a wink. “Unfortunately, you have people coming in and out of your room all night poking and prodding.”
The thought of anyone being able to walk through those doors and into her room caused an involuntary shiver to rock her body. No, thanks. Could she go back to the ranch with Duke? Could she face his family home with him without stirring up all those memories?
“As fun as that sounds, I’ll have to take a pass,” she said, offering a small smile.
“Can’t say that I blame you,” Dr. Garcia said, returning the gesture. “Someone will be in with your discharge papers in a minute.”
“Is it possible to have those sent upstairs?” she asked.
The doctor glanced from Duke back to her as recognition dawned. “I can arrange that.” He removed his gloves and then walked over to Duke. “I’m sorry to hear about your grandparents. They’re nice folks.”
“I appreciate the kind words, Doc.” Duke offered a handshake, which the doctor took. “And thank you for taking care of Audrey so fast.”
“The sheriff called ahead and gave me no choice,” Dr. Garcia said with another wink. “We take care of our law enforcement around here.”
A nurse popped her head inside the curtain. “Doctor, you’re needed in room five as soon as possible.”
He nodded before turning back to Audrey. “Take it easy and take good care of my stitches.”
“Will do, Doc.” She mock saluted, which seemed to amuse him. The break in tension was much needed. Audrey finally exhaled before locking gazes with Duke. “Let’s head upstairs.”
“Whoa there,” Duke started. “Is it too soon for you to walk?”
“You heard the doc,” she said with a self-satisfied smug. “I’m good to go.”
“What I heard from Dr. Garcia was that you should be spending the night here, but he realizes how stubborn those of us who wear a badge are, so he didn’t ask,” Duke pointed out. It was his turn to look smug. He took the ball and ran with it, putting her attempt to shame.
“I’m not getting pushed around in that thing, if that’s what you’re hinting at,” she said, digging her heels in.
“Is Stubborn your middle name?” he teased.
“Might be,” she retorted. “Who wants to know?”
The playful exchange broke some of the gravity of the situation. The reality was that she’d almost been killed. Duke had almost been too late. Between quick thinking and fast fingers and Duke arriving, Trey had been spooked. He’d also been shot in the shoulder. She was certain of that. There would have to be fibers in the woods that could be matched once his identity was discovered. Those fibers would be enough to convince a jury to send the bastard to jail for the rest of his life, for the murder of five deputies.
Audrey shivered at the thought others were dead while she’d survived. For the second time in her life, she couldn’t help but wonder why she’d been spared.
With Duke’s help, she pushed to standing. Thankfully, her underarm was still numb from the shots. Her head was a different story, but she didn’t want to take anything for the headache. It might be extreme, but she’d had a ringside seat to people who relied on pills. No, thanks. She steered away from them. All she needed was a big glass of water to feel better. On top of everything else, she was probably dehydrated.
“If this gets to be too much, you’ll tell me, right?” Duke asked.
“I promise,” she responded as they left the small room separated from the others around it by nothing more than something that looked like a shower curtain.
Duke helped her out of the ER, into the elevator and up to his grandparents’ floor. Audrey stopped at the nurses’ station while he kept going. He only managed a few steps without her before he turned to face her. His forehead wrinkled like it did when he was confused.
“You coming?”
“I thought I’d give you privacy with your family,” she said, not wanting to intrude. Part of her couldn’t stand to see the Remingtons in those beds. They didn’t look peaceful or like they were sleeping. They appeared motionless, like they were wasting away.
“As far as my grandparents are concerned, you are family,” he said to her, causing warmth to surround her like a blanket, cloaking her in strength.
“Okay then,” she said, joining him once again.
He reached for her hand as they neared the door to his grandparents’ room.
A nurse came out, essentially blocking the door. “I’m sorry, Duke, no visitors are allowed right now,” the older woman said. Her name was Tabby according to the metal pin affixed to her scrubs. “We just got him stabilized but it’s still touch and go at this point.”
“Can I pop my head in at least?” Duke asked.
“Okay,” Tabby agreed. “But make it quick so I don’t get into trouble. The patient needs rest after an event like the one your grandfather had.”
Tabby’s expression sent panic coursing through Audrey.
She held tighter to Duke’s hand.
