Cowboy Dreamin' (Thunder Creek Ranch Book 8) (8 page)

“It’s the first I’ve heard of it,” said Winnie, frowning at Lucas.

“He didn’t want to worry you, Luv. He’s had a tire slashed, and someone keyed the side of his truck. Now this. My guess is that he heard a noise and came out to investigate,” said Lucas.

“Either that, or he was already outside. Jack always did like to sleep under the stars when it was nice,” said Winnie.

Loreena brought the truck back but stayed in the cab. Lucas figured she could probably see what was going on better from up there.

“Who’s driving your truck, Lucas?” Michael asked.

He exchanged a quick look with his wife before answering. “A girl Jack knows from college.”

“Girlfriend?” Michael asked.

“Not anymore. She’s tried to cause some trouble for Jack, too,” said Winnie.

“In what way?” asked Michael.

“Nothing serious, just trying to hang on when it’s not in the cards. She even tried to say he fathered her baby, but Jack says no and I believe him,” said Winnie.

“All right, if you two are okay here, I’ll go see if I can help the emergency crews.”

“Go ahead,” said Lucas. “We’ll be fine.”

****

“What’s the hold up?” Michael asked Henry, one of the paramedics. “Why is Jack still up on the hood?”

“The truck is at a crazy angle. The rescue team is afraid it might dislodge if they climb up there to free him from the broken window.”

“Then tie it onto one of the other trucks so it can’t go anywhere. Geez! Jack is bound to bleed out before we can get to him.” Once they had the truck secured, Michael climbed up into the truck bed and leaned forward to open the driver’s door. After a few awkward tries, it opened and he climbed in. The first thing he noticed was Jack’s stocking feet.
Why would Jack take off without his boots?

“Jack, it’s Michael. Can you hear me?” he asked anxiously, worried about his baby brother.

No answer, but he’d had to try. He felt for a pulse in Jack’s foot, the only part of him he could reach. It was weak, but it was there, thank God. Michael knew the rescue team wouldn’t be able to balance on the hood of the truck with the river raging and bouncing it around. If they hadn’t secured a line to it, even his careful movements could’ve set it afloat down the river.

He found a pair of work gloves on the passenger seat and put them on before he began the arduous task of pulling the broken glass out of the window frame around his brother. The only thing that had kept Jack from flying off into the river was his pant leg caught on a jagged piece of glass. Michael left that one alone as he removed the rest of the shards. Then he checked Jack’s legs for possible breaks. They seemed fine, but one ankle was badly swollen.

“Henry, I’m going to try to pull him back into the cab.”

“If he’s hurt, that might do more damage,” Henry replied.

“His legs seem fine. It’s his head I’m worried about. Be ready to lend a hand.”

“Will do.”

Michael kept hold of Jack’s foot so he wouldn’t slide forward once he removed the last piece of broken glass. It was nothing but a miracle that one shard of glass had saved his little brother. Then he realized that the glass had lodged deep in Jack’s leg. Very carefully, he wiggled the base of the glass until it came loose from the window frame.

“Henry, he has a swollen ankle and a shard of glass stuck deep in his leg. Not sure if I should pull it out.”

“I don’t see as you have any choice. I can throw you a wad of gauze, just in case.”

“Can’t turn to catch it. I have to hold Jack to keep him from sliding forward.”

“Then work quick, Michael. The men have built a makeshift landing here, so I’m coming up closer to the door. I’ll help all I can.”

Michael took off his belt to use as a tourniquet around the top of Jack’s calf. Then he plucked out the glass shard and began pulling Jack backward toward him, careful not to pull on the swollen ankle in case it was broken. There wasn’t much room to maneuver with the steering wheel and gearshift in the way. Once Jack’s legs were in the cab, Michael angled them out the door and Henry took hold.

“Maybe we should turn him over. I’d hate to be hauling him through more broken glass.”

“The less we move him the better,” Henry replied. “You’re doing great. I have this end of things. Keep going.”

Michael found himself saying a quick prayer as he hauled on his brother. His torso was through, and Michel reached to support his head and neck. “Pull, Henry.”

“Wait a sec. We’ll get a neck brace on him before we go any farther.”

A few minutes later, Henry tossed one into the cab, and Michael secured it around Jack’s neck. “Ready.”

By now, most of the crew was close and watching the proceedings. The other paramedic was now holding Jack’s legs, so Henry held on around Jack’s waist. Michael could see the front of the stretcher and glanced out the rear window to see three men holding it in place at the top of the riverbank.

As the men eased Jack’s unconscious form out the door, Michael held his head and shoulders. He allowed his own body to slide to the ground, surprised when he fetched up on a board or something and didn’t have to worry about sliding downhill into the river. Then he remembered Henry saying something about a landing.

Finally, Jack was strapped down on the stretcher and moved to solid ground. Michael breathed a sigh of relief as the paramedics went to work. They checked his vitals and hooked up an IV. Then they bandaged the worst of his wounds and splinted his arm.

His mother came over and started to cry when she saw Jack lying there so pale and covered in blood. She’d been a pillar of strength and had probably prayed for Jack from the time they’d found him, but there was only so much a mother could take.

“It’s okay, Mom. Jack’s strong and healthy and he’s going to be all right.”

“I know, but I was so worried and I couldn’t get to him … couldn’t help him.”

The paramedics loaded Jack in the ambulance, and Lucas wrapped an arm around Winnie.

“Come on, Luv. Let’s follow the ambulance to the hospital.”

“Yes, all right. Are you coming, Michael?”

“I’ll be along in a bit. I have to secure the scene and do a bit of checking around.”

Right then Blake Northrup, previous head of the R.C.M.P. detachment, braked to a stop beside them and got out.

“Michael, go with your family. I’ve got this.”

“Thanks, Blake, but how did you know?”

“Scanner became a habit when I was in your shoes. Now go.”

“When they tow the truck out, check the brake line. Lucas thinks it may have been cut and Jack was after whoever did it.”

Blake nodded and glanced over at Jack’s truck, still nosed down into the river. “I’ll call in our forensics team. If there’s anything to find, they’ll find it.”

Michael felt a wet spot on his shirt and looked down. Sure enough, he was covered in Jack’s blood. “Mom, Lucas, you go ahead. I’m going home to clean up, and I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

“All right, Michael. Thank you for getting Jack out of there,” said his mother.

“Someone had to. See you later.” Michael walked to his truck and climbed up behind the wheel. Nervous reaction set in, now that the adrenalin rush was over, and he began to shake. Jack had had a close call. He calmed down by mentally removing himself from the scene and thinking of Rena and their babies on their way.

He was glad that he’d been able to help his brother, but the concussion worried him. He’d seen too many cases where people went through a windshield and hadn’t survived. Michael glanced around the scene, now in Blake’s capable hands, and started the truck. As he turned it around, he saw the woman in Lucas’s truck. She was looking out the window and crying as Lucas drove back toward the house. Was she really carrying Jack’s child? Or was it a last-ditch effort to try to hold onto him? Oh well, it wasn’t his problem. He shifted the truck into gear and drove away.

Chapter Eight

Allison kept busy all weekend. When she was out on her rounds, she set the phone to call forward to her cell, not wanting to miss Jack if he called. But he didn’t call or show up all weekend, and she couldn’t help but wonder if the other woman had something to do with his staying away. She picked up the phone to call the ranch several times, but ended up not calling. He’d think she was checking up on him, which she was. Not a good basis for any relationship.

She did manage to have a nice long chat with Bridget, after a thorough grilling by her mother. Even though Allison had the clinic to run, her mother figured she should be home more. It wouldn’t do any good to tell her that Fort Macleod was her home now. None of her choices ever seemed to please her mother, although she did try.

Monday morning came and went, and her new hire, Loreena something, hadn’t showed. Now she had an excuse to call the ranch. She dialed and let it ring and ring, but no one answered. Weird. Should she be worried? No, they were probably out working the ranch, getting groceries, or something. She’d try again later.

The afternoon was fully booked, and she was run off her feet by the time five o’clock rolled around. She was angry that the new receptionist hadn’t showed, and she missed Jack.

Why hadn’t he called? Had what they shared meant so little to him? No, she couldn’t believe that. They’d been good together. Real good. All she had to do was think about him and her insides started tingling all over again.

Allison locked up the clinic and went to her office, intending to catch up on today’s paperwork. Instead, she kicked off her shoes and dialed Jack’s house again. Still no answer.

Now she began to worry. Had something happened? How could she find out? She could take a run over and check on Winnie’s horse. No, Jack would see through that in a minute.

She’d have a bite to eat and then run out to the Thunder Creek Ranch and check on the calves she’d delivered. And if Jack’s name came up in conversation, maybe she could find out what was going on.

Her phone rang, and she was tempted to let the machine pick up, but what if it was Jack?

“Hello, Wakefield Clinic. Allison speaking.”

“Hey, beautiful. I thought you’d be finished work by now.”

She’d know that low, sexy voice anywhere. “Jack! Where have you been? I’ve missed you.” His chuckle sounded somewhat rusty, but she heard it clear enough.

“Well, now darlin’, I had a little trouble with the truck and it decided it liked the river better than the road.”

“Oh no. Are you all right?” she asked, on her feet and pacing the floor, wishing she was there with him.

“Getting there. No real damage, but I’ve been unconscious all weekend and today the doctor kept me going for one test after another. Sorry I couldn’t call sooner.”

“I wish I’d known. I would’ve been there with you.”

“Thanks, but there’s nothing you could’ve done except sit here and be bored. I’m surprised you hadn’t heard.”

“Not a word. And I hired a woman, but she didn’t show up today. Know anything about that?” she asked as she sat in the chair behind her desk.

“She went home, wherever that is. Her daddy came through for her.”

“Oh, I wish she had called. I’ll have to place the ad again.”

“Sorry I can’t be there to help out,” Jack said, beginning to sound groggy.

“You rest and listen to the doctor. I’ll be in to see you after I clean up and have some dinner.”

“Okay. And Allison?”

“Yes, Jack?”

“I missed you, too.”

The line went dead. Allison sat there staring at the phone until the buzzing sound intruded and she registered that he’d hung up.

He missed her! Yes! She fist pumped the air.

On her feet in an instant, she ran into her apartment, had a quick shower, and dressed in a clean white skirt and yellow top, hoping to cheer Jack up, although he’d sounded fine on the phone, but understandably tired. She slipped her feet into a pair of white sandals, grabbed her keys, and headed for the hospital. She’d pick up dinner for two on the way there.

She parked as close as she could to the main entrance and went inside. As he hadn’t told her his room number, she stopped at the information desk. “Hello. Could you tell me what room Jack Grayson is in, please?”

The receptionist checked her computer. “He’s in Intensive Care. Immediate family only. Are you related?”

Allison thought fast. “I’m his fiancée.”

The woman gave her a crude once over and seemed somewhat skeptical, but divulged Jack’s room number.

“Thank you,” Allison said, and then left to catch the elevator.

When she arrived at Jack’s room, she couldn’t get near his bed. Winnie and Lucas were there, as were Zakia and Luke, Cal and Leah, and another couple she hadn’t met before.

“Allison, you made it.”

Jack must have been watching for her, although how he managed to see her through all those people was a wonder. As he spoke, the crowd parted, and she walked over to the bed.

“Hi,” she said as she set the takeout food on his bedside table. “How are you? I hope you’re able to eat. I brought dinner.” He wore bandages everywhere that she could see and his left arm was in a cast.

“Great! Mine came and went, but there wasn’t much on the plate. Do you know everyone here?”

“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” said a tall, handsome man who resembled Jack, smiling as he held out his hand. “I’m Jack’s older and wiser brother, Michael, and this is my wife, Rena.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” said Allison. “I’m Allison Wakefield, the new vet in town. I took over Hank’s clinic when he retired.”

“Pleased to meet you,” said Rena.

“When are you due?” Allison asked a very pregnant Rena.

“Next week. The OB/GYN will induce me on the following Monday if the babies haven’t come by then.”

“Babies?” Allison prompted.

“Yes, twins.” Rena spoke proudly, and Michael hugged her to his side.

“Wow! They’ll keep you busy.”

Rena giggled. “Not as busy as Mama had it. There were three of us.”

“Really? I don’t believe I’ve ever met any triplets. Are you all identical?”

“Yes, and we look like our mother.”

“I love your accent. Irish?”

“To the core,” Rena said and smiled. “Although we’re loving it here in Canada.”

“Hey, are we gonna eat before it gets cold?” Jack asked.

“I think that’s a hint for us to take off now that he has someone else to keep him company,” said Winnie. She stepped forward, hugged him, and planted a kiss on Jack’s forehead. “Take care and get better.”

“I will, Mom.”

The rest said their goodbyes and cleared out.

“Come closer,” Jack said as soon as everyone left.

Allison went closer, intending to perch on the edge of the bed and divvy up their food, but Jack pulled her down beside him. He hugged and kissed her as if she’d been away for weeks instead of a few days.

“I’ve missed you,” he said.

“Yeah, well, you only woke up today. I’ve missed you since you left on Friday.” She sat up and passed him a coffee.

“Timmy’s! Yes!” He took a long drink of the savory beverage. “Now that’s coffee.”

She passed him a burger and his container of fries. “So how did the tests turn out? Any permanent damage?”

“I’ll have a few scars from going through the windshield, but thanks to Michael, I didn’t fall off on my head.”

“Oh, was he in the truck with you?”

“No, he was part of the emergency response team. He climbed into the cab and pulled me in off the hood. I still don’t know how one piece of jagged glass hooked my jeans and kept me from catapulting into the river.”

“Be thankful that it did or you’d be busted up a lot worse.”

“Nothing busted except my arm and one ankle, but the concussion had everyone worried.”

“Did your seatbelt let go?”

“Nah, I didn’t have it on. We don’t usually buckle up just to drive across the property.”

“Maybe you should. Where were you headed?”

“I was following someone who had tampered with my truck. Didn’t realize he’d cut the brake line until I went to slow down for the turn onto the bridge to the pasture.”

“That’s terrible! Who would do such a thing?” she asked with a fry halfway to her mouth.

“The same person who slashed my tire and keyed the passenger side of my truck is my guess. I thought it was Loreena, given our history, but she had already gone to bed when I saw the guy.”

History?
As Jack’s words registered, she felt her heart plummet to the bottom of her stomach, only to rise quickly again when he’d finished speaking.
“Ah, I wondered about her being at the ranch.”

“It wasn’t because I wanted her there, believe me. I would’ve had better luck running after him if I hadn’t been in just my socks. And before you ask, I went outside for some fresh air Friday night and was thinking of heading back to your place when I fell asleep in the rocking chair.”

“Then I’d say it’s a good thing you didn’t hit the highway. There are some bad turns and steep drop-offs between your place and mine.”

“Don’t I know it! The riverbank is pretty steep, too. And the water’s high from all the rain we’ve had lately.”

“You were lucky. I take it you didn’t catch the guy?”

“Nope. And he was probably long gone by the time my folks found me.”

“Speaking of which, how did they know to search?”

“Loreena heard the truck start and spied on me. A good thing in this case. Lucas noticed my boots still sitting on the mat by the door Saturday morning, and that convinced them that something was wrong.” He grinned at her. “Cowboys don’t go anywhere without their boots, you know.”

Allison giggled. “Is that right?”

“Uh-huh. So, they went out to search. The rest, as they say, is history.”

“Wait. Saturday? You were out there all night?”

“Yep.”

“Well, I’m glad they found you, although I’m sorry you got hurt. When will they let you out of here?” she asked as she gathered up the garbage from dinner and tossed it in the trashcan beside Jack’s bed.

“I’m hoping for tomorrow, but it depends on the test results.”

“Okay. I, uh, had to say I was your fiancée or they weren’t going to let me in to see you. I hope you don’t mind,” she added quickly when she saw his frown.

“No, that’s all right. It sure brightened my day to see you walk in.”

“Then why the frown?” she asked.

“What part of the hospital am I in?”

“Intensive Care.”

“Oh, that explains it then. I didn’t know.” He smiled at her and took a sip of his coffee.

“They probably put you here because of the concussion.”

“Yes, more than likely.”

“Is there anything you need?” she asked.

“Just my boots and clean clothes, but Mom will bring those when she comes in tomorrow. Oh, before I forget, Rena’s sister, Abby, has been looking for work.”

“Great! What kind of work has she done?”

“Her mother owned a bistro in Ireland. The girls all worked there, including answering phones and making reservations. Same but different.”

“What brought them here?” Allison asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.

“Cameron, my step-uncle and Lucas’s brother, is their father, but he didn’t find out until last year.”

“Now there’s a story I want to hear one day. Rena is beautiful.”

“They all are, even their mother, Lacey. They all have that gorgeous red hair and green eyes.”

“Sounds as if you might be smitten,” she said without looking his way.

“Oh, I am. I’m surely smitten—with a blonde-haired beauty who likes to stick her hands in warm places while making deliveries.”

Allison laughed out loud while thinking of her hands being in warm places other than a cow’s ass. “I take it Cal filled you in.”

“Of course. He was impressed with your efficiency.”

“Thank you for telling me. Business sure has picked up,” she said.

“You’re good at what you do, and you have a love for animals. With some, it’s the love of money that drives them, whether animal or people doctors.”

“That is so sad, but unfortunately true in some cases. All I’ve ever wanted to be is a veterinarian. I do love animals.”

“Then how come you don’t have a dog or cat of your own?” Jack asked.

“I never knew where I’d end up. Mama always said that to move with a cat is bad luck and, as for dogs, it wouldn’t be fair to have one and have to keep it caged all the time. I work long hours.”

“Yes, I know.”

The speaker came on, and a disembodied voice informed them that visiting hours were now over.

Allison gathered up her bag and leaned down to kiss Jack before leaving. “I’ll be back to see you tomorrow after the clinic closes, barring emergencies.”