The Sheriff's Secret Wife (17 page)

She stuck her hand between the curtain openings. "Give me your shirt."
"What?"
"Mine's trashed and I'm not modeling the latest push-up bra from Victoria's Secret for the ER. Hand it over. Now."
Seconds later, soft fabric landed in her hand. It was a gray-and-black flannel shirt.
"Thanks."
She tugged it on and buttoned it but didn't bother tucking it in. A scrunchie from her purse held her hair off her face. Grabbing her boots, she opened the curtain again.
"I wasn't suggesting you leave the hospital." Justin held up both hands as if to appease her. "There's a group of people in the waiting room."
"For Gage?"
He nodded. "And for you."
She paused to pull on her boots and blink away the sudden rush of hot tears. Justin steadied her as she straightened and then surprised her by pulling her into his arms.
"I'm so sorry." He wrapped her in a strong embrace, his shaky words whispered into her hair. "I had no idea what Billy Joe was doing. Please believe me."
Racy leaned into him for a long moment, then stepped back to look at her brother. A rush of sibling love she hadn't felt since she was a little girl filled her. "I believe you."
"Billy Joe is back in custody. Gage wounded him in the leg, but he's going to survive. He'll probably be transferred to the state facility once he's stabilized."
Justin released her, but she kept one arm around his waist as they walked to the waiting room. She didn't want to think about her oldest brother right now. Gage was the only person on her mind. "Is Gage's family here?"
Justin slowed. "Ah, I think the youngest ones are out there. They came in with Leeann, but I didn't see Gina or her mother."
"You didn't see her at the bar? Doesn't she usually work on Tuesdays?"
He shrugged. "I don't know."
"Justin, what aren't you telling me—" Racy stopped as they stepped into the crowded waiting room.
Jackie, one of her assistant managers, sat on a nearby bench with three other waitresses and Ric Murphy, her bouncer. Max headed toward her after giving a steaming cup of coffee to Willie Perkins, one of Maggie's cowboys and Racy's favorite customer.
"What—what are you doing here?" Racy said, flabbergasted.
He stepped forward and enveloped her in his arms. "I had to see for myself you were okay. Damn, you had me worried."
Racy closed her eyes and allowed the strength of his hug to seep into her. "Max! You're supposed to be in Florida."
"I'm supposed to be where I'm needed. I flew home early this morning. I'm needed here. We're all here…for you."
Racy took a deep breath. To know her friends had dropped everything to be here overwhelmed her.
Leeann joined them, stepping away from a circle of people that included a couple of Destiny's deputies. "I was at the end of my shift when the sheriff's call came in. When the on-scene personnel reported his…injuries, I tried to find his mom, but only the twins were home. They said Sandy is in Cheyenne shopping with Gina. We reached them. They're on their way."
Racy spotted Gage's siblings sitting on a nearby couch. The sight of Giselle's red-rimmed eyes and Garrett's clenched fists tore at her heart. She walked over and embraced them.
"Can you tell us anything, Ms. Dillon?" Garrett asked.
Racy wasn't about to share the details of what had happened in the cabin. She glanced at her watch, shocked to see almost three hours had passed since she'd gotten Billy Joe's phone call. "Have the doctors told you anything?"
Giselle shook her head. "We've been here almost an hour and all they've said is they're working to stabilize him."
A doctor in green surgical garb walked into the room.
Racy turned to him, knowing instinctively he was there to see them. "How's Gage?"
The doctor took a moment to look at everyone. "Sheriff Steele is alive, but it doesn't look good."
Her heart stopped beating. She was still conscious, still breathing, but the part of her that belonged to Gage was silently screaming.
"Is there a next of kin here?" the doctor said. "A bullet is lodged near his heart. He's losing blood and we need to get in there and try to stop it. A signed consent form from a family member is needed."
"I'm his brother." Garrett rose. "I'll sign it."
"I need consent from a legal adult. How old are—"
"My mom's still an hour away," he protested. "I'll be eighteen in three months!"
Racy laid a hand on his arm and gave the boy a gentle squeeze, then stepped forward. "I'll sign it. I'm Gage's wife."
Stunned silence filled the room.
"I didn't realize the sheriff was married," the surgeon replied.
Racy felt the weight of everyone's gaze on her as she reached into her purse, but she didn't care. Gage was all that mattered. She rummaged inside, finally pulling out the folded piece of paper. "Here's a copy of our marriage license."
The doctor looked at the paper, then handed Racy a clipboard. "If you'll just sign at the bottom, Mrs. Steele."
A collective gasp and murmurs filled her ears as she penned her name.
"We'll keep you updated as much as we can," the doctor said. "I'm not sure how long the surgery is going to take."
Racy nodded. "Thank you. We'll be here."
The surgeon turned and hurried down the hallway.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, and turned around. Unspoken questions filled the air with a heavy cloud of curiosity. She had to tell them, but first things first.
She went to Garrett and Giselle, humbled when Giselle gripped her hand in a tight squeeze. Racy said, "Your brother and I were married last summer in Vegas."
"Wow."
Racy smiled at Garrett. "Yeah, wow."
"But you didn't tell anyone?" Giselle asked.
"It's a long story."
Racy's gaze connected with Leeann's, whose stunned expression shifted into a compassionate smile. She crouched and took Racy's other hand. "Well, I guess Maggie was right about you two. She'll be glad to hear your big news."
Racy tried to smile, but she couldn't.
"He's a strong man, Racy." There was certainty in Leeann's voice. "He'll pull through."
The tears she couldn't hold back any longer flooded down her cheeks. "He has to, he just has to."

I
t took more strength than he thought he possessed, but Gage finally managed to open his eyes. His throat burned like it was on fire and everything was bright, but hazy. He blinked a few times then realized he was in a hospital.
It all came rushing back.
The hunting cabin. Racy. Billy Joe with a pistol. The sound of gunfire—
Terror and dread filled his chest, cutting off his breath. He struggled to move, to sit up.
"Gage! You're awake. Oh, sweetie, calm down." His mother's soft voice and cool touch invaded his panic.
"Ra—cy…"
"She's fine."
Pain ricocheted in his chest as he turned his head. Eyes squinting, he searched for her familiar red curls and beautiful face. "Where…where is—"
"Considering it's almost five in the morning, she's most likely asleep in the waiting room. I promise you, she's fine." She squeezed his hand. "We've been taking turns. The hospital only allows two of us in here at a time. Gina just left to get some more coffee."
He looked back at his mother and saw tears in her eyes.
"You gave us quite a scare, young man. It's been the four longest days of my life. You've been breathing on your own for two days now, but waiting for you to wake up after the surgery…" She let her words fade as she brushed at her eyes. "Let me get the nurse. They need to know you're—"
"Wait," he tried to process his mother's words, but it was all a blur. He forced a swallow. "Surgery?"
"Let's wait until the doctor has checked—"
"Mom, please." He forced the words. "I remember…Racy and the cabin…Billy Joe…Jack…firing my weapon…"
"Billy Joe has been taken into custody. He was injured, but survived. Racy and her pup are just fine. Thanks to you."
Relief filled him at her words. He'd never forget the sight of Racy kneeling before her brother, the gun in his shaky grip aimed right at her. Then Billy Joe had raised his arms and Gage had called out, which must have sent Jack into attack mode. Gage had fired, aiming only to wound, not kill. The memory of the blinding pain in his chest caused him to tighten his grip on his mother's hand. "How bad?"
"It was very scary in the beginning. You'd lost a lot of blood and they needed to operate right away. Gina and I weren't—well, thank goodness Racy was here and able to…"
"To what?"
"She signed the consent form." His mother's familiar smile returned, as sweet and serene as he remembered. "As your wife?"
Shocked, he couldn't utter a sound. His heart pounded in his chest, but this time there was no pain, just hope.
It wasn't too late.
"It's true, isn't it?" his mom asked. "She told us you two were married in Las Vegas?"
He nodded. Despite his signature on those damn papers, they were still married. But he had no idea what that meant to Racy, the woman he loved more than life itself.
"Gage, we need to let someone know you're awake. And I want to call the kids and let Racy—"
"Mom…need you to do…something for me."
"Now?"
"Please…at my house." He was determined to do this right this time. "In my top dresser drawer…"

* * *

He looked like he was still unconscious.
Even though his mother had insisted Gage had awakened for a few minutes before dawn, he hadn't moved an inch since she'd sat down next to him. His chest rose and fell in an easy rhythm despite the wound that had taken almost eighteen hours to fix.
The longest night of her life.
Racy blinked back tears, amazed that she had any more left.
She'd told an abbreviated story of what had happened in Vegas to everyone, including Gage's family, stressing she and Gage had agreed it had been a mistake and they were taking steps to fix it. Thankfully, Sandy Steele had kept her kids from asking too many questions, and Leeann had provided only quiet support after her assurance had caused Racy to break down and cry.
She'd tried to be strong during the long hours of the operation. It wasn't until the surgeon had assured them Gage would recover that she'd agreed to leave long enough to shower and change. And release a torrent of emotions beneath the hot, stinging spray, finally succumbing to the horror and anguish of all that had happened.
Over the last few days, Billy Joe had been moved to the state hospital in Evanston, and Max had told her to take off as much time as she needed from work. He then surprised her by saying the bank had contacted him, and if she was still interested in owning The Blue Creek, they'd work something out. It wasn't even something she could think about right now, but she was grateful for his offer.
And she'd come to the hospital, staying for hours, waiting for Gage to wake up. She'd lit a candle in the tiny chapel when they were told he was breathing on his own. And now…
Now he was going to be fine.
"You have no idea…" She paused when her tears caused her voice to crack. Thankful for this time alone with him, she knew she had to get through this, so she swallowed and tried again. "I am so sorry, Gage. I never wanted you to be hurt. Please, believe me. I love you…with all my heart."
She pulled the wrinkled paperwork and a pen from her purse. "I know I told myself I'd never say that aloud, but just this once, I wanted to say it…to you…even if you can't hear me. I know I'm not the right woman for you, for so many reasons, and you know that, too, but I'll never forget…"
Using the edge of his hospital bed, she unfolded the paperwork and flipped to the last page. The pen shook and she tightened her grip.
"Not…so…fast."
Racy gasped and looked up. "Gage!"
His blue eyes, shining brightly, looked at her as a small grin creased his lips. His fingers reached out and pulled the papers from her grasp. Shocked, she let them go and watched as he slowly brought up his other hand and ripped the document right down the middle.
"What—what are you doing?"
"You're not," he rasped, pausing to draw in a thin breath, "getting rid of me…that easily."
Her heart, lodged firmly in her throat, made it impossible to speak. Not that she had any idea how to respond. He dropped the torn papers to the floor, and reached out again to grasp her hand. His touch, strong as he curled her fingers in his, broke through her daze.
"Don't do this," she whispered. "We agreed—"
He shook his head and tightened his grip.
"Gage, I'm not what you need. I'm the poster child of bad choices and wrong decisions. I'm headstrong and hot tempered. I act without thinking about the consequences. I get more things wrong than right and I'm—"
"My wife."
The tears spilled from her eyes at his words. The certainty and confidence in his voice broke through her thin resolve. She desperately wanted to believe him. It was all she'd thought about since that moment in the cabin when she'd thought she'd lost him. She wanted to be his wife.
His free hand worked beneath the blankets. Then he pulled out a small black velvet box. He thumbed it open. Her heart jumped when she saw the rings they'd exchanged in Vegas.
He pulled out the smaller of the two, leaving the other in the box resting on his stomach. She allowed him to lift her hand, powerless to stop him as he slid the gold-and-diamond band onto the third finger of her left hand.
"You proposed to me…and I said yes because I've always known I wanted you in my life." His voice grew stronger. "Now I'm asking you to honor those vows and be willing to repeat them before our families and friends. I want you in my house, I want us to make it a home." He held out the velvet box. "I'm asking you to believe in me, in us. I love you, Racy Steele, and I want to be your husband."
Racy brushed away her tears. Could it really be that easy? Could she have what she'd always wanted by simply taking it? By believing in the power of the love she had for this man?
Yes, she could.
She removed the simple gold band and placed it on his finger. "I love you, too, and I want to be your wife. Forever."
He pulled in a deep breath and released it, closing his eyes. A single tear escaped from the corner. "Kiss me, please."
Her mouth trembled as she covered his lips with hers, pouring all her love into a gentle, chaste kiss.
He opened his eyes again, his thumb caressing her wedding band. "You need an engagement ring."
Racy straightened, pulling one hand free to touch his cheek. "I've got you. I don't need anything else."
Gage smiled. "I want you to have one. How about we have one specially made in Paris? I hear it's a great place for a honeymoon."
Happiness filled her soul. She returned his smile. "I think you better concentrate on recovering first."
"I'm taking you to Paris. In the spring. That's a promise."
And Racy knew it was a promise he would keep.