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“Yes. Yes, I’m fine.”
“How did that man—?”
“Her father.”
“How did he know about tonight?”
“I called him.”
“Thank God.” Lori hugged her hard, pulling her close as if she needed that assurance that Jessi hadn’t been badly hurt.
A loud screech broke through the air and suddenly, Lori patted Jessi saying, “stay here” and she rushed toward where Rachel and Luke had entered only to find Beau still on top of Mellie, blood pooling around them, pouring from the wound in Beau’s thigh.
Lori knelt close and saw Mellie’s eyes open at the moment she realized she’d been saved. Winding her thin arms around her godfather now struggling to roll off her, she clung tightly. “Thank you, Uncle Beau.”
“You’re welcome, sweet girl.”
Before he could say more, Rachel skidded in close and reached for her daughter, still partly covered by Beau. Shakily, the girl chided, “I’m okay, Mom, It’s Uncle Beau who got shot. He saved me.”
Lori, seeing Beau’s problem, helped him on one side while Luke gently assisted on the other. Rachel pulled at Mellie to free her daughter and as soon as they were separated, Mellie’s arms lifted to be claimed. Both now in tears, they rocked back and forth, their voices filled with thanks to the Almighty.
In some small recess of her mind, Lori knew it was actually Beau who really deserved their praise but kept that thought to herself. Instead, she slid into his embrace and whispered her thanks too.
Pulling away slightly… though he fought to keep her close, she checked his wound. Luke, who’d made sure his daughter wasn’t hurt, now focused on his best friend. “I’ve already called for an ambulance. The lucky bastard’s been shot, but I don’t think it penetrated any bones.”
Suddenly, Beau perked up, pulled at Luke’s jacket, and responded, “You calling me a lucky bastard for getting shot?”
“God, no, you dumb prick. Of all the places those bullets could have hit, looks like you got one in the leg, and it missed any vital parts. A few inches over and you’d be singing a different tune… in soprano.”
Chapter Fifty-one
Safe in a hospital bed, Beau thought back to when the ambulance attendants were putting him on the gurney. After he’d spent a few minutes taking in the scene… and the state of the coach’s office, he considered how fortunate they’d been that only he’d caught a bullet.
Considering Ray’s firing of the weapon, holes were everywhere, thankfully… mostly toward the ceiling. Aware that Jessi’s interference with Ray had probably saved them all from being killed, he took deep breaths like the doctor strongly suggested he do to force calm.
Seeing as his blood pressure had spiked, they’d wanted to medicate him, and he refused to allow them to do so. Knowing he’d never had a problem with that previously, he explained, “Look my man, over the last few weeks, life has been insane. Therefore, now that things will settle, so will my system.”
“Fine, but Beau, I’m serious. I want to see you in seven days to be sure you know what you’re talking about. In the meantime, you stay here until tomorrow to let us look after you properly. You’ll be on crutches so no working for the next forty-eight hours.”
“No can do, Doc. I got a new assignment.” Beau held up his hand before the doctor could argue. “It’s a desk job so wipe the sour look off your face. I’ll be sitting mostly.”
“No work for forty-eight hours I said, and I meant it. Your watch nurse is right outside, and she’s in full agreement to keep you away from that office.”
Secretly relieved, Beau nodded. “Alright.” Beau’s crankiness faded. “I’ll stay here until tomorrow, and then I’ll go home where I have a huge-screen TV and a lot of bee… food in my fridge that doesn’t taste like sawdust.”
Laughing, the young doctor Beau had known for years – from various times he’d checked up on prisoners and injured partners – agreed. “Fine. I’ll see you later.”
Once he left the room, Lori appeared bearing gifts. She rushed forward, dropped her parcels and flowers on the bed and kissed him, multiple times. Finally, pushing away and slapping at the hands trying to keep her close, she laughed. “Stop. Luke and Rachel have brought Mellie to see you, so we only have a few minutes.”
“Then let’s make the best of the few minutes we do have.” Beau, being naughty, lifted the blankets and winked. “Mr. Wiggly’s lonesome.”
“Stop. We’ll have time for that once you’re out of here. They said I can take you home tomorrow after lunch.”
“Fine. Doc’s a mean son of a bitch and is making me have a last meal before he’ll let me leave.”
“Big baby. Okay, look... I’ll bring you something to eat.”
“Toast and tea. That’s what I want. Toast and tea.”
