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She nodded as he handed her a bottle of water. Then he shined a light in her eyes to see that her pupils dilated properly. Once the spots left her vision, she looked over to see a very angry Ford, with a bright red welt on his jaw and his hands on Bobby Ray with a police officer walking toward one of the police cars. Bobby Ray's hands were cuffed behind his back, and once Ford roughly shoved him into the back seat of the car, the officer leaned in and cuffed Bobby Ray's ankles to the floor. Doubtful he'd be going anywhere. For good measure, three more officers stood around the car watching him to make sure he didn't pull any crap.
Ford stood talking to the officers for a few moments, then pulled his phone from his back pocket. Pushing a couple of buttons, he looked up to see her sitting at the back of the ambulance and headed her way. Even disheveled, hair mussed, shirt ripped, and reddened jaw, he was everything and more than any woman could want. Tall, broad shouldered, muscular, dark hair and eyes and that sexy low voice. Plus, he was loving and kind and good.
“Emmy, I got him." His eyes met hers. "We got him."
He smiled and pulled the phone away from his ear, and she could hear Emmy yelling and cheering. People in the background with her were cheering as well. His kissed her lips then smiled at her. "We got him," he whispered.
She nodded and returned his smile.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Her hand touched his jaw. "What about you?"
"Bastard got a punch in, but that was it. I got in a few more."
He held up his hand, and she saw the angry red knuckles, which were going to be sore tomorrow.
He finished his conversation with Emmy, and she realized two things. One, she wanted Ford Montgomery with her whole heart. And, two, she loved him, but he was still married, and that was a problem.
Chapter38
Finishing his call with Emmy, who promised to call Dawson, he sat next to Megan at the back of the ambulance as one of the paramedics lay an ice pack over his knuckles and examined his jaw. Nothing was broken, but he'd be sore tomorrow. Both of them had had the day of all days. He turned to face her, the silver wrap around her shoulders catching the sunlight and lighting up her face. It was like looking at an angel, the evangelical glow surrounding her, bathing her in holy light. At least, that's what she looked like to him.
Seeing a black streak in his peripheral vision, he glanced up at an approaching black Charger and chuckled. "Rory's here to congratulate me."
Setting the ice bag to the side, he nodded to the paramedic and stood. Megan stood with him, and he took her hand, moving them toward his friend. Rory saw them walking forward and met them halfway. Embracing his old friend, they hugged, slapped each other's backs, and chuckled.
"Congratulations, Ford. I never doubted you'd get him."
"Thanks, Rory. I couldn't have done it without all of your help. Thanks for everything."
His friend turned to stare at Megan, a broad smile on his face.
"Rory, this is Megan."
"I am very, very pleased to meet you, Megan. You must be so happy this is all over." His bigger hand held out toward hers, and he saw her smile fall. Then as if she realized he was watching her, she plastered a fake smile on. "I am, yes. Thank you for all of your help."
Rory's head cocked to the side, his brows furrowing slightly before looking back at him. "So, I've spoken to the officers, and we have a prison transport on its way with four armed guards. He won't be pulling his disappearing stunt again."
"I figured as much." Worried about Megan, Ford wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
Rory turned to Megan. "Megan, I'm sorry to be the one to have to tell you this, but your ex-husband was mortally wounded in a shooting over on Chestnut Street. It appears it was a drug deal gone bad."
She nodded her head but said nothing for a few moments, swallowing a couple of times. "Thank you for telling me, Rory. He didn't hang out with the best of people." Her lips thinned to a straight line, her shoulders slumped, and he hoped guilt wasn't creeping in.
"That's for certain." Glancing toward the cop car and Bobby Ray, he continued, "You've got the collar, Ford. The reward will be yours. I'll need you to come to the station and sign some paperwork once I have it all in place. It has to make its rounds with South Pass PD and then over to me. I'll call you in a day or two to settle it all up."
He gently slapped his friend on the shoulder. "Sounds good, Rory, and thanks again."
"Nice meeting you, Megan. I'm sure I'll see you around."
She smiled, and Rory turned and walked away.
His stomach tightened at the somber mood that hung over them. She should be relieved. Instead she seemed apprehensive and about to cry. Turning to face her, he softly brushed his fingers over the red marks on her neck. They'd be gone in an hour or two, but when he saw Bobby Ray holding her and shoving a gun in her ribs, he'd just about lost it. If she'd been hurt, or worse, none of this would have been worth it. Not by a long shot.
"Does it hurt?"
"No," she replied. "And the shaking has almost stopped."
