Page 7 of Risk of a Lifetime
Marcy’s older sister Betsy, the spitting image of their mama—tall, thin, and red-haired—charged into the room and into the conversation with the ferocity of a caged lion. “So what I heard is right. You sorry excuse for a man aren’t back in town half an hour before you get yourself shot again.”
“There was a robbery.” Sadie reached for her daughter’s arm. “He saved Marcy from being hurt worse than she is.”
“That still doesn’t give him the right to be signing any papers for her.” Betsy grabbed the pen, but her mother took it from her.
“I really doubt anyone needs to sign those papers. Marcy wasn’t hurt so bad she can’t give permission.”
With the air of authority, Dr. Crowley entered his office, gently nudging the women aside as he lumbered firmly to the table. “While you three are arguing, there’s a woman down the hall heading to the operating room. Now sign the forms, JB.”
“I signed the papers.” Sadie held the form out to him.
Dr. Crowley glanced at JB, then narrowed his focus on Sadie. “This the way you want it?”
She nodded her head.
Dr. Crowley blew out a long, loud sigh. “You do realize I’m the deacon in the church you sometimes favor us by attending, don’t you?”
Sadie straightened, staring him down. “Yes, I do. And as such, it is your responsibility to do what is in the best interest of your congregation.”
“You and your daughters will be the death of me yet, Sadie.”
“Don’t include me in this.” Betsy shook her head as she rested her hands on her hips. Then, she turned her face toward JB. “And you can just pack up and leave anytime.”
“Not now, Betsy.” JB held his hand up to stop her words. Inside, his control churned hard and fast to be free. She must have felt it, because she shut up. He straightened, easing back. “And not until your sister’s well, either.”
He wondered what the hell had just transpired with the doctor, but some things weren’t his business. One thing for sure, though, he didn’t plan to leave town until the robbery and shooting were well on their way to being solved. Even if it meant staying around longer than he’d planned.
That would give him time to consider which job to take next. The police department he’d applied to in Texas? Or the covert ops he’d been asked to be a part of a few months back? Both thought he was good enough. Both wanted him. And both locations would keep him away from Crayton…and the only woman who’d ever made him smile morning and night.
Only she hadn’t been strong enough to let go of her father’s death and face the fact JB’s job would always be in law enforcement. Too bad they hadn’t realized the fact before they were married. Would have saved a lot of heartbreak on both sides.
“Where’s Marcy?” he asked.
The doctor grabbed the forms and headed down the hall. “They should be rolling her into surgery about now.”
JB charged past him. Past the nurses’ station. Past Truman, Marcy’s stepfather. Past a waiting room full of familiar faces. He had to see Marcy, touch her. Later, if she didn’t remember him being there, that would be okay. He’d know. He could live with knowing. She might not be his wife, but keeping her alive and well was his top priority the next few days.
A gurney edged out of her hospital room.
“Hold up!” JB shouted to the orderly.
Grasping her hand, his breaths came ragged—and not from the short sprint down the hall—as he stroked wisps of hair from her forehead. Damn, even the antiseptic smell of the hospital couldn’t cover the remembered scent of her jasmine shampoo.
He leaned in close. “How you doing, sugar?”
“I’m cold.” Her eyes fluttered open. “It hurts. A lot.”
“Doc Crowley’s going to fix that.”
The orderly tried to move the gurney forward, but JB braced it in place with his body. His lips brushed her temple. “Oh, Marcy. Marcy, Marcy, Marcy.”
“JB.” She opened her eyes full force. “Why’d you leave?”
Give her the truth. Tell her how much her words made you feel you weren’t good enough for her. How you couldn’t stand to see her frightened for you every day you left for work as a lawman. Or that you needed to prove something to yourself.
No. This wasn’t the time or place. Maybe it never would be.
“Because you let me go.” He swallowed hard then brushed a kiss across her forehead. “Don’t forget you’re the one who locked me out.”
