Never Say Never

by Tina Leonard

  But there was no reply. Gnawing fear shot through Dustin. Checking his friend over, he saw that the hood had made target practice of Marsh’s leg. Cursing and praying, Dustin pulled off his jacket and his flannel shirt. Carefully, he wrapped the shirt around Marsh’s leg, though he wasn’t certain it would do any good. Shrugging his jacket back on over his T-shirt, Dustin lifted Marsh to his feet, dragging him to the truck. Jerking down the gate, he let Marsh slump over so that he could push him inside. Tossing some horse blankets over him, he slammed the gate, praying that the sheriff wouldn’t awaken until he got him to the hospital.

  And praying that, once there, he would awaken.

  Putting baby Holly’s basket securely in a seat belt on the truck seat, Dustin threw an uncertain glance Lynch’s way. He’d come to eventually. But there wasn’t a lot of time for him to waste sympathy on the punk. Picking up the body like a bag of heavy manure, Dustin snatched the cruiser keys from the ignition, opened the trunk, and stuffed Lynch inside. Closing it, he strode to the front and grabbed the radio inside.

  “This is Dustin Reed. I’m on the farm road outside of Lassiter, just at the fork. You’ll see flares. Suspect is in trunk. Marsh was hit, so I’d appreciate nobody stopping me for a ticket as I come into town.”

  He threw the radio down and ran to the truck. The truck bed was still; Marsh hadn’t moved. Dustin jammed the truck into gear and sped into town.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Jill, dear, are you going to be okay?”

  Eunice’s worried face hovered behind Jill in the mirror. Her face was bruised, swollen definitely, but nothing was broken. The punch had landed under her eye and across from her nose on the cheek bone, so although it had felt like her face had been shattered at the time, Jill knew she was fortunate not to be undergoing cosmetic surgery tonight.

  “I’m fine, Eunice,” she said, applying another cold compress to her face. “I’m starting to get a little sore in my arms and legs, but that will pass, too.” She sighed deeply, looking down into the washbasin as she rinsed the cloth out. “I just wish somebody would call and tell us that Holly is safe.”

  Eunice patted her shoulder. “The Christmas season means believing, Jill. I believe that Holly will be back here soon, snug in her little basket. I can’t imagine anything else.”

  It was the season to believe, and if ever they could use a miracle, now was definitely the time. “I just keep hearing her cry…” Jill broke off, too distraught to continue. The phone rang, and after another soothing pat on the back, Eunice left to answer it. Joey, at least for the moment, had come through the situation pretty well. Jill had assured him the mean man was never coming back, and that Dustin would bring Holly home safely. Though he was anxious for his father to return, he was equally anxious to get on with the popcorn stringing. She smiled, letting the child’s one-track joy in the season lift her spirits.

  “Jill! Dustin wants you on the phone!”

  She dropped the washcloth and hurried down the stairs. Eunice’s ashen face told her the news wasn’t good.

  “Yes?” she said into the receiver.

  “Can you come down to the hospital and get Holly?”

  The relief she felt at hearing his voice weakened her knees. All at once, she realized Dustin wanted her to come retrieve the baby. An obviously recovered, doing-just-fine, baby.

  “Of course I can! I’ll be there as soon as I get directions from Eunice.”

  “I’m in the emergency room right now. They’re treating Marsh for a gunshot wound, but he’s going to be fine. I don’t know when they’ll move him to another room. Check here first, I guess, then ask at the desk. I’ll be with him.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  She hung up and ran to the hail to get her coat. “Did Dustin fill you in, Eunice?”

  “Yes. Bad as it is, it could have been much worse, I suppose. Did he say if Marsh’s wound is life-threatening?”

  Jill shook her head as she pulled on gloves. “I think not. Dustin mentioned they might move him to another room.”

  “Oh, good.” She gave Jill rapid directions to the hospital.

  “I should be back soon.” Hurrying into the kitchen, she took a few gingerbread men off the tray. She could sneak them to the sheriff. If anything would make him feel better, it would be food.

  Jill found the two men easily, not from the desk nurse’s directions, but by the bellowing she could hear clear at the end of the hall.

  “For heaven’s sake,” she said, entering the room, “it sounds like a brawl in here. Is there a boxing match on TV?”

  Dustin’s eyes collided with hers in a frozen, suspended moment. She wanted to run to him, to ask him if he felt as bad as he looked. His raffish jet hair was in wild patterns of disarray. The square jaw she admired was sporting a bruise and there was a split in the lips that had claimed hers so firmly. She dropped her gaze, distressed to think that Dustin might have ended up like Marsh with a bullet hole in him.

  “You’re one to be talking about boxing matches,” Dustin grumbled. “You look like you’ve been in one.”

  She smiled, though it hurt. It was much easier to make light of what they’d all been through than to agonize over it. Laughter felt much better than crying, so for once she was falling in with Dustin’s and Marsh’s manner of dealing with discomfort.

  “So. The lawman’s laid up.” She walked over and stared down at him. “You know that this is what you get for doubting me.” To counteract her words, she dumped the cellophane-wrapped gingerbread men on the blanket covering his chest. “I don’t suppose getting shot is going to interfere with your appetite.”

  “Nope.” He waved a swiftly unwrapped cookie at her. “Thanks.”

  A red-haired woman walked into the room at that moment. Marsh grinned when he saw her. “China! If I’d known you were the kind of woman who couldn’t resist an injured man, I’d have taken a bullet much sooner.”

  Jill glanced at Dustin, who merely shrugged. His mouth was turned up a bit at the sides though, so she knew this visitor was a welcome, if unexpected, one.

  The statuesque woman froze him with a glare. “I see the rumors of your demise were much exaggerated, Tommy, to borrow a famous quote.”

  “You only came to see if I was still alive?” He managed to inject hurt feelings into his tone.

  China obviously wasn’t impressed. “I came to see if a man with a mouth as fast as yours could actually be shut up by anything. Apparently not, because you’re still talking.” Her eyes softened for the slightest moment. “I have horses to feed, and I only pay one sick visit per jerk, so I’m going to be on my way. Ordering a plant for your funeral obviously won’t be necessary.”

  The sheriff had sat up and run a hand through his hair, in an attempt, Jill guessed, to make himself more presentable to his guest. By the uncertain averting of the visitor’s eyes, Jill thought he was already held in admiration—however grudging.

  “China, this is Jill McCall. She’s been living at the ranch with Dustin.” He hesitated under Jill’s frown. “Um, she’s the latest in Dustin’s string of housekeepers. Jill, this is China Shea.”

  Stepping forward to shake China’s hand, she understood why the sheriff might be so buffaloed by the woman. Her eyes were a deep green, honest and welcoming with their brightness. Though she was tall, her genuine smile made Jill feel comfortable immediately. “It’s nice to meet you,” she told China, meaning it.

  “Same to you. Dustin, did you finally have all you wanted of Tommy’s crude mouth?” She indicated the bandaged leg.

  Jill had been surprised by China’s use of Marsh’s name. Now she was even more amazed by Marsh’s sheepish grin. It was obvious that China could have told him to jump over the moon and he would have given it his best attempt—just to win her heart.

  “I didn’t shoot him, though I’ve been tempted many times,” Dustin said with a shake of his head. “He could use some tender, loving care though.”

  China shot a wry look Jill’s w
ay. “Thank God for nursing staff, then. He can get all the TLC he needs from people who are trained to pamper him. Well,” she said brightly, turning to Marsh once more, “I suppose you’ll stay out of trouble in here. Don’t get mouthy with the nurses, Tommy, they’re in charge of the needles. Jill, it was nice to meet you. Dustin, say hello to Eunice for me.” She started to sail out the door before pausing in the doorway. “I’ll be rooting for you next week, Dustin.”

  Without another glance at the patient, China exited. Jill met Dustin’s eyes in a moment of shared conspiracy. There wasn’t a more perfect woman for Marsh in the world. He could do all the macho blustering he wanted to with China, but Jill suspected the earthily beautiful redhead had Marsh over a barrel.

  “That woman wants me,” the sheriff said cheerfully.

  “Yeah. Like she wants to be abducted by space aliens,” Dustin said.

  “One day I’m going to let her have her way with me.” Marsh settled himself back against the pillows.

  Dustin rubbed his chin thoughtfully, making Jill ache to inspect that bruise. “Maybe China will fall down a flight of stairs and hit her head. If she doesn’t remember who you are, you might have a better chance with her.”

  Marsh ignored him. “I can just feel those long, slender legs right now, locked around me in—”

  “Perhaps a neurologist should examine him,” Jill interrupted. “He appears to be suffering from delusions.”

  Dustin laughed. Their eyes met again, and she smiled tentatively.

  “Come on,” he told her. “Let’s leave this rascal to his fantasizing. I’ll take you to the nursery to see Holly.”

  “’Bye, Marsh.” Jill allowed Dustin to propel her from the room. Once they left, the feeling between them changed from cordial to tight awareness. With his hand on her arm, Holly felt the strength in his fingers and a strange connection to her soul. Without even denouncing the thought in her mind, Jill suddenly knew that she cared far more for this rancher than she’d ever allowed herself to imagine.

  Marsh wasn’t the only one fantasizing, apparently.

  “How’s Joey?”

  “Fine,” Jill said, a little breathlessly. They were heading toward the nursery at a good pace. Trying to keep up with Dustin’s longer legs was exercise her pained body was protesting. “Can we slow down a little?”

  “Sorry.” Dustin halted immediately. He stared down at her, making shivers fly along her skin. “How are you, Jill?”

  “Much better than I look,” she said softly. His gaze on hers was searching and intense. The bruise on her cheek bone received the most fierce scrutiny.

  Before she realized what was happening, his lips met hers in a kiss that wasn’t at all apologetic. His arms wrapped around her and tears sprang to Jill’s eyes. If Dustin’s gratitude was the reward for what she’d been through, then the price had been well worth it. Of course, his gratitude wasn’t what she really wanted. But it was a start.

  Though the feel of being molded together was sheer heaven, after a moment she reluctantly pulled away. There were plenty of people witnessing their kiss and she didn’t want more gossip circulating about their relationship than necessary. Dustin may have been overwhelmed into forgetting Maxine’s threat for the moment, but Jill didn’t want to be a source of any more anxiety than necessary.

  “Sorry,” he murmured.

  “Don’t be,” she was quick to return. “I’m not.”

  He reached out and caressed her jawline. “You scared the hell out of me tonight. I don’t think I realized that such a sweet city girl could be such a tough lady.”

  “I didn’t know myself. I’m sure extra adrenaline had a lot to do with it.” She tried to smile, but the fight with Curtis had cost her. They both knew it.

  “It was a pisser, wasn’t it?” His face was grim, his cocoa-colored eyes deep with regret.

  “Yes, but it’s over. We came through it fine and now all I want to do is see Holly. She’s had a very frightening introduction to the world.”

  Dustin nodded. They turned a corner and stopped in front of a large glass window. Babies inside bassinets were engaged in either crying or sleeping. She saw Holly at once.

  “Look at all the pink bows they’ve hung on her bassinet,” she whispered.

  “Yeah. Her hard-luck story got around pretty quickly. Arriving in a torn straw basket generated a lot of sympathy.” He chuckled. “She’s a regular celebrity now.”

  “I guess so,” Jill murmured. “We did okay, didn’t we? Sadie and Holly can start over now. Like a real mother and daughter deserve to.”

  He slid his hand up to rub her back soothingly. “Last time I saw Lynch he was occupying trunk space. I suspect he’ll be spending enough time in a Lassiter jail that Sadie and Holly can get on with their bonding.”

  Jill slid him a teasing glance as he stared through the window. “Do I need more than one guess as to who chose a trunk for Lynch’s temporary residence?”

  He shook his head without saying anything. Jill smiled and stared back through the hospital window. Eunice had been right after all. It was the season for believing. Gesturing to one of the nurses, she pointed to Holly, indicating that she should bring her out.

  “I’m ready to go home,” she said, more to herself than Dustin, but he gave her hand a squeeze.

  “Thanks for coming down here to get her. I’ll help you sign her out, but I’m going to stay here awhile longer and make sure Marsh stays out of trouble.”

  “You mean Tommy.”

  “Yeah, Tommy.” He grinned at her. “He deserves everything he gets from China, trust me.”

  “She seems plenty capable of handling him.” She gasped as a nurse laid Holly in her arms. “Hey, angel! What excitement you’ve had!” Nuzzling the baby to her cheek, Jill sent a silent prayer of thanks that the baby was safe. Catching Dustin’s gaze on her, she automatically retreated to the banter she was learning to use. “No more staying out so late, missy. We have curfew for young ladies like you.”

  Dustin chuckled and led her to the desk. She signed a few papers, then took a deep breath. There was so much she would like to be able to say to him but their location and their situation prevented it. “See you later,” she said as nonchalantly as possible.

  “Okay.”

  She turned and left the hospital. Their goodbye wasn’t adequate, but it was about all either one of them was comfortable with. The events of last night had accelerated their relationship into a tense awareness of how close they were becoming—whether they’d ever wanted it or not.

  Strapping the baby into the car seat in her beat-up old car, Jill said, “It’s well after midnight, Holly. Way past time for you to have a bottle and snuggle into your bed.” She glanced at the forlorn basket. “And tomorrow we’ll hunt a new baby carrier for you.” She sighed as she pulled out of the parking lot. The baby glanced around at the bright lights as they left, seeming to dismiss it all with a wave of her fist.

  “That’s kind of the way I feel,” Jill agreed. “Hopefully, tonight was as bad as it’s going to get. I’m not sure I have the strength for much more excitement.” The truth was, she reflected, she’d come to the ranch to inject some much-needed change into her life. After being fired, and Carl’s painful betrayal, Jill had wanted a change of scenery. A new life, a fresh start.

  “Well, I certainly got that,” she told Holly dryly. Dustin’s grateful kiss in the hallway flashed through her mind, making her skin tingle. Despite everything that had happened, she felt her life held more importance, more meaning, than it ever had.

  Deep in her heart, she knew that feeling had a lot to do with Dustin.

  Jill checked on Eunice, who was still resting She smiled to see that Joey was tucked into bed with his grandmother. Apparently, Eunice wasn’t taking any chances in case Joey had a nightmare. It was entirely possible he could. The memory of the child beating Holly’s abductor with small, determined fists, then flying through the air when Curtis slapped him sent a chill coursing through Jill. She drop
ped a kiss on his forehead and checked his cheek for a bruise. There was none, but she was glad Eunice had thought to put him in her bed for the night. It would be a miracle if they all didn’t suffer from nightmares tonight.

  Carefully securing all the doors and taking a last turn through the house to check the windows—though she knew Curtis was safe in jail now—Jill fed Holly a last bottle, changed her into a nightie and tucked her into the basket. Placing it beside her own bed, she then changed into a long cotton nightgown and readied herself for bed. She’d just turned out the lights when she thought she heard Dustin’s truck pull into the drive.

  Seconds later, the sound of the front door closing confirmed her guess. Jill held her breath as Dustin’s heavy tread went past her door. Slowly she relaxed, realizing that a tiny hope had blossomed inside her that he might call good night through the door. Of course, with her lights out, he wouldn’t want to disturb her. Feeling strangely dissatisfied, Jill got under the covers.

  Her eyes had just about closed when she thought she heard a light tapping against the door that connected to Joey’s room through the bathroom. That door opened and a faint knock came on her door.

  “Jill?”

  “Yes?” she whispered back.

  Dustin opened the door and walked into the room. Jill’s breath caught. He looked big and broad-shouldered as he hovered in the doorway. His gaze swept the bed.

  “I was looking for Joey. Is he in with Mother?”

  Pulling the covers up for modesty, Jill sat up. “Yes. She must have been worried about him having nightmares.”

  “Did he seem okay?”

  “He was sleeping fine. I didn’t want to say this earlier, but he took a bit of a blow tonight, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t sleep the whole night.” Jill felt the fear she’d been repressing with easy teasing finally cracking. “I’m so sorry, Dustin,” she said. Her voice broke and she could feel tears pressing against the back of her eyes. “It’s all my fault Joey got hurt. I’d gone upstairs. I left him at the kitchen table. He went outside to find you and…”