Mountain Ambush

by Hope White

  “What are you doing out here?” Aiden asked Maddie.

  “I was hiking and saw the text. The guy was crazed, Aiden, beating Dr. Spencer like they were mortal enemies.”

  Aiden narrowed his eyes at the doctor, who was also a good friend. “Who was he, Spence?”

  “I,” Dr. Spencer started. “It doesn’t matter. We need to focus on getting Gwen to the hospital.” He stood and wavered.

  Maddie jumped to her feet. She and Aiden caught him as he went down. Kneeling beside the unconscious doctor, she took his pulse.

  She glanced up at her cousin. “It’s too slow. We need to get him to a hospital!”

  TWO

  “Bobby!” Spence peered over the edge onto the cliff below. His younger brother’s body lay motionless, his eyes closed. Spence had to get to him, but he had to get help.

  Spence glanced down the trail. No, he couldn’t abandon his brother.

  “Help!” Spence shouted. “Somebody help!” His voice echoed back at him.

  The wind whistled through the dense forest. He didn’t know what to do.

  “You know what your most important job is in the whole world? Take care of your baby brother,” his mom said on a weekly basis. Bobby was a trouble magnet, everyone knew it. But still...

  Spence shifted onto his stomach hoping to climb down to the ledge where his brother had landed. With a solid hold of a tree branch, he lowered his left foot to a knot in the mountain wall.

  The branch snapped.

  And he fell the remaining ten feet onto his back. The wind knocked from his lungs, he struggled to breathe as he stared up at the pine and cedar trees filling his line of vision. He forced himself to breathe, rolled onto his hands and knees and looked at his brother.

  “Bobby?” he gasped.

  He hadn’t a clue what to do, how to help him. What had he seen on that medical show Mom always watched? Spence tipped Bobby’s head back to keep him from swallowing his tongue. He grabbed his brother’s wrist and felt for a pulse.

  “Where is it?” he muttered, trying the other wrist.

  Panic coiled in his gut.

  “Bobby! Wake up!”

  * * *

  “Wake up!”

  Spence gasped and opened his eyes, struggling to get his bearings. The lush trees and whistling wind were gone.

  His brother...

  Was gone.

  A ball of pain knotted in his throat.

  “Breathe,” a woman said.

  He blinked, and Maddie McBride’s round face framed with rich auburn hair came into focus. She offered an encouraging nod and squeezed his shoulder.

  He glanced past her and realized he was in a hospital room, but he wasn’t the attending physician. He was the patient.

  “You’re okay,” she said.

  There was something in her voice that didn’t sound so sure. Her green eyes studied him with concern.

  “Who’s Bobby?” she asked.

  Right, he’d been sucked down into the childhood nightmare. He shook his head and closed his eyes, hoping she’d leave him alone with his shame.

  “Are you in pain? Want me to call the nurse?”

  “No and absolutely not.” His response was more clipped than he’d intended, but he didn’t want to be here, didn’t want to be a patient.

  “Okay then,” she said with that same note of sarcasm she’d used in the mountains. “Do you remember how you got here?”

  “I...” He shook his head. Had they carried him down?

  “What’s the last thing you do remember?”

  “Some guy assaulted me. Then you—” He opened his eyes. “You shot him?”

  “No, I fired off a round to make a point. And—” she paused before continuing “—you’re welcome.”

  He must have looked puzzled.

  “For saving your life?” she prompted.

  He nodded. It all seemed so unreal.

  “How’s Gwen?” he asked.

  “Much better. Breathing on her own. You did good work out there, especially considering your condition.”

  “My condition?”

  “Yeah, your brain trauma,” she said as if it was the obvious answer. “Intubating with a concussion? Gutsy.”

  She started to slip her hand off his shoulder and he caught it in his own. He wasn’t sure why, but the feel of her warm skin eased the panic in his chest. Her bright green eyes widened and her head tipped slightly.

  “I... I think...” He struggled for the right words, wanting to thank her for coming along when she did, and for being here to wake him from the torturous dream.

  A knowing smile eased across her lips. “How about I get you some water?”

  She slipped her hand from beneath his palm and took the plastic pitcher to the sink. He sensed she knew that he struggled to find words, to make sense of the thoughts jumbling around in his brain.

  Man, his head hurt. Maybe he should call for the nurse. No, the last thing he wanted was for hospital staff to think of him as broken and unable to do his job. He needed to appear strong, even if he felt weak. He wanted respect, not pity from his peers.

  “What happened to the man you shot?” he asked.

  “Shot at,” she corrected, walking back to the bed. “They’re still searching for him.” She handed him a cup of water. “Chief Walsh said when they find him they’ll charge him with assault and question him about what happened to Gwen.”

  “She texted me, wanting my help, but I assumed she was alone.”

  Maddie’s brow furrowed. “Poor kid. She seemed so lost when we brought her in.”

  Lost. Exactly how Spence felt right now. Confused, fragile and powerless. Not a feeling he was used to.

  “How’s the head pain?” she asked.

  “About a two.”

  “Uh-huh.” She narrowed her eyes. “I saw what happened, remember?”

  “Wait, that sound... You were singing?”

  “That sound? Wow, thanks.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “It’s fine, I know I’m no Carrie Underwood. I figured singing would distract the guy long enough for you to get the upper hand. Well-done, by the way.”

  “Thanks.”

  “But then, how did he get the advantage?”

  He struggled to remember. “Gwen was gasping for air. Guess I got distracted.” He sipped his water. “Why am I in a room?”

  “They’re keeping you overnight for observation.” She tapped her forefinger to her own forehead. “Concerned about the brain trauma.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “So you’ve said. If the MRI comes back clean you’ll be good to go. I think it’s scheduled for tonight.”

  He felt bad for keeping her from her life.

  “You should go.” That didn’t come out right, and the thought of her leaving him alone twisted his gut into a knot. What was wrong with him? Maddie was nothing more than a paramedic he occasionally ran into at the hospital.

  “Oh, so you’re dismissing me?” she said, in a strange tone.

  Had he offended her? “I meant you don’t have to stay and babysit me.”

  “I came with you in the helicopter so I’m waiting for a ride.” She redirected her attention to her phone.

  Good to know that she wasn’t hovering at his bedside because she cared about him, that he’d have to worry about her developing feelings for a man who had no interest in love.

  Love? He was surely suffering from brain trauma.

  “Huh,” she said, eyeing something on her phone.

  “What?”

  “A text from my cop brother. They can’t find the assailant who attacked you.” She sighed. “Terrific, now there’s a psycho running around town. Makes me wi
sh I woulda shot him.”

  “You’re kidding,” he said, his voice flat.

  “Yes, Doctor, I am kidding. Did you ever have a sense of humor or was it beaten out of you in the mountains?”

  He was about to shoot back a smart remark when Dr. William Danner breezed into the room. “There he is, the superhero not looking so super.” He stopped short and glanced at Maddie. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came in the helicopter with him.” She crossed her arms over her chest as if daring him to challenge her.

  Danner, a few years older than Spence, had a razor-sharp tongue he used to intimidate much of the staff at Echo Mountain Hospital. But not Spence and apparently not Maddie, either. She narrowed her eyes at Danner as if challenging him to pick a fight.

  Spence never could understand guys like Danner. Instead of leading with compassion, he ruled with intimidation. The guy was a bully.

  “What’s my prognosis, Doctor?” Spence said, hoping to divert him from ripping into Maddie. The thought bothered Spence.

  Danner redirected his attention to Spence, no doubt a bigger and more interesting target. For some reason Danner considered Spence his competition and would use any means necessary to come out the victor. Yet weren’t they after the same thing? Helping patients?

  “Besides the head injury, where else were you injured? Ribs?”

  “Minor bruising. I’d like to be discharged,” Spence said.

  “Is that right?”

  Spence realized by the slight curl to Danner’s lips that he was enjoying being in control of Spence’s life a little too much.

  “I lost consciousness,” Spence said. “It happens after a head injury. I’m fine.”

  Danner checked Spence’s pupils. “Be that as it may, Dr. Carver wants MRI results before you can be released.”

  “I can always discharge myself.”

  “You could, which would only prove that your head trauma is clouding your judgment. Is it clouding your judgment, Kyle?”

  No one had called him Kyle since his relationship with Andrea had exploded into pieces. He preferred not to be called Kyle because it brought back too many memories. Danner obviously sensed this and used it as a weapon.

  “He seems pretty sharp to me,” Maddie offered.

  Without looking at her, Danner responded. “And who, pray tell, are you to offer a medical opinion?”

  “Hey,” Spence snapped. “She saved my life out there.”

  “I didn’t realize you two were...” Danner’s voice trailed off.

  “We’re not,” Maddie said firmly.

  Nurse Heather Warren came into the room. She was in her forties with a round face and warm smile. “I have the medication you ordered, Dr. Danner.”

  “What medication?” Spence asked.

  “Sedative for the MRI,” Nurse Heather said.

  “I don’t need that.”

  “And I don’t need you messing up the imaging department’s schedule because you have a claustrophobic meltdown,” Danner said.

  “Who says I’m claustrophobic?” Spence snapped.

  “Hey, what’s going on in here?” Dr. Ruth Carver said, entering the room.

  Spence was glad to see his friend, the one person Danner wouldn’t challenge. Ruth was the hospital administrator who’d hired Spence over a year ago. They had served on medical committees and had become friends over the years, and when there was an opening at Echo Mountain Hospital, she contacted him about joining their team. The timing had been perfect, a few months after his ugly breakup.

  Dr. Danner handed Ruth the clipboard. “He’s all yours. I have patients who need me.” Danner marched out of the room.

  “Jerk,” Maddie let slip.

  Nurse Heather bit back a smile.

  “Leave the medication,” Ruth said to the nurse.

  “Yes, Doctor.” Heather did as ordered and left the room.

  Ruth looked at Spence. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. The board president cornered me. How’s your pain?”

  “About a two.”

  “At least a six,” Maddie offered.

  “I said a two,” Spence countered.

  “But you meant a seven.”

  “I can speak for myself. I don’t need medication and I want to be discharged.”

  Ruth narrowed her eyes. “You’re not acting like yourself, Spence.”

  Which they both knew was another symptom of brain trauma.

  “I’m fine,” he said.

  “Spence, you live alone out in the country,” Ruth said. “If I send you home without MRI results and it’s worse than a mild concussion and you lose consciousness, I’d never forgive myself. Please don’t fight me on this,” she said with pleading brown eyes.

  Ruth and her husband, Cal, both in their fifties, had been gracious to Spence when he moved to town, having him over for dinner a number of times and treating him like family.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I guess I’m proof that doctors make horrible patients.”

  Relief eased across Ruth’s face. “Good, now that that’s settled, take the sedative so you can relax for the MRI. It’s very mild.”

  If he was his own patient he’d be following Ruth’s protocol without question. He swallowed the pill and sipped water to wash it down.

  “They’ll be up shortly to take you to imaging.” Ruth glanced at Maddie. “Are you staying?”

  “Until my ride shows up.”

  “You mean Rocky?”

  “No, my cousin Bree.”

  “Oh, I thought your boyfriend would pick you up.”

  “My boyfriend?”

  “I assumed you and Rocky were a couple, but kept it quiet because of work policy.”

  Spence noted Maddie’s confused expression. Not guilty for putting her job at risk by dating a fellow employee, but she seemed confused by the question as if the thought of dating Rocky had never crossed her mind.

  “Rocky and I are good friends, that’s all,” Maddie said.

  Ruth nodded, but didn’t look convinced. “Well, it’s nice of you to stay with Spence. I didn’t realize you two were friends.”

  “We’re not, but she saved me,” Spence said.

  “Saved you?” Ruth said.

  “Maddie showed up and distracted the guy from throwing me down the mountain.”

  “Oh dear.” Ruth glanced at Maddie. “You are certainly a brave young woman.”

  Maddie shrugged.

  “That must have been terrifying,” Ruth said.

  “It all happened pretty fast.”

  Ruth turned to Spence. “Who attacked you?”

  “I don’t know. He was wearing a mask.”

  Ruth’s pager buzzed and she glanced at it. “I’ve gotta run. I’ll check in later.”

  “Thanks,” Spence said.

  Ruth left the room and Spence gazed out the window into the dark night.

  It was clear that Maddie was hanging around because she felt sorry for him. After all, Spence had no family, no dutiful wife. Not that the women in town hadn’t auditioned for that role many times during the past year. He’d never step into that bottomless pit again.

  Never trust a woman with his heart.

  If he eventually considered marriage, it would be a partnership of familial obligation, not romantic love. Was there a woman out there who’d be open to such a life? It would be nice to share a home-cooked meal and conversation with someone, and he’d enjoy having a travel buddy, someone who liked to hike as much as he did. His guy friends were great, but they had other commitments—Nate with his job as police chief and new romance with Cassie McBride; and Aiden, who managed a resort and a relationship with his concierge, Nia Sharpe.

  Deep down, Spence knew true love was a
n illusion. His parents had split only a few years after Bobby’s death, and his own fiancée’s betrayal had nearly destroyed him. Yet there were days when the thought of a solitary life spiked melancholy through his chest.

  “Five bucks for your thoughts.”

  He snapped his attention to Maddie. “What?”

  “You were far, far away.” She frowned and raised three fingers. “How many fingers do I have up?”

  “Knock it off. I’m fine.”

  “So you keep saying.” She slid a long strand of copper-streaked auburn hair behind her ear. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not being totally honest with Dr. Carver?”

  “You’re accusing me of what, exactly?”

  “Wanting to get out of here sooner than later. I get it, I do. I was hospitalized for a migraine last year.” She shuddered. “The experience made me more compassionate with my patients, that’s for sure.”

  More compassionate? She’d always seemed to have a gentle and consoling way with patients whenever she wheeled them into his ER.

  “You need to be straight with Dr. Carver so she can help you. That’s what you always tell your patients, right?”

  “Sure. Thanks for the advice,” Spence said, wanting to shut down this topic of discussion. “You really don’t need to hang around.”

  A flash of hurt sparked in her green eyes. He hadn’t meant for that to happen. The concussion was obviously making him irritable. He opened his mouth to apologize, but she spoke first.

  “My ride isn’t here and I’d rather not hang out in the lobby to be interrogated by fans wanting an update on Dr. Dreamboat.” She redirected her attention to her phone.

  “Dr. Dreamboat?”

  “You know they call you that,” she muttered.

  “I didn’t—”

  “Hi, Dr. Spencer.” Oscar Burke, a twentysomething orderly pushed a wheelchair into the room. “What are you doing here, Maddie?”

  She didn’t look up from her phone. “Waiting.”

  “For what?”

  “The ski lift.”

  “Huh?”

  “Never mind. My work is done here.” Without making eye contact, she turned and left the room.

  He sat up, wanting to call her back and say something, express his thanks again.