Paige Cameron

by Commando Cowboys Find Their Desire

  Gala’s partner was angry that she wouldn’t kill them all quickly, but Gala wanted to see them suffer. It was her job. She’d do it her way. Back at her horse, she carefully removed her gloves and put them and the zipped bag together in a larger container. She’d hide them, but not at home. She’d found the perfect place in the back of one of Sara’s greenhouses.

  When Sara saw Gala’s interest in flowers, she’d taken her on a tour and invited her to visit the greenhouses whenever she liked. It seemed poetic justice to hide the mode of their destruction in the middle of Sara’s beloved garden.

  It was suppertime when Gala got to the greenhouses, so no one was outside. She slipped in and with a small shovel she had brought with her, made a hole big enough for the bucket-type container, where she had placed all her items, including the resin, plastic-covered vials, and syringes full of the poisons. After she smoothed the ground back, she moved a potted rosebush just enough to cover the spot.

  There, she was done, for now. Gala was impatient for the morning. She’d be working when she got the news of how well she’d succeeded.

  * * * *

  Cody watched Averil practically run out of the hospital. He started to go after her, but she wanted to be alone. No one on the ranch would hurt her. Some of his anger had subsided. He wanted to kick himself. In his mind he knew it wasn’t her fault. Then why did he throw it in her face upstairs and again down here?

  Because she was an easy target. I wish she’d have punched me in the face. No worry. When she gets home, her father will come looking for me and do it for her.

  He’d started back upstairs when his phone rang. “Payton’s awake. He’s asking for you.” Mr. Camilius’s words sent joy into Cody’s heart.

  “I’m on my way. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He got on the elevator and watched the numbers as he went up. The bell rang for Payton’s floor. He took long, fast strides to the ICU, where a nurse let him in.

  “He’s in room three.”

  Payton’s mom and dad were all smiles when Cody joined them. Payton lay on the bed with monitors attached all over his body, two IVs, and his head wrapped in white gauze. Payton opened his eyes when Cody spoke from the doorway and said his name. Cody hesitated then strode across the room to the bedside. “I hear they cut your beautiful hair off. You won’t be so handsome to the ladies until it grows back. Maybe they’ll look at me for a change.”

  Payton spoke very softly. Cody leaned closer to hear him.

  “No other ladies. Where’s Averil?”

  “She was tired and went home. She came back from her trip as soon as she heard about you, and she’s been here all day.”

  He took Cody’s hand and squeezed it. “You got crazy about me being hurt, didn’t you?”

  Cody stared into his best friend’s eyes. “Yeah.”

  “Ask her to see me, tomorrow.” Payton’s eyes closed, and his hand released Cody’s.

  Payton’s parents followed Cody out of the room. “Dr. Rexford checked him a few minutes ago. All his reflexes are good, and he answered every question the doctor asked. Dr. Rexford said he’ll be fine with no deficits. If he continues to improve we can take him home in a few days. That man’s a miracle worker,” Mr. Camilius said.

  “I agree,” Cody said. “I’m going to leave and get some rest. You two ought to go, too. When he comes home, he won’t be an easy patient to care for.”

  “Don’t I know it,” his mother agreed. “But I’m going to be boss whether he likes it or not. If I have to tie him to the bed, he’ll do as I say.”

  “I’m sure he will. See you all.” He hurried out of the hospital. Outside he took deep breaths of the fresh air, clearing his nose of all the smells he associated with sickness and death.

  “Stupid, the hospital does good and cures most of our people,” he mumbled to himself. Still, he shook himself, trying to throw off the heavy load he carried on his back when he was inside one.

  He thought briefly of going by to see Averil but decided he’d call early in the morning and tell her mom about Payton’s request. Tonight, he’d go home and crash.

  * * * *

  Mrs. Bevyns answered Cody’s call just as Averil headed to the front door. “Wait, Averil, Cody wants to tell you about Payton.” She held out the phone and Averil took it.

  “You just caught me. I’m headed to the ranch and then the hospital.”

  “Payton wants to see you today. I told him I’d pass the message on.”

  “Thanks. It’s too early to visit him yet. Nick told my parents the cabin is finished. I want to see it, and then I’ll visit Payton. He must be doing good.”

  “The doctor said he’ll be fine. He doesn’t have any cognitive or physical deficits. He’ll go home to his mom’s in a few days.”

  “That’s wonderful news.”

  “It is. See you.” He hung up.

  Averil handed the phone to her mother. Apparently he had said all he wanted to say. She hugged her mom. “You heard my end of the conversation. Payton is doing well. I might stay at the hospital for a few hours. Love you.” She hurried out to the mare her father had saddled for her.

  This morning her spirit was much lighter, and the ride helped further clear her head. Since Payton’s accident and her interactions with Cody she was beginning to realize how important they were to her. Even if Cody wasn’t being particularly friendly. He’d been upset about Payton. She did care for them. But she wasn’t ready to admit it out loud. She’d have to be much more certain of her feelings before telling anyone.

  When the cabin came in view, she urged her mare to go faster. At the rail she’d had built in front of the cabin, she tied the reins and went inside. It was lovely, just as she’d imagined. She wandered through the rooms, ending up in the bright, sunny kitchen. Her eyes spotted the coffeepot and the card at once.

  She opened the envelope. A welcoming gift for your new home. May you find much happiness here. A friend.

  Without a name she couldn’t thank the thoughtful person. But she’d find out. Sooner or later they’d forget and mention the gift. Glancing at her watch, she decided she had time to brew a cup and christen her new home.

  The smell of coffee brewing permeated the kitchen, making the cabin feel homey. Averil went back around to all the rooms to picture what furniture she needed. Mom had some she’d give her, but other items she’d buy in town.

  Averil strolled back to the kitchen, poured herself a cup of coffee, and leaned against the countertop while she drank it. She rinsed the cup and left it in the sink. She’d unplug the coffee, but maybe she’d come back later today and warm what was left.

  It was time to get to the hospital. Hopefully she’d arrive after Cody had visited and gone.

  As she rode along, the coffee didn’t settle well in her stomach. She started to sweat and was relieved to see the hospital in sight. Stopping at one of the rails where she could tie her horse, she started to get off. When she moved her head, she got dizzy and fell to the ground.

  Cody yelled her name and came running to her. He knelt at her side. “What happened?”

  “Just my luck, you’re my rescuer.” But the words came out slurred.

  “Are you drunk?”

  She tried to say, of course not, but the words wouldn’t form.

  * * * *

  He picked her up in his arms and ran to the emergency room. Her body had started to tremble when a doctor took her from Cody and ran into an exam room. He waited in the doorway. His heart was beating double-time, and his whole world was crashing down around him again.

  The medical staff ran around him, going in and out of the room. They were frantically working on Averil, starting IVs, putting a monitor on her heart, and drawing blood. Dr. Jack came running to the room.

  “Get out of here, Cody. You can’t help, and you’re in the way. I’ll come out in a few minutes and tell you what’s going on.”

  Cody staggered back and felt his way along the wall until he got to the waiting room and collapsed in
a chair. Whatever was wrong with her, it was bad. If she died before he could tell her he loved her and how sorry he was about his recent behavior, he’d never forgive himself.

  He put his head down between his legs and took deep breaths as the world swirled around him. A nurse walking by stopped to check him.

  “I’ll be all right in a moment.” He tried to grin. “Hospitals have this effect on me.”

  “You don’t have to explain. Some people won’t even visit a family member because of their phobia about anything medical.” When he was able to straighten up, she hurried on down the hall.

  Cody took out his phone and called Averil’s parents’ number. Her mom answered. “Mrs. Bevyns, this is Cody. I think you and Mr. Bevyns better come to the hospital. Averil wasn’t feeling well when she got here. I took her in to the ER.”

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  “I’m not sure what’s going on. Is Mr. Bevyns there? If not, I’ll come get you.”

  “He was just going out the door. We’ll be at the ER in a few minutes.”

  “All right, see you then.” Cody snapped his cell shut just as Dr. Jack came into the waiting room.

  “She’s better. We gave her medicine and stopped the seizure. She’s waking up, but she’s confused about what happened.”

  “Do you know what caused this attack?”

  “No, but the STAT blood work shows all of her levels are crazy. Nothing is normal. We can’t figure out what would cause those type of symptoms. Did you call her parents?”

  “They’ll be here in a few minutes.”

  “Then I’ll wait around until they get here. I need to know what she ate today and if she did anything different.”

  “She told me she was going by her cabin and then coming here.”

  “That’s the type of information I need. I’ll send my wife, Ellen, and several of the other scientists out there to check it out. Right now we’re blind. We have no idea what to look for and that’s not good.” Dr. Jack walked back toward Averil’s emergency room.

  His words had only ratcheted Cody’s fear to a higher level. But this was one time it wasn’t going to control him. Averil needed him to be alert and on the watch. Why would she get sick and her parents were fine? He had an uneasy feeling in his gut that whatever it was, it wasn’t an accident.

  When Averil’s parents arrived, Cody used the waiting room telephone to call and alert Dr. Jack they were here. He came right away to see them.

  After Dr. Jack explained what had happened, he started to ask them questions. “Did anything unusual happen this morning?”

  “No.” Mrs. Bevyns shook her head. “In fact she seemed to be in better spirits than she has in several weeks. I think hearing Payton was better eased the guilt she’d been carrying.”

  “Did you all eat the same food and drinks last night and this morning?”

  “Yes. My kitchen and refrigerator are clean. You can check it. Anything to help my daughter.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Bevyns. I wasn’t insinuating anything, but we need to check everywhere she’s been in the last twenty-four hours. If this hits your daughter again”—he hesitated—“she might not survive.”

  Mrs. Bevyns grabbed her husband’s hand. “Jack, please call me Ava. You’re telling me this was that bad an attack, whatever it was?”

  “Yes. Her blood levels went dangerously high. They’re coming down slowly, but if they peaked any higher I’m not certain we could save her.”

  A chill went across Cody’s shoulders. Damn if he and Payton were going to lose her. “I’m going to go out to the cabin. I won’t get in the way. But another pair of eyes won’t hurt. I can’t stay here. I need to do something to help.”

  Dr. Jack studied his face. Finally, he nodded. “All right, I’ll contact Ellen and tell her to expect you. She’s in charge. Understand?”

  “Yes.” He rushed out of the waiting room and to his horse. He took Averil’s horse with him. He’d drop the mare off at the barn in the care of Sahale or Justin before he rode to Averil’s cabin.

  * * * *

  Averil woke to a bright light glaring over her. Doctors and nurses were checking monitors and one nurse put medicine into her intravenous line.

  “What happened to me?” Her voice came out in a whisper.

  Dr. Jack walked around the stretcher where she lay and brushed his hand across her hair. “You gave us a scare. We’re checking to see what caused you to pass out.”

  “Well, I’m not pregnant.” All the staff laughed, easing the tension in the room.

  “I never thought you were,” Dr. Jack said. “We’re doing some tests. Your mother mentioned you’d been on a trip to Northern California recently. Did you get any bites while you were there?”

  “I only spent one evening in California, before Dad called and told me about Payton. I came right back.” Her voice got stronger as she talked, and she sensed her body recovering. “But to answer your question, no, I didn’t notice any red spots like a bug bite.”

  “We didn’t find any either when we examined you. But we’re running tests for all types of critters.” He smiled at her. “We’ll find out what caused this reaction. I don’t think you’ve met my wife, Ellen, but she’s a first-class scientist. She and a group of our other specialists are checking your parents’ home and your new cabin.”

  “Thanks, I’m feeling better already. It was probably nothing.”

  “It was something. And we plan to discover the answer.”

  Something about Dr. Jack’s expression gave Averil pause. She stared into his eyes. “It’s that serious?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  Averil tried to push away the fear rolling through her body. “Do I need to stay in the hospital?”

  “Until your blood levels are normal, but they’re coming down. Hopefully it won’t take too long.”

  “Can I see Payton, or am I contagious?”

  “We don’t think you’re contagious or others would be showing up to the ER. You can see him on your way to your room.”

  “I want out of here as soon as those levels are normal.”

  “I know. None of my patients want to just rest and be waited on. Payton’s doing so well, he’s demanding to go home also.” Dr. Jack patted her hand. “I’ll see you later.”

  Averil closed her eyes to the bright light. Her body ached like she’d been beaten, and her head hurt. But she still felt better than when she’d first opened her eyes. That time the world was going round and round, and drums were beating in her head. Mom would call Kira. She’ll come. If no one else can save me, Kira will.

  “Averil, are you awake? We’re going to move you to a room. Your parents are here and will go upstairs with us.” A short, dark-haired nurse smiled at her and began to help her sit up and then get into the wheelchair she’d put by the bed. “Do you feel all right? We can move you on a stretcher if necessary.”

  “No, actually my head feels better in this position.”

  When the nurse rolled her into the hall, Averil’s mom and dad hurried to her side. Mom took hold of her hand.

  “How are you?” Her mom’s voice sounded anxious.

  “Better, but Dr. Jack must have told you his concerns.” Averil tried to speak louder, at a normal level.

  “He did, but they’ll figure it all out,” her dad reassured her.

  “Mom, call Kira.”

  “I did right after we talked with the doctor. She’ll be on the first plane out.”

  A sense of peace edged some of the fear aside. “I want to see Payton.”

  The nurse leaned forward. “Dr. Jack wrote an order for us to take you by ICU. That’s why I put you in the wheelchair. It’d be almost impossible to get you into his room otherwise. Don’t worry, that’s going to be our first stop.”

  As they came up to the ICU doors, they opened. Another nurse held the door. “We were called and told to expect you.” She motioned them to room three.

  Payton was sitting up and fully awake. “Wouldn’t y
ou know just when I’m getting better, you’d get sick. Dr. Jack stopped by. Come closer, sweetheart.”

  Her nurse and parents laughed. The nurse rolled the wheelchair right beside Payton’s bed. “We’ll wait outside. But you only get ten minutes, no more,” she warned them.

  Payton took Averil’s hand. “Did Cody give you a rough time while I was out?”

  Averil felt her face flush. “A little. He told me a bit about why he gets upset in hospitals, but it didn’t help my feelings of guilt. He was right. If I hadn’t pushed you none of this would have happened.”

  “Don’t be silly. Your little tap hardly moved me. If that wood hadn’t been right behind me, I’d be fine. And that wasn’t anyone’s fault but mine. Your cabin is a construction site. I knew to be careful. I had an accident.” He squeezed her hand. “You concentrate on getting well. We still want to marry you. This isn’t going to make us give up.”

  When he smiled at her, as he did now, desire heated her body. “I’m not sure how I feel about Cody. I didn’t like him much yesterday, but he’s the one who caught me as I fell. I don’t remember anything afterwards. He must have carried me into the emergency room.”

  “Give us a chance, then if you still say no, we’ll reluctantly accept your decision.”

  Through the glass walls, Averil saw her nurse headed toward Payton’s room. “If we ever all get well, I will.”

  Payton leaned forward and kissed her hand. “Your words will make me heal even faster. I’ll be up to see you or over to your home soon. Watch for me.”

  “All right, lovebirds, time’s up.” Her nurse took hold of the wheelchair. Averil pulled her hand out of Payton’s grip.

  “Soon,” he said as Averil was wheeled off.

  Chapter Five

  Ellen met Cody at Averil’s cabin door. “If you’re coming in you’ll have to put on protective gear. We don’t want to contaminate the scene with anything on us or our clothes.”