Paige Cameron

by Commando Cowboys Find Their Desire

  A tall, dark-haired man moved through the crowd to his side. Pearce smiled at Rex.

  “So, my dear brother has condescended to come to my bedside.”

  “Obviously you’re too ornery for even a bullet to kill you.”

  “Such loving words, Rex.”

  “I’m seeing you so I can tell Mother you’ll survive another day. The initial X-rays show the bullet missed your heart by an inch. Hector put in an emergency chest tube during your ride in the helicopter. You’re lucky.”

  “Luck is my middle name.” Pearce enjoyed needling Rex. He saw the flush of anger. “Mom will take such loving care of me when I get home.” He saw Rex grit his teeth. “Yes, every dark cloud has a silver lining.”

  * * * *

  Rex turned on his heels and walked back to the waiting room. His mother jumped out of her chair. “He’ll be fine, Mom. A few days in the hospital with a chest tube, and before you know it, he’ll be home. Your good cooking and care should finish the job of healing him.”

  “Thank you, Lonato.” She took his arm and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “I do love you.”

  “I know, Mom. I was out of line. I took my frustration out on you and Dad.”

  “I’ve never understood why you didn’t like Pearce,” she said.

  “We’re just totally different. Let me know if you need anything. I have to check on a few patients.” He lied, but he had to get away from the ER. His conflicted feelings regarding his parents and Pearce had him unsettled, and he liked to be in total control.

  His father got up and walked down the hall with him. His father was part Native American and Rex had gotten his coloring from him.

  “You sense something bad in your brother.”

  “What do you mean, Dad?”

  “You know. I’ve begun to feel the same on his last few visits. Don’t worry about Mom. I’m going to be keeping an eye on Pearce. We didn’t really know his parents. Your mother wanted more children, and we couldn’t seem to have any success having another child of our own.” He stopped at the elevator with Rex.

  “We got special permission, for one time only, to adopt him. Usually the Council frowns on adoptions not from one of our people. I think they may be right to be wary. I’m sorry he took up more of our attention. I think unconsciously we felt it was a necessity for us to give him more of our love and time. You were so normal and well balanced, but we were unfair to you.”

  “Dad, I’m sorry I brought it up. I’m fine. Pearce just gets under my skin.” Rex was glad to have the elevator door open. “I’ll see you. Beep me if I’m needed.”

  When the elevator door shut, Rex sank against the wall. He hated drama, and he was in the middle of a mess of it.

  Chapter Twelve

  Averil watched Cody work with the horse. The stallion snorted at him whenever he got close, but Cody kept talking quietly in a singsong voice. His dark-brown hair glistened with perspiration. He’d removed his shirt, and she was mesmerized by the muscles moving in his arms, back, and chest as he handled the horse’s reins.

  Payton sat on the rail beside her. “He’s something, isn’t he?”

  “Poetry in motion. I think the stallion is beginning to like him.”

  “He’s making headway. Is it too warm out here for you?”

  “No. I want to watch some more.”

  Gradually, the gray-and-white stallion let Cody get closer and closer until finally Cody rubbed his side. The stallion’s nostrils flared and Cody moved back as he raised his forelegs and came down hard close to Cody’s body. He stared into the eyes of the horse. They both stood still, the stallion’s sides heaving.

  “That’s enough for the day, Gray Ghost.” Slowly he led the horse back into the barn.

  “Training horses is a dangerous job.” Averil frowned at Payton.

  “It’s his passion. If he stopped a part of him would die. Don’t even suggest it to him.”

  “I sensed that, and I won’t. I’ll try to hide my concern.”

  “Good girl. I’d like a shower and to play a bit. How about you?”

  She put her arm around his waist as they walked side by side toward the cabin. “I think you have a super idea.”

  “We’ll wait for Cody. He’ll be in soon.”

  The dimness in the kitchen cooled their skin from the warm sun outside. Averil got out the pitcher of tea she’d made early that morning.

  “No tea for me. I’ll have a beer.”

  Averil handed him a can and then poured her tea. She took a long swallow of the sweet drink. “I’ve always loved tea. I can’t see how you two can drink beer. It tastes awful to me.”

  “It’s especially good on a hot day. I think tea’s bitter.” He grinned. “I’ll take my beer and go shower. Tell Cody our plans when he gets in. I think I see him coming now.”

  Payton went on out. Averil looked out the window as she took another sip of tea. It looked like Cody, but he was wavering. Suddenly, she felt hot and sick. “Payton,” she yelled as her knees buckled and the blackness took her away.

  * * * *

  Payton ran back into the kitchen. Cody must have heard her yell, too. He rushed in the door.

  “She was fine when I walked out of the room.” Payton felt her irregular pulse. “Shit!” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and hit the emergency button. “It’s Averil. Whoever poisoned her before got to her again.”

  Cody knelt at her side. “Her breathing’s erratic and so is her pulse. How the hell did the poison get to her?”

  “The tea. I asked for a beer, and she drank the tea. You were down at the barn earlier. Whoever it was must have been watching and took the chance.”

  “I failed her.” Cody sat on the floor by her.

  “We did all we could. This is a diabolic killer. We won’t let him or her succeed. We need to call Kira. Averil will need a transfusion of her blood.” He dialed Averil’s mom.

  “Do you know where we can reach Kira?”

  “Her number should be in Averil’s phone. What’s going on?”

  “Sorry, I didn’t think of that…” Payton glanced across the room before continuing. “Averil got hit with some more poison. It’s a long story. The ambulance is on the way.”

  “I’ll call Kira. We’ll meet you at the hospital.” She hung up.

  “The ambulance is getting close. I hear the siren.” Cody got up and went to the front door. By then the ambulance was turning in the drive. He waited for the men. Dr. Jack jumped out first.

  “Ellen had given me a few of the shots her team’s developed with stronger antibodies so I’d have them on hand when needed. I brought one with me. I’ll give it to Averil now.”

  Cody led him into the kitchen. “Be careful of the pieces of glass.”

  Payton stepped back and they watched as Jack gave her the shot. Then he looked around. “What was she drinking?”

  “Tea. I’d just walked out of the room. She hadn’t drunk much.”

  Jack motioned to one of the ambulance personnel. “Put on gloves and get the tea out of the fridge.” He glanced at Payton. “I’m assuming there’s some left.”

  “Yes. She’d just made it earlier. I chose beer. But we’ll take care of the tea and get it to Ellen.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “What are you thinking?” Cody asked.

  “Just trying to figure this all out. We’ve got to get her to the ER. Be careful cleaning up this mess and transporting the tea. Wear gloves for protection.” He and one of the other men put her on the stretcher and hurried out “See you two at the emergency room.” Jack jumped inside the back of the ambulance and they took off.

  * * * *

  Kira had just arrived at Elle’s when the pain hit her in her abdomen. She sank to her knees as Elle grabbed for her. Pruet, who was coming down the stairs, ran and picked her up and put her in a chair.

  “What happened?” Elle leaned over her. “You’re very pale.”

  “Averil, she’s been poisoned again.” Kira tried to get her
breath. “This same pain hit me before.” She gasped out the words.

  “She’s with Payton and Cody. I’ll call them.” Elle punched in the numbers.

  “Cody, is Averil all right?”

  “No. The person who poisoned her the first time somehow got to the tea in our refrigerator. She’s on her way to the hospital, by ambulance.”

  “Kira’s here. I’ll drive her there.” She snapped her phone off.

  “It is Averil, isn’t it?” Kira asked.

  “Yes. She got another dose of poison, apparently in her tea.”

  “I’ve got to get to her.”

  “I’m going with you. Perhaps in some way, together, we can help.”

  “I’d appreciate whatever you can do, Elle.”

  “Is your pain gone?”

  “It’s gradually fading. I’ll call Nanna and Mother Aileen, too. We need all of us together to fight this evil.”

  Her mother and father were already at the ER when they arrived. Mrs. Bevyns rushed to Kira’s side.

  “They say the antibodies aren’t working as fast. Her levels are dangerously high.”

  “We’ll fight for her with all we have. Nanna and Mother Aileen are on their way. Tell them to join us in her room when they get here.” Kira hugged her mother. “Don’t worry. I don’t intend to lose Averil.” She glanced around. “Where are Cody and Payton?”

  “They called. They’re taking the tea she drank to Ellen in the lab and will be here shortly.”

  Kira and Elle went to the desk and the nurse took them back to room seven, where her sister lay on the ER bed as white as the sheets. Kira could hardly see her chest moving. Dr. Jack looked around at her.

  “I don’t understand. The shot ought to be taking effect. What’s wrong with you? You’re pale.”

  “I’m better. When something happens that threatens Averil, initially, I feel the pain. It’s almost all gone.” Elle went to one side and Kira to the other. Elle began chanting and waving her hands from the top of Averil’s body to her feet. Kira took hold of Averil’s hand.

  “I’m here. You will be all right. Feel the medicine coursing through your veins destroying the enemy within.” Kira kept talking to her sister. Averil’s eyelids fluttered once.

  “We’re here.” Nanna walked to the bed. “I brought my special tea I made. We will try to get some past her lips.”

  Mother Aileen went to her feet. “I have healing cream. I’ll rub her feet with it. Perhaps with all our special gifts we can save her.”

  Dr. Jack stepped back when his phone rang. “You’re sure. What can we do now?”

  Kira came to his side. “What is it?”

  “Ellen said it’s a different poison with a totally different chemical makeup.”

  “May I speak with her?” Jack held out his phone to Kira.

  “Ellen, I’m coming to the lab. I want you to give me a shot of the poison, a small amount. I know it’s dangerous, but I’m determined to save Averil. If my blood can develop antibodies again for this poison, then we can give her a pint of my blood.”

  “We need to try and mix it in your blood outside your body,” Ellen said.

  “You think that will work as fast?”

  “Hopefully. It’s too dangerous to try the other way first.”

  “If you insist, we’ll try it. But hurry. Time is running out.”

  “Is Ellen coming here?” Jack asked.

  “Yes. She wants to take a pint of my blood and see if the antibodies will develop without it going directly into my bloodstream. If it doesn’t work, I’m going to insist she inject the poison into me.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Dr. Hakan Connor came striding into the room. “Have you got a death wish? I was looking at her chart. It doesn’t look good.”

  “She’s my sister. I’ll do whatever I have to, to keep her alive.”

  “What makes your blood so special?”

  “She’s a shape-shifter. Have you heard of the…”

  Kira stopped Elle. “Don’t tell him. He’ll just have to trust me.” She put her face up to his. “You won’t stop me from doing whatever needs to be done.”

  “Yes, I will, if necessary.” He stormed out of the room.

  “No one is to know yet, Elle.”

  “Forgive me. I thought you trusted our doctors.”

  “Until we find this killer, my trust is limited.”

  Ellen knocked on the door and entered. “Kira, come with me. They’ll let us use room ten down the hall. I’ll collect the pint of your blood and go to the lab upstairs to work.”

  They both rushed out. The room was a few doors up and across the hall. Ellen had all the equipment ready. As soon as she’d collected the blood, she was ready to go to the lab.

  “Stay here a minute and rest. Drink this soda and eat a few cookies. You’ve donated too much blood in too short a time. But this is less dangerous than your original idea. I’m going to have one of the nurses take a blood sample and send it to the lab so we can check your blood count. You may need a transfusion yourself.”

  “You’ll find me in Averil’s room after I finish the drink and cookies. I can’t rest. I need to be close to her.” Ellen shook her head at Kira and rushed out.

  Kira was light-headed when she sat up. Hopefully the soda and cookies would help. She took a bite of one cookie just as Dr. Connor walked in. “I see the bad penny keeps turning up.”

  “You mean the only one watching out for you? I’m not going to see you die trying to save Averil.”

  “It’s none of your business.”

  He walked closer and bent his head down to her. “I’m making it my business.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ll explain later. Meanwhile, you look as pale as your sister.”

  “I’m fine. I need to get back to her.” Kira hopped off the bed, hoping to get back to Averil and away from this annoying man. Her legs went out from under her. He caught her before she hit the floor.

  “Nurse,” he yelled down the hall while holding her in his arms. He sat in a chair holding her close as one of the nurses came rushing in. “Draw her blood for a STAT hemoglobin and type and crossmatch. She’s going to need a transfusion.”

  “I brought the tray. There’s already an order for the blood work, but it wasn’t STAT.”

  She drew the blood and left the room. If she’d thought it strange to see a doctor holding a patient in his arms, she never commented or looked surprised.

  “What is it with this hospital? That nurse didn’t even tell you to lay me down on the stretcher. Set me on the bed. I’ll be fine after I finish my drink and eat the cookies.”

  “No, you won’t.” He continued to hold her. “You need someone to look after you.”

  “I most certainly do not and especially not you.”

  “You’re wrong. My friend Dr. Rexford and I are just what you need.”

  “You are crazy. I met your Dr. Rexford, and I’m not interested in either one of you or both of you. Put me back on the stretcher.” She crossed her fingers when she lied. Her pulse was pounding being held in his arms. She was having the same reaction to him she’d had to his friend. But she had no time for men in her life.

  “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re bossy?”

  “A number of times. I don’t plan to change.”

  His smile curved his sensuous lips and his light-aqua eyes had darkened to more of an emerald color. “Time will tell.”

  “Oh, you are an impossible man. Hand me my cookies.”

  “Please.”

  “Go to hell.”

  Laughing, he reached across for her soda and cookies. “Maybe these will sweeten you up.”

  “Please put me down and go check on Averil.”

  “If you promise to stay right here.”

  “I promise.”

  She watched him go out. Of all times for her to get weak. Averil needed her, and she was stuck in another room. Kira quickly drank her soda and ate the cookies.

  “S
he’s hanging on,” Hakan said on reentering the room. “Nanna, Mother Aileen, and our Priestess are still working on her. Occasionally, her eyes open partially.”

  “I have to go to her.” Kira carefully slid off the stretcher and held on as her dizziness subsided. She glanced up at Hakan. A half smile curved his tempting lips. She hated to ask for help. “May I lean on your arm to walk to her room?”

  “Of course.” He took her arm and they slowly made their way down the hall to her sister’s exam room.

  Cody and Payton were at her bedside along with the others. When Kira got through the crowd and saw Averil, her hopes were dashed. Averil was still pale. She looked thin under the white sheet covering her. Her breath barely moved her chest.

  Mother Aileen came to her side. “We’ve used most of our armory of prayer, special incantations, and teas. Our only success is she’s still hanging on. I have one more spell I’d like to try with my son, Garth, helping me. We’d need to have the room cleared except for Garth and me. Will you allow us to try?”

  “Will it cause her pain?”

  “No, of course not. It’s an ancient secret incantation of my people. Garth used it on Rae and saved her life.”

  “We don’t know how long it will be before my blood is ready. So, yes. I’m willing to try most anything.” Kira looked across at Cody and Payton. “What do you two think about this?”

  “We don’t want to lose her either. I don’t see how it can hurt,” Payton answered and Cody nodded, agreeing.

  “Mother Aileen, go ahead and call Garth. Meanwhile, I’m going to go out and explain to my parents what’s happening and get their permission, too. They also should be in here with her when you’re finished.”

  Kira took Hakan’s arm, leaning on it and walking slowly. I do need a transfusion when this is all over.

  Her parents rose when they walked in. Mom ran and hugged her.

  “You look awful. Is it bad news?”

  “She’s hanging on.” Kira explained what Mother Aileen wanted to do. “Is that all right?”