The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke j-4

by N. J. Walters

  The paramedic eased her hand away. “That's okay. We'll take care of it now."

  "You've got to let them work, Cyndi.” Patrick took her by the shoulders and eased her back.

  She sat down hard on the ground two feet away and watched as they cut Shamus's shirt off him and put some kind of bandage on his wound. They started an IV before carefully lifting him onto the waiting stretcher.

  She was vaguely aware of one of the deputies coming to tell Patrick that, although they found blood in the woods, there was no shooter to be found. There were men still following the trail. They hadn't given up hope and one of the deputies had gone home to get his bloodhound, who was an excellent tracker.

  She didn't pay much attention to what Patrick said to the man. All she cared about was Shamus. His eyes were closed and he appeared very pale. When they'd settled him on the stretcher, his eyelids fluttered and he turned his head as if searching for her. She scooted closer and took his hand in hers. “I'm here."

  "Come with me."

  "Of course I'm going to the hospital with you."

  "We need you to tell us what happened here,” Patrick interrupted.

  Cyndi pulled her sweater tighter around her. Realizing it wasn't buttoned, she quickly took care of that chore. When they lifted the stretcher, she was right beside it.

  Patrick grabbed her arm, pulling her to a halt. “Cyndi. I need you to talk to me."

  Angry, she shook off his hold. “There was a large explosion. We got up and when we went downstairs, there was smoke coming from the back of the house. When we went outside, someone started shooting at us.” The paramedics loaded Shamus into the back of the ambulance. Cyndi hurried forward with Patrick hot on her heels. “Any more than that will have to wait until later.” She clambered on board, sitting across from Shamus. In the light, she could see him more clearly. His face was smudged with dirt, smoke, and blood. He looked too pale for her peace of mind.

  Patrick's grim expression was the last thing she saw as the doors closed and the ambulance pulled away.

  "Hey.” Shamus's voice was little more than a harsh whisper.

  "Hey yourself.” She reached out and smoothed a lock of hair off his forehead. The strap from her purse pressed against her neck, reminding her of its presence. She shifted it and heard a noise inside. It was only then she remembered the phone. Digging into her purse, she realized the call was still connected. She lifted the receiver to her ear. “Hello."

  The emergency operator answered back. Cyndi apologized for forgetting about the woman and told her that they were on their way to the hospital and that the firemen and the deputies were on the scene at her house. After thanking the woman, she hung up the phone. As she tucked Shamus's phone back inside her purse, she saw her own in its usual pocket. She hadn't even thought to use her own phone but she was glad she had it, as the battery was almost dead on Shamus's.

  "Should I call your sister?” Cyndi really didn't want to have to be the one to place the call, but someone needed to tell them.

  "Please.” Shamus rattled off the number before he closed his eyes again.

  Cyndi's hands shook as she used her phone to make the call. It was answered on the second ring by an annoyed male voice. “It's after two in the morning. This better be good."

  "Burke?"

  She heard rustling in the background. “This is Burke Black. Who is this?"

  Cyndi swallowed hard. “Cyndi Marks."

  "What do you want?"

  "Shamus has been shot, but he's okay.” She hurried on to reassure him. “We're on route to the hospital now."

  "What the hell happened?"

  "It's a long story. Patrick is still back at my house, and I wasn't sure he'd have time to call you yet."

  "We're on our way.” The call was ended abruptly. Cyndi tucked her phone back in her purse just as the ambulance slowed and finally stopped. The back doors were yanked open and several hospital staff helped the paramedics lower the stretcher and quickly wheel it inside.

  Cyndi hurried after them, only to be stopped at the large double doors that said “Staff Only". She stood, her hand on the door, peering through the small window as they wheeled the man she loved away from her. He hadn't opened his eyes and she wondered if he was unconscious due to lack of blood.

  She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was one of the paramedics. He appeared concerned. “He'll be okay, won't he?” She was desperate for reassurance. She'd just found Shamus; she couldn't lose him now.

  "He should be fine.” The man stared at her. “Why don't you sit down?” He urged her away from the door. She didn't want to leave, but knew there was no point in standing there. “Is there anyone I can call for you?"

  She shook her head. “No. But thank you."

  She was shaking almost violently now, her entire body trembling. Her teeth began to chatter. The paramedic called out to one of the nurses. “She's going into shock."

  The paramedic lifted her and carried her through the double doors. “Shamus?” Maybe they were taking her to him.

  "Don't you worry about him,” a brisk female voice told her. “Let's have a look at you.” The woman unhooked Cyndi's purse from over her neck and shoulder and then proceeded to unbutton her sweater.

  Cyndi objected, trying to bat away the woman's hands. She was already freezing. But the nurse wouldn't be deterred and was soon drawing Cyndi's sweater down her arms. Cyndi flinched, pain shooting down her arm.

  "Looks like you got grazed.” She wrapped a warm blanket over Cyndi's body, tucking it around her, but leaving her left arm exposed. “We'll get a doctor to look at that for you."

  By the time the doctor cleaned and bandaged the wound, Cyndi was starting to feel better. It hadn't even needed any stitches, but the doctor had cleaned it thoroughly, making sure there was no fabric from her shirt embedded in the skin. No one would tell her anything about Shamus except that he was in surgery. Just the word almost made Cyndi sick to her stomach.

  There was no need for her to stay in hospital overnight. All she needed to do was to rest at home for the next few days and she'd be fine. The nurse gave her a top from a set of scrubs and helped her put it on over her bandaged arm. It didn't hurt too badly now thanks to the pain medication they'd given her. She had a prescription for some antibiotics and some painkillers that she'd have to fill tomorrow.

  Carefully, she pulled her sweater back on, needing the extra warmth. She eased off the examination table, steadying herself before collecting her purse.

  She felt slow but stable as the nurse walked with her down the hallway, toward the waiting room. The name on her tag said her last name was Johnson. Cyndi asked her if she was related to Pete, one of the men working on her house. Indeed, Pete was her uncle. Barbara Johnson was Arthur and Silas's sister. Barbara promised to let her know if she heard any news. They were all concerned. Seemed everyone in town thought the world of Shamus.

  The big double door opened and Cyndi walked back into the waiting room, feeling slightly shaky, but nowhere near as bad as she had. The first thing she saw was the large group of people milling about. As she approached, conversation stopped and all heads turned her way. The crowd parted as if by magic and standing at their center was Dani and Burke Black.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  "Have you heard anything?” Cyndi did her best to ignore the stares of the small crowd hovering around the couple.

  "Where have you been? We've been waiting to talk to you.” She could see the fear on Dani's face and hear it in her voice.

  Cyndi motioned to the big double doors. “The doctor needed to check me out.” She didn't tell them about her own injury. It was nothing compared to Shamus's.

  "What happened?” Burke's low voice carried easily across the room.

  "I've got to sit down,” she mumbled as she made her way to one of the orange vinyl chairs. She was rapidly getting shakier on her feet. The last thing she wanted to do was collapse in a heap.

  Dani and Burke followed her. Dani
sat in the seat next to her, while Burke pulled up a chair and parked it directly in front of her. She could have told them they didn't have to worry about her leaving. She wasn't going anywhere.

  "Have you heard from Patrick?"

  If it were possible, Burke's scowl got even deeper and blacker. “He called when we were on our way here. He told us about the fire and the shooting."

  "Shamus could have been killed,” Dani whispered brokenly.

  Cyndi didn't deny the allegation because it was true. Shamus had been in danger because someone wanted her out of the way.

  "I'm sorry.” The words were inadequate, but they were all she had. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her purse.

  "You're sorry,” Dani choked out. “That's all you can say. You're sorry."

  "What do you want me to say?” She was weary of the condemnation, tired of having to defend herself, and worried sick about Shamus. Tipping back her head, she closed her eyes, as a wave of exhaustion washed over her.

  "I've been trying to accept your relationship for Shamus's sake. I'm not sure you're as bad as you used to be. You may even have changed for the better.” Dani's eyes filled with tears. “But Shamus is my brother. I practically raised him, and his relationship with you is hurting him. I just can't stand by and watch—” She broke off on a sob.

  "Dani.” Burke was obviously trying to calm his wife, but it wasn't working.

  "You know it's true."

  "Getting upset isn't going to help Shamus,” Burke murmured.

  Cyndi felt the air shift in front of her and managed to open her eyes. Burke was leading Dani away, leaving her on the far side of the waiting room all by herself, as the rest of the family and concerned friends congregated on the other.

  Fine. She was used to being alone. Used to being the one on the outside. It had been this way for most of her life.

  Patrick came in a few minutes later and went straight to the nurses’ desk. After conferring with them briefly, he went to his family, hugging his sister and brother-in-law. Cyndi looked away as he talked to each person there in turn, feeling even more ostracized.

  "You okay?” She hadn't heard him come up beside her, but Patrick stood staring down at her. Not for the first time, she noticed the strong resemblance between the brothers and it brought tears to her eyes.

  She blinked them back and nodded. “I'm fine. Did they tell you anything?” She motioned toward the nurses.

  "No. Just that he's still in surgery. They expect the doctor to be down soon though."

  "That's...” She swallowed hard. “That's good. Isn't it?"

  Patrick didn't answer her. “I'll need to get a full statement tomorrow morning."

  "Fine.” She felt weary to her bones, but she'd drag herself down to the sheriff's office as soon as she left the hospital.

  "Looks like most of the damage is in the kitchen area of your house. From what the Fire Marshal could tell me, it appears as if there was some kind of homemade incendiary device tossed through the window. That's what you heard exploding. They'll know more when it cools down enough for them to sift through."

  Cyndi nodded. She didn't care about the house at the moment. Maybe tomorrow she would. Or the day after. But not now.

  "The downstairs mainly has smoke damage and that can be cleaned."

  "Fine,” she said because Patrick seemed to expect her to say something.

  He started to say something, but broke off when the big double doors opened again and a tired looking doctor strode out. They were all on their feet. “O'Rourke family?” he asked as he came toward them.

  "Yes. I'm his sister.” Dani stepped forward with Burke on one side and Patrick on the other. Cyndi hurried over to stand behind them. Leaning forward, she strained to hear what the doctor had to say.

  "We removed the bullet and there doesn't seem to be any major damage. He'll need therapy, but he should be back to normal in about six to eight weeks. We'll keep him here for three or four days to watch for infection, but after that, he should be able to go home as long as there is someone to help him."

  "He'll come home with us, of course.” Dani assured the doctor. “After all, we're his family."

  What could Cyndi say to that? Nothing.

  "You can see him in about a half hour or so when we get him settled into his room, but only for a few minutes and only family. He needs rest more than anything else."

  Cyndi's heart dropped at the “only family". She knew then that they wouldn't let her see him. She had no rights as far as they or the hospital were concerned. The fact that she loved him more than anything and would gladly change places with him, didn't matter in the slightest.

  She groped her way back to her chair and sank down onto it. Once again, the family and friends retreated to the far side of the room. Shamus would be fine. That was all that mattered. She told herself that over and over again until she finally started to believe it. Knowing there was no point in her staying, she pushed herself back to her feet and went to the nurses’ desk.

  Barbara Johnson watched her approach and she could see the pity in the other woman's eyes. Everyone in the waiting room had heard what Dani had said. “If I call, will you tell me how he is? Can you tell me?” She didn't want to get the nurse in trouble, not when she'd been so kind.

  "Just ask for me when you call. I'm covering part of another shift, so I get off at noon. I'm on days off then, but I'll leave a note at the desk asking the other nurses to let you know his condition. It's the best I can do."

  "Thank you.” Clutching her purse to her chest, she turned and made her way outside. Nobody called after her or tried to stop her. She was mildly surprised to see that the sun was rising up over the horizon. A uniformed officer was just pulling out of the parking lot and she flagged him down.

  "Ma'am?” He rolled down his window and eyed her dirty clothes, but didn't comment. By now, Cyndi figured at least half the town knew what had happened last night.

  "The sheriff said for me to go to the station and give my statement.” She didn't have any way to drive herself as her car was still parked in the driveway at home.

  "Yes, ma'am.” Leaning over, he opened the passenger door. Cyndi slowly made her way around and climbed in. They were both silent on the ride to the station. Once inside, the kind deputy got her a cup of coffee and proceeded to take her statement. When it was signed, she was free to go.

  Beyond exhausted, she put one foot in front of the other as she made her way to the door. She had to go home. She needed a shower and clean clothing. Then she had to call the hospital and see if anyone would tell her Shamus's condition. After that, she supposed, she'd worry about the house. She wasn't even sure the authorities would let her back in the house yet. Even if they wouldn't, she could at least get her car. Thankfully, her keys were in her purse.

  She stood outside, soaking up the early morning sunshine. It was late October, but the air was unseasonably warm. Cyndi was grateful for the heat. She felt so cold.

  The town was just coming alive for the day. Traffic was beginning to move up and down Main Street and folks were starting their day. Cyndi felt utterly removed from all of them. Was she kidding herself to think she'd ever be accepted as a part of Jamesville, that people would ever forgive her past and her family's nasty legacy? She didn't know and, at this moment, she was too tired to worry about it. All the fight was gone, replaced by a deep well of emptiness.

  A car pulled up next to the curb as she went down the steps to the sidewalk. “Are you all right?” Cyndi was surprised to see Alicia hurrying toward her. “I just heard over at the diner that your house was burned and that Shamus was shot."

  "News travels fast.” She'd expected it, but even she was surprised by just how fast it had happened.

  "Jessie saw you heading into the sheriff's office when she went into work this morning. Several of the volunteer firefighters have already been in this morning. They were all too willing to share."

  Cyndi nodded. “Shamus had surgery, but the doctor
said he's going to be fine."

  "That's great.” Alicia took her by the arm and led her to the passenger side of her car. “Do you want to stop by the hospital before I take you home?"

  Cyndi shook her head as she climbed in the car. Alicia closed the door and hurried around to the driver's side and sliding in. “Cyndi?"

  "They won't let me see him.” It hurt to actually say the words out loud.

  "Who won't?” Alicia frowned as she started her car and pulled away from the curb.

  "The doctor said family only. I think it's fair to say Shamus's family doesn't include me in that group."

  "That's not right,” Alicia protested.

  Cyndi was too tired to fight. “It's their right, and I really can't blame them. I've caused that family enough grief. The fact is I'm sleeping with Shamus, but his family would rather I wasn't."

  Alicia snorted. “You're in love with the man."

  "That obvious?” Cyndi gave a tired laugh that was half sob.

  "Only to those with of us with eyes.” Alicia glanced over at her before returning her eyes to the road. “He loves you too."

  "I know he does, but that doesn't erase all the trouble I've brought him or his family."

  The house came into view and Cyndi was glad to see it. There were still several official looking vehicles around the house. An officer strode up to the car when Alicia parked. “I'm sorry, but this house is off limits."

  "My client is the owner of this property.” Alicia spoke up before Cyndi could summon up enough energy to do so.

  "Yes, ma'am.” The officer stepped back. “The sheriff and Fire Marshal said it was okay for Ms. Marks to go inside as long as she stayed away from the back part of the house. The upstairs is fine. They figured Ms. Marks might want to get some of her clothing and belongings, but she can't stay here until after the investigation is complete."

  "How long will that take?” Cyndi followed the officer up the path to the house.

  "Hopefully, only a day or two. But it's gonna take a while to repair the damage to the kitchen.” He opened the door and ushered her inside, calling over his shoulder. “You have to wait outside, ma'am."