by Chloe Lang
“I see that.” The man holstered his weapon and turned to him.
That’s the second time she’s called him “Alex.” Why? Dustin turned to the guy, jealousy spreading out through him in spite of the pain. “Did you know Paris when she lived in Nevada before? Who are you to her?”
“Dr. Alex Champion, the guy offering her a job here at the hospital. Why?”
“Just a job or do you have other interests in her on a more personal note?”
“Dustin, shut up.” Paris shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous. Alex is a happily married man.”
“I like the sound of that, baby.”
A redheaded nurse came through the doors also carrying a gun but much more shaken than Alex. Wilde was more like Destiny than he ever imagined. Everyone packed heat here, too, it seemed. “Dr. Champion, I’ve called the sheriff. He’s on his way now.”
“Good job, Niki. We need a stretcher.”
“I’ll get one.” The redheaded nurse rushed out where she’d come from.
Dr. Champion moved next to Paris, and they both began accessing his condition. Paris’s skill and intensity filled Dustin with pride.
He smiled up at her. “I can walk, sweetheart.”
“Don’t be silly, honey. We don’t know the extent of your injury yet, though it seems the Green Dragon might’ve been smiling on you today. The bullet hit your left side and appears to have missed all your vital organs. Until we know for sure, you will do as I say, understand?”
“You better listen to her, bro,” Mick said, smiling. “She knows what she’s doing.”
“I know she does.”
Niki returned with the stretcher.
A silver-headed sheriff ran into the ER with a deputy.
“Dad, that’s the shooter,” Dr. Champion said to the sheriff.
“And these three?” The sheriff looked his, Mick’s, and Paris’s direction.
“This is Dr. Paris Cottrell and these two are her friends.”
“We’re more than friends,” Dustin corrected. “Much more.”
“I’m Mick Ryder, and the hero on the ground is my brother Dr. Dustin Ryder.”
“Hero? Me? You’re the one who pulled Paris free of the madman, bro.”
Mick grinned. “And you’re the one who tackled the son of a bitch.”
“Was he after drugs?” Sheriff Champion asked.
“No, but I can explain,” Dustin said. “Barkley’s wife was a patient of mine that I lost.”
“You can explain after I get this bullet out, mister. We’re going to surgery now. Alex, do you mind assisting?”
Dr. Champion held up his cast. “Paris, you know it’s best not to operate on our loved ones. Dr. Vines can be here in thirty minutes. Shall I call her?”
“No. Too much time.”
“You’re my kind of surgeon, Paris. I can’t wait to get you to Wilde for good.”
“She’s not going to be here for good, Doctor. We’re taking her home.” Dustin turned to her. “Baby, you don’t have to do this.”
“It’s okay. You’ve been right all along.”
He knew exactly what she meant. “Maybe I was right, but I went about it the wrong way.”
“We can talk about all that later, honey.” The love of his life smiled down on him, and he knew everything really was going to be okay.
Chapter Sixteen
Paris held Dustin’s hand. Thankfully, she’d been able to keep her trembles at bay out of necessity. Surgeons couldn’t perform with shaking hands. But now, scalpel free, she was shivering from head to toe in the Recovery Room, realizing how close she came to losing him. “How are you feeling, honey?”
Dustin squeezed her hand. “Never better, baby. How long did you keep me under?”
Mick had his arm around her shoulder. “It’s a little after midnight, bro. You were out just over an hour.”
Dr. Alex Champion stood on the other side of Dustin’s bed with his father, the sheriff. “Paris did a fantastic job with you, Dr. Ryder. She’s left you with a scar that will be barely noticeable.”
“Damn, I was hoping it would be a big one I could tell our kids about.”
Paris’s eyes widened. That was the first time she’d ever heard Dustin mention children.
Mick laughed. “You sound like Josh Phong, bro. He’s proud of his scar, too, calling it his war wound.”
“Josh should be, and so should Jacob after what they did. War wound? I like the sound of that. What do you think, Dr. Paris? Shall we call it my war wound from now on?”
She grinned. “Call it whatever you like once you’re healed. I’m just glad you’re doing so well.”
“Like I said before, Paris, you did a fantastic job.” Alex smiled. “Some of the best work I’ve seen in surgery in a long time.”
“What I did was routine. Nothing special.”
“I disagree. You’re a terrific surgeon.”
Sheriff Champion nodded. “I have to agree with my son, miss. You acted quick and thoroughly under extreme pressure. I’m a retired physician myself, and I’ve seen many a more seasoned doctor fold under lesser situations.”
“And sheriff,” Dustin said. “It’s not the first time she’s had a gun to her head and saved the day.”
“Seriously?”
Dustin recounted the event back in Phoenix where she helped the little girl. Mick filled in the rest of the details. Their version was making her seem bigger than life, which she knew better.
“I did what I had to do at the time. Don’t we all?”
“Downplay it all you want, Dr. Cottrell, but you did great work today and obviously back in Phoenix, too.” Alex stared hard at her, Dustin, and Mick. It was obvious to her he was accessing more than just the medical situation.
“It’s been a long night already. Rest up. I’ll come back at noon to get your statements.” Sheriff Champion walked to the door. “By the way, do any of you know a Mr. Easton Black?”
“We all do,” Paris told him. “He leads a team for the CIA that is stationed in Destiny. Did he contact you?”
“He sure did, miss. Nice guy. Actually, I know about him and Shannon’s Elite. I’ve worked with Jena, a woman on his team who specializes in data mining.”
“Jena’s a sweetheart,” she said.
“Black is working with me on this case. Apparently, Destiny is a lot like Wilde. Everyone takes care of each other.”
“I couldn’t have put it any better,” Dustin said.
The sheriff smiled. “Black’s team has already uncovered details about your shooter, a Mr. Peter Barkley. Apparently, he was on the payroll of Cindy Trollinger.”
Mick squeezed Paris in closer. “Kip Lunceford’s sister?”
“The one and only. I’m sure this won’t be the last time we hear about her. Like I told you before. Rest.” Sheriff Champion left.
Paris’s cell buzzed. She glanced down at the screen. “This is my dad.” When he called before, she’d been in surgery. “I’ve got to fill him in on everything. Give me a second.”
She stepped out into the hallway. “Hello, Dad. We’re all okay.”
“Baby, I’ve been sick with worry. Easton called me and filled me in on the details. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I am and so are Dustin and Mick.”
“What did the surgeon say about Dustin’s injury?”
“Dad, I did the surgery. Dr. Champion’s arm was in a cast, so he couldn’t operate. The other surgeon was thirty minutes away. Dustin is doing fine. The bullet didn’t hit any organs. He’ll be on his feet tomorrow.”
“Sweetheart, I’m so proud of you. Having to do surgery on someone you love is very difficult.”
I do love Dustin. “I’m sorry I never told you about my medical degree, Dad.”
“Hush, sweetheart. I know a lot of that is my fault.”
“No, Dad. It was mine.”
“Paris, you saw how I reacted when your mom passed away. I know that had an impact on you. Being a doctor is very hard, but baby,
you have the strength to do whatever you set your mind to.”
“Thanks, Dad. I really believe I have it together now.”
“Please let Dustin and Mick know how grateful I am they took care of you. If that man had…I just don’t…” Her father got choked up.
“Dad, Dustin and Mick did come for me. I’m safe because of them.”
“I love you, little girl.”
“I love you, Daddy.” She clicked off the phone just as Alex came out of Dustin’s room, joining her in the hallway.
“Your guys are anxious for you to come back,” he said.
“Alex, there’s something I need to tell you.”
He held up his hand. “No you don’t. Anyone can see how much you three love each other. I would really like to have you working by my side in Wilde, Paris, but it’s clear to me you belong with those two back in Destiny.”
“I do.”
He smiled. “I withdraw my offer.”
She hugged him. “Thank you so much for understanding.”
“Paris, I hope you will come to visit us again someday.”
“I will. I promise.”
Dr. Champion left, and she walked back into Dustin’s room.
“I told Dad you were doing well.”
It was clear that Dustin and Mick had been talking. She wondered about what.
“Come over here, sweetheart.” Dustin held up his hand.
She took it, feeling a fresh bout of shivers roll through her as she looked into his intense gray eyes.
“After you left my office yesterday, I talked to Sam. He helped me see why I’ve been pushing you so hard for so long. It has always been about my issues, baby, not about you. I carried so much doubt about my abilities. All the bravado and arrogance was my way of masking it to the world. The day you saved that little girl back in Phoenix was the same day I lost my first patient, Barkley’s wife.”
She could see the pain in his face as he recounted the story that had plagued him for so long.
“Seeing how you acted with that little girl, I doubled my efforts with trying to push you to go to medical school. Getting engaged seemed impossible to me at the time. I was a fool, Paris. I thought if I could get you to start practicing medicine I would feel less guilty.”
She kissed him. “But you have nothing to be guilty about, Dustin.”
“I know that now, sweetheart. Actually, seeing Barkley tonight helped me really realize that clearly for the first time. He’s the one to blame for his wife’s death. Not me. I did all I could for her. It wasn’t my fault.”
“You’re an amazing doctor, honey.” She kissed him again, feeling her eyes well up with pride.
“Baby, if you love being a nurse, I will support you completely. I just want us to be together. You, me, and Mick.”
“I want that, too, but you were right and your intentions were good, even if your methods were off.” She took a deep breath and then let out her deepest secret. “I was afraid about being a doctor. Terrified even. Like you, I had doubt. My dad suffered after my mother’s death for years, blaming himself, like you did with that woman. You two are so similar. Even through your doubt you both never stopped pushing forward, unlike me.” As her truth flooded out of her, she felt the weight she’d been carrying for so long lift. Dustin and Mick had made it possible for her be completely honest. She trusted them with everything, including her heart. “My dream had always been to follow in my dad’s footsteps, but I was paralyzed with fear of the responsibility of life and death that comes with being a physician. I went to medical school to prove to myself that I was capable, but I had no real intentions of ever practicing. I planned on being a nurse for the rest of my life. But I’m meant to be a doctor. You showed me that, Dustin.”
“I love you, Dr. Cottrell.” Dustin pulled her down until their lips pressed against each other. She melted into him. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Dr. Ryder.”
“This cowboy wants some of that good lovin’.” Mick pulled her into his arms, kissing her into a dizzy state until her legs got wobbly. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too.” Happy from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet, she smiled. “You both get me. No one gets me like you. Being a surgeon is in my DNA. Dustin, you knew it all along.”
Dustin squeezed her hand. “Just like ranching is in Mick’s DNA. I might’ve been right about you, baby, but I was off the mark when it came to him. Not any more, bro. I get it now.”
Mick laughed. “I think Sam helped you part of the way but our ride on Jennifer’s ranch yesterday finished the job.”
Dustin smiled. “Don’t you mean your ranch, Mick?”
Confused, she asked, “What does that mean?”
“I’m the new owner of Steele Ranch, sweetheart. Dustin and I talked on the trip here. We want to ask you an important question.”
Dustin moved to sit up. “Help me out of this bed. I need to get down on my knee for this.”
She placed her hands on his shoulder. “Not a chance, mister. Not until I say so.”
“You’re the doctor.” He grabbed her hand.
“I’ll get on my knee for both of us, bro.” Mick took her other hand, turning to Dustin. “Ready?”
“Ready,” he answered. “On three. One. Two. Three.”
In unison they said, “Paris Cottrell, will you marry me?”
“Yes. Of course I’ll marry you. I’ll marry you both. I’ve been waiting for years for this moment.”
They kissed her again. She’d never been happier in all her life.
Mick laughed. “I should’ve known this proposal was going to happen in a hospital with you two.”
Dustin turned to Mick. “We definitely got ahead of ourselves on this.”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re supposed to ask her father’s permission first.”
She smiled. “I think you forgot, Dustin, but you and Mick asked him years ago.”
“I didn’t forget, but I want to ask again.”
“So do I,” Mick chimed in. “I’m sure his permission had an expiration date.”
She laughed. “I’m sure he will give his blessing to you. He loves you both very much.”
Chapter Seventeen
Mick held the front door of the Hotel Cactus for Dustin, whose arm was around Paris. Even though Dustin had been released from the hospital, Paris wanted him to rest up before the drive back to Destiny, insisting they stay another night in Wilde.
Her father stood inside the hotel’s lobby talking to the woman behind the desk.
When he looked up and saw Paris, he ran to her, pulling her into his arms. “Sweetheart, I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“And I’m so glad you are here, Dad.” She released her father and turned to Dustin and Mick. “And so are these guys.”
Dr. Cottrell shook both their hands. “I owe you so very much. Thank you for making sure my daughter was safe.”
Dustin put his arm around his mentor. “She means the world to us, Doc.”
Mick respected Paris’s father, who had always been ready to listen, even after the breakup with Paris. “We love her very much.”
When Mick had first told Dr. Cottrell about his dream to be a rancher, Doc had advised him to take the job with Jennifer Steele. There had been absolutely no judgment from her dad, only encouragement. He would never forget Doc’s words to him that day in Blue’s Diner.
“Life is a journey to enjoy. Often the detours are better than the route we planned, taking us to the most wonderful destinations that we never imagined existed. Try your hand at ranching full time, Mick. If it doesn’t turn out the way you thought, you can always return to the law, but I’m betting you will find your calling in a saddle instead of a courtroom.”
Dr. Cottrell stepped back and studied Dustin. “How are you feeling?”
“Very good, thanks to Paris.”
“I heard.” Her father beamed with pride. He motioned for the woman behind the desk t
o come over. “Maude, I want you to meet my daughter and these two fine young men.”
“I would love to meet the three heroes.” Wearing a bright purple dress with matching cowboy boots, she came from around the desk and walked directly to them. Her hair was worn up and she had wide, sparkling green eyes—an attractive lady with a warm charm radiating out of her with every step she took. “I’m Maude Strong.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around Paris. “Welcome to my hotel.”
“Wilde sure knows how to greet visitors.” Paris grinned. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Strong.”
“Please. Call me Maude. We’re very informal in Wilde.”
“Just like our hometown. Sure thing, Maude. Please call me Paris.”
“You got a deal, Paris. I have a nephew who lives in Destiny and who has told me all about it. Do you know Mark Strong?”
“He’s our local vet.” Mick had worked with him many times with Jennifer’s livestock. “A very good guy.”
“Yes, he is. His younger brother Keith is also a vet. He’s finishing up his schooling to become a surgeon of large animals.”
Mick knew the county back home could definitely use another vet. Some ranchers ended up taking their livestock to the neighboring county vet because Maude’s nephew was too busy to get to everyone. “That’s great. I sure hope your other nephew is planning on moving to Destiny to join Mark’s practice when he finishes school. There’s more than enough work for both of them, ma’am.”
“I’m not sure that would work out. Those two haven’t really gotten along well in quite some time.”
Mick wondered what could’ve caused such a rift between brothers, but wasn’t about to ask.
“And please, call me Maude. Something about ‘ma’am’ makes a woman feel old.”
The front door to the hotel opened again and Easton Black, Sheriff Champion, and a man Mick didn’t recognize walked into the lobby.
“Aunt Maude, you’ll never be old.” The unknown man came over to them and put his arm around the dear lady’s shoulder. “No one in town can keep up with you.”
She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “This is my nephew, Austin. He doesn’t say much but when he does, he always says just the right thing. No wonder his wife is so in love with him.”