Page 51 of Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire

She looked at him and frowned. “What would you do with guns except get into trouble? You can’t shoot them.”

Roark sat back. “You’re right, we can’t, but we can radio the sheriff and tell him where these people are and what the truck looks like. They need a second truck for the four-wheelers. Jubal, get the sheriff’s office on the radio.”

“That’s true. Or they’re stashing the animals close by.” She kept her eyes peeled on the ground. “Oh, my God, they’re going to shoot—”

A bullet hit the door of the helicopter.

* * *

“Mannie! Get us out of here!”Roark shouted as he leaned over her as if to protect her from anymore bullets.

Jessica sat up and put her right hand on her left side. It came away bloody. “They shot me.” She closed her eyes.

“Jessica! Don’t close your eyes. You will stay awake.” Roark used his deepest, most aggressive voice. The one he used when he was dealing for a company to buy.

She opened her eyes. “You don’t need to yell at me. I’m awake but my side hurts, Roark. Why did they shoot at us?”

“Because they are thieves and don’t want to be caught. They were trying to shoot us down, I’m sure of it.” Roark reached over and patted Mannie on the shoulder. “Thank you for saving our lives today. If you hadn’t flown like you did, they have shot us down. Thank you, my friend.”

Mannie didn’t look back, but kept his eyes on the air in front of him. “You’re welcome boss. And Jessica, I’m sorry you got hit. I would fly differently if I had known they would shoot at the ‘copter.”

She closed her eyes tight and gritted her teeth. “It’s not your fault, and I’m very glad right now to be in this helicopter with you flying it.”

Jubal picked up the mic from the dashboard. “Sullivan Industries calling Gallatin County sheriff’s office. Over.”

The radio crackled. “Sheriff’s office. What’s your emergency? Over.”

“We’ve got rustlers on the northwest side of the Sullivan ranch. They are in progress now and are shooting at us. Over.”

Roark put his hand on the top of Jubal’s seatback. “Tell them we are going straight to the hospital.”

Jubal pushed the button on the mic. “Gallatin County, we have one person shot in the side. We’re taking her directly to Bozeman Health. Over.”

“The sheriff will meet you there, and we’ll send deputies to the Sullivan Ranch. Over.”

“Please alert the hospital we are on our way. Over.”

“Will do. Over.”

“Sullivan Industries, over and out.” Jubal put the mic back.

“How long until we get to the hospital?” asked Roark.

“We’re about ten minutes out. How’s she doing?” Mannie tried to look around the seat but straightened.

Roark placed his palm on her forehead. “Not good. Her color is gray, and she’s getting cold.” He ran a hand over her other side and down her back, but didn’t find another wound where the bullet would have exited her body.

“Put pressure on the wound. Use your shirt,” said Jubal.

Roark whipped off the tee shirt he wore and pressed it against the wound. The bleeding seemed to slow. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Don’t beat yourself up, boss. This has all happened so fast.” Mannie pushed the throttle forward, and the helicopter sped up. “I’ve got it pushed as far as I can. We’ll get her there. She’ll be okay.”

“That’s right, Roark. She’ll pull through this. She’s young and strong.” Jubal reached back and squeezed Roark’s knee.

“I hope you’re right. I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose her. I just found her.”

* * *