Page 52 of Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire

The helicopter landedon the pad next to the hospital.

A team of nurses and doctors met them, all of them talking at once.

They loaded Jessica on a gurney and rushed to the ER.

A nurse came by with a clipboard. “Mr. Sullivan?”

“Yes, I’m Roark Sullivan.” He stood there, bare chested, and watched as Jessica disappeared inside. “You’ll have to talk while we walk.”

“We’re taking good care of her. Can you tell me what happened?”

“While we were flying over some rustlers on my ranch, they fired on us, and they hit her. I think it must have been a large caliber bullet since it came from the people on the ground and went through the body of the helicopter.”

“Did the bullet exit her body?”

“No.”

The nurse jotted down what he said as she jogged alongside him.

He reached the ER entrance and turned to the nurse. “Please find out where she is.”

The woman put her clipboard in her left hand and placed her right one on his arm. “She’s getting the best of care. I’ll find out where she is, and I’ll get you a scrub shirt.” She turned and left.

He paced the waiting area like a large, predatory cat.

Jubal entered and walked up to him. “Mannie has to move our helicopter so the pad is open for the hospital ‘copter.”

Roark nodded, but didn’t speak or stop pacing.

Jubal paced with him for a few rounds and then found a chair.

They were the only ones in the room now. It was early in the day and he thought the hospital probably got busy after dark.

The nurse came back into the room. “Mr. Sullivan. Here is your shirt, and I have her location now.”

“Where is she?” He turned at her voice, took the shirt and slipped it over his head.

“They are just taking her to surgery. Apparently, the bullet is lodged in her side. You can go wait in the surgical waiting room. The doctor will come out there to talk to you. I have to ask. Are you related to the young woman?”

“She’s my fiancée.” He lied through his teeth, but if she said yes, then she really would be his fiancée and then his wife. No long engagements this time. A Justice of the Peace would get them legally married, and then she could plan a big to-do if she wanted one. He wasn’t letting her get away.

“Okay. The waiting room is on the second floor. Just take those elevators up.” She pointed out of the waiting room to the bank of elevators. Both of you can go. I just needed to know who will make decisions, should that become necessary.” She shook her head. “Though it’s not likely.”

“Thank you and thanks for the shirt, too.” Roark’s strides were long as he reached the elevators and pressed theupbutton. And pressed it again. And again.

Jubal placed a hand on his arm. “That’s not going to help it get here any sooner.”

Huffing out a breath, he folded his hands together behind his back. “I know.”

The elevator arrived just as Mannie came running up. “Glad I didn’t miss you. How is she?”

“In surgery. If I find the person who did this, I will make them rue the day they were born.”

Was it his imagination, or did Mannie pale? “Tell me what you know, Mannie, or I just might tear you apart right here.”

Mannie nodded. “You were right. Alice has been getting messages to the rustlers. I found a burner phone in her purse while she was in the shower. I guess it’s been long enough, she thought she had me wrapped around her finger.” He fisted his hands. “But if I’d known this would happen…”

Roark set a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Forgive me for my outburst. It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I’m the one who should have put my foot down.”