Page 53 of Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire

Jubal laughed. “You’ll never be able to,” he used finger quotes, “put your foot downwith that one. She’ll run you in circles trying to catch her. And since when is she your fiancée?”

Running a hand behind his neck, he slowly exhaled and then nodded. “Since I just said she was. And you’re right, she’ll try. She won’t succeed and we’ll probably fight about it.” Then he smiled. “But making up will be great.”

Two and a half hours later, a doctor entered the waiting area. He wore green scrubs, with a scrub hat and black Crocs. “Mr. Sullivan?”

Roark’s head shot up and he hurried to the doctor. “I’m Roark Sullivan. How is she?”

“She’ll be fine. I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Sullivan.” He extended his hand. “I’ve been to many of your hospital fundraisers. I’m Nick Lowery, the chief of surgery.” He released Roark’s hand and put it in his scrub pants pocket. “She lost some blood, but the bullet didn’t break any bones. She’ll be sore and probably shouldn’t do any traveling for a week. She also can’t lift over five pounds.

“We’ll keep her overnight, and then, when we send her home, she should be up and about a couple of hours a day. During those times, she should only do light things. Reading, watching TV—things that don’t require a lot of energy for the first week. Then I want her in my office in ten days so I can take out the stitches. She can’t shower for a couple of days, and then only if she covers the wound with plastic wrap to keep the bandage dry. Change the bandage in two days and every two days after that. I’ll have my nurse give you written instructions to take with you.”

Roark extended a hand. “Thank you, Doctor. When can I see her?”

The doctor took his hand. “She’s in recovery now. When the nurses are sure she’s alert and knows who she is, they’ll let you go see her.” He lifted a brow. “Last I heard, she was telling them her name was Jessica Sullivan, and you were her husband.”

Feeling his face heat, Roark knew his face was flushed. “Not quite yet. But hopefully soon.”

The doctor cleared his throat. “I want to thank you for your generosity to the hospital.”

“Doctor, if she pulls through, it was worth every penny.”

The man smiled. “Then I’ve done my job. She’ll be fine.”

The door behind the doctor opened.

A nurse in surgical scrubs, just like the doctor’s, walked up to them. “Doctor, she’s alert now and asking for her husband.”

“That’s me. Where is she?”

The nurse had bright-red hair pulled into a messy ponytail. “Follow me. I’ll take you to her.”

Roark followed her through an automatic door, down an aisle with rooms formed only by curtains on one side and gurneys and wheelchairs on the other side. He made a left at the end of the aisle and started down another aisle that also had the curtained rooms. But opposite them was the nurses’ station, bathroom, and hallways leading off to what he thought were probably operating rooms.

About halfway down this aisle, the nurse came to a halt. “Here we are.” She pulled back the curtain.

Roark saw Jessica in a bed. She was very pale and wore a hospital gown.

He walked to her right side and took her hand in his. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

She looked up and gave him a wan smile. “I’ve definitely felt better.”

“The doctor said you’ll be fine, but no traveling for at least two weeks. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.” He squeezed her hand. “And I’m afraid we won’t be going camping after all.”

“Now, that’s really not fair. I get shot and can’t go fishing, either.” She pouted.

He chuckled. “I’m glad you still have your sense of humor.”

“I’m still hopped up on anesthesia and not feeling any pain. What will you do with me for another two weeks while I recover? I have to call my mom. We have our regular dinner date on Sunday. How am I supposed to explain why I was shot?”

His mouth formed a flat line, and he shrugged. “I’ve never been very good at dealing with family problems. That’s what my mother is for.”

“Your poor mother.”

Frowning, he slowly shook his head. “It’s true. She’s so put-upon.” He grinned. “She loves it. We make her feel useful. That’s not to say she isn’t already, but sometimes…” He shrugged.

She smiled, and her eyes were narrowed. “I know. My mother worries about me, too. Which reminds me, I was teasing before. We cannot, under any circumstances, tell her they shot me. She will absolutely lose her mind.”

“We wouldn’t want that. The doctor wants to keep you overnight. I’m staying if they will let me.”