A cat with nine lives, I roll out from my hole to give rescue workers access to Jeff. After my boss checks my pulse, he pours steaming cocoa into a mug, tests it, and lifts it to my lips.
The sweet mixture warms all the way down my esophagus.
“Thanks.” Somewhat revived, I call out to the man putting an IV in Kinkaid’s arm.
“How is he?” If I hadn’t invited him hunting, none of this would’ve happened.
“Touch and go.” The guy counts backwards, and on one, they lift Jeff onto a gurney.
“And Danni?” I turn my gaze to Al, pouring me another cup of hot chocolate.
“She did real good. She’s a keeper, if you ask me.” I agree but can’t say so. Drugs send me into la-la land and don’t wear off until I wake disoriented.
The girl of my dreams rests on a bed beside me, so I must still be sleeping.
“Shush.” Her soft lips brush across mine, my cock rises to attention, and she laughs softly. “I guess you’re feeling better?”
My mouth moves to say thank you but no sound comes forth. Instead, I hang with Marine buddies gathered around a bar, some of whom didn’t make it.
When I wake again, Danni is gone and my mom sits in a chair beside my bed, holding my hand. Greg and Seth stand in the doorway.
“About time you woke up.” My older brother, still in his barn clothes leans over the bed and gives me a pungent hug.
My voice rasps so bad my mother thrusts a straw into my mouth and I swallow. “How long have I been out?”
“A day and a half, give or take.” Seth embraces me next.
“Danni?”
“They sent her home a few hours ago.”
My mom smiles. “The night nurse found her in your room and gave her grief.”
“And Jeff?”
Greg scratches at his beard and grins. “He’s in intensive care but the doc says he’s out of the woods, so to speak.”
“Even though he’s as ass, I hope he pulls through.” The IV dripping into my arm must have some powerful painkillers because I feel good enough to climb a mountain. “So, can I go home?”
“Dude, you were shot and lost a ton of blood. Give it a few days.” My big bro’ steps aside when the sheriff knocks on the door jamb.
“Well, if it isn’t Sleeping Beauty. Can you guys give us a minute?” He pulls up a folding chair and straddles it so we’re eye to eye. “Ready to give me a statement?”
“Ay-yup.” Starting from dawn, I give my story. I get to the first shot fired, take a deep breath, and close my eyes to better recall the ordeal.
“I had just suggested we call it a day. The first round hit Jeff and he went down. The second would’ve connected with my head had I not dove to the ground. I took cover, tended Jeff’s wound, and tucked him out of sight. I had to lure the killer away from him and needed higher ground so made my way up the hill. That’s when the third bullet grazed my thigh. I tied a scarf to stem the flow of blood and rested under a pine tree. I must’ve passed out because the next thing I know, Toby’s at my side.”
“Fine dog.” As my boss leans back in his chair, I smile at my good fortune.
“Sure is. Well, then things get a little foggy. I heard Danni call out and I told her to run for help. I guess my shouting gave away my position and Alisha found me. I got her to talking and she confessed to Stacy’s murder. When she finished, she said bye-bye and squeezed the trigger. If not for Danni, I’d be lying on a cold hard slab.”
“How’d she end up with your dog and your shotgun?”
“Greg gave her the key to my house.” It’s a small white lie but better than saying she broke in and stole a weapon. “Can I ask a question?”
“Go for it.”
“How did Alisha disable the rental car?”
