“That’s what she says.”
He sat down on a curb to wait for treatment.Meredith took the task upon herself.She pressed a square of gauze to his elbow and plucked bits of glass from his clothes.She kept smoothing her hands over his back, as if making sure he didn’t have any secret bullet wounds.His mother climbed out of the ambulance after a few minutes.
“Panic attack,” the female EMT said.“She needs rest.”
“I need a Xanax,” Wynona grumbled.
The EMT examined Wade next.She cleaned and bandaged the gash on his elbow.The other cuts were minor and didn’t need attention.The technician moved toward the squad car where Charlie Franklin had been detained.Jackson brought Wade his uniform shirt and shoes, which he donned with a wince.He felt removed from the chaos, as if he was watching from a distance.The colors and sounds were muted.It was survivor’s shock, he supposed.Meredith seemed to recognize the reaction.She handed him a bottle of water, which he drank gratefully.She stayed close by his side, quiet and protective.
His mother’s friend, Patty Gonzalez, came forward to chat with his mother.Patty and Wynona stepped aside and spoke with their heads together.Their voices were low and subdued.After a short time, Wynona returned to address Wade and Meredith.
“Patty’s driving me to Desert Breeze,” Wynona said.
“What’s that?”
Wynona rolled her eyes.“It’s an inpatient facility for addiction therapy in New Mexico.They have an open bed.”
Wade snapped out of the fog that had enveloped him.Reality came crashing back down on him, ready or not.This wasn’t an exchange he could phone in.“You’re going to rehab?Willingly?”
She shrugged like a sullen teenager.“I guess I need to.Can you take care of the ranch while I’m gone?”
“Of course,” he said, touched by the request.
“I’d better leave now before I change my mind.”
He rose to his feet and embraced her.She accepted the gesture stiffly.He couldn’t remember the last time they’d done this.They hadn’t shared a hug in years.It was awkward, but not unpleasant.
“Take care of Mary, too,” she whispered.“Don’t let her go.”
“I won’t,” he said, swallowing past the lump in his throat.
She patted his shoulder and walked away with Patty.It was the opposite of a mushy, sentimental scene, but Wade found himself getting choked up.Meredith grasped his hand and squeezed it tight.
“Did you suggest rehab to her?”Wade asked.
“No.She’s always refused to discuss it.”
Wade marveled at the abrupt reversal.His mother had decided to go to rehab on her own.She’d fainted out of worry for him, and they’dhugged.On top of that, he’d escaped a near-death experience unscathed, and Meredith had said she loved him.Wade felt like he was dreaming.This was too good to be true.
Sheriff Nava appeared beside him.He had Wade’s gun and wore a grave expression.“Do you have a minute?”
Wade nodded easily.“Wait in my truck,” he said to Meredith.“I’ll be there soon.”
She stood on tiptoe to kiss Wade goodbye.It was a light touch, full of concern and caring.Wade’s neck heated with warmth.After she pulled away, Wade returned the gun to his holster and followed Nava toward his SUV.They both climbed inside, with Wade in the passenger seat.He felt shell-shocked, but his brain was functioning well enough to consult with Nava.Cops didn’t always have the luxury of rest.
“Charlie Franklin broke down in tears and admitted his intentions were murder-suicide,” Nava said.“You saved Elvira’s life.”
Wade made a sound of acknowledgment.He hadn’t forgotten that Nava’s affair with Elvira had instigated this entire mess.Charlie had almost killed Wade because of it.“Did you interview Elvira?”
“Briefly.”
“She told him we were sleeping together.”
“I’m aware.”
“Why would she lie about that?”
“She claims he kept badgering her, asking if you were her latest conquest.She finally said yes to shut him up.”He gave Wade a sidelong glance.“I’m sorry you got caught up in it.I wouldn’t have let you go in there if I’d known.”
