Yes, but just to be stitched.
Stitched. For a second, she felt a little dizzy. But Walt had said they wouldn’t keep him. He could be hurt bad enough to be in bed for a while but still not require hospitalization.
Sandra
I want to help. Can I call him?
Walt
I already did. Any chance you can pick up Rue? He doesn’t want to worry her.
Sandra didn’t know how to feel. Eb had talked to Walt instead of her. Was it because of the look she’d let slip this morning?
Her phone played Walt’s ring.
“I know what you’re thinking,” her boss said without preface when she answered. “Remember.Icalled him. He didn’t want to worry you either.”
“Do you know where he was shot?”
“No. He couldn’t stay on the phone long enough to give details.”
Sandra felt a little better, but now she had all kinds of questions. “I know you probably don’t have answers, but we need to know if he’ll be able to drive himself home or if someone should go get him.”
“I think they’ll make him go to the hospital to be examined, but I’ll call Gretchen to make sure.” Walt hesitated. “You sure you’re well enough to get Rue? I can ask Merry or Carlisle.”
“I can do it.” Sandra hoped it was the truth.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
“Was anyone else hurt?” Eb asked the paramedic as she prepared a shot of painkiller.
“I can’t say much more than this, but yes.” The middle-aged woman injected him.
Eb sighed with relief at the lessening of pain. “Can I go home?”
The paramedic glanced over from where she was packing her kit. “It might only be a graze, but it’s deep enough the ER will need to stitch it up for you. But don’t go until the police release you.” She stood and gave him an approving smile. “You did good today.”
“Except for the dodging bullets part.”
“But you kept that man from shooting anyone else in the building.” She turned and left the room.
Eb couldn’t believe he’d been able to joke about it with her. His body still trembled, like he’d gone too long without something to eat. An image flashed through his mind of the man running toward Eb, his pistol arm rising—
What if he’d killed Eb? What would happen to his daughter? He hadn’t added her to his life insurance—and made a will to protect her yet. And how should he explain his injury to Rue? Eb had watched enough shows about shootings to know they counseled parents to keep their kids away from the news. But it wouldn’t work when the child’s dad came home with a gunshot wound to his arm.
Maybe Sandra could do some research for him. He didn’t want to traumatize his daughter if he could avoid it. Thank goodness Sandra lived so close now. She probably had no idea how much she’d helped him.
And how had he repaid her? With an unwanted kiss. He still cringed mentally at her expression. And now he’d asked for her help to pick up his daughter from the daycare center.
Rue again. Somehow, they had to protect her from this.
Eb took a deep breath. His thoughts were all over the place. He should have asked if Walt or Linda could collect Rue rather than impose on Sandra. Eb wished he’d had more time to talk with the man before they’d taken his phone.
“You’re sure he’s all right?” Gretchen asked from the hallway.
“Yes ma’am,” Martin said. “You can talk to him once the police finish taking his statement.”
“But I have responsibility for my employees. And this happened onmyproperty.” Her indignation made Eb smile. She’d earned the title of one of Huckleberry Falls’ best employers for good reason. “I’m the owner.”
