memories whirled through her mind. Africa. Her father. Standing outside the hospital in Dallas. Paintings in red-and-black.
Another evil man.
And I am neither judge nor jury.
Sage blew out a breath and twisted her head around, locating Colt. “I have to help him.”
“Of course you do, sweetheart.”
Stepping forward, someone slapped some latex gloves into her hands. She pulled them on, knelt, and set about saving the dying man’s life.
An hour later, having turned over her patient at the hospital in Gunnison, Sage ducked into their physicians’ locker room for a shower and changed from bloody clothes into a pair of clean blue scrubs. She exited the hospital and discovered Colt sitting on a wooden bench, waiting for her.
“How did you get here?” she asked. “It’s a two-hour drive.”
“A friend of Gabe’s has his own bird. The guy who owns Eagle’s Way.”
“Jack Davenport.”
“Yeah, that’s him. He was in town, so Gabe called him and he brought me down. I thought you might need me.” He paused, gave her a thorough once-over, then added, “I was wrong, wasn’t I?”
Sage smiled and took hold of his hand. “Oh, I need you, Rafferty. I definitely need you. But I don’t need you.”
“That makes total sense.” He touched her cheek. “You look good in scrub blue, Dr. Anderson.”
“Thanks, but I don’t think it really suits me. Prints hide paint splashes better than solids.”
“Ah.”
“I called home. Sarah told me Lori’s okay, and they were able to treat Zach’s wound at the clinic, too.”
“So I understand.” He hesitated a moment, then said, “The father has been arrested.”
“Yes, and Marcus Burnes will be, too, as soon as he’s out of surgery. Sarah told me the sheriff’s office verified the shooter’s claim. Marlene is brokenhearted.” Then, ready to have the unhappiness behind her, Sage asked, “So, Rafferty, how are we getting home?”
“Well …” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Celeste called and asked a favor. Seems she’s had her motorcycle here in the shop, and she asked if we’d ride it back for her. Would you mind?”
“Her Gold Wing?”
“Yep. She also said there’s something for you in the tour pack.”
“I’d love to ride her Gold Wing.”
He grinned, and those devilish dimples of his winked at her. “Good, because I already had it brought over. So, you ready to go?”
He held up the keys. She laughed, swiped them out of his hand, and started for the motorcycle. “I’m driving.”
“Oh, jeez.”
Her heart lighter than it had been in years, Sage almost skipped to the parking lot where Celeste’s ride awaited them. Before climbing aboard, she opened the tour pack, looked inside, and spied a small white box. Sage picked the box up, lifted off the lid, and gasped.
“Whatcha got?”
She grinned up at him, then strutted her shoulders and held up the Angel’s Rest blazon. “I earned my wings.”
“Well, aren’t you special.”
“That I am.” She slipped the necklace over her head and snapped the trunk closed. Flinging her leg over the bike, she accepted the helmet he handed her and said, “Climb on, cowboy.”
“Anytime you ask, Cinnamon. Anytime you ask.”
She started the engine and drove sedately out of town, but once she hit the open road, she throttled up and let out a joyous laugh.
She had slain a monster today. Conquered a mountain. Destroyed a fearsome foe. She didn’t expect that the nightmares were over for good, and she’d probably still suffer flashbacks from time to time. She’d never stop mourning the events of that horrible day. But now, finally, she knew that she’d survived them. “I’m a survivor, Rafferty,” she shouted.
“That you are, woman.”
“So marry me, Rafferty!”
His hands tightened around her waist. “What did you say?”
“I said marry me.”
He leaned forward. “You just asked me to marry you?”
“Uh-huh.”
“As we’re riding down the highway at seventy miles an hour?”
“Sixty-five. Within the speed limit. So what’s your answer, Rafferty?”
“Pull over.”
“Not until we get to Eternity Springs. What’s your answer, Rafferty?”
“Yes, dammit. I love you. Don’t wreck this motorcycle before I can give you a proper kiss.”
“I won’t. I love you, too. Now, hold on, Rafferty. I intend to give you the ride of your life.”
Colt spent the rest of the ride to Eternity Springs teasing her. She had to keep her hands on the steering, but all he needed to do was keep his hands on her. Putting his mouth on her was a nice little extra. As they flew down the road toward Eternity Springs, he made it his goal to torture her to the point that she’d surrender, pull off the road,