count her blessings. Although she suffered with multiple bruises and sprains, the X-rays showed no breaks. She lay in a hospital bed in the Kalispell clinic, waiting to be released. Her eyes kept going to the door. Surely, Clint would show up at any moment. When the hinges creaked, she tried to sit up. “Clint?”
But it was someone else. A nurse. “Dr. Mistretta. My name is Bettina. How are you feeling?”
“Pretty good, considering. When can I get out of here?”
“I’m not sure. We’ll have to wait and see what the doctor says.”
“I am a doctor and I know I feel fine.”
“You may not when those pain killers wear off. You’ve been given a pretty strong dose.”
Jensen tried to scoot up in bed. “I think I’m a good judge of my condition.”
Bettina giggled. “I’ve always heard doctors make the worst patients.”
Knowing the nurse was right, Jensen just groaned and settled back in the bed. “Is there anyone in the waiting room for me?”
“I don’t believe so.”
A wave of disappointment hit Jensen.
“The other patient, Mr. Ollie Boyd, has been admitted. He’s stable and, like you, will fully recover after some bedrest. Although…” Bettina checked Jensen’s chart. “You are scheduled for a couple more tests. An MRI and a full lab workup.”
“That isn’t necessary.”
“Mr. Joseph McCoy insists. He wants to make absolutely sure you are okay.” She proceeded to take Jensen’s vitals.
“Okay. Fine.” She decided it would take too much effort to argue.
“Mr. McCoy also wanted you to know that the rest of your group has returned to Texas. I believe there was some type of an emergency.”
“What kind of an emergency?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t have that information.”
“I understand. It could be anything. I’m certain it isn’t serious, or they would’ve told me.” Wouldn’t they?
“Joseph also said he’d be calling to check on you and not to worry, he would send the plane when you were ready to go home.”
“Oh. I see. Any other messages – from anyone else?”
“No.” Bettina smiled brightly. “I think that’s all.”
Disappointment crashed within her. She closed her eyes and tried to regroup. Why was she surprised? What had she expected?
“Can I get you anything else, Dr. Mistretta?”
“My phone. I need my phone.”
“I’m sorry. There was no phone included in your things when you were brought in.”
“Damn.” She must’ve dropped it when she fell or lost it somewhere along the trail. “I’ll have to get another one when I get home.”
“If you need to call someone, I can lend you mine,” Bettina offered. “I have unlimited long distance.”
“No.” She wasn’t due to be back into the office until the following Monday. Surely, she’d be out of here and home before then. Other than Scott, she didn’t really have anyone she talked to on a regular basis. A sense of desolation settled over her. “Thanks anyway. There’s no one expecting to hear from me.”
Chapter Twelve
“Dammit.” Clint snapped the ancient flip phone closed. “Why the hell wasn’t she answering?” He rubbed his eyes, exhaustion setting in. He knew why she wasn’t answering. She didn’t want to talk to him. He’d acted like a total ass.
“Clint, Bethany wants to see you. She’s awake.”
Despite his weariness, he jumped up and followed Kyd down the hall. The whole family was gathered, including several of the cousins. Libby and Aron were here, as was Heath and Cato. Some of the others had already come and gone. Gillian was grateful how her family was rallying in their time of need.
On the plane from Montana, Joseph finally told him the truth. The gunshot and Bethany’s subsequent surgery were life-threatening. In fact, it had been touch-and-go throughout the day. Now, thankfully, she was stable and in recovery. His cousin also promised to let him know when he sent the plane to pick up Jensen. So far he’d heard nothing from Joseph or Jensen. He wasn’t so sure no news was good news in this case.
As he moved down the hall, he noticed how he could hear each of his footfalls. There was an almost tomblike feeling to the place. The walls and the floors were a muted green, he didn’t like it – he didn’t like it at all. When he came to her door, Kyd motioned for him to go in ahead of him. “She’s in a lot of pain, but she’s been asking for you.”
Clint swallowed hard and eased into the room. The sight of Bethany almost took him to his knees. She was attached to myriad tubes and monitors. Her complexion was almost as pale