“Actually, the outfit is patterned off something Annie Oakley would have worn, but I don’t suppose you would have known that given that you got a D in my history class, Miss Johnson,” Rafael Alvarez said as he walked up with his sister, Sofia, who was wearing her deputy uniform and sipping her own mocha.
Becca pasted a smile on her face before turning to face our former teacher. “Oh, Rafael, I was only teasing Shannon. It’s just that sometimes she has difficulty understanding when I’m joking.”
“It’s Mr. Alvarez—and it was clear from the tone of your voice that you weren’t joking,” he told her. It was all I could do to keep from grinning.
I felt someone standing behind me and looked over my shoulder to see not only Declan but Zoe and Fiona as well. While my sister and Zoe were dressed similarly to me, Fiona still looked as if she’d walked off a runway. Both of the women looked ready to shoot daggers out of their eyes. Behind them, I could see Josh and Eli headed our way and when I turned back to Becca, I noticed that there was a small crowd slowly assembling. Walter Briggs was part of it, and he looked none too happy. He’d been upset with Declan initially but once everything calmeddown, he’d directed his ire toward Becca. He couldn’t abide troublemakers or braggarts, and she was both.
“Miss Johnson, I would think that given the trouble you caused Doc Morris and Miss Cafferty here, you wouldn’t be looking to start more problems quite so soon,” Walter said.
“Oh, Walter—” she started to say but at his look, she amended, “Mr. Briggs. I was only stopping by to try my hand at Declan’s roulette wheel.” She pulled a handful of raffle tickets out of her pocket as if to say,see?
Declan wrapped his arm around me and pulled me to his side. “Yeah, the roulette wheel is closed to you. Perhaps you should try another booth,” he told her and I melted a little against him.
“Then I guess I’ll see you at our next appointment, Dr. Morris. I have a lot of things I’d like to discuss with you, and it’ll be easier at my place.”
I stiffened at her tone but Declan remained relaxed. He rubbed his chin. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to tell you that my clinic will no longer be doing business with you. I’ll be happy to share copies of any medical records with whoever you establish to take over the care of your horses.”
Becca’s shriek could have rivaled one of Amy’s whistles. “You can’t do that! Who will I get? No one else will come out there! I’ll have to get someone out from Beaumont.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “This is your fault.”
I snorted and then laughed. “Look around you, Becca. You’ve made far more enemies than friends. I suggest you leave.” I pointed behind her. “Your friends already have.”
Becca whirled around only to see Monica and Amber’s backs as they walked away. “Where are you going?” she demanded but they ignored her. She took once last look around and screeched before throwing the raffle tickets on the ground and stomping away, which had to be hard to do in those pointy heels.
With the theatrics over, most everyone wandered away. Walter remained behind and stuck his hand out for Declan to shake. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you, Doc. Rest assured that you’ll always be welcome as our ranch vet.” There were a few assents and some of the ranchers standing nearby clapped Declan on the back.
After everyone dispersed, Patrick ran over and picked up the discarded raffle tickets. Declan looked at him with a grin. “Did you want to spin the wheel again? Or maybe try some of the other booths?”
Patrick held the tickets and stared down at them. “Dad, are these tickets already paid for?”
“They are. If you want to use them, you can,” Eli told him.
Patrick stared at the tickets a moment longer before tossing them in the trash. “No, I just don’t like litter bugs.”
“I don’t either.” Eli reached into his breast pocket and pulled out some tickets. “It looks like I have some more. How about we go try to win a few more prizes before we call it a day?” Patrick whooped in response and grabbed Eli’s hand before dragging him over to the booth for Hastings General Store. I’d noticed that the little boy had been eyeing a cowboy hat they had up for grabs.
Declan still hadn’t let go of me. I turned to face him. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I went up on my toes and kissed him.He pulled me in for a hug and we stayed like that for a few moments before I leaned back to look at him.
“Are you okay? That was a big decision to drop Black Hat. Can you afford to lose her business?”
He rubbed my back with long strokes up and down as he looked at me. “While the money was nice, she isn’t worth the headaches. I’ve been out to her place more than any other ranch and when I tallied up the visits, I realized that only two were actual emergencies.” Declan tilted his head toward where Walter went. “Besides, with his very public endorsement, I’m not worried about getting enough business. I think I’ll be just fine.”
“Yes, you will,” I said with a grin.
“Doctor! We need a doctor!” We both turned at the shout. On the stage, two of the Bobs were bent over someone lying on the stage.
“Is that the mayor?”
Declan didn’t answer. He was already running for the stage, shouting for Dr. Murphy. The older man had been talking with the sheriff and both came running at the shouts. A small crowd was gathering below as Dr. Murphy and Brian made it to the stage.
Within minutes, an ambulance arrived. Bob Lumley was loaded onto a gurney and placed inside, with Dr. Murphy joining him. The earlier revelry had dimmed as people hovered around, waiting to hear what had happened. Eventually, Amy Thorne stepped up to the microphone and everyone quieted down.
“We obviously don’t have all the answers yet, but I can confirm that Mayor Lumley has collapsed. He’ll be airlifted to UC HealthHospital in Aurora. We ask that everyone keep him in their thoughts. As soon as I have more information, I’ll let you know. That’s all.”
Amy didn’t stick around for questions. I waited for Declan to come all the way back before I could ask, “Why are they taking him all the way out there?”
Declan grimaced and leaned closer to me, so his voice wouldn’t travel far. “Because they have one of the best heart care units in the state.”
“Oh no.”
