“I love you, too.” She turned to the doctor with the gun. “Alex, we need to get Dustin into surgery.”
“I see that.” The man holstered his weapon and turned to him.
That’s the second time she’s called him “Alex.” Why? Dustin turned to the guy, jealousy spreading out through him in spite of the pain. “Did you know Paris when she lived in Nevada before? Who are you to her?”
“Dr. Alex Champion, the guy offering her a job here at the hospital. Why?”
“Just a job or do you have other interests in her on a more personal note?”
“Dustin, shut up.” Paris shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous. Alex is a happily married man.”
“I like the sound of that, baby.”
A redheaded nurse came through the doors also carrying a gun but much more shaken than Alex. Wilde was more like Destiny than he ever imagined. Everyone packed heat here, too, it seemed. “Dr. Champion, I’ve called the sheriff. He’s on his way now.”
“Good job, Niki. We need a stretcher.”
“I’ll get one.” The redheaded nurse rushed out where she’d come from.
Dr. Champion moved next to Paris, and they both began accessing his condition. Paris’s skill and intensity filled Dustin with pride.
He smiled up at her. “I can walk, sweetheart.”
“Don’t be silly, honey. We don’t know the extent of your injury yet, though it seems the Green Dragon might’ve been smiling on you today. The bullet hit your left side and appears to have missed all your vital organs. Until we know for sure, you will do as I say, understand?”
“You better listen to her, bro,” Mick said, smiling. “She knows what she’s doing.”
“I know she does.”
Niki returned with the stretcher.
A silver-headed sheriff ran into the ER with a deputy.
“Dad, that’s the shooter,” Dr. Champion said to the sheriff.
“And these three?” The sheriff looked his, Mick’s, and Paris’s direction.
“This is Dr. Paris Cottrell and these two are her friends.”
“We’re more than friends,” Dustin corrected. “Much more.”
“I’m Mick Ryder, and the hero on the ground is my brother Dr. Dustin Ryder.”
“Hero? Me? You’re the one who pulled Paris free of the madman, bro.”
Mick grinned. “And you’re the one who tackled the son of a bitch.”
“Was he after drugs?” Sheriff Champion asked.
“No, but I can explain,” Dustin said. “Barkley’s wife was a patient of mine that I lost.”
“You can explain after I get this bullet out, mister. We’re going to surgery now. Alex, do you mind assisting?”
Dr. Champion held up his cast. “Paris, you know it’s best not to operate on our loved ones. Dr. Vines can be here in thirty minutes. Shall I call her?”
“No. Too much time.”
“You’re my kind of surgeon, Paris. I can’t wait to get you to Wilde for good.”