Blinded by Beauty (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 8)

“There’s a truck headed our direction, guys.”

“I recognize that engine,” Chance said. “That’s Emmett’s truck.”

Jaris knew Chance was right, hearing the familiar sound of the engine up ahead. He removed his foot from the gas pedal and over to the brake, bringing the vehicle to a stop. “You’re right. It is Emmett’s truck,” Kaylyn said. “Lyle is in the passenger seat.”

Jaris stiffened when he heard a second engine, following behind. “Do you recognize the other vehicle, Chance?” He reached into his pocket for his gun.

“Nope.” His friend’s tone told him that he was wondering if the vehicle trailing Emmett could be one of the two trucks they’d heard earlier, too.

And what about the shooter? The creep likely had driven onto the ranch as well.

Things weren’t adding up.

He was prepared to take off again if necessary. Kaylyn was his priority.

Kaylyn sighed. “I can’t believe this.”

Jaris gripped the steering wheel with one hand and the handle of his pistol with the other. “Believe what?”

“It’s the ambulance, guys. Relax.”

He let out a big breath of relief, letting go of his gun. “Good for Doc. That is excellent thinking.”

“But I don’t need an ambulance.”

“Let’s let Doc be the judge of that, sweetheart,” Chance said from the backseat. “He’s the one who’s been to medical school.”

“Chance is right, Kaylyn. I’m sure Doc just wanted to have all the equipment he might need. After all, he doesn’t know how bad your wound is.”

“Maybe so, but I still think the ambulance is overkill.”

He heard the two vehicles come to a stop next to them.

“Good grief,” Kaylyn said. “Mick, Doc’s brother, is driving the ambulance and Paris is sitting between him and Doc. They must think I’m dying. Here they all come running.”

Chance got out of the cab of the truck, but Jaris stayed put, though he opened his door. Doc and Paris immediately went to work on Kaylyn, keeping her in her seat for the moment.

“Miss Anderson, are you okay?” Lyle was obviously shaken. The guy clearly looked up to Kaylyn like she was his sister.

“I’m fine, Lyle. Did the dogs show back up at the ranch?”

“No.”

Jaris found that odd.

“Good God, Jaris,” Emmett said. “Were you driving?”

He nodded. “And damn good, too. I think I’m ready for NASCAR.”

Emmett, Mick, and Chance laughed, but all of their attention was really on what was going on in the passenger seat of Kaylyn’s truck. Was she okay? Until he heard Doc’s final assessment, he wouldn’t relax.

As the medical duo checked Kaylyn’s vitals, Emmett and Mick, in low tones, asked questions about the shooting. He and Chance told them about the two trucks they’d heard and about the missing dogs.

“I contacted Jason right after I got your call.” Emmett was one of those guys who kept his head under any kind of pressure. Good thing. The sheriff needed to investigate what went down up here. If they were lucky, Jason would apprehend the shooter before the bastard could get away. “He and Nicole should be here any minute. Mick, why don’t you and I check the perimeter in case the shooter followed them?”

“You bet,” Doc’s brother said.

One thing about Destiny, everyone stuck together when things got tough, and with Lunceford still on the loose, things had been really tough for everyone.