The only thing he seems to be blind about is my feelings for him.
Jaris had driven so well it had shocked her. Unlike Chance, who had been born blind, Jaris had lost his sight after being shot trying to save Nicole, his former partner. Before he’d come to work for her, she’d talked with Nicole about him. Nicole had told her that his doctors had said due to the type of injury he’d sustained, there was a very slim chance Jaris’s sight would return someday. Since learning that, Kaylyn had prayed every night it would.
They were great men and her heroes. Without them she would’ve been in real trouble today.
“120 over 72,” Paris told Doc.
“Perfect.” Doc smiled down at her. “We’ll be in town shortly, Kaylyn. You’re doing great.”
“Thanks to you and Paris.”
“And to Chance and Jaris, too.” Paris winked. “They’re the heroes of the day.”
“That’s for sure.” Kaylyn’s mind kept replaying Jaris calling her sweetheart. She wondered what he meant by it. Was it only the moment or something more? In her heart she wished it were the “something more.”
Damn, Kaylyn. Don’t make more out of it than what it is.
She’d misread signals once before and almost lost Chance for good.
I will not make that mistake again.
* * * *
At the clinic, Chance held Kaylyn’s hand. Jaris stood on the other side of the bed, holding her other hand.
“I wish Doc would hurry up and release me.”
“You need to be patient, sweetheart.” Chance gently squeezed her fingers. He’d almost lost her today.
God, what would I have done without her?
“There’s only one wing of the clinic completed, guys.”
“We both know that, sweetheart.” Chance realized she was trying to make an argument to be sprung early, but she was right. Lucas Wolfe and team had put a rush on the construction. There was more left to complete the entire project, but with this portion of the building done it gave the citizens of Destiny a modern high-tech place that they needed for their sick and injured.
“There really are only three rooms finished. Someone like me doesn’t need to be taking up a bed. I’m fine.” She never had liked being on the receiving end of help, always preferring to be the one who helped others instead.
Even though he loved Kaylyn’s sassiness, he wasn’t about to let her walk out of here without the all clear from Doc. He’d never been so worried about anyone in all his life. He took a deep breath, reminding himself she was okay and he would make damn sure she would stay that way.
“You need to just settle down and lean back on your pillow,” he told her firmly. “You’re not going anywhere. Besides, the other two rooms are empty. You’re Doc’s only patient at the moment, so you’re not taking anyone else’s room.”
The door opened.
“Hi, guys.” The voice was from the deputy sheriff, Nicole Coleman, former partner of Jaris. “How are you doing, Kaylyn?”
“I’m fine,” she answered. “Have you heard from the sheriff? Have they found my dogs?”
“No sign of them yet. I just talked to Jason. They found a gun casing just north of where Kaylyn’s truck was parked. They also found some tire tracks from two trucks.”
“What about the shooter?” Jaris asked.
“No news yet on that, but the team is still out on the ranch looking for clues. Jason said the bullet was a .30-06 Springfield cartridge.”
“That’s a big caliber for this time of year. I thought deer and elk season didn’t start in Colorado until fall,” Jaris said.
“That’s true.” Nicole’s tone was a little deeper than Kaylyn’s, yet still very feminine. “Even most small game licenses don’t start until later. Except for some of the year-around game like doves and grouse, hunting is off-limits now. Jason has put in a call to Brock Powers.”
“Who is he?” Chance asked.