She stared up at him, misery filling her expression.
“I think he wanted to hurt you,” she whispered bleakly. “You and your brothers, Brock. How would killing me hurt your brothers?”
Because she was a part of him, just as they were. Brock knew why. He had learned that lesson at the hands of a madman. He listened carefully as she told him what happened, her voice tear filled, stuttering at times as she fought the shock and the pain.
Violence filled him, tore through the control he kept built carefully around his emotions. His hands were gentle though, as they smoothed over her hair, his voice comforting, as tender as the ragged emotions escaping him would allow it to be.
“Brock, Doc is here.” Sam stood behind him, speaking softly. “He’s outside. You want me to let him in now?”
The words were no longer out of his mouth then the bedroom door was pushed open to admit the doctor and his more than irritated nurse/wife.
“Sam August, you don’t hold us up like this when one of our patients is hurt.” Elizabeth Bennett pushed open the door, determination filling her lined face as her husband followed her.
Small, fierce, her dark brown eyes as sharp as an eagle’s went over Sarah where she huddled in the bed. She was an excellent nurse and a good friend to the August family. Brock was more than thankful that she had come along.
“Sorry, Beth.” He swallowed tightly. “Guess I wasn’t thinking.”
“Knothead.” Her voice was affectionate, but worried. “Now get out of the way and let me and Doc check our girl here. She doesn’t look so good at the moment.”
Brock moved aside, standing close in case Sarah needed him and watching as the couple began to take over. He knew damned well that Beth and Doc hadn’t seen Sarah but that once, when she came in for the blood tests and birth control medication. But he could also see that Sarah had made a definite impression on the couple.
“Cade’s coming into town now.” Sam moved to his side. “He wants her ready to bring to the ranch if she doesn’t need hospital care.”
Brock sighed. He doubted she would go.
“I’ll see what I can do.” He crossed his arms over his chest as Sarah glanced up in confusion while Beth worked at her shoulder, questioning her gently.
“Did he touch you, Sarah?” The older woman’s question had Sarah looking at her in surprise.
“No. I was under the bed,” she answered the older woman, her voice still carrying the dazed confusion Brock knew was running through her head.
“Good. Then this is our only problem?” Beth held Sarah’s hair back, tilting her head as Doc moved in to treat the wound. “This ain’t too bad, hon. Doc can fix you right up with it. Won’t even need stitches. Just a nice bandage.”
Sarah winced as antiseptic was applied. Doc worked on the wound gently, a soft lullaby humming from his lips as he cleaned and patched the wound. A lullaby? Brock shook his head glancing at Sam, sharing his confusion at the sound. He would have never imagined it. The big, rough doctor was all thumbs and needles when he treated them.
“She’s okay. Shocky, but fine. Flesh wound, shallow at that. Bullet just grazed her.” Doc stood back a long while later. “I want to leave her a sedative. She needs to rest, take it easy for a day or two.”
“She can come to the ranch.” Brock had been unaware of Cade entering the room until he spoke authoritatively.
His brother stood with a concerned Marly at his side watching Sarah with brooding eyes. Cade was clearly pissed, it showed in the utter stillness of his body, the darkening of his eyes.
“No.” Sarah’s voice was firm, nervous now. Her expression mutinous. “I’m not going to the ranch.”
Silence filled the bedroom as all eyes turned to her.
“Sarah, someone tried to kill you.” Brock heard the throb of fury in his voice, even as he fought it. “You’re not safe here.”
He couldn’t get it out of his mind. The vile, vicious words the man had said to her before firing the gun.
“I’ll get security added to the house. I’ll buy a dog. I’m not leaving my home.” Hysteria mounted in her tone.
“Brock, leave her alone.” Doc frowned over at him. “If you’re that worried, you boys stay here with her until she’s in better control. Now is not the time to hassle her.”
Brock dragged his fingers through his hair roughly, worry and fear building inside him.
“Fine,” he bit out. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Sarah whispered desolately as the sedative Doc administered moments before began to hit her. “I’m not a plaything, Brock. I won’t go.”