The Rancher's Redemption

“Great. Dr. Tio’s on his way right now,” Adam said. “Come and sit by Carlos. He’ll want to see you when he wakes up.”

Ines brought a chair over and sat down. She reached out her rosary bead–wrapped fingers to touch Carlos and started to pray.

It wasn’t long before Adam heard the roar of Dr. Tio’s truck. He placed Carlos’s hand in Ines’s and went to meet him.

“Hey.”

Dr. Tio was about Adam’s age and had moved to Morgantown from Texas when the new medical center had opened up. His friendly manner and up-to-date expertise had endeared him to everyone except Adam’s father who didn’t like being told to regulate anything, including his cholesterol.

Adam lowered his voice. “He’s alive, but his pulse is faint and inconsistent, and his breathing is shallow. He still hasn’t regained full consciousness.”

“Thanks for the update.” Dr. Tio hefted his medical bag. “I’ll talk to the nine-one-one guys as they get closer and decide how we’re going to deal with this.”

“Got it.” Adam stepped back to allow the doctor into the bedroom. He stayed at the doorway as Dr. Tio spoke gently to Ines, and commenced his primary examination.

“Adam?”

He looked over at the doctor. “Yeah?”

“Can you get the big blue padded bag out of the back seat of my truck? It’s heavy, so be careful bringing it in.”

“Sure.” Glad of something to do to calm his jittery nerves, Adam strode out into the yard, opened the back of Dr. Tio’s truck, and located the square bag without any problem.

He brought it back inside and set it on the floor beside the doctor, withdrawing to his useless position holding up the wall. He’d hated that when Louisa was alive—all the waiting around, and not being able to do a damned thing to help her get through the chemo and other stuff. The smell of antiseptic and a hint of latex from the gloves reached him and he wanted to gag.

Dr. Tio unzipped the blue bag, brought out a portable ECG unit, and plugged it in at the wall socket.

“Just want to get some stats to share with the emergency techs.” He reassured Ines. “I think we’ll have to take him into hospital to make sure he’s in a stable condition.”

Ines sighed. “Are you sure he can’t stay here? He hates hospitals.”

“I know he does.” Dr. Tio patted her hand, his voice sympathetic. “But I’d really like to work out what’s going on. I’m afraid I can’t do that locally. You can go in the ambulance to get him settled in.”

“Then I’d better pack some clothes.” Ines straightened up. “Adam, could you fetch my suitcase down from the hall closet?”

“Of course I can.” Adam followed her out. It was the same case she’d taken with her when Louisa had been in hospital all those years ago. He guessed she didn’t travel much. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” Ines patted his cheek. “You’re a very kind man.”

“Would you like me to come with you?” Adam offered.

“That’s very sweet of you, but as I don’t know what they are going to do, how long it will take for him to be admitted, or whether they’ll move him to the cancer hospital, I’d rather not waste your day.”

“It wouldn’t be a waste, Ines.”

Her eyes filled with tears and he struggled to keep his own composure.

“If you come back and you need to visit Carlos at any time, just call me, and I’ll take you,” Adam said gruffly.

“I think I’ll stay put in the hospital until he’s able to come home.” She attempted a smile. “Do you think you could keep an eye on the ranch while we’re gone?”

“I’ll do that gladly.” Adam nodded. “Maybe you’ll be home sooner than you think.”

* * *

After checking with Ben that the vet had come and given all the new calves a clean bill of health, Adam locked up the Cortez house, made a quick round of the premises, and went on into town. It was almost lunchtime, and after his abandoned breakfast, and his harrowing morning, he was more than ready to eat something.

Carlos had regained consciousness just before the ambulance arrived, which had pleased Dr. Tio, but not stopped him from sending his patient off for further tests. As he’d privately confided to Adam after Ines and Carlos had gone, it was possible that Carlos was just tired of fighting, and wouldn’t survive long enough to attempt the experimental treatment offered by the pioneering Californian hospital.