Page 92 of Rocky Ride

To one of the medics, the doc said, “You’re right. The bullet is lodged in the bone in his shoulder. Good call. We’ll get him prepped for surgery.”

I sat in the waiting area across the hall and saw the second ambulance bring in the other two guys who were in wayworse shape than my brother. Neither one of those guys were conscious and might never be again.

Other doctors appeared and took those death-door guys into different operating rooms.

I waited.

I was sitting all alone looking at an old magazine when Dad showed up.

“How’s he doing?”

“Good. He’s not so mad now. Bullet is still in there. They’re taking it out. He says he’s not going to the Hallowe’en party tomorrow.”

Dad laughed. “Stay put. I’ll get us coffee and a snack. We might be here for a while.”

I was glad to sit in my uncomfortable chair and not have to walk around. Seeing my little brother get shot made me shaky and my gut was kind of pukey.

Sheriff’s Office. Coyote Creek.

Ted brought Toby Darkers and Easy Menard in and locked them up. He put Menard in the last empty cell and shoved Toby in with Lila Gordon, the only other female. “Got some company for you, Lila.”

Lila looked scared. Not happy for company.

Ted didn’t have to worry about booking anyone until the following morning when Billy and Travis were there to sort it all out. Dan Darkers would be getting charges added too, now that his drug operation had been exposed.

Molly asked questions and Ted gave her his full report of the arrests in Darkers’ trailer.

“I can’t tell you what went down in the drug building, but I do know two guys are dead, two are nearly dead and Virgie is shot in the shoulder.”

“Oh, no.” Molly swiped at a tear. “Who did all that shooting?”

“Virgie.”

“All by himself?”

“Yes, ma’am. He’s the designated shooter when it comes down to it because he’s the best shot of all of us…like in a tense situation. Virgie has no nerves.”

“Oh, my. I hope he’s not in a lot of pain.”

“You can call Travis or Harlan at the hospital and get yourself an update.”

“I’ll do that. Thank you, Ted. Where are the dogs?”

“With Billy and the drugs, waiting for the feds.”

“Okay, good.”

Butchie was curled up under Molly’s desk.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

I didn’t want to leave Virge at the hospital, but the doc said we had to go and come back in the morning when he’d be awake. If he was doing good, he might be able to go by tomorrow night, but probably he’d have to stay until Friday.

I fed the horses myself, then went into the house and got cleaned up. Dad was stressed after the big Darkers’ bust and mostly freaked about Virgie getting shot. He didn’t seem too worried about all the guys my brother shot. Seemed to take that in his stride as an everyday happening.

“Soon as you’re cleaned up, son, we’ll go to the Run and get some ribs and drink a couple of pitchers.”

“Sure, Dad. I won’t be long.” I raced upstairs to my bathroom—mine and Virgie’s—and while I was washing the barn smell off me, I got a text from Penny.

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