Page 54 of Fool's Gold

"I’m not saying he don't deserve it, I'm just saying he didn't take it very well."

"I know." Rafe sighed, regretting his irritable tone. He was miserable, but he didn't have to take it out on Zeke. He looked out into the black night seeking solace for his wounded heart. "I'm sorry I spoke sharply to you, old friend. It's just that I'm a might edgy right now."

"I understand." Zeke was silent for a moment. "I picked up the ambulance call on my monitor. Poor Rose was shaking something awful," Zeke's added, his voice rough with concern. "She wanted us to rush right up to the hospital, but I told her we'd best keep out of the way. The way the sheriff put it to us later, she was in bad shape."

Rafe winced, remembering Sarah's pale face. "Mark told me she was very lucky. If she would have gotten hit just a little bit harder, she would be dead."

"Folks at the ranch will be relieved when I tell them she pulled through. Course, most of the men are out on the town tonight, so it will have to wait until morning. But we can set Rose's mind to rest right away."

Rafe nodded. "You did right to keep Rose away. They wouldn't even let me in by Sarah until they took her up to her hospital room."

They pulled into the driveway of the Double-H.

He turned to look at Zeke, face illuminated by the yard light. He looked his age tonight. No doubt, he'd suffered, too. Rafe was sorry to have put him through it.

"Do you want to go in and tell Rose the good news? I think I'd just like to go to bed."

At Zeke's eager smile, he knew the two were more than friends.

Zeke got out of the truck. "I'll take care of it. You just get a good night's sleep."

Rafe got out, too. The yard light shone on Sarah's Jeep. Rafe rattled her keys, still stuffed into his pocket. They were the last link to her.

He'd have the Jeep run up to the hospital in the morning. Then he'd have no reminders to fret over.

Rafe’s alarm clock went off at four-thirty, as usual. He rolled over to shut it off, and his hand landed on the empty side of thebed. He frowned and slapped the clock. The stupid bed was way too big without Sarah to share it with.

He closed his eyes and sighed. It was better this way. He'd done his duty and stuck around to make sure she'd be okay, but then he'd caught a ride home. This was where he belonged. Sarah had her own life.

He rolled out of bed and walked to the closet. It was Sunday, the hand's day off, but he needed the routine of work to keep his mind off Sarah. It wouldn’t do either of them any good if he pinned after her.

The whole mess was over. The sheriff had Nevell Blackthorn and Travis Cain in jail. Rafe intended to keep his promise to Bob and stay out of the investigation. There was nothing more to do than go on with the rest of his life. It seemed like a grim prospect.

He jerked his work shirt off the hanger. There seemed little point in getting dressed, but he went through the motions automatically.

He wandered into the kitchen where Rose was bustling about making breakfast. He stopped short, surprised she was here.

"It's your day off, Rose, what are you doing up?"

She gave him a sympathetic smile. "I figured you'd be up bright and early, with all that's on your mind. Besides, I thought you could use the company. Have a seat at the table and I'll serve you some breakfast."

He sighed and slumped in a dinette chair. He doubted if he could swallow a mouthful. He glanced out the window. A light rain was falling and trickling down the glass. The dawning light looked drab and dreary, just like his mood.

"I don't feel much like eating," he muttered.

She shook her head. "I know how you feel, boss. I don't have much of an appetite myself this morning, but you've got to keep up your strength for the missus."

Rafe blanched at her innocent words.

"When are you going up to the hospital?"

"I'm not going to the hospital." He looked away from Rose's inquisitive gaze.

"Why?" Rose asked apprehensively. "Did they tell you that she can't have any visitors?"

"No." Rafe looked away, not wanting to say out loud what he'd agonized about all night. If only Rose would drop the subject, but he knew she wouldn't. "She's not coming back."

Rose put her hand to her heart. "What do you mean, she's not coming back? I thought you said she was all right?"

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