“He was wounded but got away.”
“Jinx?”
“She was given medical attention and released. You’ll hear all about it, once you’ve had some rest.”
Brick closed his eyes. “I remember you and a helicopter?” he asked, opening his eyes again.
She nodded. “I was able to get cell phone service and called for help. You and I were flown to the hospital. Max rode with Jinx.”
“Is Max okay?”
“He was admitted to the hospital for observation. The doctor doesn’t think he had a heart attack but wanted to monitor him.”
“T.D. got away?”
“Half the county is up on that mountain looking for him. They’ll find him.”
“I hope you’re right.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “When you see Angus...”
She nodded, tears burning her eyes. “I’ll tell him that you miss him.”
Brick smiled. “Tell him that I love him, okay? I’ll deny I said it.” He shrugged.
She had to smile, knowing he was telling the truth. “Your mother just went down the hall to get some coffee. Your dad flew down to Jackson Hole to see if he could help find T.D. since there was nothing he could do here but wait.”
“That sounds like him. How’s Mom?”
“Worried but you know Dana. She’s as strong as they come. The rest of the family has been in and out. They’re going to be delighted to hear that you’re conscious and your old self.”
Brick met her gaze. “I don’t feel much like my old self right now. But it’s so good to see you.” He frowned. “Ella, what aren’t you telling me?”
“You just worry about getting out of this bed and back on your feet.”
“Ella?”
“It’s my mother.” She shook her head. “It’s just this feeling. I’m sure it’s nothing. Dana said she’s minding the ranch while everyone else is down here.”
She could see that he was drowsy and struggling to keep his eyes open. “You rest. Everything is fine now.” And yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that her mother was in some kind of trouble.
“TELL ME YOU found him,” Angus said as the sheriff stepped into his room. He could see that the lawman looked exhausted.
“I’m afraid not,” Harvey Bessler said as he removed his hat. “We’ll resume the search in the morning.”
Angus swore, making his already aching head hurt more. He’d been so hopeful when he’d been told how many were up on the mountain looking for T.D., his own father included. “You know Jinx won’t be safe until T.D. is caught.”
The sheriff nodded. “I just talked to Jinx before I came in to check on you. She’s fine. I’m sending a deputy out there to keep an eye on her. Now, get some rest and quit worrying.”
He watched the sheriff leave, wishing he could quit worrying. Common sense told him that T.D. was wounded and probably still up there on that mountain. Even if he’d gotten off it, he was in no shape to be going after Jinx again. The sheriff was right. He shouldn’t worry.
But he did. Glancing around his hospital room, he spotted two things that helped him make up his mind about what to do about his worry. He saw his dirty clothing piled up on a chair by the bathroom door. He also saw his mother’s coat and purse. Earlier, she’d been sitting next to his bed before going to check on Brick.
Angus quickly rose from the bed. He had to stop for a moment until the light-headedness passed. Struggling into his clothing, he questioned what good he would be to Jinx if his instincts were right and T.D. had somehow gotten off the mountain and headed for her ranch.
In his mother’s purse, he found the keys for the rental car she’d told him about. He felt a little stronger. At least he told himself he did as he quietly opened the door and peered out.
It was so late that the hallway was empty. He headed for the exit sign, knowing he couldn’t rest until he made sure Jinx was all right.
“PATTY, WHY WOULD you kill me?” Jinx demanded, seeing the gun waver in the woman’s hand.
“Because someone has to do it!” she cried. “Otherwise, T.D. will never be free of you, and you know it.”
Jinx thought of Wyatt Hanson in the trees, holding his rifle before riding away. Who had he been trying to shoot? Her or T.D.? “You think shooting me is going to free him for you? You’ll be in prison.” So would T.D., though she didn’t mention that. “What happens when he comes off that mountain and finds out that you’re in jail for shooting me?”
Tears filled Patty’s eyes. “You really think he’s alive?”
“Knowing T.D., I would count on it,” she said truthfully.
The gun seemed to grow heavy in Patty’s hand. “I don’t want to live without him.”
“You won’t have to, unless you shoot me,” Jinx told her. “Don’t throw away your future.” She could see that this had been a flawed plan of Patty’s to start with. The woman wanted Jinx out of her life badly enough that she thought she could shoot her. Jinx understood that on some level. She wanted T.D. out of hers just as badly.
“Put the gun down, Patty.” The male voice at the door made them both jump. Startled, Patty pulled the trigger, the pistol bucking in her hand. For the second time that day, Jinx felt a bullet buzz past her head. This one, though, didn’t break the skin.
T.D. swore, his bellow almost drowned out by the report of the gun. He moved quickly for a man who was injured, grabbing the pistol and backhanding Patty, sending her flying to the floor at the corner of the room.
“I wasn’t going to kill her!” Patty cried as T.D. turned the gun on her.
Without thinking, Jinx started to rush T.D. as if she thought she could stop him from killing the woman.
He swung the barrel of the pistol in her direction as he said,
