Page 66 of Cowboy Wolf's Secret Baby

The nurse looked at her pityingly, as though she was holding back horrible news. “He is in surgery. Take a seat. Dr. Jean will update you as soon as she knows anything.”

Gideon called Micah and Zac to let them know what happened. “I’ll keep you updated.”

“They are on their way,” Gideon told Beth and Taryn.

He disappeared into the bathroom and washed the makeup off of his face. The other clown brought Gideon some regular clothes to change into. Several of the cowboys and the rodeo manager hung out in the waiting room, waiting for a word.

Everyone took turns pacing around the room, sitting, and bringing coffee and snacks for the others. Finally, the door opened and Dr. Jean walked out.

Exhausted, she pulled her cap off her head. She fixed her eyes on Beth, Taryn, and Gideon, although she spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

“He is in a coma right now. He suffered massive head injuries when he was kicked and then stomped in the head. The bleeding has stopped, at least for now, so that is a positive sign. His skull is cracked and his back is broken, paralyzing him. I had to remove his gallbladder and spleen because they were ruptured. One of his kidneys is badly damaged. His ribs were broken and penetrated his lungs. I honestly don’t know how he’s still alive. If you guys are praying folks, I’d be hitting my knees right now.”

Beth’s heart and soul shattered into a million pieces as Taryn sobbed, holding on to Beth’s arm.

“Please, can we see him?”

Dr. Jean looked at them and nodded. “Beth and Taryn, come with me. The rest of you guys, go home. I’m sure that Beth will keep you updated.”

Savvy followed along as they walked to his room. Dr. Jean knew that Savvy was a witch and knew the close relationship she had with Beth and Taryn, so she didn’t say anything to stop her.

Dr. Jean said, “He would already be dead if he was a mundane human. He’s lucky that he’s a shifter. Even with that, I don’t know that he’s going to make it. He had a lot of internal bleeding and organ damage. His energy will burn itself out trying to heal him. My guess is that he’s going to stay in a coma for a while because all of his energy is going to be put toward survival.” She paused and took a deep breath, turned, and looked at them. “I honestly don’t know if even your talents will be able to save him. I’ll check in on him every couple of hours. Let me know if you need anything.

“Is he going to die?” Taryn asked.

“Not if we can help it.”

Taryn and Beth put their hands on Conner, willing their energy to heal him. Savvy chanted healing spells.

After a couple of hours, the three of them were exhausted.

“Savvy, please take Taryn back to your place after you stop off at the house to get her some clothes. I don’t want my mother or sister near Taryn.”

“Do you think they would try to hurt her?”

“I don’t think so, because she is a witch, but I don’t know for sure. All I know is that I don’t trust them. I know that my mother is behind this.”

“I don’t want to leave. I want to stay with Dad.”

“You can come back tomorrow,” Beth said. “You aren’t going to be able to help him if you don’t get some rest, and there’s only one chair to sleep in here. Go with Aunt Savvy. Eat if you can and sleep. You will need all the energy you can get to help him.”

“What about the horses?” Taryn gasped.

“Gideon sent me a text, saying that he took care of them and will keep taking care of them until you can.”

“Okay,” Taryn said.

The defeated sound in Taryn’s voice broke Beth’s heart. It would traumatize the little girl if she lost her father so soon after finding him, especially with the knowledge that it was her grandmother who was responsible.

“I’ll get her situated. I’ll get ahold of Anna. We’ll find some way to stop Matilda.”

Beth hugged Savvy and said, “Thank you.”

Taryn leaned over her father and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Dad. Please don’t leave me.”

Then, with tears streaming down her face, she left with Savvy.

Beth held Conner’s hand tightly, muttering healing spells until she fell asleep with her head on the bed.

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