Page 54 of Gentle Persuasion

He closed his eyes and buried his face in the curve of her neck. He knew that she was right. But he’d never killed a man before. And the man had given him no choice. Inside, the chill kept spreading.

***

“Mrs. Garza?” The doctor’s voice had the same effect on the waiting area as water hosing down a dog fight. Silence reigned. Breathing stopped as all eyes turned to the man in surgery greens.

Tina stood, and then Cole was beside her.

“Your husband is a fighter. He’s made it through surgery and is now in recovery. He’ll be in ICU for a bit, but barring any complications, which at this early day I still can’t rule out, his chances look good.”

Tina sagged with relief and Cole’s arms came around her. “Madre de Dios,” she moaned. “Thank you, God!”

“From the looks of you,” the doctor said gently, “I think someone needs to take you home.” He was referring to her obvious pregnant state. “Your husband won’t know a thing for several hours. You can come back—”

“I’ll stay,” Tina said firmly. “I’m fine now. Now that I know.”

He shrugged and nodded. “At least get off your feet,” he ordered gently. “And eat something. You may not be hungry, but I suspect your niña will be.” His hand was gentle on her shoulder as was his voice.

Cole spoke quietly but firmly. “She’ll rest. And she’ll eat. Her family will see to that.”

The doctor nodded and then walked away. Tina turned and hugged Cole tightly.

“I know what happened, Cole. And I know you. You’re blaming yourself for something that couldn’t have been prevented. The captain has already been here. He told me everything, including the fact that you probably saved Rick’s life, as well as some of the others. He said the man wouldn’t stop coming or shooting.” She bit her lips. “Sometimes, this job just stinks, es verdad?”

“Es verdad,” he agreed.

“Is someone looking after Enrique?” Debbie asked.

Tina nodded and welcomed Debbie’s hug. “A neighbor took him to my mother’s house. He will be fine.” Then she smiled gently. “But thank you for asking. You’re the first one who thought to ask about the rest of my family. I thank you for that. In times like this, sometimes they get misplaced.”

Tina saw the strain on Cole’s face. And she saw something else. He’d killed a man today. Despite the fact that the man was a criminal, despite the fact that the crook had shot first and nearly killed an officer, Cole was having a difficult time dealing with the fact that a man had ceased living because of him.

“Cole Brownfield,” Tina said. He looked down into her knowing eyes and shuddered. “You did what you had to…and I thank you for my husband’s life.”

“If we’d been more careful, it might not have happened at all,” he said quietly, and walked away.

“Go after him,” Tina urged.

“I intend to,” Debbie answered. “He’s a strong man, but inside, he’s very gentle. I suspect it’s a hard combination to live with in a job like this.”

Tina nodded and then turned back to her family. Her waiting had just begun.

Debbie followed Cole’s retreat. “Do you have to go back to the station?” she asked.

Cole sighed and nodded. “I’ll have to write a report.”

“Can’t it wait until tomorrow? It’s late.”

Cole looked down at his watch. It was nearly eight p.m. He looked outside. It would be dark soon. He shrugged as he looked down at his clothes. Dark stains reminded him of what had happened this day.

“I’ll call in from the house,” he said suddenly. “I need to take a bath first.”

***

Debbie walked the kitchen floor. She stared out the patio door overlooking the backyard pool and looked up at the sky. It was cloudy and overcast. Rain would come before morning.

Morgan entered the kitchen. “You couldn’t sleep, either? Are you waiting for him to come back from headquarters?”

She nodded and wrapped her arms around herself to keep from shaking. But her voice gave her away. “I’ve never been so scared and then so relieved in such a short span of time. In the space of an hour, my world nearly stopped.” Her lips trembled as she walked into Morgan’s open arms. “Thanks,” she whispered, blinking back tears. “I needed that.”

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