Page 31 of Operation: Chosen

“No, the driver, Ali Wellthorp, hit her head on the wheel.”

Ali groaned softly, and her eyes fluttered open. She flinched and cradled her head in her hands. “I’m sorry, Eric. I tried.”

“Nothing to be sorry about. You drove as best you could, and we almost caught up to him.” But he had no idea where his horse would end up now.

A police car rolled to a stop behind them, and two officers got out. Within a few minutes, they’d assessed Ali, who refused treatment just like he had. Eric cornered Officer Blake. “Blake, I need your help.”

Officer Blake snorted. “Before or after I call a wrecker for the little sports car? I’ve never seen a car like this out here.”

And once Ali left, the officer probably wouldn’t again. The car, the attitude, the need for shops and designer things…he couldn’t give her any of that. Even if he could get over what she’d done, he couldn’t make Piper’s Ridge a place Ali would ever enjoy living, and he wasn’t going to leave Wayside.

“After. I need you to take me to see Doc Willis.”

Officer Blake stared at him for a moment. “You’re not serious.”

“I am. He can wrap me up as well as anyone else, and then I don’t need to go all the way to Cheyenne. Have the other unit take Ali back home if she doesn’t want to go to the doctor so I know she’s safe. Then you can take me to the vet.”

“You are a veteran. You shouldn’t have to visit a vet for care.” Officer Blake’s tone was more acidic than battery acid.

“It’s not that I have to. I’m asking to.” Plus, Eric knew Willis better than anyone else and he wanted to talk to him about the missing horse. If anything happened to Skyfall, the thieves might take her to a veterinarian. Dr. Willis could let nearby vets know about the missing horse.

“Fine. I just need to push this car all the way off the road so it isn’t a hazard. Go sit in my car. I’ll be there in a minute.” He went to talk to the officer driving the other squad car. Within minutes, Officer Blake’s partner got in the other car along with Ali and headed back to Wayside.

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Officer Blake pulled a U-turn and headed toward town.

“My horse was stolen, I was trampled, I was shot at, and in a minor fender bender today. Knowing what I’m doing is the easy part.” His arm throbbed, and he wished he’d waited a little longer to state his decision to walk away from the care the EMTs had given. If he’d waited a few more minutes, they may have offered him some pain medication. But then he’d have missed Skyfall.

“Did any of your team go after the horse?” Eric asked.

“Unit three was coming up the opposite way. Hopefully they saw the rider. Your horse is pretty recognizable.”

She was, but only if they knew where to look.

ChapterThirteen

Officer Blake pulled to a stop in front of the small veterinary office in Piper’s Ridge. Dr. John Willis’s sign was set toclosedfor the evening, but Eric had called the man after hours enough that he knew the doc would be in.

The pain that had been near unmanageable an hour before was so intense Eric had trouble keeping his stomach under control. “Thanks for the ride. Better than any ambulance.”

“You’re a stubborn old cuss.” Deputy Blake laughed as he helped Eric out of the car.

Eric headed for the door, and Dr. Willis met him before he could even knock. The doctor unlocked it and held it open for him. “What have you gotten yourself into, and how does the horse look?” The doctor laughed as he glanced to the now-empty parking lot. “Did you walk?”

“No, I got a ride. I need you to bandage up this arm. Probably needs to be set first.”

John looked at him and gripped his shoulder. “You know I can’t legally medicate you.”

Eric nodded. “I know. I’ve got enough to tell you to keep my mind occupied while you do what you need to.”

“I can promise you, there isn’t anything on this earth distracting enough to let me set a broken arm without you noticing. I might need my assistant for this.” He headed for his phone and pressed a few numbers. “Hey, Amy? Sorry to bug you during supper. I need you to come help me with a patient.” He glanced over at Eric. “Looks like an HBC. Yup. Thanks.” He hung up the phone.

“Hairy Big Cowboy?” Eric tried to make the man laugh.

“Hit By Car.” Dr. Willis corrected him as he led him back to the first exam room. “I’ll need an x-ray. Take anything metal you’re wearing off and leave it in this tray.” He pointed at a little mesh crate on the counter. “You need help stripping down to your undershirt?”

Eric hated to admit that he did. His arm was swollen and fairly useless for anything but causing pain. “Yeah, I’ll need that.”

“Good, all those fancy snaps will make a mess of my imaging.” Dr. Willis made quick work of getting the shirt off, leaving Eric in his jeans and tank top. “I’ll get you a lead drape so you don’t have to take your jeans off.”

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