Page 123 of Crosshairs

When she reached the hospital, a nurse stopped her from entering the ER patient area. “He’s being prepared for surgery.”

Her stomach sank to her knees. “Surgery? But the paramedic said it wasn’t serious. That it was a through-and-through.”

“They still have to go in and clean out the wound.”

“You promise it isn’t serious?” Of course it was serious. Anytime someone was taken to an operating room, bad things could happen. She stared at the nurse. Ainsley had to make her understand. “I have to see him. Just two seconds? I have to make sure he’s all right.”

“He’s sedated and won’t remember you were even here.”

“I don’t care. Come on...” When she hesitated, Ainsley said, “If it was someone you loved, you’d find a way to get back there.”

The nurse pinched her lips together. “Oh, all right. Follow me.”

True to what she’d said, Linc was sedated, but just seeing him gave Ainsley peace.

He stirred and his eyes half opened. “Ainsley?” he whispered. “I—”

His eyes closed again, and she leaned in closer and took his hand. “I’ll be out in the waiting room.”

“No!” Panic rode his voice as he gripped her hand. “Stay here.”

She glanced at the nurse. “Just ’til they take him back?”

“Let me check. I’ll tell them he’s requesting it.”

Ainsley bit her bottom lip. He’d taken a bullet for her. They had to let her stay. He opened his eyes again.

“Gotta tell you ... know it ... won’t do much good ... but...” He let go of her hand and touched her cheek. “I never stopped loving you. I—”

Footsteps approached. “Mr. Steele, I’ll be your nurse in OR. Are you ready to go to surgery?”

His gaze held hers, then he took a deep breath and looked toward the OR nurse. “I’d rather go home,” he said.

She chuckled. “I’m sure you would, and you will as soon as we get this wound cleaned out.”

It couldn’t be too serious if Linc could joke around. Ainsley walked with them as far as the OR doors. She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be in the waiting room.” Then she turned to the nurse. “How long will this take?”

“Not long.” The nurse gave her a reassuring smile. “He’ll go to a room in short-stay from recovery.”

“How will I know when it’s over?”

“Are you on his list of people the doctor can share information with?”

“No, but I’m his”—she almost stretched the truth withfiancée—“friend.”

“Give me your phone number and I’ll text you what room he’s going to.”

“Thank you!”

The nurse wrote her number on her arm and then pushed the bed through the double doors.

Sarah Tolliver was sitting in the waiting room when Ainsley walked through the doors. “How is he?” she demanded. “They wouldn’t let me back there.”

“He’s okay. I talked to him, but he was sedated and barely coherent,” Ainsley said. “How did you know?”

“Scanner. Didn’t know who it was, just that they were taking someone to the hospital and I got over here just as they took Linc out of the ambulance.” Sarah narrowed her eyes. “How did you get back to see him?”

“Stroke of luck, I guess,” she said and glanced at her watch. There was still a little time left to visit Cora. “I think I’ll check on my aunt.”

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