Page 5 of Rescuing Ryder

“It seems as if you’ve thought of everything,” he murmured as he thought of Patch and how this environment might help him.

A redhead holding a baby walked toward them. Chase stopped and took the infant from her as she approached. “Most of the credit belongs to my wife. Kassie, meet Tex.”

She smiled as she shook his hand and acknowledged Claire. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry I’m late. Dance class ran a bit over.”

“We’re about to return to my office. Do you want to join us?” Chase asked while patting the baby’s back.

“Tori needed a walk to calm her. She’s very opinionated and probably won’t sit through a meeting,” Kassie laughed as she gazed at the child.

“I’m heading back to my office. How about Tori and I chat while you handle things here? I haven’t seen her all day,” Dr. Meyers extended her arms for Dr. Winters to pass the child over. The man frowned, disappointed in having to give up his daughter.

“I’ll be down shortly,” Kassie stated as she caressed the baby’s cheek. “I’m sorry, but we recently welcomed Tori to our family and are completely smitten. Our friends on the mountain take every chance to steal her,” she laughed.

They walked to the office, and Chase held the chair for his wife before bringing his around from behind the desk.

“You’ve seen what we can offer. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think you’d make a quick flight out here without an urgent concern for your friend. Do you feel comfortable discussing him?”

Tex paused. “My friend’s the lone survivor of his unit after enduring a two-day attack. He’s healed physically from his wounds but was admitted twice for his mental health. I know you have a process, but I think he’s run out of time. He says what we want to hear. But he’s fading before my eyes and needs something the other hospitals couldn’t provide. I’m concerned for his well-being.”

Kassie gave a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry about your friend. Will he consent to coming here for treatment?”

“I don’t know.” He sighed. “I barely manage to get him to answer his phone. I’m worried about him.”

“We understand.” Kassie handed him a card. “If you can convince him to have his medical records sent here, Dr. Meyers can start the admission process. Does he need any physical medical care?”

Tex shook his head. “No. He hasn’t kept up with PT, but he’s healed physically. How can I convince you to talk to or accept him as an admission?”

Chase and Kassie exchanged glances. “Admissions usually take a couple of days to complete. If you can reach him, we can do an intake evaluation with Claire. If he requests his records, receiving them can sometimes take days or weeks.”

Tex smiled. “I can have the medical records to you this evening. I’m assuming you leave soon. Can you speak with him if I schedule a video meeting in the morning?”

“We’re attending the family night dinner tonight. Why don’t you join us? If you plan to visit Matthew, I can reach him. If your friend agrees, we can speak with him this evening. Claire organized the event, and we can borrow her to sit in,” Dr. Winters explained to him.

“I don’t want to interrupt your family time, but I feel if I don’t seek help…”

Kassie stood. “We can’t promise you anything, but we know the feeling and you won’t interrupt family time. We’re blessed with a huge one and we help each other. If you can convince him to talk to us, we'll take it from there. Excuse me, I’ll find Dr. Meyers and collect my daughters. We’ll see you this evening.”

“Thank you.” Tex watched as Kassie left the room.

Chase picked up his phone and called Matthew. “He’ll arrive shortly. I’ll walk with you to meet him.”

Tex followed Chase out and walked the hall. Dr. Meyers kneeled at eye level to talk to a man in a wheelchair. He noddedat whatever she said before smiling. A teen offered to wheel the man wherever he needed while the physician encouraged a young woman to join a group of teens.

“She’s one of the best. I met her working at the veteran’s hospital and encouraged her to join our team,” Chase informed him as he observed Claire.

Tex glanced back again to watch her move from one person to another. He saw she enjoyed her job, and by how the patients responded, they also liked her. He only hoped Dr. Meyers knew how to save his friend.

CHAPTER FOUR

Ice made the excuse of a headache and stayed at his apartment while Wolf took Patch out for dinner.

Patch picked at his food and watched the crowd aimlessly go about their lives while he seemed to stand still in the moment when he watched Gunner slip away.

His brothers-in-arms lay around him, already dead. They spent the last two days waiting for rescue, and he watched them fall one by one as he tried to save them. Reliving the last moments of his best friend, Gunner’s last words, he felt helpless, knowing he failed to fulfill his promise. The words echoed all around him.

“Tell Patty and the kids I love them and didn’t suffer. I left a letter in the house safe for them in case something happened. Make sure she gets it,” Gunner ordered weakly.

“Tell her yourself, asshole, we’re getting out of here,” Patch urged his friend. “Don’t even think about leaving me, do you hear me? I didn’t spend all this time patching up your holes for you to spout this shit.”

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