Page 26 of The Cowboy's Promise

“I’m always saying how I love dogs and horses, but I lose my heart to any animal that crosses my path. You must know about the wolf Brody and Annie King have.”

“Know about it? I sure do. I was on the scene when it saved the day.”

“I’ve heard the story. It was amazing. Anyway, there’s the blanket on top of my trunk. The tape, or ribbon whatever it is, running along the bottom is sort of bulky.”

“I’ll let you know what we find,” the sheriff exclaimed, picking it up and dropping it into the bag. “Good boy, Butch,”

The dog barked, then spun in a circle.

“He’s so proud of himself,” Heather said, leaning down and hugging him. “And he has every reason to be. By the way, what’s happening with Courtney?”

“She was taken to the hospital. We found her passed out on the floor, but I have a feelin’ she was fakin’ just to get away from that cell. We’ll know soon enough.”

*** * ***

Driving into the hospital parking lot, Joe found a spot near the Emergency Room entrance and strode through the doors. The area was smaller than he’d expected, and there were only a couple of people waiting. Compared to what he’d encountered in Dallas it was startling. Walking up to the nurse behind the reception counter, he introduced himself as Courtney McCallum’s lawyer.

“How is she? May I see her?”

“Take a seat please and I’ll check.”

But still anxious from the odd experience at Lake View Point he began pacing. A couple of minutes passed and he was about to check back when a middle-aged man wearing a white coat appeared through the swinging doors next to the counter.

“Mr. Meyer? I’m Dr. Atwater. I’m taking care of Miss McCallum. Please come through.”

“Thank you, Dr. Atwater. How is she?”

“Well, to be frank, I’m not sure,” he replied with a frown as he led Joe down a wide hallway. “Except for an elevated pulse rate—which could explain the fainting spell— I haven’t found anything wrong with her. But I’ve drawn some blood. When the results come back I’ll know more.”

While the doctor had been speaking Joe had spied a deputy seated outside a door at the end of the hall. Apparently Sheriff Cooper was taking no chances.

“She said she’s not on any medications,” the doctor continued. “Do you know if that’s correct?”

“She has a prescription for Codeine. When she has a migraine she’ll take that, but otherwise nothing I know of.”

“Do you know if she took any before her arrest? Depending on how much she ingested that could account for her symptoms. I did ask but she hasn’t been exactly forthcoming.”

“Sorry, she can be defensive sometimes. She did mention she wasn’t feeling great yesterday so it’s possible,” Joe lied. “Though I wouldn’t know how much.”

“Thank you. She’s through there,” the doctor declared, slowing his step as he neared the door beside the deputy. “If you have any questions just ask reception to page me.”

“Thank you, I will.”

The doctor walked away, but as Joe stepped towards the door the deputy abruptly rose to his feet and blocked him.

“Sorry, Sir, I have to search you before you can enter.”

“Ah, of course, I understand.”

To Joe’s relief the pat down was remarkably quick, and not sure what to expect he took a breath before he walked into the room. Staring across at the women he adored, he couldn’t remember a time when she’d looked so miserable.

“Hey, how are you?” he asked urgently, thinking she really was sick. But as he approached the bed she brightened up and grinned at him.

“About time,” she said softly, shooting him a wink. “What took you so long?”

“I was parked outside Three Oaks Ranch waiting for Heather to leave so I could follow her. I left as soon as Sheriff Cooper contacted me, but truth be told I did make a brief stop. I’ll tell you about that later. I assume you’re here because you needed to get out of that cell.”

“No shit, Sherlock. That place was a hell hole, and the food! Good grief.”

---