Page 9 of Wyoming Bodyguard

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The sight of every scrub-covered employee sent her heart straight to her throat. She hoped and prayed for answers, but hours later, she still had none.

The older man in blue scrubs passed her and headed for a middle-aged couple in the corner of the waiting room.

Disappointment forced the air from her lungs. Hanging her head, she squeezed her eyes shut and willed the stiffness in her neck to go away.

“Lily?”

The tentative voice opened her eyes.

Eve stood in front of her, her expression pinched with worry and hands filled with a brown bag and to-go cup.

Lily blinked up at the other woman. She’d known Eve most her life and considered her a casual friend. But the hours Lily spent working at the ranch didn’t leave much time to build strong relationships with anyone other than her father, their ranch hands, and the horses she loved so much.

“How are you holding up? Any word on your dad?” Eve asked.

Lily shrugged and shook her head. “Last I heard, he was still in surgery. I don’t understand why it’s taking so long. I just want to know that he’s okay.” She would have cried, but her emotional well was spent.

“Can I sit?” Eve gestured toward the empty chair beside Lily.

“Sure.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I brought you some things. A clean shirt, some food and coffee.” Eve placed the bag at Lily’s feet then handed over the hot cup.

Taken aback by the unexpected kindness, Lily cleared her throat then took a sip of the sweet drink. “So much better than the crap I got earlier from the cafeteria. Thank you. This was really thoughtful.”

Eve offered her a sad smile. “You shouldn’t be here alone. I found your keys in your truck, and had it dropped off at your ranch, so you don’t have to worry about getting back to town. If it’s okay, I’ll sit with you until you’re ready to go home. I’ll drive you.”

The moisture she thought long dried up pooled in Lily’s eyes. “You don’t have to do that. I’m fine. Really.”

“I’m sure you are, but you’ll be better with a friend with you.”

“You’re right.” Lily reached for Eve’s hand, then a thought nagged at the back of her brain. “How did you know I was by myself?”

Eve winced. “Madden called me.”

Heat slammed against Lily’s cheeks, anger flashing brighter than the fluorescent lights in the godforsaken waiting room. “He had no right to do that. I don’t know what kind of game he’s playing, but I don’t want to be a part of it.”

“Honey, I know there’s no love lost between you two, but Madden’s not trying to do anything beyond being a good neighbor. He wanted me to know you were here and would need a ride home. That’s all. But none of that matters right now, so put Madden out of your mind and let’s just focus all our energy on your dad.”

A little of Lily’s indignation leaked from her system like air from an old tire. She might not completely trust Madden’s motives, but he wasn’t worth another one of her thoughts. And regardless of what brought Eve to the hospital waiting room, she was glad to have a friend by her side.

The doors leading to the surgical unit swung open again. An older woman with tired eyes and a white cap covering her head crossed over the shiny, linoleum floor and made a beeline for Lily. “Ms. Tremont?”

Lily rose on shaky legs. “That’s me.”

Eve stood beside her.

“I’m Dr. Waters. We just finished your father’s surgery. He has a long road ahead of him, but I see no reason why he won’t make a full recovery. He’s a very lucky man.”

Lily swallowed a snort. If he was lucky, he wouldn’t have been shot to begin with. “Is he awake? Can I see him?”

“He’s still heavily sedated and will stay in the ICU for a couple nights at the very least. You may visit for a short time, but he won’t be awake and seeing him with so many tubes and machines may be a little upsetting.”

“I can handle it. I need to let him know I’m here. Talk to him and tell him I’m all right.”

The doctor gave a tiny nod. “I can take you back there now, but we only allow one visitor at a time.”

Eve looped an arm around Lily’s waist and pulled her in for a quick side hug before grabbing the cup. “Go. Visit as long as you can. I’ll be here waiting.”