Page 8 of Wyoming Bodyguard

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Whatever. Not his problem. He’d acted out of kindness and compassion. An impulse to jump into a horrible situation and actually help. If she didn’t want him around, fine. He’d leave her to worry alone in her bloodstained shirt.

A pang of guilt battled through the anger. People lashed out when they were scared, and Lily had every reason to be upset right now. Maybe he should have stayed. Even if only in his truck so he was nearby if she needed something.

Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, he ignored the sudden impulse to head back to the hospital and instead drove under the dirty, white letters announcing he’d arrived at McKay Ranch. He parked next to his brother’s old, dusty truck in front of the ancient barn that was now used for storage. Overgrown grass filled the pasture beside the barn, the split-railed fence caging in nothing but dirt and weeds.

Madden blew out a long breath and tried to shut off all thoughts of Lily as he hopped out of the truck and climbed the familiar wooden steps of the wraparound porch. The chipped, white paint matched the two-story farmhouse where he’d been raised. A sprinkling of wildflowers clustered at the base of the house, but the home-made window boxes his mom used to always fill with vibrant blooms were empty.

Since Mama’s death years before, no one had the heart to fill them.

His dad, Walter McKay, sat in one of two rocking chairs, baggy overalls covering his slim frame, his ever-present pipe in his hand. “Heard you had one hell of a day.”

“One of the worst,” he said, settling into the chair beside his dad. The sun hovered above the mountains in the distance and sent bursts of orange through the darkening sky.

He’d spent countless evenings rocking on this porch, staring at the sunset or watching the clouds. Sitting next to his old man, discussing his problems. It’d been a long time since he needed one of those chats, but after the day he’d had, nothing could soothe him like this.

“Dax is inside. He can grab you a beer. Might help calm your nerves.”

“Maybe in a bit.” Madden removed his cowboy hat and rested it in his lap. “I need a minute.”

“How’s Kevin doin’?” Walter asked with his gaze fixed on the horizon. “He might not be my favorite person, but he didn’t deserve to be shot down in the street like a rabid dog.”

“He was still in surgery when I left.”

Walter turned hard, gray eyes on him. “What about his girl? You leave her there alone?”

So much for not thinking about Lily any more today.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “She told me to leave.”

“And you listened? That’s gotta be a first. Hope someone was there with her. No one should be alone when waiting to find out if a loved one will live or die.” Walter returned his attention to the cloudless sky.

Madden winced. His father’s words had landed like a missile. Lily hadn’t called anyone to join her at the hospital, but that wasn’t his problem. He’d done more than was expected, and Lily had made it clear his company wasn’t wanted.

Hell, if he’d stayed, she probably would have found a way to get him thrown out of the damn hospital.

“Anyway,” Walter said, as if sensing Madden’s desire to change the subject. “Any ideas who took those shots?”

“Deputy Sanders didn’t say much but sounds like there are no suspects. Not even sure if it was a random act of violence or not.”

Walter lifted his pipe to his thin lips and puffed. “Not a ton of violence like that in these parts. A few rowdy tourists have caused some trouble in the past year, but nothing on this scale.”

His dad might be right, but Madden couldn’t be sure if Walter believed his words or just wanted them to be true since his actions were what brought those tourists to town. Guilt was a heavy burden, one Walter carried on shoulders that grew frailer every day.

“Well,” Madden said, ignoring the wistful sadness in his dad’s voice, “let’s hope they catch whoever did this fast. No one wants a violent criminal roaming the streets.”

“I hope for Kevin’s daughter’s sake this wasn’t a targeted attack. They might want to make sure they finish the job.”

The knots in Madden’s stomach tightened. He’d never thought whoever shot Lily’s father could show up and attack him again if he survived the surgery, and he’d left her all alone. With no protection. He should return to the hospital. Stay near just in case.

No. She’d told him to leave. She was a capable woman with plenty of people to call if she needed help.

Besides, even if Lily was in trouble, he was the last person she’d want around.

Chapter 4

Lily couldn’t stop her hands from shaking as a doctor stepped through the doors that led back to the part of the hospital she wasn’t allowed to enter.

The part where her father lay on an operating table while fighting for his life.