Page 17 of Legacy of Danger
Vaughn shook his head. "Not buying it."
"None of us are, but that's the only explanation we have at this time. Supposedly, law enforcement is still investigating but..."
"The Brands own the police."
A curt nod told the tale.
What he'd give to punch something. Or someone.
Before he could ask another question, Mariah entered the room, along with that mouthwatering hint of mint and mocha. With a glance that seemed to linger on Vaughn—or was that wishful thinking on his part?—she turned and performed her exam while talking to Shelby like she was awake. Like she anticipated a reaction. A movement. Anything.
Hell, they all wanted Shelby to respond.
Turning back to Kerr and Vaughn, Mariah looped the stethoscope around her neck. "She's stable. Breathing on her own and without any need for additional oxygen. Labs are good. No evidence of infection in the leg. That's all good."
"But?" Kerr scuffed a boot on the floor.
Fine furrows appeared between her brows. "Well. She should be awake by now. Anesthetic from surgery has long since worn off."
Vaughn's ears began to ring. "Do you think there's been... damage to her brain?" Not his baby sister. God, no.
"Well. Possibly. Time will tell." Damn, but the woman was direct.
"What about Eric?" Kerr asked.
"Similar but with a worse head injury with that skull fracture. I've been on the phone with neurosurgery in Casper several times in the past twenty-four hours."
"And? Anythingtheycan do to help?" Vaughn snapped. He wanted to take the words back the second they left his mouth. He didn't miss her flinch.
"According to the specialist, no further treatment is needed right now. I redid the CT scan on Eric this morning, and the swelling is going down. He doesn't need surgery." She bit her lip. "I'm happy to transfer him to Casper if you'd feel more comfortable."
"No!" Kerr sliced the air with his hand. "They both stay here."
Vaughn's head snapped up.
Kerr ran a hand through his orange hair, making it stand on end. "I meant that it's better for them to be close to family if possible."
Mariah exhaled. "All right then, I'll stay in touch with the neurosurgeon and we'll continue to care for them here. Our orthopedist will come in later today to check on Shelby." She walked to the sink and washed her hands, then turned back. "I'll be on call through tomorrow morning. If anything changes, we'll let you know." She didn't mention the Hungry Moose date. Of course not.
Vaughn watched her retreating back, all the while feeling like a dog watching his favorite toy leave the room.
"Dude. You need a bib for that drool?" Kerr grinned and made a kissing face.
"It's not like that. Besides, she's the..."
He inspected his nails. "Cute doctor who saved Shelby and Eric's life?"
"Maybe," he mumbled.
"Someone you'd like to perform a physical on you one day?"
"Damn it. No." He rubbed his chin. "Doesn't matter." And that was a problem, wasn't it?
The real problem had nothing to do with Mariah at all. It had to do with the fact that Vaughn had no business even thinking about a relationship with anyone. Not after what he'd done. And certainly not when he planned to stay in Copper River for as short a period of time as possible. Once things were back to normal with his family, he had a life to continue elsewhere.
He had cut ties, started over, and created the life he'd always dreamed of.
Right?
His head snapped up as Kerr groaned and walked around the foot of the bed. He stretched out his back and picked up his feet. No, foot. With a tired slump to his shoulders and a halfhearted wave, Kerr left, pulling the door closed behind him.
Vaughn sat his sorry ass down into the uncomfortable chair and rested his hand on Shelby's slack arm as his daytime shift at her bedside began.
