Page 69 of Deadly Target (Rocky Mountain Courage 2)

TWENTY-NINE

Nathan sped out of the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport toward the hospital. Morning twilight tinted the skies a warm gray. Few cars were on the road at this hour, and the one vehicle that had followed him, well, they could just be heading in the same direction. Still, he’d keep an eye out.

His father was awake. Nathan wanted to focus on that desperately needed good news. But he couldn’t shake his thoughts about the conversation with Chief Hadlow.

“How many lives are at stake here?”

“At least two more.”

Frustration boiled through Nathan. They had a few names, but he sensed they were far from learning who shot his father. He hoped now that Dad was awake, they could get answers. But even if they didn’t get them, Nathan would remain grateful Dad had survived a gunshot to the head.

Erin reached across the console and touched his arm. “This is good news, Nathan. Let’s hold on to hope and focus on that right now. We’ll figure the rest of it out later.”

Warmth surged from her touch all the way to his heart.

“You’re right,” he said.

“And we can pray for him,” she added.

Nathan hadn’t stopped praying, and he doubted that she had either. He offered his hand. “Pray, then.”

She took it. The sweet words she prayed for his father gave Nathan peace he hadn’t had in a few days now—ever since Dad was shot. He squeezed her hand when she finished, and he didn’t let go. Neither did she. What did it mean? He didn’t want to let go. He’d asked her into this because he thought she could help him. Not so they could grow close again. Not so she could hurt him all over again.

Even so, her in this with him felt right. Was he only fooling himself?

The hospital loomed ahead. Releasing her hand, he gripped the wheel and steered through the visitor parking lot. Dad waking up could make all the difference—in all their lives.

He parked and didn’t waste time getting out of his truck. By the time he made it around the grill, Erin had already hopped from the vehicle. She wasn’t much for waiting on him to open doors. Joining him, she tucked her bag over her shoulder and fluffed her hair, glancing at her reflection in the window of another vehicle. She grimaced but said nothing about her appearance as they headed for the facility entrance. She was a real trouper, having endured so much.

“You look great.” He grinned.

“Liar.” She flashed an amused glance his way.

“I don’t need to lie.”

She angled her head at him and looked him up and down, her eyes lingering on his jaw, but she said nothing. Maybe she didn’t have the heart to tell him the truth.

“You haven’t shaved in a while,” she said.

There it was, then. Truth. Now he felt self-conscious and scraped a hand over his scruffy jaw. “Mom and Dad have seen worse.”

She cracked a grin. “I’m not saying that you don’t look good.”

He held the door for her to enter. “Oh, really?”

She walked through, then led him over to stand in front of the elevators.

“You’re complimenting me?” He rubbed his jaw again.

She gave him a look that spoke volumes—she thought he looked good, but it was more that longing in her eyes that left him speechless. Better he didn’t respond now anyway as others gathered at the elevator. The ride up took too much time, and he wished they’d taken the stairs. On Dad’s floor, they got off the elevator and rushed down the hallway.

Nathan couldn’t get to Dad’s room fast enough. Hope surged that his father would smile at him and give him a hard time about something. Then again, Nathan shouldn’t build his expectations, because that would only lead to disappointment. A local police officer stood by the door, and Nathan flashed his credentials, adding, “He’s my father.”

The officer nodded and stepped aside.

After a light knock at the door as he pushed it open, he entered, treading lightly. Erin hung back in the doorway until he gestured for her to come all the way in. He crept forward toward the bed. Dad’s eyes were closed, so Nathan glanced at his mother.

She sat in a chair in the corner, a soft smile playing on her lips. “He’s sleeping now.”