Page 44 of Unyielding (Poplar Springs #3)

I snorted and then laughed. “Look around you, Becca. You’ve made far more enemies than friends. I suggest you leave.” I pointed behind her. “Your friends already have.”

Becca whirled around only to see Monica and Amber’s backs as they walked away. “Where are you going?” she demanded but they ignored her. She took once last look around and screeched before throwing the raffle tickets on the ground and stomping away, which had to be hard to do in those pointy heels.

With the theatrics over, most everyone wandered away.

Walter remained behind and stuck his hand out for Declan to shake.

“I’m sorry I ever doubted you, Doc. Rest assured that you’ll always be welcome as our ranch vet.

” There were a few assents and some of the ranchers standing nearby clapped Declan on the back.

After everyone dispersed, Patrick ran over and picked up the discarded raffle tickets. Declan looked at him with a grin. “Did you want to spin the wheel again? Or maybe try some of the other booths?”

Patrick held the tickets and stared down at them. “Dad, are these tickets already paid for?”

“They are. If you want to use them, you can,” Eli told him.

Patrick stared at the tickets a moment longer before tossing them in the trash. “No, I just don’t like litter bugs.”

“I don’t either.” Eli reached into his breast pocket and pulled out some tickets.

“It looks like I have some more. How about we go try to win a few more prizes before we call it a day?” Patrick whooped in response and grabbed Eli’s hand before dragging him over to the booth for Hastings General Store.

I’d noticed that the little boy had been eyeing a cowboy hat they had up for grabs.

Declan still hadn’t let go of me. I turned to face him. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I went up on my toes and kissed him. He pulled me in for a hug and we stayed like that for a few moments before I leaned back to look at him.

“Are you okay? That was a big decision to drop Black Hat. Can you afford to lose her business?”

He rubbed my back with long strokes up and down as he looked at me.

“While the money was nice, she isn’t worth the headaches.

I’ve been out to her place more than any other ranch and when I tallied up the visits, I realized that only two were actual emergencies.

” Declan tilted his head toward where Walter went.

“Besides, with his very public endorsement, I’m not worried about getting enough business. I think I’ll be just fine.”

“Yes, you will,” I said with a grin.

“Doctor! We need a doctor!” We both turned at the shout. On the stage, two of the Bobs were bent over someone lying on the stage.

“Is that the mayor?”

Declan didn’t answer. He was already running for the stage, shouting for Dr. Murphy. The older man had been talking with the sheriff and both came running at the shouts. A small crowd was gathering below as Dr. Murphy and Brian made it to the stage.

Within minutes, an ambulance arrived. Bob Lumley was loaded onto a gurney and placed inside, with Dr. Murphy joining him. The earlier revelry had dimmed as people hovered around, waiting to hear what had happened. Eventually, Amy Thorne stepped up to the microphone and everyone quieted down.

“We obviously don’t have all the answers yet, but I can confirm that Mayor Lumley has collapsed. He’ll be airlifted to UC Health Hospital in Aurora. We ask that everyone keep him in their thoughts. As soon as I have more information, I’ll let you know. That’s all.”

Amy didn’t stick around for questions. I waited for Declan to come all the way back before I could ask, “Why are they taking him all the way out there?”

Declan grimaced and leaned closer to me, so his voice wouldn’t travel far. “Because they have one of the best heart care units in the state.”

“Oh no.”

The booth teardown was somber but efficient, and we managed to get everything boxed up and back onto his truck in record time.

As we drove out to Lost Valley Ranch, Declan reached for my hand and brought it to his lips to press a kiss to my palm.

What had started out as a fun day had taken on a dark tone now that it seemed that it might well end in tragedy.

I sent out well wishes to the universe that Bob would recover.

He’d been mayor of Poplar Springs for as long as I could remember and the town wouldn’t be the same without him.

Later that evening, we sat out on the porch swing, wrapped in each other’s arms and staring up at the sky. Like magic, a shooting star shot past and Declan squeezed my side. I closed my eyes trying to decide which wish to make.

Both sides of the family business was growing and thriving.

Belle and Vida were doing great and Iris’s pregnancy was going well.

All six of us were happy and healthy and deeply in love with our respective partners.

Declan had the support of most everyone who mattered.

And who knows. Maybe at some point, there’d be a younger generation of Caffertys running around the ranch and playing on the tree swing.

“What did you wish for?” Declan asked me.

I stood up and held my hand out to him. “I didn’t.”

He frowned as he took my hand and let me pull him up. “Why not?”

“Because I already have everything I could ever wish for.”