Quinn moved to get out of the car. “I want the reporter out of here.”
Jake leaned in. “I called him, dumbass. Trust me.” After shoving his brother, he slammed the door.
A deputy slid behind the wheel. “To the hospital we go, Sheriff.”
Chapter Twenty
Juliet leaned her head against the chilly wall and tried to get comfortable on the plastic orange chair. Even in quaint Maverick, the hospital smelled like bleach, antiseptic, and despair.
The doctors had rushed Quinn into a room upon their arrival, and a petite but rather forceful nurse had directed Juliet to the waiting area. In the corner, a television played an old sitcom.
Her stomach hurt. She closed her eyes, allowing peace to wash over her. Everybody was safe, and the bad guys had gotten what they deserved.
What about her? What did she deserve? She sat up as Quinn’s mother hustled into the room.
Loni Freeze gathered her into a vanilla-scented hug. “Oh my goodness. You worried me.” She patted Juliet’s back, offering maternal comfort.
Tears welled in Juliet’s eyes. She leaned away and blinked. “I’m fine, but Luis shot Quinn.”
“I poked my head in the examination room. Quinn is barking orders at the poor doctor.” Loni shook her head, sending her gray braid flying. “That boy. I don’t know where he gets such a temper.”
Tom Freeze, Loni’s husband, rushed into the room with Dawn. “I know exactly where he gets his spirit.” He dropped a kiss on Juliet’s head. “I’m glad you’re all right, sweetie.” Then he sat and slipped his hand over Loni’s.
As a pair, they fit. Tall with gray hair and deep blue eyes, Quinn’s stepfather contrasted with Loni’s black eyes and sharp features.
Dawn was a perfect blend of the two, with blue eyes and black hair. Those eyes lit up when Hawk and Colton stalked into the room.
Juliet clasped her hands. “Thank you. Both of you.”
They nodded.
Dawn frowned. “I didn’t know you helped rescue Juliet, Hawk.”
He shrugged. “I provided backup and let the sheriff do his thing.”
Did Dawn not know Hawk was a sniper? Juliet raised an eyebrow. The young man met her gaze evenly, without expression. Her small nod promised she wouldn’t tell.
Sophie ran into the room next, skidded to a stop, and tugged Juliet out of her chair for a big hug. “I was so worried. I saw Freddy take you, and I didn’t know what to do, so I followed in my car and called the guys for help, but if I didn’t get them, I wasn’t sure what—”
Juliet hugged her hard. “Take a deep breath. Thank you, and I’m fine.”
Sophie stepped back and surveyed Juliet head to toe. “You look all right.”
“I’m fine.” She forced a smile. “Quinn got shot, not me.”
Colton nodded toward the television. “Is this your doing, Jake?”
The film clip showed Quinn escorting Juliet out of the cabin amid deputies arresting the drug runners. Reese Johnson stood next to the reporter, thanking the Maverick County Sheriff for assisting with the biggest drug bust in recent history. He claimed justice was served only because Juliet Spazzoli put herself in danger to help authorities.
Jake grinned. “Someone has to make sure the sheriff gets reelected. Can you imagine if he worked the ranch full time?”
“God, no. He’s bossy enough as it is.” Colton gave an exaggerated shiver.
Hawk slowly nodded. “Amen.”
Jake rubbed his chin. “I think the DEA will offer a deal to Freddy, Juliet. Just so you know.”
A relief that made her feel guilty swept through her. “I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m glad.”
Jake’s eyes filled with understanding. “Family is still family.”
The room started to crowd with concerned citizens and police officers. Excusing herself, Juliet stepped outside. She figured she’d walk home and do some thinking. Perhaps the next day she’d talk to Quinn.
Did childhood insecurity hold her back?
A deputy smoked outside his car. “Ms. Montgomery? Would you like a ride home?” He tossed the cigarette into a mud puddle and opened the back door. “The sheriff would kick my butt if I let you walk home with a storm coming.”
A chilly wind swept through her thin sweater. With a grateful nod, she slipped into the warm patrol car. “Thanks.”
The deputy glanced over the seat. “This way the sheriff will know where to find you when the doc is finished stitching him up.” At his cocky grin, he pulled the car into the road.
Juliet rolled her eyes. Now even his deputies attempted to matchmake. If they only understood that nothing swayed the stubborn sheriff. Nothing.
…
Juliet stretched her arms, much more comfortable in her yoga outfit. She’d changed the second the deputy had dropped her at home. It was a good thing she’d accepted the ride, considering her knees had started trembling within seconds of sitting down. Apparently the adrenaline rush took a while to dissipate.
Flipping on the local radio station, she tried to relax.
The empty apartment mocked her.
Her heart ached an actual, physical, thumping of pain. Oh God. She was truly, absolutely, completely in love with Quinn Lodge.
She wondered how Quinn was doing. Maybe she should’ve stayed at the hospital.
Shame heated her face. The guy had taken a bullet for her, and she’d fled because she was too chicken to talk to him. She’d run away. Like always. Too afraid he’d reject her.
But she’d needed to get away and think…the same way Quinn had said he needed time to think.
Oh, God.
Maybe he wasn’t finished with her—he just needed a second to breathe.
A broadcaster interrupted a Garth Brooks song with an update about the sheriff being shot and a promise that there would be a press conference in a few minutes. Sheriff Quinn Lodge would be outside the sheriff’s building shortly.
He’d gone back to work? After being shot? Irritation heated her skin. The damn man needed a keeper. Hell, he needed her.
Sure, she’d lied to him—and she’d been stupid not to trust him. But everyone made mistakes.
Damn it.
He’d said he loved her.
People who loved each other were supposed to forgive each other. Look at the meddling, pain-in-the-butt town. Everyone tripped over everyone else.
But they forgave each other. Because they loved each other.
Quinn Lodge was a good man—a good man who should be fought for.
And Juliet Spazzoli was a hell of a fighter.
She ripped open the outside door and stomped into the early evening. If the sheriff thought he could just screw her and dump her, then he was as stupid as Freddy.
As she reached the curb, she almost collided with Mrs. Hudson and Henry Bullton.
“Well, hello, dear.” Mrs. Hudson smiled, her powdered skin wrinkling. “Henry and I wanted to drop by and see if you’d like to go for a walk.” She pushed Juliet toward the sidewalk.
Henry nodded. “The sheriff is about to give a talk.” Sliding a bony arm through Juliet’s, he tugged her away from the door.
Two uniformed deputies jogged over from Kurt’s Koffees.
Juliet stumbled. “Deputies Phillips and Baker? Are you looking for me?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Deputy Baker said. “We grabbed coffee and were headed to your place to escort you to the press conference.” He elbowed Deputy Phillips, who just shrugged.
Juliet frowned. “How did you know I was going?”
Phillips grinned. “We didn’t. But we thought we might talk you into it.”
She narrowed her gaze. “I appreciate the support, but—”
A SUV screeched to a stop, and Sophie, Loni, and Dawn hopped out.
Dawn hustled over to assist Mrs. Hudson. “Oh, good. We thought we’d have to drag you to the sheriff’s station, Juliet.”