Texas! Chase #2 Read Free Page A

hadn't quite recovered."
    Marcie didn't wait to hear any more. She climbed into the back of the ambulance just as the paramedic was about to close the doors.
    He reacted with surprise and an air of authority.
    "Sorry, ma'am. You can't—"
    "I am. Now we can stand here and argue about it or you can get this man to the hospital."
    "Hey, what's the holdup?" the other paramedic shouted back. He was already in the driver's seat with the motor running.
    His assistant gauged Marcie's determination and apparently decided that an argument would only waste valuable time.
    "Nothing," he called to his cohort. "Let's go." He slammed the doors and the ambulance peeled out of the coliseum barn.
    "Well, I'm glad you made it back to your hotel safely."
    Marcie, cradling the receiver of the pay telephone against her ear, massaged her temples while apologizing to the gentleman from Massachusetts.
    She had probably lost a sale, but when she saw Chase lying unconscious in the dirt, her guests had been the farthest thing from her mind. Indeed, she hadn't even remembered them until a few minutes ago while pacing the corridor of the hospital.
    "Mr. Tyler is an old friend of mine," she explained. "I didn't know he was appearing in this rodeo until his name was announced.

    Since his family isn't here, I felt like I should accompany him to the hospital. I hope you understand."
    She didn't give a damn whether they understood or not. If she had been entertaining the President and First Lady tonight, she would have done exactly the same thing.
    After hanging up, she returned to the nurses'
    station and inquired for the umpteenth time if there had been an update on Chase's condition.
    The nurse frowned with irritation. "As soon as the doctor— Oh, here he is now." Glancing beyond Marcie's shoulder, she said, "This lady is waiting for word on Mr. Taylor."
    "Tyler," Marcie corrected, turning to meet the young resident. "I'm Marcie Johns."
    "Phil Montoya." They shook hands. "Are you a relative?"
    "Only a good friend. Mr. Tyler doesn't have any family in Fort Worth. They all live in Milton Point."
    "Hmm. Well, he's finally come around. Got swatted in the head pretty good, but thankfully no serious damage was done."
    "I saw the bull land on his chest."
    "Yeah, he's got several broken ribs."
    "That can be dangerous, can't it?"
    "Only if a jagged rib punctures an internal organ."
    Marcie's face went so pale that even the freckles she carefully camouflaged with cosmetics stood out in stark contrast. The doctor hastily reassured her.
    "Fortunately that didn't happen either. No bleeding organs. I've taped him up. He'll be all right in a few days, but he's not going to feel very chipper. I certainly don't recommend that he do any bull riding for a while."
    "Did you tell him that?"
    "Sure did. He cussed me out."
    "I'm sorry."
    He shrugged and said affably, "I'm used to it. This is a county hospital. We get the psychos, the derelicts, and the victims of drug deals gone awry. We're used to verbal abuse."
    'May I see him?"
    "For a few minutes. He doesn't need to be talking."

    "I won't talk long."
    "He's just been given a strong painkiller, so he'll likely be drifting off Soon anyway."
    "Then if it's all the same to you," Marcie said smoothly, "I'd like to stay the night in his room."
    "He'll be well taken care of," the nurse said stiffly from behind her.
    Marcie stood firm. "Do I have your permission,
    Dr. Montoya?"
    He tugged on his earlobe. Marcie gave him the direct look that said she wasn't going to budge from her position. Buyers, sellers, and lending agents had had to confront that steady blue stare. Nine times out of ten they yielded to it. Earlier that night, the paramedic had found it hard to argue with.
    "I guess it wouldn't hurt," the resident said at last.
    "Thank you."
    "Keep the conversation to a minimum."
    "I promise. Which room is he in?"
    Chase had been placed in a semiprivate room, but the other bed was empty. Marcie advanced into the room on tiptoe