Stables (Black Gulch Ranch #2)

39. Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Dixon

My world crumples in front of me when she falls to the ground.

I don’t even care about Matt.

Rushing to her, I pull her into my arms, lifting her limp body against me.

“Char? Please, talk to me.” Smoothing her sweaty hair from her forehead, reveals a bloody gash.

But it’s at a glancing angle.

With a ragged breath, she inhales and opens her blue eyes.

When they focus on me, tears erupt as she cries out.

“Dixon! Oh my god!” Clinging to me, sobs wrack her body. “Where’s Matt?”

Holding her, I twist to look and see him lying in the dirt, a pooling puddle of blood beneath his head.

“What the hell?” My head turns, trying to find the shooter.

Two silhouettes appear through the thick smoke, one with a rifle propped over its shoulder.

“It’s a good thing that pecker had a big ol’ melon.” Wade spits into the dust next to Matt’s body, then slings his gun to hang off his back.

Blue squats down on the other side of Char. “Are you both okay?” He glances at my wounded shoulder, worry etching his features.

“Yea, I’m fine. I need to get Char to the ER though. And we need to get away from this fire.” I can see flames growing through the roof behind him.

“Blue, gimme a hand.” Wade calls him away. “Let’s drag his carcass onto the porch so it burns and I don’t have to fill out a damn report.”

“How did you know?” I ask Blue before he stands.

“Wade was coming with me to stop them loading the horses out. He recognized that piss ant’s car down around the corner.” Blue flips his middle finger at the body. His handlebar mustache widens in a grin. “We had to rock, paper, scissors to see who got to take the shot.”

Wade picks up one arm, Blue the other, and they drag Matt up the wooden steps.

“Get her gone, Dix. I’ll come back later once the fire’s out.” Wade kicks Matt’s foot, then picks up the pistol out of the dirt. “Was awful nice of this jackhole to come back and check on his ex’s house considering he’s the one who started the fire. Tragic that he died trying to get inside.” He pulls his dusty sheriff’s hat off his head and presses it briefly to his chest before dropping it back on.

“He did it?” Char still clings to me like I’m a life preserver in a turbulent sea.

Blue chuckles, gently lifting her elbow to get us both up. “He parked right next to where he started it. Even left the gas can by his trunk.”

I wish I could pick Char up, cradle her in my arms to carry her to the truck.

But Blue supports her, helping me load her into the passenger’s side.

“You good to drive?” He nods at my crusted shirt and seeping injury.

I grimace sliding behind the wheel. “Yea, thanks.”

Peeling out of the driveway, he fades in the rear view mirror, then disappears into the thick smoke before I hit the main road.

“Char?” Fuck, I hate that my right arm isn’t working properly. “Take my hand. I can’t lift it, but I need to touch you.”

Her palm cups over my elbow, and she drops her head onto her shoulder propped on the console.

Tears cut through the dirt smeared across her face. “I was so scared he was going to kill you.” She chokes down a sob, her voice cracking through my name.

I died a small death back there watching her fall.

“Char, promise me, we’re getting married right away. If anything happens to me, I want you taken care of.” I steal a moment on a straightaway to pull her fingers up with my good hand and kiss the tips. “I can’t handle thinking you’d struggle without me.”

My jaw ticks listening to her cry.

I want to hold her so fucking bad.

“Vegas?” She sniffles with both palms wrapping my arm.

“We can leave as soon as we’re cleared at the hospital. I’ll throw you whatever party you want, take you wherever you want to go afterwards. I just want that ring on your finger so I have peace of mind.” I feel as if I’m suffocating in the fear that she’ll be left alone.

At least married, she’ll be part owner of Black Gulch. Mason will take care of her, and my baby.

Jesus.

“And when you’re all healed up, do you have any idea how many spankings I’m giving you for that stunt you pulled? Don’t you ever do something like that again.” My knuckles pop from squeezing the steering wheel so tightly. “Please?” I add gruffly.

“I’m okay with that. But I’d do it again.” Raising her face, dried blood has left a smear down her cheek. Her bottom lip quivers before she pulls it between her teeth. “I couldn’t lose you.” Fresh drops run from her eyes, cutting new clean lines down her cheeks.

“Never.” I vow, slamming the truck into park outside the main door of the emergency room. “Now, let’s get you checked out.”

Helping her down from her seat, I lead her past the admitting desk, nodding at Erin who watches us wide eyed.

Dr. Melvin is standing at the counter, flipping through a chart when she spots me. “Doctor McCullough? What happened?” She gestures to Maggie with a fast wave. “Get them into trauma one and two.”

“Gunshot wounds. I’m pretty sure mine is a through and through. Check her first.” I help Char climb onto the gurney.

“Doctor McCullough, can you sit over here?” Maggie points to the stretcher a few feet away.

“Nope. I’m not moving.” My toe snags one of the rolling stools and I drop onto it, still holding Char’s hand.

Maggie smiles. “No problem, doc.”

It doesn’t take long getting fully checked. They even did a confirmation blood test on Char’s pregnancy.

We’re waiting on our x-ray results to come back when my phone dings.

I glance at the picture, and can’t hide my grin when I hand it to Char.

“Oh my god! He found Whiskey!” She vibrates on the bed in excitement. “I can’t believe it, I thought she was gone for sure!” Her tearful giggle is music to my ears.

Before I pocket my cell, I take another look at Blue and Wade standing on either side of the strawberry roan, both holding their thumbs up in celebration.

Damn, I’m lucky to have friends like them.

“Dixon? Do you think I could ask Libby if she can go to Vegas? I don’t think Paisley would handle us both being gone for that long, but maybe Libby would…you know…watch her so we could have some time to ourselves?” Her thumb moves over mine.

The bandage over her eye makes me want to promise the moon. “Anything you want. She can be a witness.”

Hell, I’ll ask Blue and Wade.

I would see if Mason wants to go, but after watching Lori run in and out of the bathroom for the last few weeks, I doubt either of them want to travel.

It used to boggle me how Mason acted with either of his wives. He’d always be quick to put their needs before his own.

I get it now.

I owe him an apology.

“Blue said he’d go. Wade can’t make it, but offered to let Blue borrow his shotgun for the ceremony.” My stitches in my shoulder pull when I lean up to kiss her.

“Why would Blue need that?” Her brows furrow before they raise. “Ohh. Funny guy.” She smirks, shaking her head as she looks back at her phone. “Libby said she’s game.” Her cheeks flush pink. “Amongst other things.”

Dr. Martin swings the curtain open. “Doctor McCullough, you know I have to report all gunshot wounds?”

“Yep, go ahead and let Wade know. He’s already aware of the situation.” When I stand, I have to lean against Char’s stretcher to let the light headedness pass.

I might have to take it easy for a day or two.

“Well, you’re both clear to go then. Congratulations.” Dr. Martin smiles broadly. “One thing, the HCG levels were quite high for the gestational length you indicated.” She winks before turning on her heel.

My stomach drops and my hands get sweaty.

Unbelievable.

Using my good hand, I cup Char’s jaw into a hard kiss, grinning at her confused look.

“What does that mean?” Her tone is full of concern.

Leading her from the ER, I hold the exit for her to step through. “We need to schedule an ultrasound. That result means there’s a chance of multiples.”

“Multiples?” She stares at me blankly.

I shrug my good shoulder. “Twins?” My brother is going to have a fit when he hears this.

Her mouth falls to a perfect “O”.

“Char, what did I tell you I’m going to do when you make that face?” My cock twitches, making my vision star briefly before I sit in the driver’s seat.

The idea that me getting a hard on while driving could cause me to pass out makes me chuckle, and struggle to get my mind out of the gutter until we get home.

“I’m just…I don’t know. Wow.” Her fingers tuck beneath the sling on my arm and my ribs.

My mind races. “Looks like I better plan on a bigger expansion on the house.”

She giggles wildly, then stares at me wide eyed. “Holy shit today has been a roller coaster.”