He didn’t know how to respond. She was right, and he wouldn’t lie to her and say everything was going to be okay, because it wasn’t. No matter what happened with her dad, everything had changed. They had a bullseye on their back now.
Chapter Three
Bonnie
She couldn’t believe what was happening. Surely, she would wake up soon and find all of this to be a dream. She needed to focus. She had to change the bandages on her father. They were soaked through.
“Can you grab the big duffle bag from the back of my truck? I keep a second kit in there.”
Along with first aid supplies, it had a change of clothes, some cash, and her Ruger LCP. She wished she had something for an IV set up. She was stocked for an emergency until help could arrive. Not long-term care. She hurried to the sink. Wetting a paper towel, she returned to where her father lay in and out of consciousness. She squeezed the towel above his lips, allowing some water to enter his mouth. She massaged his throat to trigger him to swallow.
Pulling the gauze back, she checked his shoulder wounds. The Quikclot she poured on in the truck helped. It looked ugly and gnarled, but not as bad as his stomach. He must have a hell of a horseshoe up his ass. The bullet was a through and through in the lower left side. The blood loss was extensive, however not as bad as some she’d seen at the hospital.
She put fresh bandages on and checked his vitals. They were holding steady for now. Grabbing the pillow from the couch, she elevated her dad’s feet. There wasn’t much else she could do. The next twenty-four hours would be a waiting game. The sun was setting, and a chill seeped into the room. She looked around for the first time in search of a blanket for her father and herself if she could find one.
There was a beautiful stone fireplace between two large windows. She didn’t see any firewood. However, there was a wooden chest behind a straight back chair. She lifted the lid; a strong cedar scent perfumed the air. Inside were blankets. Flannel, crocheted, and quilted in all different patterns and colors. She covered her father with a flannel blanket and chose a quilted one for herself.
She sat on the couch, pulling out her phone. It was off, she remembered they needed it off, so they weren’t traced. Just great. How was she going to check in with her mom? News of the shooting must be all over the television by now. Her mother was surely worried. Huffy came through the door with an armful of firewood, startling her.
“Sorry, it gets pretty cold in here. I’ll have the fire going in a few minutes.” He put the firewood on the floor and began placing pieces in a pile to light.
“I found blankets. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course. Help yourself to whatever. I’m gonna change my shirt. I’ll be right out.”
He had blood all over the right side of his body. When he emerged from the bedroom, he had on a black t-shirt, the cut accentuating the muscles underneath.
“There’s a lot of canned food, bottled water, and a few things in the freezer. Are you hungry?”
Bonnie hadn’t eaten anything in a while. Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, her appetite was running rampant.
“I could eat.”
She watched him open a cabinet, pulling out two cans. He retrieved a pot from the rack above the stove. He glanced over his shoulder at her father.
“Is he going to be okay?’
Bonnie wrapped the blanket around her shoulders, joining him in the small kitchenette.
“Only time will tell now.” She looked down at her father. He looked smaller than usual. He was always larger than life in her eyes. He commanded attention when he entered a room. Not by what he did or said, but from his presence alone. It was heartbreaking to see him this way. She took his wrist in her hand, checking his pulse. Nothing had changed. She should count her blessings. At least things hadn’t taken a turn for the worst.
“You did great, patching him up the way you did,” he praised as he dumped cans of soup into a pot.
“Training. It just takes over.”
“I get that. You’re a doctor?”
“Nurse, in the ER. I’ve seen a lot of GSWs, unfortunately.”
“Never guess you’d have to work on your own dad, though.”
She brushed her fingertips across her dad’s forehead. He felt warmer than he should. He needed an IV and meds as soon as possible. “Look, I know what he’s all about. I don’t wear blinders where he’s concerned. I haven’t for a long-ass time. I always knew it could happen. I never thought I’d be standing next to him when it did, though.”
“I can’t believe Preacher was involved.”
“How long have you been around?”
“Few years.”
“Preacher always thought he’d be the next President. I wish I was surprised, but I’m not. Not completely, anyway.”
Huffy looked genuinely interested in what she had to say. “Why wasn’t he picked?”
“Club voted. Most of the guys were happy to get out of pharmaceuticals. As you know, there’s money to be made elsewhere.”
“How do you know all this?”
She met his eyes. “Women are invisible once their clothes are back on. Especially me, I was a child. I heard a lot growing up.”
She brushed her hair back from her face. She was worn out. She watched him move around. He exuded confidence, most of the guys did, but there was something different about him. She couldn’t put her finger on it.
“I would never describe you as invisible.”
He poured soup into two mugs before retrieving spoons. He nodded toward the couch, carrying everything past her. She followed him, sitting down before accepting the steaming mug.
“It’s chicken noodle. I hope that’s okay.”
“My favorite.” She smiled.
They ate in comfortable silence. The sound of the crackling fire soothed her. Her eyes began to grow heavy. She leaned her head back against the cushion and drifted off to sleep.
Huffy
Huffy finished his dinner, his gaze drifted to find Bonnie sound asleep, the mug that once held dinner still clutched in her hands. He chuckled to himself. Gently, he plucked the mug from her hands. She stirred, pulling the quilt around herself tighter. She looked so small, almost childlike. She didn’t ask for any of this.
He put another log on the fire before washing the few dishes they had used. LB was still unconscious on the dining table. His breathing seemed normal, not that he knew anything about medicine. He was, however, familiar with gunshot wounds.
He was tired. He figured now would be a good time to rest a little. Sitting on the opposite end of the couch, he propped his feet up on the cheap table. He pulled his phone from his leather holster. There was no service out here. That’s the way he wanted it. No signal meant untraceable. There was a small town twenty minutes away if he needed an internet connection. He wasn’t going to sleep, but it would do him some good to rest his eyes for a few minutes.
He woke to the sound of screaming. He pulled his gun from the small of his back, looking for the threat. Bonnie sat straight as a pin next to him. Tears shimmered on her face. Huffy didn’t see anyone or anything out of place. She was a woman who’s seen too much. It was written all over her tear-stained face.