Hope White - Mountain Rescue

“Dylan,” she whispered.

“He’s okay,” Quinn assured.

“But—”

“Billie, look at me.” With his thumb and forefinger he tipped her chin so she’d look into his eyes. “Dylan’s okay. You’re okay. Everything’s going to be fine.”

* * *

Quinn had meant it when he told Billie everything was going to be fine. Unfortunately the hospital security guard was on a power trip and Quinn was the victim of the guy’s overblown ego.

“So you mysteriously happened to know your girlfriend was in trouble?”

“She’s not my girlfriend. I guessed she was in trouble when I heard the nurses talking about the mysterious doctor who’d ordered the CT scan.”

“Is she a former girlfriend?” the security guard pushed. His nametag read Steven and he looked to be in his forties.

“She’s a friend,” Quinn clarified.

Steven walked to the corner of the small office and crossed his arms over his chest. “How do you know each other?”

“Do you have someone watching her room?” Quinn asked. “Because she might still be in danger.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I was on the rescue team that recovered Billie and her husband a year ago.”

“And you kept in touch? Isn’t there a name for that? Some kind of syndrome or something?”

“She fell on tough times and I gave her a job and a place to live after the accident.”

“With you?”

“What’s with all the questions?”

“Why are you afraid to answer?” Steven pushed.

“I’d rather be watching over my friend.”

“Don’t worry. She’s fine.”

Quinn leaned back in his chair. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“Pretending to be a real cop.”

Steven took a step forward and gripped the metal flashlight on his belt. Quinn’s older brother always said Quinn should learn to control his smart mouth. But right now Quinn couldn’t control it because he was worried about Billie. Well, he wasn’t going to get back to her if he kept antagonizing this guy.

“That was outta line,” Quinn apologized.

The door swung open and a rugged-looking, middle-age man in a crisp navy suit joined them. He glanced at Quinn, then at the security guard.

“Hey, Steve.” The men shook hands. “Could you go relieve Officer Trent outside Mrs. Bronson’s room?”

“Sure.” Without looking at Quinn, Steve left and shut the door behind him.

“So you’re the infamous Quinn Donovan?” The guy slapped a folder onto the table.

“I don’t know about infamous, but yeah, I’m Quinn Donovan.”

“Detective Issacs, Echo Mountain P.D. Good to meet you.” The guy extended his hand.

Quinn must have look skeptical.

“Relax, I know your brother, Alex.” They shook hands. “We worked on a task force together a few years ago. When Steve gave me your name I made the connection and gave your brother a call to confirm.” Detective Issacs sat across the table from Quinn. “So, give me your take on what happened to Mrs. Bronson.”

“I think someone’s after her. You know about the assault on the trail, right?”

Issacs nodded. “Officer Vanguard filled me in. Mrs. Bronson thinks it has something to do with her husband’s criminal activity?”

“She does.”

“What was he into?”

“We’re not sure.”

Detective Issacs opened a folder and glanced at its contents. “I did a background check on Rick Bronson. He moved from Idaho to Echo Mountain five years ago for a job at—”

“Evergreen Lumber, I know.”

“So you knew the Bronsons back then?”

“Actually, no.” After the accident Quinn had discovered that Billie’s husband had worked for a company Quinn and his partners shut down due to mismanagement and lack of productivity.

Another reason Quinn felt responsible for Billie’s situation after her husband had died. It was becoming obvious to Quinn that being unemployed and broke had motivated Rick Bronson to pursue questionable sources of income, which meant Quinn was responsible for Rick Bronson’s desperation, Billie’s failed marriage and, yes, even her current predicament.

“Maybe Mrs. Bronson should get out of town, stay with relatives,” Detective Issacs suggested.

“She doesn’t have any.”

“No parents or siblings?”

“No, sir. She’s alone.”

“Well, she’s got you. That’s a plus. Your brother told me about your military background. You’ll make the perfect bodyguard.”

“She doesn’t want me around, requested I stay out of her room. Didn’t Steve tell you? That’s why he was giving me a hard time and considered me a suspect.”

“Well, maybe she’s had a change of heart since the attack in the imaging department. Your timing couldn’t have been better.”

“Tell me about it.” Quinn fisted his hand. If he’d shown up a few seconds later...

“I don’t think it’s wise for her to go to her place when she’s released,” the detective said.

“I agree. I have some ideas on that.”

“I’ll dig into Rick Bronson’s background and you take care of his wife.”

There’s nothing Quinn would like better than to take care of Billie...if she’d let him.

“I’d like to hire a P.I. friend of mine to look into things, if you’re okay with that,” Quinn said.

“Sure, as long as you share your information.”

“Will do.”

* * *

When Billie was admitted to the hospital after yesterday’s fall, she was determined to distance herself from Quinn, yet she’d actually slept a few hours last night thanks to Quinn staying in her room. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Every time she’d wake up, she’d catch a glimpse of him sitting in the corner working on his laptop, and the clicking sound soothed her to sleep.

Well, that and his masculine presence, strong and determined, acting as her protector. She had to admit she liked having someone looking out for her, although she knew better than to get used to it.

A nurse came in to take her vitals at 6:00 a.m.

“Good morning, I’m Nurse Rose,” she said, then noticed Quinn in the corner. “Oops.”

Quinn’s eyes were actually closed, and his head tipped back as he dozed.

“Sorry,” Nurse Rose whispered.

“I’m awake.” Quinn shifted in his chair and rubbed his eyes.

It amazed Billie how he could look like a strong and powerful man one minute and a little boy the next. Billie always suspected a wounded little boy lived inside Quinn’s grown-up body.

Dr. Green came into the room and stopped at the foot of Billie’s bed, analyzing a chart. “Heard there was a little excitement last night.”

“And here I thought hospitals were supposed to be quiet. I want my money back,” Billie teased.

Quinn cracked a slight smile.

“I don’t blame you,” Dr. Green said. He directed his attention to the nurse. “Vitals are...?”

“Good.”

Dr. Green glanced at Billie. “Your pain level, on a scale of one to ten?”

“Two.”

“Billie, it’s the day after a fall,” Quinn challenged. “You’ve got to be hurting more than a two.”

“Fine, it’s more like four. But I really want to go home.”

“There’s nothing to indicate anything more serious than the slight concussion and bruised ribs. No broken bones or internal damage.” The doctor glanced at her over his reading glasses. “It’s quite remarkable considering what you’ve been through.”

“So, I can go?”

“I’ll sign the release papers and your husband can take you home.” He nodded at Quinn, who went completely white.

“No, he’s just a friend,” Billie corrected.

“Well, friend—” the doctor turned to Quinn “—Billie should be ready to go in about an hour.”