Ryan grinned. “I’ll take care of it. She won’t have to lift a finger.”I know how long it takes to recover from a gunshot wound, but I’ll make sure Kaylie takes all that time and doesn’t push it like I always did.
Doctor Conroy smiled. “Good. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Evers.”
“You, too. Doctor Conroy.” He held out his hand. “Thank you for the good news.”
She nodded, shook his hand and then turned and went back into the hallway and through a security door.
Ryan could have jumped for joy, instead he took out his phone and called Paul.
He answered on the second ring. “I’ve been sick with worry. How is she?”
“She’ll be fine. The surgery went well, and she’ll be able to come home in a couple of days.”
“Good. I’m very glad to hear it.”
Ryan ran a hand through his hair. “I want her to stay with me.”
“That’s probably a good idea. I can’t imagine traveling before her stitches come out would be a good idea.”
“I want her to stay after that. I don’t believe Rizzo will send anyone else but if he does, I’ll be ready. I know what to expect. Once he gets out of the hospital here, he’ll have to be arraigned here for the kidnapping charges.”
Paul was silent for a moment. “About that. Rizzo never made it to the hospital. He got someone to put him on his plane, he’s back in New York and I doubt New York will turn him over to Montana.”
“You’re kidding me, right, Paul?”
“I wish I was, my friend. That’s another reason I want her to stay with you. We can send men to stay with you. I can—”
“Don’t do anything yet, Paul. I have to talk to Kaylie first. I want her to be safe. I need for her to feel safe, and she might not feel that way here or with me anymore.”
Silence reigned for a few moments before Paul spoke. “You fell in love with her, didn’t you?”
“Yes. How can you tell that over the phone?”
“I can hear you nearly dripping with anxiety that I might say no. But I’m not. I think staying put is the best thing she can do. I agree that Rizzo will not come for her himself. He did that already and it didn’t work. I’d like to say that it will be because he’s in police custody, but he won’t be. And if he sends others, I believe you will be ready for them. You have a vested interest in her now that others won’t have. I can move her to another town, but she’d be on her own for the most part. I’m not sure there aren’t other leaks in the Service.”
Ryan pumped his arm.Yes.“I agree.” His voice remained calm.
“Then I’ll let you go. Be careful. I assume you will escort her to the trial.”
“Of course. I’m not letting her out of my sight until this is over, and maybe not then, either. She’ll probably get tired of my shadowing her.”
“Well, better that than the alternative.”
“Agreed.”
A nurse walked into the waiting room.
“Have to go. The nurse is here.”
“All right. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.” Ryan pushedendand pocketed his phone.
“Mr. Evers, you can come back now. She’s recovering nicely.”
Ryan followed the nurse. She was older, had silver hair and was not in surgical garb, but pretty purple scrubs.
She stopped at a bed with curtains all around. “Call me if you need anything.” She turned toward Kaylie. “Miss Smith, do you need another warm blanket? I know recovery is cold.”