Rocky Mountain Rescue Elle James (best time to read books TXT) 📖

conveniently forget.” He winked at JoJo. “And if you need a doctor’s excuse to forget, just let me know.” He shined a light into both of her eyes, checked the lump on the back of her head and told her to get some rest. Otherwise, she was released from the hospital.

“Thank you, doctor,” JoJo said. As she started to get up off the bed, the doctor held up his hand. “Sorry, you can’t walk out on your own. You have to go out in a wheelchair.”

“But I feel fine,” JoJo insisted. “I can walk. See?”

“Hospital rules,” a nurse said as she wheeled a chair into the room. “Consider yourself lucky you get to go home tonight.”

JoJo slid off the table and into the wheelchair.

Max almost laughed at the disgusted look on her face. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. It won’t be long before you’re home.”

“I’m counting on that,” JoJo said.

“Come on, my little fiancée, let’s get you out of here.” He strode alongside her as the nurse pushed the wheelchair to the exit. Max left her at the door as he went to get the truck and pull it around in front of the ER. He parked and got out to help JoJo up into the seat.

As he helped buckle her seatbelt, he whispered, “Are you doing okay?”

She nodded. “I am.”

“Let’s get you back to the lodge before Gunny sends out a posse to find you. Knowing his network, he’s probably already heard about the explosion at your apartment building.”

“I hope not,” JoJo said. “He’ll be worried. I have to admit, I’m worried.”

“I can’t believe that was an accident,” Max said.

“You think someone set it up to explode?” JoJo asked.

“Based on the fact that somebody tried to get into your apartment sometime early this morning, and then to have your gas have a leak on the same day…?” Max shook his head. “It’s too coincidental. I don’t believe in coincidences.”

JoJo looked down at her hands then back up at him. “If you hadn’t come with me tonight, I could’ve been dead. Why?” JoJo asked. “Who would want to kill me?”

“The question is, who have you pissed off? All I can think of is Roy, but I can’t imagine somebody like Roy going to the trouble of creating a gas leak in your apartment. I don’t think he’s that smart. Have you made anybody else mad recently?”

“No,” she said, “but I have an idea.”

Max waited. When she didn’t expand, he said, “And that idea would be what?”

“It’s not something I want to discuss,” she said.

“If it involves risking your life, I would hope that you would discuss it with me or somebody else who can help you.”

She nodded. “And I will, when I’m ready.”

“Well, I hope you’re ready before this guy gets to you and kills you.”

“Me, too,” she said. “Me, too.”

Chapter 11

JoJo had vowed that she would never rely on a man again but, if not for Max, she would be dead. Since she’d met him, he’d been nothing but a gentleman. He had been protective without being possessive, but mostly, he’d been there when she’d needed him. And though she hated the fact that she needed him, she didn’t hate him.

When they arrived at Lost Valley Ranch, the place was lit up like the Fourth of July. Lights streamed from inside and every porch light shined brightly. Max had barely parked the car when everybody came out of the lodge at once, RJ leading the way. She engulfed JoJo in a huge hug, holding her as tightly as she could.

JoJo laughed breathlessly. “I guess you heard?”

“Yes.” RJ held her at arm’s length. “I couldn’t believe it. Your apartment exploded?”

“If it hadn’t been for Max…” JoJo shot a glance toward the man.

Jake shook hands with Max. “You okay, buddy?”

Max nodded. “Other than a little residual ringing in the ears, I’m fine.”

“You were lucky,” Gunny said. “I talked to the sheriff. He said the apartment was pretty much destroyed.”

“Everything I owned was in that apartment.” JoJo snorted softly. “Not that it was much.”

“Don’t you worry about it,” RJ said. “We’ll take care of you.”

JoJo frowned. “So much for taking care of myself.”

“You’re alive, aren’t you?” RJ said. “I’ve got some clothes you can wear. They might be big on you, but you can wear them until we can get you to Colorado Springs to do some shopping.” She squeezed JoJo’s arms and gave her a crooked smile. “Can’t think of a better excuse to go shopping.”

JoJo shook her head. “But we don’t have time. We’ve got the campaign staff event this weekend.”

RJ stood back and looked at JoJo. “You know, I think you and Emily might be the same height. I’ll ask her if she can bring some things out for you when she comes tomorrow. Next week, we’ll plan a shopping trip. Did you have renter’s insurance?”

JoJo nodded. “I did. It wasn’t much, but then I didn’t have much.”

“We’ll get in touch with the insurance company tomorrow and see what we can get. It’ll at least be a start. In the meantime, you’re staying here at the lodge as long as you need to.” RJ hugged JoJo again. “I’m just thankful you’re alive.” She reached out a hand to Max. “Thank you for being there for her.”

“And to think I didn’t want him to follow me,” JoJo said, shaking her head.

“Come on. Let’s get you inside.” RJ herded her toward the front door like a mother hen. “I’m sure you’re ready for bed.”

JoJo nodded. “And we have an early morning tomorrow.”

RJ shook her head. “Not for you. You can sleep in.”

JoJo’s brow knit. “Since when have I ever slept in?”

“Since you got knocked flat on your ass and you need to.” RJ shrugged. “Whatever, let’s at least get you to bed so you can get some sleep.”

Stover and Curry stepped out on the porch.

“What’s all the commotion?” Stover asked.

“Nothing for you to worry about,” Gunny said.

Curry frowned. “What’s this I hear about an explosion?”

Gunny glance toward the man. “Where’d you