AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kade assessed his own injuries. He wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon with his right leg in traction. He forced himself to lean forward to feel around and check out the damage.
He felt his leg, praying it wasn’t broken. Although his ankle was the size of a grapefruit, he was relieved to see the damage was superficial. He’d probably rolled it when he’d dove on Zeke. Nothing more. A high ankle sprain?
Kade’s hands were fine, and his arms worked okay despite movement making everything hurt. He’d live.
Rolling his shoulders, pain shot down his back on the left side. He moved enough of the paper hospital gown to reveal a bandage the size of his hand where the base of his neck met his shoulder.Shit.That was going to leave a mark.
He needed to get the hell out of here and find his buddy. Zeke had to be in much worse condition and could probably use a friend right now.
Peeling one corner of the medical tape, Kade lifted his shoulder to get a better look. He winced. Any movement shot pain down his back.
From the looks of it, he’d been nicked with a bullet. It wasn’t much more than a scratch. His injuries would heal just fine with a little antibiotic ointment and a few bandages.
He gently tapped on the corner of the medical tape and then leaned his head back on the pillow. His mouth was as dry as hot Texas soil in August. From outside the curtain all around him, he heard groans and moans. No doubt there were half a dozen soldiers, maybe more, in this part of the field hospital.
And then he picked out the nurse’s voice. She spoke in barely more than a whisper, but it was unmistakable that she was walking toward him. There was another voice. Male.
Zeke?
A small hand clenched the curtain before drawing it back enough to reveal Sharon’s companion.
A knot formed in Kade’s chest as his gaze landed hard on Commander Dallas Burns. The commander stood there, his hands clasped in front of him, wearing a solemn expression.
“Lieutenant Sturgess, you’re going home,” Burns said. He’d never been one for idle chit-chat, but he’d cut to the chase in record time.
At first blush, Kade thought the good nurse had reported him for inappropriate behavior, but he hadn’t done anything wrong except try to shmooze her into giving him information.
Kade cocked his head to one side, ignoring the pain. “Excuse me, sir?”
“Someone will be around to pick you up in a few minutes,” his commanding officer said.
“What do you mean? I got to get back out there and get those bastards,” Kade argued. No way was he going back to Saddle Junction. His injuries couldn’t be that severe. Not enough to end his career.
“You don’t understand,” Burns said, dropping his gaze for a second.
Kade motioned toward his leg. “Just a couple of scrapes and bruises. The swelling will be down in no time, and I’ll be ready for—”
“It’s your father,” Burns said.
Kade bit his tongue before he said,What father?
“I’m sorry to tell you this, son. But your father died this morning.” Burns lowered his hands like you would standing graveside in a show of respect.
Normally, hearing news of your parent’s death would be a cause for sadness. As far as Kade was concerned, his old man could go to hell. That was probably where he was headed anyway. Kade was more concerned about Zeke. “I’m not going anywhere except out of this hospital and back to the field.”
“You’ve been named executor of the will, so your family needs you back in Texas,” Burns said. Kade was from a small ranch community in North Texas. Burns was from San Antonio, which had spurred a lot of jokes once Kade’s buddies had found out why the man’s first name was Dallas. Rumor had it he was named after the city where he’d been conceived. No son wanted a daily reminder of his mother’s sex life. The jokes had written themselves. Kade knew better. No one made fun of the commander to his face or anywhere in his vicinity, and Kade was smart enough not to take a chance behind Burns’ back, either. He figured a person had no say in who their parents were and shouldn’t be punished for their mistakes, or Kade wouldn’t just go to hell; he’d be the one driving the bus. Then again, being named after the place your mother had sex didn’t classify as child abuse like the things Kade had endured at the hands of his father.
“As far as I’m concerned, all the family I need is right here, sir.” Kade had a soft spot for his sister, twin brothers, and younger brothers. He loved them even though he’d skipped his high school graduation to join the military. All told, there were six Sturgess children, with Kade being the oldest. It made sense that his no-good father would name Kade as executor based on his seniority and the fact he had sperm. Beaumont Sturgess believed a woman’s place was in the kitchen or the bed, serving her husband. What an asshat!
Taking the helm of the family business wasn’t a job Kade could stomach. He’d die before he went back to take his “rightful” place at the family ranch. His father might have grown the Sturgess empire, but the tradition of the oldest male heir taking over the business had died with Beaumont. Period.
“I thought you might say that.” Burns studied Kade before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a folded-up piece of paper. He smoothed it out before holding it out.
Kade tensed, looking at the note like it was a bomb about to explode. Had Beaumont believed a note would undo all the years of physical and mental abuse?
“Go ahead and take it,” Burns urged, reaching out his arm to bring it closer. Kade must have withdrawn because Burns added, “It’s a message from your sister.”
Kade forced relaxation into his shoulders as he took the offering and read the note.
