Page 7 of The Cowboy’s Secret Lover

Faith knew there was more to the story. Yet, Kurt seemed to have run out of things to say. “Why?” she asked. “Why is it so important?”

“Erin needs surgery to regulate her heart rate.”

“An ablation,” said Faith. She was familiar with the procedure that used electricity to treat severe arrhythmia. “They’re fairly common.”

Kurt nodded. “But her heart rate is so erratic that without the procedure her heart will stop. She’s had the condition since birth and insurance won’t pay.”

The rest of the story became crystal clear and the realization hit her like a slap. Her face stung yet, she finished Kurt’s plan, “You want to win the money needed to pay for surgery and therefore save your daughter’s life.” On top of it all, there wasn’t a cardiologist in Bear Creek, which meant traveling for the surgery and an extended stay out of town. The entire procedure could cost more than $100,000—a large sum for almost anyone.

“Is that so bad?” he asked.

“No, it’s not, but…” She paused. “Kurt, you should never get back on a bull.”

“Are you really going to keep me from trying to save my daughter?”

Talk about being stuck between a rock and hard place. Then again, Faith wasn’t Kurt’s doctor, she was only the nurse who responded to his emergency. “The ultimate decision on what you can and can’t do rests with your physician. You can talk to them, see if they’ll change my recommendation.”

“If your recommendation can be changed,” said Kurt. “Then change it. You all but admitted that you’re wrong.”

“I did no such thing,” said Faith. She gritted her teeth. “I’m not wrong.”

Folding his arms over his chest, Kurt snorted. “Typical.”

She wasn’t about to let that insult go. “Typical?”

“You’ve always thought that you were better than everyone else. Smarter. Prettier. More talented. Richer. Whatever.”

“Staying here and arguing is a waste of time and energy. I don’t have either to spare. My prognosis and recommendation for you is final.”

Turning on her heel, Faith parted the curtains and stepped through. Erin, Kurt’s daughter, leaned on the wall and stared at her phone. She looked up as Faith approached. For the first time, Faith noticed the dark smudges under the girl’s eyes and the colorless hue of her lips. Both were signs of poor circulation—most likely caused by the birth defect.

Faith slowed her stride. “Your dad will be ready to go soon. You can wait with him if you want.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure,” said Faith, as she stood next to the young woman. “Anything.”

“Will my dad be okay?”

“Your father’s body has been through a lot,” said Faith. “Men weren’t meant to get on the backs of bulls. I supposed it would be best he retired now, but it would have been better if he’d never taken up the sport in the first place.”

Erin’s eyes filled with tears. She swiped them away with the back of her hand. “He’s doing all of this for me,” she said.

With a nod, Faith said, “Your father told me about your condition. The surgery. The insurance. All of it.”

“You can’t let him go back to the rodeo. I won’t let him kill himself to save me. He’s all I have in this world.”

“Your father said something very similar about you.” Reaching into the pocket of her lab coat, Faith withdrew a business card. “My cellphone number is at the bottom. If you need anything, at any time, call me.”

Erin took the card and tucked it into the case of her cellphone. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” said Faith. She began to walk away.

“One more thing.”

Stopping, Faith faced Erin again. “Yes?”

“He still has your picture up in our house, you know. The two of you are sitting on the tailgate of his truck, his arm is draped over your shoulder. You’re leaning in to his chest. He’s looking at you and smiling. It’s the happiest I’ve ever seen my dad.”