Page 9 of The Cowboy’s Secret Lover

Kurt could hardly afford the emergency room visit, much less an extended hospital stay—especially since he needed money for Erin’s surgery. “I’m fine,” he said again. Closing his eyes, he leaned back in the seat. Much of the pain ebbed away, leaving him simply uncomfortable. “Truly,” he said. “I’m fine.”

Putting the car in drive, Erin pulled out of the hospital lot. Within minutes, the small town of Bear Creek was in the rearview mirror. Despite the fact that he was on his way home, Kurt kept replaying the argument with Faith.

“Kurt, you should never get back on a bull,” she said.

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

“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.” Faith gritted her teeth. “I’m not wrong.”

Kurt snorted. “Typical.”

“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.”

Then again, she’d said that a doctor to overrule her decision. That gave him another option. Removing the phone from his pocket, Kurt pulled up the contact for his personal physician and the head of surgery at Bear Creek—Dr. Adams. He placed the call.

Dr. Adams answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Doc, this is Kurt Crawford. I have a problem.”

“I saw a replay of your ride and fall on WSN. I’d say you have more than one problem.”

“It’s the fall that I’m calling about. There was a nurse who saw me at the arena and came with me to the hospital. She said that I can’t ride anymore—like ever again.” Kurt looked over at Erin. She gripped the steering wheel and stared straight ahead. He hated to have the conversation in front of his daughter, but he needed to get clearance from Doc Adams as soon as possible—preferably now.

Dr. Adams asked, “Did she say why?”

“She says there’s brain damage and another fall, well, it wouldn’t be good.”

“That sounds pretty serious…”

“Here’s the thing,” said Kurt, interrupting the doctor. “She also said that I’m not her patient. She said that you could have a different finding than she does. She said you could change her order.”

“A head injury is serious. I’m not inclined to second guess what another practitioner recommended—not without examining you first.”

“She all but admitted to being wrong,” said Kurt. He’d begun to sweat.

From the driver’s seat, Erin said, “Daddy, you don’t need to do this.”

Ignoring his daughter’s plea, he looked out the passenger window. The khaki colored Texas plains stretched out to the horizon. “But you can see me? I can come back to the hospital now.”

“I know that you’re used to getting your way,” said Dr. Adams. “But I’m not changing the nurse’s recommendation. Who saw you, by the way?”

“You know Faith McGregor?” Kurt asked.

“She’s a smart practitioner. You’d be smart to listen to her advice.” Dr. Adams paused. “She graduated from Bear Creek High School. Was she a classmate of yours?”

“She was uppity back then—and she hasn’t changed much.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t like her then or now. But I will give you one piece of advice. Talk to her. She’s not unreasonable. You might be surprised if you ask nicely.”

“I didn’t get any points today and if I don’t ride tomorrow, then I’m out of the rodeo.” He’d never make it to nationals—nor would he get the money he needed to pay for Erin’s surgery.