Page 69 of Rangers Last Promise

“You were shot.”

“Grazed.”

Blood spreads along his ribs.

“That is not fine.”

“It didn’t enter.”

He tries to rise.

I put my hand against his chest and shove him down.

“Stay.”

His eyebrows lift.

“You’re giving me orders now?”

“I’m a deputy.”

“And I’m a medic.”

“You can be both after I make sure you aren’t dying.”

Wolf races toward the stairs while Sheriff Tate covers the walkway. Deputies shout from outside that someone is crossing the roof.

Hampton.

I want to go after him, but blood runs between my fingers where my hand is pressed to Doc’s side.

He was shot because Hampton knew exactly how to get to him.

Grant.

Use Grant, and Doc stops thinking about himself.

“Mara.”

“What?”

“You can stop trying to push me through the floor.”

“I’m applying pressure.”

“To a graze.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I felt the bullet.”

“Unless you caught it and examined it, your opinion doesn’t count.”

His mouth twitches.

“Was that almost a smile?”

“No.”