Chapter 9
Naomi frownedwhen her phone went off after eight o’clock Sunday night. Thinking it was one of the other ladies, she didn’t bother looking at the caller ID before answering.
“Hello?”
“Naomi Alcott?” an unfamiliar voice asked.
“Yes?”
“Hi, this is Tessa Hillard.”
“Okay, but do I know you? I’m sorry, but your voice or name aren’t familiar to me.”
“Sorry about that,” the woman laughed softly. “I’m Doctor Hillard. You sent an e-mail to my colleague, which was passed to me, since they are on vacation. As soon as I read the message you sent, I did some digging.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, before I can help you, I’d like to do a couple of things.”
“What?”
“First, I need your original records, I would like to e-mail you a consent form, which you can sign and get back to me so I can request those records. While I’m waiting for them, I’d like to run some tests on you.”
“Such as?” Naomi worried her bottom lip with her teeth.
“X-rays, CAT Scan, MRI. I can send the order to the hospital and you can come in whenever you can in the next few days.”
“Doctor, I work until five or six at night. I’d have to move things around in my schedule if you want me to come during the day. I’m also almost two hours away from the hospital. I also have another concern.” Naomi didn’t wait for her to respond before she drew in a deep breath and let it out in a rush. “I don’t want my family to know you asked for my medical records. If you did some research as you said, then you know how my accident happened?”
“I do, and I’m so sorry for the loss of your horse. Regarding the records, it is a violation of the HIPAA law if they were to find out I requested your records. Since you were over the age of twenty-one when the accident happened, and are still, then they have no say in the matter as to the contents of your file. As for the time to get the tests, any time that you can make it would work. I’ll put it on the order that you’re coming a distance.”
Naomi sat there for several seconds in silence, grateful the doctor didn’t try to fill the void. “Okay, with a day’s notice, I can rearrange my schedule to come in around three o’clock on Tuesday.”
“That will work perfectly. I’ll let them know you’re coming. I’ve already sent you the request for your consent, if you could get that back to me as soon as possible, I’ll get the ball rolling in that direction.”
“Will I see you when I come in for the tests?”
“No, I want to do further research first. I want to compare your scans from when the accident first happened to now. When you arrive for your tests, you’ll go to registration. Once there you’ll register and be taken to get your scans. If asked, tell them at registration that you need to see a Doctor Herb Powers. He’s a technician, and he’ll know what I want.”
“Okay, thank you Dr. Hillard.”
“You’re welcome. I just have one more question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“How long have you been paralyzed, and what did the doctors say? I’m only asking because I don’t have a lot of information in your chart here.”
“I don’t make annual visits because the doctors told me that the paralysis is permanent, and that I’ll never walk again. I figured I didn’t need to come in and see anyone if I didn’t experience any changes.”
“I can understand that, and the accident with your horse was when the paralysis began?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, I look forward to seeing you in person soon, Ms. Alcott. I’ll reach out to you once I get the original files and the new test results.”
“Thank you, Dr. Hillard, but please, call me Naomi.”
“Okay, Naomi, I’ll let you go for now. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.” They hung up and Naomi sat there in silence for a long time before she roused herself enough to grab her laptop to access her e-mail. Five minutes later, she sent her consent back to the doctor and crossed her fingers that she received it. Once that was done, she readied herself for bed. It was a long time before she fell asleep. Every time she did, she’d jerk awake when memories of her accident came rushing back to her. She lay awake for a long time before finally dozing off.
“Riceman,”Clark barked into his phone, not bothering to check the ID. It was early Tuesday morning and he was finishing up reading the files Erin had given him. He had finished all of the ones about Erin’s Way, and had started on Broken’s.
“Clark Riceman?”
“Yes, who’s this?”
“Jake Cogburn. Brotherhood Protectors. You were in Gunny’s bar when a man came in looking for a Naomi Alcott.”
“Oh, yes, did you find out anything?”
“Yes, I don’t know if it’s good news or bad news, though.”
“Tell me.” Clark leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. If someone was after one of his people, then he wanted to know about it so he could plan to take action against them if they came after her or anyone on the property.
“Patrick Clemmons is a horse trainer.”
“Okay, what does that have to do with Naomi?”
“He was a horse trainer on the Double A ranch over in Wyoming at the time of Naomi’s accident.” Jake paused, then spat out, “Naomi’s family ranch. The ranch where her father still resides. After some digging, it turned out that Mr. Clemmons was the man that trained the horse that fell during that race.”
“Shit, so he might know what happened to make the horse fall?”
“Correct, but he also might be the person responsible for causing that horse to fall. After meeting him at Gunny’s bar, I told my men about him. While they are out and about doing their own duties, they’ve reported back to me that Mr. Clemmons is still in the area.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah, what do you want me to do?”
“Nothing just yet. Let me talk to Naomi to see if I can’t get a feel for the situation first. I don’t want to hit her in the face with this, if you know what I mean? I’d like to feel her out to see if she has any resistance to questioning Clemmons.”
“I do, I have all the information here if you want to bring her in and talk.”
“Thanks, Jake, what do I owe you?”
“Nothing.” Jake hung up and Clark looked at his phone with a shake of his head. He quickly programmed Jake’s number into his phone, wrote out a quick note, and left the house. Outside, the first person he saw was Lloyd coming from what his former teammates referred to as the sex barn, where they bred the mares, or gathered the sperm. Shaking his head at the name they had given it, he raised his hand to his friend.
“Hey, I was thinking of heading over to Broken. Exactly how do I get there?”
“You haven’t been over there yet?”
“No.”
“Oh, follow this road for about five miles. When you get to the fork, left are the cabins, right is the barn.”
“Thanks, Lloyd.” Clark slapped him on the shoulder and went to his truck. His mind was a million miles away as he drove the track, and after being jostled for the third time, he started paying attention. He made a mental note to talk to Erin about getting the road grated and stone brought in, but that might have to wait until spring. As he drove up a hill, he slammed on his brakes as he saw the view before him.
“Holy shit, Rin,” he whispered as he spotted the barn, then off to the left were several cabins. “I’m impressed, it’s like you made another complete ranch.” He eased his truck forward with his head on a swivel the entire way. He really liked what he saw as he approached. After parking at the end of the row of trucks, he got out and looked around with his hands on his hips. The more he saw, the more he liked. Hearing the bray of a mule, Clark whipped around and saw one in the pasture. Shaking his head, he entered the barn and waited until his eyes adjusted to the dimness after being outside in the sun.
As he began to make out shapes, he stepped forward, then stopped when he saw Pru riding a horse amongst others.
“Hey, boss man!” Pru called out, and rode over toward him.
“Why aren’t those horses in their pens, or at least tied up?” He wasn’t angry, just curious.
“Because we need to get them familiar with each other while one is riding.”
“Why?”
“Because if we have a client on a horse, we don’t want another horse with another client riding to get spooked.”
“Oh.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Is Naomi around?”
“She’s in her office. Down that hall.” Pru pointed, and Clark turned on his heel to head in that direction. He had no problem finding the office, not with the large windows where everyone could see in, and anyone inside could see out. He knocked on the window and waited until she looked up. He didn’t know whether he read her expression correctly or not, but one thing for sure was that she showed shock at seeing him there. He sighed in relief when she waved him inside.
“You got a minute?” he asked with a smile on his face.
“Actually, no. I’m finishing up things here and getting ready to head out. Don’t worry, Erin knows I’m leaving early.”
“I’m not worried about that, I just need to talk to you about something.” He looked over both shoulders and then back at her. “Alone.”
“Can it wait?”
“I prefer not to. Can I ask why you’re in a hurry to leave?”
“Because I have a doctor’s appointment over in Colorado Springs at three.”
“Oh.” Clark scowled, then shook his head. “Why don’t I drive you, then we can talk on the way.” He shrugged when she whipped her head in his direction and stared at him in shock. “What I need to talk to you about is very important, and I don’t want the others to overhear.”
“Are you firing me?”
“No, why would you think that? It has nothing to do with your job here at Broken.”
“Oh.” Naomi sat there for several minutes, then sighed heavily. “I’m going to the hospital in Colorado Springs to have some tests done. I don’t know how long I will be.”
“That’s fine, I’ll even buy you dinner afterward.”
“Pizza? I’ve been craving pizza.” She grinned at his snorted laugh, then covered her face with her hands as she chuckled at his expression. “Yeah, I’m a cheap date.”
Clark shook his head and laughed along with her. “I could go for pizza. What time is your appointment?”
“Three.”
“Okay, would you mind if I drove? I figured we could talk on the way, and I don’t want you to get upset and wreck your truck after you learn what I have to discuss with you.”
“You’re absolutely sure you’re not going to fire me?”
“I am one hundred percent sure. SEAL’s honor.” He held up his fingers and she shook her head at him.
“Okay, but if you lied to me, I’m going to hit you.”
“Absolutely.” Clark grinned, then his sister’s voice could be heard in his ear. “What do I need to do?”
“Where are you parked?”
“At the end of the row of trucks, next to the green one.”
“That’s Opal’s. My truck is the small red one. If you could bring your truck over and park it there, but not too close. There are two planks propped up against the barn. I don’t know if they’re on the outside or in. They need to go down over the mud so I can wheel up to your truck. Once I’m in, they have to be picked up again so they don’t get sucked in.”
“I understand.” Clark looked up and smiled. “Does Denver know where they are?”
“Yes, he laid them down for me this morning.”
“I’ll be right back.” Clark said as he exited the office, then called out to Denver. After talking with him, the two of them walked out of the barn, giving Naomi the extra couple of minutes to finish the papers she’d been working on. Once that was done, she gathered her jacket and purse, and wheeled herself out. The entire time, she wondered what on earth Clark had to talk to her about if he wasn’t going to fire her. She would have to wait and see.
Outside, she saw Denver directing Clark where to park, then the boards were laid down. By the time she got to the passenger door, Clark stood next to Denver on the boards.
“What do you want me to do?” Clark asked. “I was informed that it would be rude of me to pick you up and put you in the truck if you didn’t ask for help.”
“It would, and thank you for acknowledging that. My truck is equipped with hand controls, and it’s low enough to the ground that I can get in and out, and still fold up my chair. I can get myself in your truck, but I won’t be able to lean out and fold my chair without falling out. If you could do that, I’d appreciate it.”
“Tell me when. Do I need to hold it for you?”
“No, the brakes are on.” He watched as she double checked, then like a pro, she used the door, the seat, and the holy shit handle to effortlessly to get herself into the passenger seat of his truck. Once her seatbelt was on, she looked at him with a grin.
“Now, all you have to do is pick the seat up from the middle, from the front.” She pointed and Denver was the one to lean down and grip the area, but then backed away. Clark gripped where Denver just had, then looked at Naomi.
“What next?”
“Lift.”
Clark scowled, but did and saw the chair started folding in half. He looked at Denver with a grin. “Hell of a lot easier than the ones in the hospital in Germany, especially the one Reid came home in.”
“Yeah, it’s lighter too, that’s why I think Naomi can do it by herself.”
Clark knew what to do after that, and once the chair was folded in half, he was able to fold the legs and foot rests, then opened the back door of his truck and put the chair in behind Naomi, but not before lifting the back seat for more room. With the door shut, he nodded to Naomi, slapped Denver on the arm, then went around to the driver’s side. Before he had turned around, Denver had the boards up and was taking them inside the barn.
On the way back toward Erin’s Way, Clark’s head was on a swivel again, and he said in awe. “One of these days, I’d really like a tour of the place. This is nothing like I pictured in my head.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
“Good, what I see here is a thousand times better than what I pictured.” He looked over and sucked in his breath at her beauty with pride shining in her expression.
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“Let’s wait until we’re on the road. I think I know where I’m going, but it’s been years since I’ve been to Colorado Springs. You’ll probably have to give me directions once we get closer.”
“Okay, but once we pull out of Erin’s Way, take a right, and stay on that road for about an hour.”
“Got it.” Clark continued to drive through the ranch, looking at everything as he did. The snow that he had driven in on the way home had melted, and everything was brown with only hints of green grass. Once he left the ranch, he settled in and ten minutes later, he started the conversation.