Back Country (The Country Duet #2)(10)

“I get that, but think about you, and the experiences you would have.”

“Will do, Mom. I’ll get the bank info taken care of as well.”

“Love you, Hunter.”

“Love you, too, Mom.”

I end the call and can feel the application to study abroad burning a hole in my backpack. I look at it often, but haven’t filled it out yet. The deadline is approaching, but leaving Dave for a full semester is my downfall.

Shaking my head, I force myself to my car. The feedlot is near the University and the perfect distraction. The work is easy. However, putting up with the other employees who have never been around livestock is another issue.



I don’t even bother showering before going out to Dave’s. A little cow shit will be the least of my problems out there. I threw in my backpack, knowing it will be a late night with him. He’s been getting worse since the evening he had an accident in his recliner. The stubborn bastard refuses to go into the hospital or check back into a nursing home where he can be taken care of. He’s too damn tight with his money to worry about his health.

“Dave.” I shut the front door to his place.

No response.

“Dave,” I yell louder this time.

When I round the corner, Dave’s recliner is empty. I rush down the hall to his bedroom, only to find it empty. His sheets are soiled and rumpled. My heart comes to a halt when I peer over the edge of the bed and find it empty.

“Dave,” I holler louder this time and still no response.

The bathroom is empty. The shop is vacant as well. His little work truck is parked in its normal spot, along with his town car that I’ve never seen him drive. I clutch the top of my head beginning to panic. I have no idea how long it takes for me to grasp onto any common sense, but when I do my truck is already flying down his lane back to town.

I call every single quick care unit and hospital in the Moscow and Lewiston area. Just when I’m about to give up hope, I find him. My truck races down the highway. I grow pissed off more and more as each mile flies by me. The mail lady knows to call me when Dave is found. I check my phone to make sure that I didn’t have any missed calls.

Racing into the familiar setting of the emergency room waiting area, I’m out of breath and full of concern and dread for my best friend.

“Dave Hendricks.” I place my hands on my head to calm my breathing. “I’m here for Dave Hendricks.”

The overweight receptionist behind the counter is less than impressed. “Are you family?”

Same day, different damn dance.

“No, but I’m the only one he has.”

“Sorry, family members are the only ones allowed back into the emergency room.”

“I understand that,” I grit out. “He’ll be asking for me.”

She peers over her glasses glaring straight at me. “Hospital policy.”

My fists clench and unclench at my side. “He needs me. You don’t understand, he doesn’t hear very well or listen to orders. I can get through his thick head.”

“Again, young man, you are more than welcome to take a seat, and I’ll let the doctors know someone is here for him.”

“Thanks for all your help,” I flip back to her in a sarcastic voice.

I get that everyone has bad days at their job, but it would be nice to see this woman care about the situation, whether Dave is family or not. I’ve seen amazing nurses with my time spent with Dave and others less desirable. I plop down in a chair burying my head in my hands. The torrent storm of worry running through my system is genuine.

The sharp pains in my right side, strike with violence. It’s been getting worse day by day, but I’ve managed to ignore it. I grab my side, then pull out a textbook and try my best to study. The pain too distracting to actually digest any information. I send out a quick text to Connor asking him for his notes. Mine are back at my apartment. Slowly but surely, he sends them via text picture message.

After long minutes of trying to read the notes, I decided on hitting up a vending machine. My options are minimal with the way my gut has been acting up. I grab water and a turkey sandwich. I notice a new receptionist behind the desk and decide to ask her, only to end up with the same result.

Sitting back down, I catch a glimpse of my favorite color. That hypnotizing, thick, auburn hair, pulled up in a messy bun. The woman’s back is to me as she rounds a corner leading down a different hallway. I catch the tiniest of glimpses and would swear it was Teale. I shake the confusion from my head and chalk it up to being exhausted and stressed.

Two bites of the sandwich and I’m racing to a bathroom. The pain nearly unbearable, but I rinse out my mouth and head back to the seat. A tall nurse is talking to the receptionist with her hands flying wildly in the air.

“Hunter. Is there a Hunter Yates in here?”

I peer over my shoulder and see that there are only three other women in here. I bite down on my tongue, trying like hell to control my frustration then stand up.

“I’m Hunter.”

“Dave is persistent about his man. He won’t stop and has been begging for his man, and is demanding to have you back there.”

I nod. “Well, I’ve been out here waiting to go back there. I knew he’d need me.”

The receptionist ducks her head and the nurse shrugs. “Follow me.”