Gray Wolf Ranch

Chapter 31 - Wolf

"Nadine's ex," Huritt says.

I feel dizzy, and my chest tightens.

"Chris, are you okay?" Amy asks, and I shake my head in negative.

A loud beeping sound comes from nearby and suddenly I have medical personnel checking on me. The one I believe is a doctor determines I need more blood and oxygen. Amy and Huritt are allowed to enter again and I can't fight how fatigued I feel as she places her lips on my forehead.

I focus on the stand holding a plain IV next to the hospital bed, the one with blood gone. Nadine reads a book and lifts her face when she registers that I'm watching her.

"How are you feeling?" She stands up and kisses my face as her arms hug me softly.

"I believe I'm okay or maybe I'm still drugged. I will make sure that man never hurts you again," I caress her hair.

"You are a hero, Chris," Nadine holds my hand.

"I'm no hero."

"You knocked a man out with a spade while having a broken collarbone to protect Sebastian and Kitchi. You saved all of us."

"Where is he? How did he find me?"

"In a cell at the police station, going nowhere. He'd probably been following me for a while. I'm sorry I got you in my mess," Nadine face turns red and a few angry tears roll down her cheeks.

"It's okay, the important thing is that you are safe now and he can't escape," I caress her hand with my thumb.

"I only hope he rots in jail!" Nadine clears her tears roughly and pulls the chair closer to the bed.

"That's probably what many people wished for me when I was in jail."

Nadine pales at my words. "I'm sorry Chris. I- I would never-"

"And they were right. I deserved it then. The difference is that I swore I would never go back to that life, and I have kept my word."

"Kyle didn't even make it to jail. He's been on the run since the raid. He now has so many criminal charges pending that he won't escape easily from punishment."

"What I wonder is how on earth did he get in the ranch? Rowtag has security and cameras everywhere."

"The investigation is still going on. Row dropped me here before heading to the police station with the security film."

A small knock on the door interrupts us and I grin at Kitchi and Istu's sight.

"Dammit! You are like a bad weed, nothing can get rid of you," Kitchi shakes my hand, making me laugh.

"How are you feeling?" Istu asks while greeting me.

"Just woke up, and since there's no blood bag hanging there, I'll take it as a sign that I'm better. How are you doing Kit?"

"Still shaky. One moment I'm teasing Sebastian about having a girlfriend and a second later, he shoves me into a stable," Kitchi shows me the bruises on his arms.

"Chris, Amy will be here soon," Istu says. "Grandma convinced her to stay at the ranch until we are sure the man who did this doesn't have friends. Huritt escorted the police around the premises this morning."

We all catch up on the developments of the last hours and the theories on how the man trespassed the property.

"My feelings after the wolf appeared were right. He shows up when we need comfort or protection," Nadine says.

"Wolf? Oh, you must mean Grandpa."

We all stare at Kitchi, who leans against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Grandpa? What does the wolf have to do with Grandpa?" Istu asks wide-eyed.

"Hey, every-" is all Huritt gets to say as Amy and he enter the room.

"Kit, what do you know about the wolf?" Istu asks.

"I have seen it everywhere. By the edge of the... Green- Behind the main building..."

"Forest," I say, and he nods.

"By the stables, close to the campsite and on the trail rides. I saw it for the first time when the construction started," Kitchi shrugs like it's no big deal.

"Gray Wolf Ranch... You were the one who suggested that name," Huritt says.

"Yeah, I'm not that creative," Kitchi chuckles.

"You still haven't answered my question. What does the wolf have to do with Grandpa?" Istu says.

"Oh, that is simple. Grandpa is the wolf. Gray long hair, the same eye color as Dad's eyes, and he always had that necklace with a broken arrowhead. He always protected us, still does now in spirit, well, animal spirit."

"I need to go to Grandma," Huritt kisses Amy on the head in a hurry and leaves.

"What was that about?" Kitchi asks still looking at the door.

"I have an idea," Istu says. "Grandma's folklore doesn't seem like children stories anymore."

"Are you two official? I didn't have a chance before to ask," I say to Amy while the brothers discuss about their grandparents.

"We were on our way to share the news with everyone. I have accepted to date him, but honestly, we passed that stage a long time ago. We told his family last night," she looks at Istu and Kitchi, who have turned their attention to our conversation, and blushes.

"I'm glad you changed your mind," I say to her.

"Me too. I was getting fed up with Huritt moping around," Kitchi rolls his eyes, making us laugh.

I can't ignore the pain of my stitched wound and the broken bone, but truthfully, I would do it all over again if it means saving the people who matter to me.