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and the doctor took it.
    “ If you hadn’t found her when you did, this wouldn’t have a happy ending.”  He let go of Tuck’s hand.  The doctor walked back to the ER doors, but took one fleeting look.  Tuck’s head was against the wall, his eyes closed.  The weight of the world had been lifted off of his shoulders.
    “ Mr. Johnston,” the doctor called his attention.  “Are you staying?”
    Tuck could leave with a clear conscience.  She was going to pull through and her family was on their way .  There was no reason for him to stay.
    “ Her family won’t be flying in until late this evening.” 
    The doctor could read the unspoken words.
    “Follow me.”  Tuck obeyed.  They meandered through the hallways until they got to RC140.  “You’re welcome to stay with her.  She’ll be out for a while yet.  It’s quieter in here.  You look like you could pass out yourself.  Take a nap.”
    “ Thanks.”  The doctor’s comment obviously meant he looked like shit.
    “ I’ll let the attending know you’re with her.  You won’t have any problem.” 
    Tuck felt a sudden pang of angst, but ignored it and proceeded into her room.  She looked as though she had barely escaped death.  The machines attached to her b eeped and chirped.  She had what looked like IVs in both arms and was on oxygen. He felt relief in seeing her, reaffirming that she was alive, but little more.  Tuck called her parents and reached their voicemail.  They were in the air, but would get the message when they landed.  He then called her editor. 
    “ Tell me she is okay,” Paul answered in his usual short manner.
    “ The doctor said he expects her to make a full recovery.  She’s out of surgery and resting.”
    “ Thank God.”  He exhaled.  “I should be able to sneak away within the next hour.  I’m trying to move this meeting along.”
    “ There isn’t anything you’ll be able to do.  Don’t kill yourself trying to get here.”
    “ I’ll be there.  Thank you.”  He hung the phone up.  Obviously this man didn’t handle stress well.  Tuck sat in one chair, propped his feet up in another, and slid his hat over his eyes.  He wouldn’t sleep, but the light intensified his pounding headache. 
    Tuck passed out in a deep sleep until footsteps at his side woke him. Abruptly he shot up from the chair, his hat plummeting to the floor .
    “ Stand down.”  The nurse was as startled as he.  “I’ll only be a moment.” 
    He wiped off his face with his hand.  The pain in his head was debilitating, but he tried to get past it.   Tuck looked down at his watch. 3 p.m.  He’d slept for nearly four hours.  He had several missed calls on his phone, all from Paul and her parents. 
    “ How is she?” he asked the nurse.
    “ She’s doing well.  She’s a fighter.”  The nurse flipped a sheet of paper on her clipboard.  “If I ever need help, I hope you’re the one who comes to my rescue, warden.”  She flashed him a flirty smile and winked at him.
    “ Part of the job.”  He didn’t return her playfulness.  Under different circumstances he might have been interested in this cute flirty nurse, but on that day his interest could be measured in negative degrees.  She continued to smile and admire him until she got the message that he wasn’t interested.
    “ Let me know if you need anything.” 
    “ Thank you.” 
    She retreated out the door.  Tuck listened to the messages.  Her par ents had landed in Ohio at 2 p.m.  Paul’s message said he’d been at the hospital, but they would neither give him any information, nor let him see Chance.  Frustration was heavy in his voice.  After an hour of bickering with bitchy nurses, he went back to work.  Paul requested Tuck call when he was available.  Tuck closed the phone.  He had no intention of returning Paul’s call.  His standing in Tuck’s opinion was only slightly above the shooter.  Paul had sent her into those woods alone.