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When she didn’t return, he called the wardens to check for her, too lazy to do so himself.  When he was informed of her injury, he didn’t drop everything to be at her side, he was concerned about his meeting.  Hell of a friend.
    Chance stirred beside him.  Her head shifted from left to right.  He swung his feet of f of their perch and pulled the chair so it faced her bed. Her eyes opened and surveyed the room confused.
    “ Welcome back,” Tuck greeted.  She pulled the oxygen down from her nose.  “No, no.  Leave that there.”  He leaned over her and positioned it back under her nose.
    She lo cked her eyes with his.  “This—it wasn’t all a bad dream.”  She moved the oxygen again.
    He shook his head slightly.  “ I wish I could tell you it was.”  She closed her eyes and furrows formed at her brows. 
    “ Then tell me it was, please.”
    “ It’s over now.”  He sat on the edge of his chair.  “A few stitches and you’re good as new, just like I told you.”
    “ I don’t feel new.”  She opened her eyes and tried to smile, but she couldn’t follow through with the motion. 
    “ You’re hurt.”  She spied the large bandage on his head.  “What happened?”
    “ Nothing.  It’s a scratch.”
    “ Liar.”  She had great difficulty keeping her eyes open.  “I hope it wasn’t my fault.”
    “ God, no.  No, it wasn’t your fault.”  He laughed a little at his clumsiness.  “It was all me.”
    “ Tuck.”
    “ Yeah.”
    “ The plane is out there.  I’ll show you.”  She fought to keep her eyes open. 
    “ Try to rest.  Your family will be here soon.” 
    She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath.  She fell asleep as quickly as she’d awoken.  She was adamant about the plane, didn’t even ask about the poachers.  Maybe she was trying to protect herself from the trauma of being shot.  The plane story would be unfounded.  There hadn’t been a plane crash in those desolate woods during any era.  Should be an interesting tale none-the-less he thought.  He took a few Tylenol he had in his cargo style pants which he’d stowed away on his trip to his truck earlier.  They didn’t even take a slight edge off the pain.
    5 p.m.
    The following two hours dragged.  Dragged was a n understatement.  They crawled.  Every tick of the clock above him a reminder of how slow time passed.  A nurse came in now and again to check on her, but otherwise the clock and the machines were the only noises to break the silence.
    Hushed voices exchan ged words outside her door.  A middle aged woman with a worry laden face walked into the room cautiously.
    “ Warden Johnston.”  She forced a smile.
    “ She’s been asleep for a few hours,” Tuck whispered. 
    Mary Phillips leaned over the bed. 
    “You gave us quite a scare Chance.”  She kissed her forehead.  “We’re here honey.”  She stroked the side of her daughter’s face.
    “ I’m going to head home.  Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything.”  Tuck moved toward the door.
    “ Mr. Johnston.”  Tuck turned.  She closed the few steps that separated them and wrapped her shaking arms around him. 
    “ Thank you.  Thank you so much.  You saved our daughter and for that we can never repay you.”
    “ Her doctors deserve far more credit than I do.”  She released her grip on him.  “I’m glad she’s going to be okay, ma’am.” 
    “ What about the men who did this to her?”
    Tuck wished he had a better answer. 
    “We don’t have any suspects as of yet.” 
    She sighed. 
    “We’ll find them.”
    “ Thank you for all you’ve done.” 
    “ When she wakes and is able to answer a few questions, call this number.”  Tuck took a notepad from his cargo pocket and scribbled a number on it. “That is Sergeant Michael Kerr’s number.  And if you aren’t able to reach him, you have mine.”
    Mary clutched the paper.  “ Okay.” 
    Jaco b Phillips had to take a different