QUOTE : She’s going to be fine,” he told Judd, clapping him on the shoulder. “It’s just a matter of time, now. You can stop holding your breath.” <br /><br />Judd thanked him and then went down the hall and leaned against the wall trying to compose himself. He’d been in hell for so long that the relief was devastating. She would live. She was going to live. He brushed away the<br />quick moisture in his eyes. <br /><br />Cash came up beside him, a question in his eyes. <br />“She’s going to make it,” Judd said huskily. <br />“Thank God,” Cash said with heartfelt relief. <br />“What about Clark?” he asked suddenly, having only <br />just remembered the man. <br />“Patched up and in jail, probably for the rest of his life <br />after the trial,” Cash assured him. He was watching the <br />other man closely. “I think you should know what Tippy <br />told me,” he added, hating to reveal it even now. It meant <br />an end to all his own hopes. <br />“Yes?” Judd prompted. <br />“She saw Clark step out and aim the gun at you. She <br />didn’t have time to react, and neither did Crissy. She said<br />Crissy realized you wouldn’t be able to save yourself, and <br />she deliberately stepped out in front of the gun.” <br />Judd’s intake of breath was audible. <br />“Tippy was devastated when she saw it,” he continued. <br />“She said she felt ten kinds of a fool for the trouble she’d <br />caused between the two of you, when she knew how much <br />Crissy cared.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t have told <br />you if Crissy had died. But you should know. I’ll go call <br />Maude and give her the good news.” <br />He turned and walked away. Judd stood there like a <br />statue, absorbing the statement with a feeling of utter humility. Christabel had taken the bullet meant for him. <br />She’d been willing to give her own life to save him. He’d <br />never dreamed she cared so much. He was absolutely<br />without words. Now he had to find a way to rebuild the <br />bridges he’d burned. It wasn’t going to be easy.