Shiver(115)
The room, which had been full of love and well-wishes, went silent.
Then Tern laughed. “Your editor’s going to love this when it hits the Internet. Think of all the free press.”
Ah, hell. Aidan wanted to sink into the institutional gray walls. Just his luck, the networks were bound to pick the story up and broadcast his horrific family history.
“You’ll probably become even more popular.” Eva nodded.
“Yeah,” Lynx added. “Your family connections will finally be worth something. Bet they’ll add an extra zero to your next contract.”
He risked a glance in Raven’s direction. She was focused on the baby, but he knew she felt his gaze on her. The room turned silent again, until Fox who seemed clueless to the undercurrents said, “I’m hungry. Can we head to the cafeteria? I’m in the mood for Jello.”
“Sure,” Aidan said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had Jello.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Raven fell back against the pillows. Eva, Lynx, and little Lark had returned to their wing of the hospital. Aidan had taken Fox home, but Tern was still visiting. She’d had enough visitors. All she wanted was quiet and peace. Quiet so deep, she didn’t have to think. Her head still pounded and if she stood for too long the room spun. She’d be released tomorrow. Then what?
“Want to tell me what the hell that had been about?” Tern asked, waiting two seconds after the door had shut on Fox and Aidan.
“What was what about?”
“Come on. Don’t milk the concussion.” She planted her hands on hips covered in designer jeans. “You didn’t say one word after that interview.”
“What was I supposed to say?”
“Let me tell you something. You’re going to lose the only man you’ve ever loved if you don’t get over whatever this ‘thing’ is.”
Pain sliced behind her eyes and she had to shut them. “Can we do this later?”
“How much longer are you going to drag this out? It’s been twelve years.” Raven felt the bed give and opened her eyes enough to see Tern perched on the edge. “Is this still about Dad?”
Raven gave a heavy sigh. “When Dad was dying, he made me promise to stay away from Aidan.”
Tern sucked in her breath. “Oh, honey. Dad didn’t know what kind of man Aidan would grow into.” She covered Raven’s clasped hands with one of her own. “Dad knew who killed him. He was only trying to protect you. Do you really think he would make you promise something like that now?”
“I don’t know,” Raven whispered. It was too much effort keeping her eyes open. “I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
“You’ve got to listen to your heart. Lord knows, listening to your head has seriously fucked up your life.”
Aidan entered the restaurant of the lodge looking for Lana. He found her at a corner table with Sonya, Garrett, and Peter lending her support. It was late, and he’d seen Fox tucked into bed, camping in Chickadee’s room where she wasn’t letting him out of her sight.
She stood when she saw him and rushed over to give him a hug. “Hey, how is everyone?” she asked.
“Fine. They’re going to be fine.” He looked into her clear blue eyes. “How are you doing?”
“Okay.” She gave him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Really. I’m all right.”
They took a seat at the table. Sonya sat next to him, Lana on his other side, Peter next to her, and Garrett right across the table staring him down.
“CSI has released the cabin. Your cabin,” Garrett said. “You’re free to move back there whenever you want.”
“Are you planning on staying?” Sonya asked.
“I’ll have to make some adjustments to the cabin, but yeah, I’m staying.”
“I’m staying too.” Lana worried the edge of a napkin, looking shyly up at Aidan. “Would you mind if I lived closer?”
“No, that would be great. I’d love having you near, but you don’t want to stay at the cabin, do you?” Not in the place that her father had been murdered.
“Oh, no.” She shuddered. “Peter and I have been talking and I’ve decided to transfer from the University of Minnesota to UAF.” She looked at Peter with more than puppy love. “So, I’ll be living in Fairbanks.”
With Peter or on campus, Aidan wanted to ask, but didn’t feel it was his place. But then maybe it was. He was her family, her only male relative. He cleared his throat. “Uh, where in Fairbanks are you going to be living?”
Peter blushed but Lana smiled. This time it reached her eyes. “I hope to find a place on campus. If not, I’ll get an apartment.” She paused a moment. “Alone.”