“He gives you any trouble, you talk to me.” Aidan eyed Peter, who was pulling at the collar of his t-shirt.
Sonya laughed and patted Aidan on the shoulder. “Glad to know someone will be watching out for the two of them. Thanks, Aidan.” Her face was soft and caring as she regarded him. Probably those pregnancy hormones.
“Just how long do you two plan to stay?” he asked, the question directed at Garrett. While Aidan didn’t find the fish cop as offensive anymore, he was still damned obnoxious.
“We’re leaving in the morning.”
“We have anything to drink to that?”
Garrett threw his head back and laughed. “You know, given enough distance, I might get to like you.”
“Hell, I hope not.” Aidan had a tough time keeping the grin off his face.
Raven had been home from the hospital for two days. Other than the day Tern had brought her home, with the excuse that she had to check things out in Chatanika since everything had gone to hell, she hadn’t seen Aidan. He’d given her a nod, asked if she needed anything and then when she said she didn’t, he’d left. Eva and Lynx had returned with little Lark. With the newborn baby in residence, not much attention was given to Raven, which was just the way she needed it. She had a lot to think about.
On the third day, Raven got out of bed, showered, stared too long in the mirror at the ugly stitches and shaved section of hair above her ear. Her hair grew down to the middle of her back, how was she going to work with the shaven path? For now, she carefully pulled a brush through the long mass and left it to hang. At least that covered most of the area. She’d have to make an appointment with a beautician to see what kind of hairstyle worked with bullet wounds.
Fox had taken his dog team out for a much needed run, promising he wouldn’t go far and Tern was helping Fiona and Pike at the lodge.
She couldn’t put this meeting off any longer. She shouldn’t have put it off this long. But that blasted man had stayed away from her. Why? Why had he stayed away?
Because you acted like that was what you wanted, dimwit.
Dimwit was one word to describe her. Bitch was another.
There were a lot of names Raven called herself before she finally parked her Suburban next to Aidan’s rental. Smoke curled cheerfully from the stovepipe into the overcast sky. Snow had been cleared, creating a safe, direct path from the road to the back door of the cabin. While the cabin didn’t look inviting, it didn’t scare the pants off her either. She noticed some improvements Aidan had made on the way to the back door. Tin had been replaced on the roof, a new lean-to for wood had been built and stacked with logs waiting to be chopped.
Her hand shook as she raised it to knock on the door. It seemed like forever before it swung open.
Aidan stood there wearing blue jeans and a gray SeaHawks sweatshirt. His hair was too long, unruly and utterly adorable. His eyes widened in surprise. “Raven, what are you doing here?”
“Well, since you weren’t going to come and see me, it was up to me to come and see you.”
“I didn’t think you wanted to see me.”
“You were wrong.” She shivered. “Can I come in?”
“Yes, of course.”
He stepped aside and she entered the small area, brushing against him as she moved into the bigger room. She didn’t miss his sharp intake of breath.
“How are you feeling?” he asked as he took her coat, turning and hanging it on a hook that hadn’t been there before.
“Fine. I still have headaches, but the doctor said that was normal for now.” She glanced around the room. Blankets covered the old couch and draped over the two chairs, with a rug covering the floor where Roland had laid dead. A small desk had been set up in the corner and was covered in drawings. Some of the drawings were tacked to the wall. She knew what those drawings meant now and how talented a storyteller Aidan was. The last few days, she’d pored over his graphic novels. It was like seeing through a window at the last twelve years of his life. And a little into his soul.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?” he asked, shoving his hands in the front pocket of his jeans.
“No, thank you.” She stared at him now. He hadn’t shaved in days, but he seemed comfortable, decided she thought. As though he’d come to a realization. “You’re staying?”
“Yeah.” His jaw tightened and he straightened his shoulders as if ready to take a blow. “Fox is my son. I need to be here. He needs me in his life, and I need him in mine.”
Raven nodded. “You’re right.” His brows lowered in obvious confusion. “Fox does need you.” She took a deep breath and let her heart finally speak. “I need you too.”