Shiver(23)

So much for that.

Now he needed to make the best of it, and maybe in the process, make some amends. He looked at Raven, and smiled. She’d fallen asleep curled up in the rocking chair. She looked so innocent, her hair tied back into a lose braid, wisps falling around her face. Her smooth skin was stained with dark crescents under darker lashes, highlighted by sharp cheekbones. She’d been beautiful as a child and a young woman. Now she was breathtaking.

“So what’s the story between you two?” Eva asked as she rewrapped his bandages.

“She hasn’t told you?”

“Would I be asking if she’d given me anything to go on? And before you tell me that it’s none of my business, remember who your pain pill supplier is.”

“We were really good friends once.”

“Right. If I were to guess, I’d say you guys were high school sweethearts. I wouldn’t be surprised if you two hooked up. Am I right?”

Aidan shrugged. Not agreeing or disagreeing. Not that it did any good as Eva continued.

“Of course, I’m right. I’ve watched you moon over her the last few days. Now, Raven, she plays things close to the chest. A lot like her brother, that one. But there has been more spark in her since you’ve returned.”

“She’s probably thinking of scenarios to get rid of me.”

“Oh, I’m sure of it. But at least she’s showing some fire.” Eva finished and gathered her supplies. “I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow unless you have a setback.” She pointed a sharp finger at him. “Don’t do that, got it? I want a good night’s sleep.” She rubbed her belly. “This little tyke does enough kicking to keep me up. I don’t need you adding to it. Understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good.” She turned to leave.

“Before you go, could you cover Raven up with a blanket?”

Eva’s smile turned soft. She grabbed the afghan that was folded on the other side of the bed and covered Raven with it. “Doubt she’ll get a lot of rest in that position.” She shrugged, turned to Aidan and pointed again. “No cartwheels.”

“Wouldn’t think of it.”

“Good patient.” Eva indicated the bag she’d dropped next to the side of the bed when she’d entered. “There are some clothes in there that ought to fit you. I assumed your clothes are stuck out at your father’s place. Can’t have you running around naked, though I’m sure some wouldn’t mind.” She gave his bare chest a long glance, and then she was gone, closing the door behind her.

Aidan lay on the bed, weak but aching to do something besides sleep. He picked up a notepad next to the phone on the nightstand and rooted around in the top drawer until he found a pencil. He hadn’t been able to write or draw since his dad’s death. His therapist had told him that he needed to work through it. Like he didn’t know that. He was paying her a hundred and fifty dollars an hour for ‘work through it.’ Many times he’d tried. The exercise had ended in frustration, a few broken pencils and one smashed drawing board. For months now, he hadn’t even bothered to pick up a pencil.

But this afternoon, with the weak light coming through the window, the snow softly falling outside and Raven slightly snoring, he began to draw.



Raven woke cramped, her legs and back aching. She straightened in the hard, wooden chair, her bones creaking in the silent room. Sleeping like this had to stop. She glanced over at the soft bed with longing. But sleeping with Aidan couldn’t happen again. She stood and stretched, yawning as she studied him. He was fast asleep. Dark lashes created deep shadows, making the smudges under his eyes even darker. He looked…strained. As if his body was going through motions needed to function, and that was all.

The clock on the bedside said five. But was it evening or morning? There was no telling with the sun hibernating.

She needed to see to Fox. It seemed like she hadn’t spent any quality time with her son in days, not with Aidan taking up all her time. She walked over to the bed and lightly laid her hand against his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. No fever. She made sure his covers were tucked around him, then grabbed the leftover tray from his lunch and quietly left the room.

A soft light at the end of the hallway guided her to the main living space. She nodded to the few guests sitting around visiting. Must be five in the evening. Fiona would probably get a few extra reservations from this snow storm for the weekend. The snow machine trails in and around Chatanika were legendary.

She made her way into the kitchen and found her younger sister, Chickadee. She hadn’t seen her in days, either. Hadn’t even thought of her. Showed where her head had been. She’d neglected her son and forgotten her baby sister. Aidan definitely had to leave. She needed to get back to her life.