Shiver(36)

“Yes,” she slowly answered.

“I’m impressed.” He raked a hand through his hair. Her eyes were caught on how the light reflected in the dark depths, highlighting a bit of red. He needed a haircut. “You are an amazing artist.” He glanced at her again. “Can I see your studio?”

She caught her breath. Her studio was private. Yes, she gave lessons there, had students and family running through there all the time, but Aidan would see more than the others did. It would be like inviting him inside part of her soul.

Tern bumped into Raven, saw the pottery unpacked on the table. “Oh, good. You brought the pie plates for Mrs. Norwick. She just came in, and she brought a friend.” Tern grabbed the pottery and returned to the sales floor, anticipating another sale.

Raven heard oohs and ahhs from the other room, but the storeroom seemed to be closing in on her. Suddenly she was too hot. Yeah, she hadn’t taken off her coat, and it was warm in here, but that wasn’t why. It was Aidan. He was getting too close, asking too much, seeing too much.

“I…uh…I’m going to get that last box.” She turned and rushed out of the room, through the gift shop, not stopping until she was outside at the back of the Suburban, where no one could see her. She fell against the door and unzipped her coat, letting the cold air slap her heated skin.

But nothing seemed to slow the rapid beating of her heart.



Aidan stood to follow Raven, but Tern entered the room.

“You broke Raven’s heart when you left the last time.” Tern blocked the exit and planted her hands on her hips. “Are you going to do it again?”

What? “She’s the one who told me to get lost.” He shook his head. “She broke my heart.”

Tern advanced into the room. “She was hurting. You should have waited, given her time. You should have known better.”

“Staying wouldn’t have helped anyone.”

“She needed you, Aidan.”

“I was the last person she needed or wanted to see then.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Your dad had been killed. She blamed me for it.”

“She was hurting, she lashed out. People do that. They hurt the ones they love the most because those are the people who are supposed to stay and be able to take it. If you aren’t here to make amends, then make your trip short. Don’t let her care for you again. It almost killed her the last time.”

Were they talking about the same woman? “She looks like she’s done just fine without me.” There were no signs that Raven had suffered. She had a loving family around her. A business that was thriving. She seemed happy.

“Maybe outwardly it seems that way. But she doesn’t date. Ever. She works too hard, never vacations, never cuts loose like she used to. She’s different. A shell of who she once was.”

“She’s matured.”

Tern shook her head, her long hair flowing around her shoulders. “This is different. She’s old. Not mature. Grandma Coho acts younger than Raven.” She sighed and looked away for a second before stabbing him with her huntress stare. “If you hurt her again, I will come after you this time. I will make you suffer like no one has made you suffer before. Got that?”

“Tern, the situation between us is really none of your business.”

“Have you met my family? Of course it’s my business. That’s the way we work. You hurt her, you hurt all of us. And we defend those who would think to harm us.”

“You done?” Raven demanded standing in the doorframe. Aidan wondered how long she had been listening. How much she’d heard. “Time to go, Aidan. I need to get back, and I still need to stop and get the things on Mom’s list.”

Tern had buttoned up as soon as Raven had announced her presence, but the look she gave Aidan spoke volumes. “I plan on coming out for Sunday dinner,” she said.

Aidan knew it was for his benefit. He’d been warned.

“Fine,” Raven said. “I’ll let Mom know.” She turned and left the room. Tern and Aidan followed. “I left the other box on the counter since you and Aidan were in deep discussion over my life.”

“Raven—”

“You know, Tern, Aidan’s right. What’s between us needs to stay between us.” She tightened her lips and then continued, “I don’t need a keeper.”

“I was just trying—”

“I know what you were doing, but I don’t need my younger sister fighting my battles. I can do that myself just fine.” She glanced fleetingly at Aidan before returning her attention to Tern. “I love you, sis. But enabling me doesn’t do me any favors.”