He made his way to the main building, stopping to pet Wheatie and give her an apple. Even though Wheatie seemed happy to see him, she looked past him as if she was searching for Bailey. When she didn’t see her, she turned doleful eyes back to Aaron.
“I know you miss her, girl,” he said softly to the horse, stroking her silky head. “I do, too, but she’ll be back this evening and I know she’ll want to come out here to see you.”
Wheatie nudged him gently with her nose and snorted like she understood what he was saying. With one more pat, he left Wheatie in the paddock and continued toward the lodge. He was a little bit nervous about this conversation with Xavier and Lawson, because not only did he want to talk about fully returning to work, but he also had something else important that he wanted to ask them.
When he stepped through the doors of the lodge building, he saw Hannah.
He waved at her. “Hey, Hannah, have you seen Lawson and Xavier? I was hoping to have a meeting with both of them.”
Hannah’s brows shot up. “Yeah, I think they’re both in Lawson’s office. Is everything okay?”
“Yep. Everything is great,” he replied reassuringly.
Something like relief passed over her face. He knew she worried about everyone after the fire and the other things that had happened that night.
“How is Bailey liking her new job at the police department?” she asked. “I feel like I haven’t had much of a chance to talk to her about it because she’s been so busy.”
“She’s really loving it,” he said with pride in his voice.
“I’m so glad to hear that.” Hannah smiled. “Hopefully, I’ll catch up with her soon. But for now, I’m going to let you go track down the guys, and I need to head to town for some supplies.”
They said their goodbyes and Aaron continued down the hallway toward the offices. When he reached the outside of Lawson’s office, he knocked twice.
“Come in,” Lawson called.
Aaron opened the door and poked his head in, where he saw both Lawson and Xavier, just as Hannah had predicted. “Heyguys, I was hoping to have a conversation with you. Do you have a few minutes?”
Xavier and Lawson exchanged glances before looking back at him. “Sure,” Xavier said, gesturing to a chair next to him. “What’s on your mind, Aaron?”
Aaron took a seat and a fortifying breath before jumping in. “I’m ready to start working again.”
Lawson looked confused. “You have been working.”
“No.” Aaron shook his head. “I mean, like my real work. I want to get back to building and all of the things I was doing before my injury and surgery. Not the easy little odd jobs you’ve been creating to make me feel useful.”
“Aaron,” Xavier started. “You were shot only a few months ago. We just want you to have a chance to heal up before you’re back to climbing ladders and doing all of the other things you do.”
Aaron made eye contact with each of them. “I am healed up. My doctor cleared me and he said I can go back to my life—and work—as usual.”
The men smiled genuinely. “That’s great news, Aaron,” Xavier said. “Just promise to let one of us know if something is too much or if you start to feel like you need to take a step back again.”
“I will,” Aaron promised, and excitement bloomed in his chest.
“Was there anything else you wanted to talk to us about?” Lawson asked.
“Actually, yes, there is…” Aaron trailed off, trying to decide how he was going to bring up this next topic he wanted to talk to them about. “It’s about Bailey and me.”
For the next hour, Aaron, Lawson, and Xavier talked through logistics, asked questions, and Aaron showed and explained the plans he had.
“Bailey doesn’t know any of this yet, though,” he warned. “I would appreciate it if you could keep this between us for the time being.”
Lawson and Xavier agreed.
By the time Aaron left Lawson’s office, he was so excited and relieved. And for the first time in a long time, he was looking toward the future, instead of dwelling on the past. He knew exactly who to thank for that.
With Bailey by his side, he knew there was nothing they couldn’t accomplish together.
Forever.
