The exaggerated sigh sounded from over the phone. “I’m so relieved! Is she okay?”
“She has a black eye and will probably wake up with a headache.” So physically, yeah, she was mostly okay. Mentally and emotionally? He’d have to wait and see.
“Oh my gosh. What can I do?”
“Nothing, Mom. She just needs rest.”
“What about you? Are you okay?”
No. The answer screamed in his head. “I’m glad I have Aspen back.” It wasn’t really an answer to her question. “Is Clara okay after she passed out yesterday?” With everything going on, it had completely slipped his mind. He should have checked in on his sister as soon as he’d woken.
“She’s been pushing herself too hard,” his mother said, concern in her voice. “Her daily runs, her acupuncture business, her new house. It’s too much with her chronic fatigue.”
Shit. He needed to check in on her more. When this was all over, he would. “I’ll call her today.”
“I’m sure she’d like that. And I’m going to drop a meal off to you.”
“No.” The word came out faster than he meant for it to. But he didn’t want her or Clara close until they found Dylan’s accomplice. They’d get a description of this person from Karen, then he wouldn’t feel so blind. “Sorry, I just…would it be okay to give Aspen some time?”
“Oh, of course, honey.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“I love you, darling.”
“I love you too.” He hung up and turned—only to freeze at the sight of Aspen in the bedroom doorway. The blond locks of her hair tumbled over her shoulders, and she wore his shirt. Sexy didn’t even begin to describe her.
But then he focused on that black eye again, and the murderous rage returned.
“You should be in bed,” he said quietly.
“You’renot.”
He crossed the space between them and cupped her unbruised cheek. “How do you feel?”
“Like I was kidnapped by my crazy ex last night.”
The growl ripped from his chest.
She cringed. “Sorry. I’m okay.”
“I hate what happened.”
“Me too.” She reached up and touched her fingertip to the line between his brows. “You’re still worried. About the person who drugged me?”
She read him too well. “Are you sure you don’t think it was your mother?”
“That would make it easier. But I don’t think so. I sipped the coffee, then spoke to my mother, which is when I started feeling disorientated.”
“I’ll bring her in for questioning. Get a description of this woman she says she saw with Dylan. I’ll also talk to Mrs. Gerald and ask her if anyone had contact with the coffee before you.” A muscle clenched in his jaw. “Someone else in this town helped him.” It was like he had to say it out loud because he still couldn’t believe it.
Fear flashed over her face. Then she blinked and visibly tried to conceal her emotions.
“Hey.” He lowered his head. “I’m not leaving you unprotected, okay?”
“I know. It’s just a really unnerving feeling knowing that someone helped him. Someone we probably know, because everyone there last night was local. And someone who wants to harm me for reasons I can’t begin to guess.”
It wasn’t just unnerving…it was sickening. “When we catch them, they’re going to wish they’d never involved themselves.”
