“Not much farther,” Wes called out.
Aiden lifted his gaze.Sure enough, he spotted police-car and ambulance lights flickering through the trees.He picked up the pace.
Dez relaxed in his arms.“Thank god.”
Five minutes later they closed in on the team waiting for them.Before the group had even made it out of the forest, paramedics rushed in to help with Dez.He let them move her to a stretcher and followed.
His wet T-shirt clung to his torso in the chilly air, pulling away whatever warmth his body created.With his arms now free, his muscles no longer generated heat.
Hank approached with an emergency blanket and draped it over Aiden’s shoulders as he continued to walk behind the stretcher.
“Thanks.”He pulled the material around him, and some of the shivers slowed.He stopped as they helped Dez into the ambulance.He could hear her stating she didn’t need to lie down.Of course she’d fight every inch of the way.
Knowing she was in good hands, he turned to Hank.“You got Meredith?”
“Yeah.”Hank lifted his hat and scrubbed his free hand over his gray hair.“She was in a rough state.Bleeding a lot from the leg.She came clean with a confession pretty quickly.Got her to the hospital, and the last I heard she was stable.”
Aiden nodded slowly, letting the information register.He didn’t wish death upon anyone, but he felt a fury toward her that made his flesh burn.At least she’d be in jail.“Did she say why she did it?”
Hank sighed.“Seems like she’s had a rough time with men.Just from little things she said, all men are alike and have hurt her.You were supposed to have been different.She also has this firm belief that Ms.Zimmerman is some kind of sorcerer or something that deserved punishment.”
Aiden scoffed.“That couldn’t be farther from the truth.”
Hank clapped him on the back.“You did good.Desiree is a sweet girl and I’m glad she’s okay.”He paused.“I’m glad you both are.”
Some of the tension left his body at Hank’s words.It was easy to get caught up in day-to-day work life, but he cared for the sheriff and was glad the feeling was mutual.
“Between you and me,” Hank said, leaning in.“Are things serious between you and Desiree?”
Aiden didn’t stop his smile.“If I have my way they will be.”
Hank laughed.“Good.It’s about time you settle down.Now get yourself home once you’re both cleared.Take the rest of the week off and I’ll see you Monday.”
A paramedic came up to Aiden and he let himself be fussed over, but he barely took his gaze off Dez, afraid she’d somehow poof into thin air.Shit had happened so damn fast outside her shop.Even though Meredith was in the hospital and police custody, he wouldn’t be at ease until she was charged.
He just needed to get Dez home.Hold her.See for himself that she was okay.Only then could he let his guard down.
Twenty minutes later, Dez stood from the ambulance.He reached for her elbow and walked her to his vehicle, carrying his sopping-wet sweater and her cardigan.Her body leaned into his, her frame seeming so much slighter than usual.Her shoulders were hunched forward, probably due to the cold.He opened the passenger door and she lowered herself inside.He quickly rounded the vehicle, got in, and cranked the heat.
She sighed as she extended her hands toward the vent then greedily punched the seat warmer.He reached into the back seat for the extra sweater he always kept on hand and passed it to her.She’d already removed Quin’s sweatshirt, since it’d absorbed most of the water from her body.
He pulled away from the scene as everyone was packing up.It felt weird to not be involved in that part—usually, the only time he was at an emergency scene was for work.
“How you feeling?”
She moaned and wriggled his sweater over her dress.“Better now, but I don’t know if I’ll ever shake this chill.”
He glanced at the clock.It was almost 4:00 a.m.Pretty soon the sky would turn from black to peach.
He steered down the hill.When he reached the bottom, he’d have to turn right for his house or left for hers.Did she want to return to his place?It was almost morning, and surely she wanted her own bed and things, especially with Meredith now caught.
Indecision warred inside him.He wanted her near him.Period.The idea of her going home now felt so impersonal, and there was so much he wanted to say and sort out that—
“Aiden?”she said hesitantly.
“Hmm,” he answered, his mind so convoluted with emotions that he didn’t dare swing his gaze from the road.
“Do you mind if we go back to your place?I don’t really want to be alone, and...”
