“I’m fine. I’m not the one in the hospital bed.”
“Oh.” He sounded groggy but alert enough to make me breathe again.
“Can you move everything?” My voice came out too loud.
He squeezed my hand. “That one works.”
“What about the other?”
He lifted his arm, slow but steady.
“Feet?”
He wiggled his toes under the blanket. “I think I’m good.” He started to push the blanket aside.
“No.” I caught his wrist. “You’re not good. You’re not leaving. You had shrapnel embedded in your side.”
He paused. “I did?”
“And a concussion.”
“Yeah, that one I believe. I’m seeing two of you.”
“That’s not great,” I muttered, but my chest loosened. “You’re talking. That’s good.” I pressed the call button. “We’ll get the doctor.”
Doc Springfield came within seconds, his sneakers squeaking on the floor. Relief softened his face. “Hey, Agent Devlin. You gave us a scare.”
Aiden looked at him warily.
“The whole town of Silverville is outside, plus half of Timber City,” Doc said. “Do you mind if I tell them you’re all right so they can finally go home?”
“They’re all here?” Aiden asked, frowning.
“Yeah. Looks like you’ve got more people who care about you than you realized.” Doc’s smile was kind. “Your unit and Sheriff Franco want to talk to you once you’re up for it.”
Aiden’s gaze shifted to me. “Okay.”
Doc left quietly, the door clicking shut behind him.
Aiden turned back to me. “Everybody came?”
“Yes.” I met his gaze. “Because you’re in the hospital.”
He looked confused for a moment, as if that simple fact didn’t make sense. Aiden had never been the one who needed help. People forgot he didn’t have family of his own. What he did have was our town, this web of people he’d saved or protected or inspired, even when he didn’t notice.
“They’re all here for you,” I said softly.
He looked around the room, his eyes clearing. “Huh.”
I wasn’t sure what that sound meant, but it felt like something shifting.
Then he flipped his hand in mine, fingers intertwining. The strength of that small movement nearly undid me.
“You’re pale,” he murmured, his voice strengthening into a command. “Sit down.”
Relief hit me so fast my knees gave out. I dropped back into the chair.
There he was. Aiden was back.
