Aiden rubbed at the faint bruise on his chin, the blue hospital gown just looking wrong on him. The IV line and sterile bedding didn’t fit him. He was a man built for movement, for control. Seeing him tethered to machines felt wrong, kind of like finding a wild animal trapped in too small a cage. “What was that about?” he asked.
“I found Nana’s missing nugget boxes,” I said quietly. “They were in the smaller tunnel beneath the depot.”
“I don’t remember any of it,” Aiden said, shaking his head slowly. “None of it.”
I rolled my neck, trying to get rid of the kink. “What’s your last memory?”
He frowned. “Getting ready for the parade. Your dad was sticking clovers on the float.” His voice was thoughtful, strained, as if searching through fog.
“You got a pretty good knock to the head. The doctor said the memories might not come back.” I tried to sound calm. “It’s okay. I filled you in.”
“You didn’t fill me in about the boxes,” he said dryly.
How could I forget? “Oh. Right.” I told him about finding them, tossing them into Dad’s trunk, and now discovering they’d vanished.
Aiden’s brow furrowed. “They’re gone?”
“Yeah,” I admitted. “But I’m not too worried. Cormac Coretti was here last night, and I told him exactly where to find them.”
Aiden’s jaw tightened. “Cormac, again?”
I leaned in, my eyes widening. “Yes, and guess what? He used to work with Rory.”
Aiden raised his bed with the control button until he was sitting more upright. “He works for the Agency?”
“Used to,” I said. “According to Rory. But I don’t know what he’s doing now. I’m not sure I trust him.”
“Good,” Aiden said. “I’m not trusting him either, but I haven’t had a chance to investigate him fully. Let the sheriff know about the boxes.”
That was the smartest move. “Of course,” I said quickly. “I will.” Still, something about Cormac lingered in my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t the enemy. Maybe it was the way his eyes held humor, or how he’d looked at Donna like she was the only person in the storm. He didn’t strike me as a thief.
The door creaked open and Saber stepped in, his dark eyes cutting from Aiden to me. “We need to talk.”
I stood immediately. “That’s my cue.”
“There’s a line of people who want to visit you,” I told Aiden, forcing a smile. “Doc Springfield’s being strict and allowing only one or two at a time.”
Aiden winced. “I’m not up to a lot of people.”
“You’re never up to a lot of people,” Saber said dryly. “Suck it up, buddy.” He clapped Aiden’s shoulder gently.
Out in the hallway, the smell of coffee mixed with rain and the faint buzz of fluorescent lights. The night-shift nurse was handing off her chart to the next crew. Life went on, even when mine felt paused.
I wasn’t surprised to find most of Aiden’s team still in the waiting area, along with my sisters. They all looked exhausted but alert, as if they’d collectively decided not to breathe until someone said he was clear.
“What are you guys still doing here?” I asked.
“Just waiting,” Tessa said, yawning so wide her jaw cracked. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”
Donna stood, somehow looking lovely even after the long night.
We walked outside into the chill of early morning. The storm had passed, leaving the air sharp and clean, clouds drifting over the mountain ridge. The parking lot glistened with puddles, reflecting the glow of the hospital’s windows.
“I’ll take you home.” Tessa yawned again.
I hesitated. “Donna? Do you still have Cormac’s number?”
Donna blinked. “Yeah. Why?”
