I raised an eyebrow and used my best mom voice. “Sheriff Franco, it’s physical therapy, and yes, you are.”
His frown deepened, carving lines into his weathered face. “Don’t you get all bossy with me, Anna Albertini.”
“I will absolutely get bossy with you. What’s more, if you don’t go to PT, I’m going to tell both of my grandmothers and all of the Lady Elks.”
He reared back, looking horrified. “You wouldn’t.”
“The heck I wouldn’t,” I said sweetly.
“Fine,” he grumbled, limping toward the hall. “I’ll try it once.” He hitched down the corridor, mumbling about nosy kids the entire time.
When I moved into the room, Aiden was finishing what looked like banana Jell-O. He lifted his spoon with a grin. “That was impressive.”
“Thanks.” I dropped into the chair beside his bed. “How are you doing?”
“Good. I’m leaving in about an hour.”
I froze. “You’re not supposed to leave yet.”
“Yet, I am.” He gave me that stubborn half smile that never failed to drive me crazy. “I’m not staying here any longer. The pudding isn’t bad, though.”
I shook my head. “You are just as stubborn as Franco.”
He glanced toward the door where the sheriff had gone. “He’s worse. At least I’m nice about it.”
“Was he just checking in or asking more questions?” I asked. “Did you remember anything?”
Aiden set his spoon down, expression thoughtful. “No, I didn’t remember anything, and he didn’t ask questions. We just talked.”
“That’s good,” I said, touching his hand. “He probably needed it. He’s been through a lot.”
Aiden studied me. “I heard about the bear trap and wire. Could be an illegal grow.”
“Maybe,” I said. “Franco is on it. What did he want to talk about with you?”
Aiden leaned back against the pillow, his eyes unfocused. “He’s thinking about retiring.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Really? I mean, I can see that after getting shot again, but still.”
“Yeah. He said he’s tired. He loves the town, but it’s catching up to him.”
“Speaking of that shooting,” I said, my voice dropping, “did they find anything about the poacher?”
He shook his head, jaw tightening. “No. They found some animals poached around the area, but nobody has a line on the shooter yet. The wire and bear trap might be related or could just be a coincidence. I’d like to get out of here and help with the investigation, which is another reason I’m leaving today.”
I crossed my arms. “You’re supposed to be recovering, not running field ops.”
He gave me a look that said he heard me but planned to ignore every word. Typical. Plus, he looked sexy. Tough and dangerous, bruised and battered, hot and deadly. Nobody should look sexy in a hospital gown. “What?” he asked.
Crap. I forced my brain away from his hot body. “I can’t imagine somebody else being the sheriff.” The elections came around every four years, but Franco had always been the one to win. Actually, he was the only one who even runs.
Aiden hesitated for just a second and then shrugged. “He thought I might want the job.”
My jaw dropped. “Seriously?” Hope bloomed in my chest so fast it hurt, and I shoved the feeling down before it could take shape. “Wow,” I said, trying to sound casual. “What do you think?”
“I think I’m thinking about it,” he said, eyes watching me closely.
I cleared my throat. “You should do what you want for your career. I mean that.” I loved Aiden Devlin. Seeing him safe, not undercover or bleeding or half-conscious in a hospital bed, would be incredible. But I would never ask him to be anyone other than who he was. And who he was—the man who ran toward danger to protect others—wasn’t easily replaced. “Are you thinking about it seriously?”
