“Oh shoot. My phone. It’s at the farmhouse,” Aasia said
“Are you dodging my question?”
“This isn’t the time to discuss this.”
“It’s the best time to discuss it. We were just almost killed.” Phoebe’s voice shook.
“Are you okay? Do you need to see a doctor?” Aasia glanced over at Phoebe who had her face buried in her palms. “I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“No, no.” Phoebe lifted her head. “I’m okay. I’m pregnant.”
“Yes, we’ve established this.” Aasia was starting to worry.
“When I saw that man’s gun, all I could think was how do I save my baby. That’s all that mattered, and you. I can’t lose either of you. And Grimes. He’s a good guy. He really is. Life has a way of surprising us with things we never knew we needed.”
Aasia reached over and took Phoebe’s hand. “You wont lose me. Or the baby. It sounds to me like you know what you want, and I’m so happy for you.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
“You could have been killed.”
Aasia sat on the closed toilet lid as CaDee took out the first aid kit from the closet.
“Yes, but I’m alive, and I’m fine. I just have a few scratches.” Aasia touched her forehead and winced.
“That’s more than a scratch. I’ll have you fixed up in no time,” CaDee promised.
“I should be with Phoebe. She was very scared.”
“And she’s fine. She’s resting, just what she needs. Grimes is with her. Something tells me he won’t leave her side for the next, well, nine months.”
Aasia felt like she was being watched and looked around to see Bear standing in the open bathroom doorway. He nearly filled the space. He looked exhausted and worried.
“Hi,” she said to him.
“Hi,” he answered. “CaDee, can I take over here?”
“Is that okay?” she asked Aasia.
“Sure.”
On the way out, CaDee patted Bear on the arm. “She’s been through a lot so no arguing, you hear? Things can be settled tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Bear said with respect.
He stepped into the bathroom and suddenly all the oxygen seemed to be sucked out. He always made her feel like she’d just run a marathon.
White light spilled from the vanity light, lighting his tired features. He looked like hell. She’d heard from Grimes what had happened with Clark. He’d faked his death only to end up dead anyway. Bear had saved Aasia and Phoebe’s lives because if it wasn’t for him Grimes and the others wouldn’t have known the sisters were in danger.
He knelt down in front of her which brought them face-to-face. She swallowed against the tension in her throat. She’d missed him so much. Yet, she had to control herself. What he’d done, the lies, felt like betrayal. She couldn’t be with someone she couldn’t trust.
“Are you okay?” his voice rasped.
“I’m okay.”
“It has been one helluva night for both of us. I should never have left town. I was stupid.” His concern etched worried lines around his eyes and mouth.
She couldn’t help but touch him. She laid her palm against his whiskered cheek. “You aren’t responsible for this, Bear. You did what you were supposed to do.”
