Deadly Shadows (25 page)

“Glasses,” she managed out.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry, ‘bout that. Tim and T.J. went by and picked up some of your things. I know I saw a little blue case.” Aiden’s voice changed as he moved about the room. Ruffled noises came from her left. She tried to turn her head, but that quickly stopped as pain shot through her skull. A gasping moan escaped before she could stop.

Something clattered on the floor, followed by Aiden’s muffled, “Hell.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. K. She just tried to move her head. I know it hurts, honey. I’d give you something for it, but the doctors want to see you first. So hang in there all right? Dr.

Williams and Van Berger should be here pretty quick. I’ll just go page them now.” The woman pulled the covers even tighter and Jesslyn felt smothered.

“Please, don’t. Could you loosen them a little? I don’t like feeling trapped,” she whispered.

Another quick pat. “Don’t you worry, dear. I’ll be back in a moment.” Jesslyn heard her leave the room.

Then, Aiden was at her side. Gently her glasses were put on, the bows easily slid along the tops of her ears. The world came into focus.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Though things were still a little fuzzy. Not necessarily out of focus, just … different. Again she tried to move, but couldn’t. Tears threatened. She hated, hated to feel helpless and trapped.

“Hold still,” Aiden told her, leaning down close enough that she could have counted the dark whiskers stubbling his cheek had she been so inclined, which she was not. She just wanted the damn covers off.

“Please,” she said.

“What? What do you need?” His face was so earnest, so concerned, a surprised smile pulled at her lips.

“To move,” she mumbled.

“Oh,” and still he didn’t smile. Thankfully he loosened the covers enough that she could move her hands up and out from under the stifling confines.

“Thank you.” Her hand was immediately clasped in both of his. Aiden sat partially on her bed.His face looked weary, exhausted, and hopeful all at once. His eyes--how she loved his eyes--burned into her, and comforted her like nothing else could. The faint smell of his aftershave tickled her nose as his hand tightened on hers.

The dark head shook back and forth. He opened his mouth as if to speak and closed it again. She didn’t miss the tick of muscle in his jaw. Jesslyn wanted to run her fingers down that proud straight nose. When she looked back up into his eyes she was surprised at the sheen she saw in them.

Anguished came to mind.

What had happened? The more she tried to think on, to try and figure it out, the more

143

obscure and muggy things became.

Remember….

She remembered planning Maddy’s funeral, getting in a fight with Kirk, crying and arguing with Aiden. Telling him that she loved him.

Driving….

Rain. It had been raining, hadn’t it? Heartache … pain … crying….

Jesslyn closed her eyes tried to think, to concentrate, but pain iced her brain.

Water. And hope … Hope….

Her eyes opened, looked into intense shimmering cobalt depths. With her free hand, she reached up, and shakily pulled the mask down to her chin.

“I figured out something,” she whispered and saw him stiffen, the harsh features becoming grim as his lips thinned. The tears didn’t fall even when his eyes narrowed.

Before he could say anything, and she could tell he was getting himself ready to, she plowed on. “I do really love you.”

He shook his head, opened his mouth, but once again she beat him to it. “Just thought you ought to know.”

Like she hoped, that earned her a smile, though ever so small it was.

Jesslyn closed her eyes. She was so tired. God her head hurt.

“You remember what happened?” he asked, wariness evident in his voice.

She thought some more, but nothing cleared, nothing congealed. Aiden--love. Rain--

peace. Water--fear.

She sighed, tried to shake her head, and was quickly reminded why she should stay still.

“Not really. I went to the lake. I remember that….” Walking along the shore, then … Nothing.

“That’s okay, just rest. Rest,” he urged her, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of her hand, down her wrist.

Jesslyn opened her eyes and looked at him perched on the edge of her bed. He was so big, sometimes his size surprised her. She’d never asked him exactly how tall he was, but she would guess a couple of inches over six feet. The hypnotic motion on the back of her hand and wrist was soothing.

Finally, she answered him, “I will, believe me. I sort of remember the discussion-crying-jag with you. I think--I think I drove in the rain. I don’t know. Things are fuzzy. But I do remember knowing I loved you.”

So tired … Jesslyn licked her lips, they were chapped. Exhaustion pulled at her.

She felt Aiden shift, and tightened her hold, though it was weak, on his hand.

Her eyes halfway opened. “Please. Please, don’t leave me.” Jesslyn hated the weakness in her voice, the fear that slithered through her. She needed him. “Stay with me. Promise me you’ll stay.”

He nodded, sat in the chair she heard scrape the floor as he pulled it closer to the head of the bed. “I promise.”

She felt his warm lips on the back of her hand.

Jesslyn closed her eyes, tried to fight the exhaustion pulling at her, but couldn’t. “You’ll keep the monster away.” He tensed. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you, too.” His voice was deep, strained. “God, I love you.”

She heard him cough, mumbled something about defend, and then sleep stole over her.

144

July 4
^th

“Aiden, please?” she whined. Jesslyn hated to whine, but she’d do what she had to.

She’d just gotten out of the tub and sat on the bed, dressed in leggings and a tunic, brushing her wet hair. Very, very carefully. Her head still hurt.

“No.”

“Come on.”

He propped his hands on his hips and stood by the edge of the bed staring down at her.

“What part of no didn’t you understand?”

Jesslyn rolled her eyes, and sat her brush on the nightstand. “I am fine.”

“You just got home yesterday on the agreement you’d stay in bed.” He leaned down until his face was right in hers. “And in bed you’ll stay.”

She changed tactics. “Well, I suppose that wouldn’t be so bad if you stay with me.” She reached up to grab his shirt and pull him to her, but he fisted his hand over hers and simply stared. Apparently that tactic didn’t work either. Damn. “But today’s the par-ay-de. Please.”

He only held her stare, didn’t budge an inch. “No.”

Jesslyn almost grinned. “Fine. Can I at least sit on the damn couch in the living room?”

His eyes slid closed, and his sigh wafted against her lips.

“Please?” she whispered. “I won’t even walk if that worries you.” She was edgy and tense and needed out of this damn bed.

The fact she was missing hours of her life was what wore on her. Not the fact she’d been attacked by a killer, though faceless images stalked her dreams. No, it was the fact she couldn’t remember.

The doctors told her not to push it, to take it easy. It was not any less than they expected with the amount of shock to her system and her head injury. Jesslyn was to rest and not to worry about her memory loss. More than likely everything would come back when it was supposed to and not a moment sooner. Those were fine empty words. Not a single one of the doctors had to worry about missing time, or the possibility of remembering who a killer was before he struck again. What she needed was to do what she felt she must. How was she supposed to remember a damn thing if no one would tell her anything? She’d finally worn Aiden down enough that she managed to get a scattered story out of him. No one wanted to talk about it, always hurriedly changed the subject. Their collective silence was not helping.

“Come on, it’s a couch. I’ll be reclining here, reclining there. The added benefit is I won’t complain there,” she tried again, cupping his cheek against her palm and leaning up to kiss the corner of his mouth.

His eyes opened and one brow arched.

145

“I’ll let you carry me,” she said.

He shook his head. “You need to rest,” he calmly reasoned.

She had a feeling he wasn’t as calm as he seemed. Aiden still thought she should be in the hospital. The neurologist wanted to run more tests. Not. Jesslyn was sick of being poked, probed, scanned, whatever else the medical personnel could conjure up. The only thing that kept her from tearing out of there had been Aiden’s constant company and the visits from friends. So many people had come by to see her and wish her well. T.J. and Tim, David and Sally Hewett, all the Kinncaids, and even old Mr. Reeves. Daddy had come and stayed until late yesterday.

Aiden had hovered over her for the last two days, rarely leaving her side, and watched her constantly. She liked him being there, knowing he was there, but his hawk gaze missed little.

“Come on, you said, you liked carrying me. It makes you feel manly. Besides, I’ll rest later. I’m hungry and I hate to eat in bed,” she lied.

His loud sigh told her how frustrated he was.

“You’re still not going to the parade,” he said, gently lifting her against him.

Jesslyn wrapped her arms around his neck and settled her head on his shoulder. His aftershave, strong this morning, filled her senses. She could practically taste the spicy scent, leaning up a bit, she licked his neck. “Hmmm.”

“Cut it out.”

“No fun.”

A muscle in his jaw started to tick.

At the doorway, she asked him, “Can you get me my laptop?”

He kept walking.

Oh well, she’d try for that later.

Once downstairs, the sounds of breakfast drifted from the kitchen, voices floating on the air. Aiden’s entire family was here, having flown in Sunday. She hadn’t really had a chance to say more than hi to any of them other than his parents.

Aiden set her down on the couch as though she were made of the finest china.

Jesslyn inwardly sighed. “Honestly, Aiden, you act as if I’ll break if you move too quickly.”

He didn’t comment, but she saw the edge of his mouth tighten as he grabbed a throw off the back of the couch and tucked it around her. When it was to his perfection, he knelt down on his haunches beside her.

“You are a very bad patient, did you know that?” he asked her.

“I hate to be sick. Hate to sit around in bed if I can move about. I was growing mold, for God’s sake. And you’re not a very agreeable nurse either.”

He smoothed a finger down her cheek. “Hmm … You said you were hungry. What do you want?”

“What no gruel?”

“Mom made pancakes,” he said, ignoring her remark.

Her stomach growled and she smiled. “That sounds great.”

He stood, walked to the doorway and stopped. “I still think you should be in bed.”

“Pancakes?” she would have jumped off the couch and gotten them herself, but figured he’d fall over.

He shook his head and left.

Jesslyn leaned her head back against the cushions and waited. She hoped he remembered

146

she liked orange juice and not milk. Yawning, she cuddled down into the blanket and reached for the remote. Glancing guiltily at the doorway, she cut on the television and flipped it to a news channel.

“What the hell is she doing out of bed?” Mr. Kinncaid boomed from the kitchen.

She strained to hear the voices and answers, but they were mumbled and lost in the clang and clatter of dishes. Her own father probably would have said the same thing. He flew back to Idaho late yesterday. It had been great seeing him, though she felt bad for worrying him so much, and Victor Black had been worried for her. But as the days passed in the hospital and she’d gotten better, though she still couldn’t remember a damn thing, he’d relaxed. And he and the Kinncaids had gotten along pretty well, at least, as far as she could tell. When he’d left yesterday, her dad had only said, “I’m glad you’re okay. It’s great to see you smiling again, Jess.

Aiden’s a good guy.”

That thought still made her smile. Her dad liked Aiden. Now whether Aiden’s dad liked her was still questionable in her mind.

“Okay,” Aiden’s voice made her jump. “Here are the pancakes complete with Mom’s special apple walnut compote.”

Jesslyn scooted up as he set the tray on her lap. Pancakes, fruit and orange juice. She smiled and looked up at Aiden, who sat at the other end of the couch. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not too tired being down here are you?” His gaze ran over her face.

“I’m fine, Aiden. Quit worrying.” She picked up the juice and took a long swallow.

“Missy, you should be in bed,” Mr. Kinncaid said.

Carefully, she sat the juice down and looked up at the man. “But then I’d miss sparring with you, Mr. K.”

His finger waggled at her. “You eat everything on that plate. You’re skinny and pale enough, you look like you could fade away into the cushions of the couch.” Turning to his son, he ordered, “Aiden, make sure she eats.”

“Yes, Dad. It’s a constant battle between us.”

Kaitlyn walked up to stand beside Jock and said, “Jock, dear, leave them alone.”

“Yeah, Dad,” said a newcomer in the room. “Your bark is enough to give her a headache.” This was one of the twins. Gavin Kinncaid, the doctor, she’d spoken to him in the hospital. The other one was Brayden, who had the little girl. Both favored their father in the rough, blunted features, though the coloring of eyes and hair were the same as Aiden’s. Jesslyn figured they all inherited the jet black hair and cobalt eyes from Jock.

“How are you feeling this morning?” Gavin asked, reaching out to take her pulse.

Jesslyn jerked her hand back. “Excuse me, you’re not
my
doctor.”

He flashed her a smile. “I’m everyone’s doctor.”

The charming, witty OB/GYN.

“I’ll just bet you are,” Jesslyn answered.

His grin grew. “I figure if I take your pulse and tell them all you’re fine, they’d listen to me. Aiden might back off enough so that you could eat and Dad would quit grumbling and biting.”Jesslyn sighed and held her arm out. His fingers were cool against her wrist.

After several seconds, Gavin turned to everyone. “Her heart rate is a bit elevated.” He reached his hand out to her forehead, and she pulled back, but he followed. “Yep, and she’s

147

kinda warm.”

“I knew it!” Aiden all but leapt off the couch. He started to take the tray.

“See,” Jock said. “I told you she should be in bed.”

Gavin started laughing, and Jesslyn was clamping her hands on the tray that Aiden tried to take away.

“I’m joking,” Gavin admitted.

Aiden whirled on him. “That’s not fucking funny! She could have died!”

Gavin backed up and negligently sat in the chair, his palms up. “Sorry, thought I’d liven things up.”

Jock muttered something in the doorway.

“Gavin, dear,” Kaitlyn said. “I don’t think you want to press your brother right now. I wouldn’t feel the need to interfere if he knocked your teeth down your throat.”

Jesslyn couldn’t help it she laughed. This family was unlike any she’d ever met.

Gavin pointed to her. “See, she’s laughing.”

Aiden was still glaring at his brother.

“She’s fine, Aiden. Everything is normal,” Gavin’s serious face must have convinced Aiden because he only shook his head and sat again on the couch.

Jesslyn started eating. Finally, she looked up to the Kinncaids still in the doorway. Jock leaned on the doorframe and held Kaitlyn in his arms.

“Mrs. K? These are the very best pancakes ever.” In fact, she felt like she could eat few more. “Why, thank you, dear. And it’s Kaitlyn. I’m glad to see you eating. You look good this morning.”

Jesslyn smiled. “Thank you.” She looked to Aiden who sat watching her every move.

“See, I told you I felt fine.”

“You’re still not going to the parade,” he told her.

“Well, of course she’s not,” Jock said. “And speaking of which, we should get going.”

They ought to be warned. “Make sure you sit in a dry zone,” she said.

“A dry zone?” Gavin asked.

Definitely warned. “This isn’t your average Fourth-of-July parade with brass bands and pom-poms. The only real band I’ve ever seen is a German polka band that comes in from somewhere. Most of the floats are trailers with equipment on them. The fire trucks are a big hit.”

She settled back into the corner of the couch. “In certain areas the fire trucks open up their hoses and spray the water above the crowd, getting the said people wet; thus, wet zones.

Make sure you sit in a dry zone.”

“And that’s the biggest thing?” Jock asked, obviously trying to figure out the dynamics of the community.

“Um, actually no,” Jesslyn said, popping a bite into her mouth.

Aiden squeezed her knee. “And?”

“Everyone waits for the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory to come dancing through,” she told them, smiling at Aiden.

It was great to see Jessie smiling again.

That one-sided grin peeked out at him, Aiden leaned over and kissed her. “Why do people wait to see some science group?”

148

Her grin grew and he caught the twinkle in her eye. “Because, they tie wild cabbage leaves together and prance down the street. Some don’t bother with clothing underneath.” Jessie shrugged and took another bite of his mother’s pancakes. He was glad to see her eating again.

“Oh my,” his mother said.

“Cool, naked women. Something different for me,” Gavin quipped.

Jessie turned to his brother. “You’re a smart-ass, Gavin.”

“I’m so glad someone’s noticed,” he answered back

“Are there naked men?” Kaitlyn asked.

Jessie’s eyebrows shot straight up and Aiden swiveled on the couch to look back at his mother.“Kaitie!” his father said.

Jessie’s chuckle filled the air. “There have been known to be. Of course, if you watch the cowboys that come down the street, some of those young buckaroos give a new meaning to bare back.” She clasped her hand to her chest and sighed. “What some of them can do to a pair of chaps.”

“Chaps is the right word in my opinion,” Gavin said ruefully.

“Really?” his mother drew out.

“Kaitlyn Kinncaid, that’s enough. I won’t have my wife ogling at other naked men.”