Chapter 11
Eleven
Aubrey stared at the off-white curtain that separated her from the other patients in the ER. She shivered under the thin hospital blanket and huffed out an exasperated sigh.
Seeing Donovan had brought back a boatload of memories—none of which she wanted to revisit. Being stuck on that mountain in the cold and rain, not knowing if she would make it home, had turned out to be one of the scariest moments of her life.
And when Ethan showed up? Relief. She’d known in her heart that he’d do everything in his power to get her back to safety. Ethan exuded a peace and a calmness that soothed. Eased all the tension she’d experienced.
She glanced out the window, watching the rain pelt the glass, and pulled the blanket up under her chin. When were they going to release her?
Aubrey glanced at the clock. She’d been here over three hours, the time inching closer to midnight. She stifled a yawn, and a deep, throbbing pain in her ankle made her wince.
“Oh, thank the Lord you’re all right!” Jenna burst through the curtain, her long hair trailing behind her, a cup carrier in one hand, a plastic bag in the other.
“I was so worried when I got that call from the hospital.” Jenna paused, taking in the surroundings.
“Where’s Ethan? He told me you might be in danger when he returned his costume, but refused to give me details. I thought he’d be here protecting you.”
“He stepped out for a second to make a phone call.” Aubrey swallowed. “He was right not to tell you much. I don’t want you to be in danger.”
“I was worried you were here by yourself.” Jenna’s expression darkened.
“I’m fine, just a badly sprained ankle.” Aubrey shifted her position on the uncomfortable hospital bed.
“You don’t look fine to me.”
“There’s a dangerous man out there,” Aubrey said. “But Ethan is keeping me safe.”
“He better. Who is this guy?”
Aubrey told her about Finn Donovan and her sister’s murder. In the end, Jenna swiped a tear from her face and said, “I’m so sorry, Aub. That’s horrible.”
“It was a long time ago. Right now, I’m safe, and Ethan is going to find Donovan.”
“Sure you’re okay?”
“I don’t like my boss at the moment, but I’m fine.” Auburey told her about the conversation with Howard that got her out on that mountain. His anger.
Jenna shook her head, about to say something when Aubrey cut her off.
She didn’t want to talk about this anymore. “Honestly, I’m just hungry and thirsty. What did you bring me?”
Jenna’s eyes twinkled with mischief, but her expression still held grief from hearing Aubrey’s story. “Your favorite: a Sprite and a double bacon cheeseburger from the Gourmet Junction.” She pulled the food from a take-out bag, the savory aroma of bacon and onions filling the small area.
Aubrey’s mouth watered, and she held out both hands. “Hand it over. How did you manage to get me a meal at this late hour? I thought they closed at nine.” She bit into the burger, and her eyes rolled into the back of her head.
“I called in a favor with one of the line cooks.”
Aubrey paused mid-bite. “Thank you. This tastes so good.”
“Best burgers within a four-state radius, or so I’m told.” Jenna flipped open the lid on another to-go box and grabbed an onion ring. “And you’re welcome.”
“Mm. So good,” Aubrey said around a mouthful of food.
Jenna laughed and grabbed a napkin from the bag. “You have a big streak of mayo on your face.”
Aubrey shrugged. “Who’s gonna see me?”
“Me.” She handed Aubrey the napkin.
Their laughter stopped as Ethan stepped through the makeshift cubicle.
Aubrey coughed. “I thought you had to take a phone call.”
Jenna passed her the Styrofoam cup, and Aubrey slurped up most of the contents. Anything to keep her mind focused and her gaze off the intimidating man.
“I did. And now I’m waiting on you to finish your dinner.”
Huh. “Funny guy. Want some of my fries?”
He reached into the bag and snagged a couple.
“Well, since you’re in good hands, I’m gonna head out.” Jenna grabbed her purse and leaned over to hug Aubrey. She whispered in Aubrey’s ear, “Call me when you get out of here, no matter the time, and tell me all about you know who.” She nodded in Ethan’s direction.
“It’s not like that,” Aubrey hissed. “This is serious.”
Jenna waved and then winked at Ethan. “Deputy Marshal Butler, nice to see you again.”
“You too, Jenna. Be safe.”
“Always.” She paused at the opening and whirled around. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
“Jenna!” Warmth crept up Aubrey’s neck and face.
She could feel her cheeks flame. Ah, the curse of being a redhead.
She wanted to hide her face under the sheet and wait until Ethan left.
If she weren’t still in protective custody, she’d find her own way home.
Call a rideshare. But that wouldn’t be smart, and she’d already caused enough trouble today.
Instead, she raised her chin only to see Ethan fighting laughter. “I’m sorry about that,” she told him. “I don’t know what came over her. If she thought you were going to be here, she would have brought you a burger as well.”
Ethan shook his head. “I’m fine, Aubrey. Thanks.”
He didn’t say anything else. Instead, he rummaged around in the small bedside table and found an individually packaged wet wipe. His woodsy cologne teased her senses, and she leaned closer to get a whiff. He gave her the side-eye, and she moved away and cleared her throat.
He opened the packet and handed a wipe to her, then pointed to her cheek.
Great. She still had a glob of mayonnaise on her face. She quickly wiped her face and tossed the used cloth on the table, waiting for him.
He studied her for a moment, and she almost shrank back under his intense gaze.
Her hand automatically drifted to her hair, making a crunchy noise.
Slowly, she pulled out a dried leaf and a small twig.
She must look like she survived hurricane wind gusts, while Ethan smelled shower-fresh and, of course, looked as if he was ready for a magazine shoot.
He moved the only chair in the room closer to her bed and sat.
He hadn’t offered her forgiveness.
Yet.
“Aubrey, what were you doing on that mountain today? You could’ve died.” A flash of pain washed over his stoic face, then was gone an instant later. Perhaps she only imagined the emotion.
This Ethan was so unlike the man she was used to dealing with the past two years at the Marshals office.
He seemed softer, more compassionate. Did he want to hear a horrible story about his boss threatening to fire her because the marshals had important jobs to do?
Because Howard thought she should’ve stayed in witness protection?
“I, uh, wanted to help. I’ve hiked a few of the trails.”
“Aubrey…” He exhaled her name on a sigh and hung his head.
“I—” They spoke at the same time.
The doctor pushed aside the curtain and glanced between them, her brow furrowed. She had thick, dark hair pulled back in a ponytail and olive-skinned, Middle Eastern features. “Everything okay in here? I’m Dr. Yassan, head of emergency medicine.”
Aubrey pulled the blanket higher and forced herself to smile. “Fine. It’s fine. I’m ready to get out of here, is all.”
“The nurse will be back with your discharge papers. I’ve written a couple of prescriptions. One for pain and the other is a muscle relaxant, which you’re going to need after your adventure today.” The doctor gave the prescriptions to her.
“Thanks, Doctor. I’ll be sure to get these filled.” Aubrey set the prescriptions on the bedside table.
“Make sure you ice that ankle once you get home, and take it easy. Keep the foot elevated. No standing for long periods of time.” The doctor continued to talk and make notes.
“What about work?” She didn’t want to stay in her house, or any house, longer than she needed to. There were far more marshals at the office to protect her—not to mention it being a federal building with security at every door. She was way safer there than at home or even in a safe house.
Aubrey winced inwardly. She just needed to go there—and stay there.
“What do you do?” Dr. Yassan asked.
“I’m an administrative assistant for the US Marshals Service.”
The doctor looked up. “Oh, that’s good. Seated work is fine. Just make sure to keep your foot elevated.” She left, and an awkward tension settled between Aubrey and Ethan.
Just when she was ready talk again, a blonde nurse breezed through the curtains. “Here we are!” She handed Aubrey a stack of papers and had her sign away her life. “You’re free to go. No more hiking.”
Yeah, thanks for that advice.
Ethan’s mouth twitched. He was having too much fun at her expense. He held out his arm, apparently over his irritation with her. “Ready?”
She held on to him. “I can’t wait to shower and wash my hair.”
He plucked another twig out of the back of her hair. “Yeah, probably a good idea.”
“Haha. So funny.”
He escorted her to the lobby. “Think you can walk?”
“Lead the way.”
The parking lot lights cast an eerie yellow glow over the cars. Ethan’s older-model truck sat near the hospital entrance. She stared at the passenger door. Just great. She’d never be able to get in the cab of his truck.
Before she could protest, he scooped her up, and her arms automatically went around his neck.
“Didn’t we just do this?” Ethan looked down at her and smiled. And oh my word, when he smiled, it transformed his entire face.
She couldn’t look away and simply nodded.
“You’ll have to open the door for me,” he said.
“I need you to forgive me first.”
He stared at her. “Aubrey, I forgive you. I just want you to be safe.”
She nodded.
“The door?”
“Oh yeah, sorry.” She fumbled with the handle, but she finally got the door to open. Ethan bumped it wider with his hip and slid her into the back seat of his king cab. His truck was clean, orderly, and smelled like him.
“Is this okay?”
His words pulled her out of her dreamy state. “Hmm? Oh, yeah. It’s great.”