Chapter 29
29
Belinda stirred awake when Aaron entered the room, and a glance at the clock on the wall revealed that she’d slept for several hours. Seeing the smiling doctor and nurse trailing Aaron brought a sense of relief, yet his demeanor betrayed a hint of tension.
His face was tight, and the smile he offered appeared strained. A question hovered on her lips but remained unasked with the others in the room.
The doctor and the nurse checked the surgery sites, both in the front and back of her upper chest. Once again, the doctor shook his head and said, “You are incredibly lucky that the bullet was the type to go through and not cause more damage on the inside. This area has a lot of little bones and many arteries. Yet, somehow, you escaped worse damage. You will be given discharge paperwork that includes at-home health visits for six weeks and then outpatient physical therapy afterward.”
Mindful of the implications for her livelihood, she voiced her concerns. “Doctor, I know it might not seem like much to you, but I’m a photographer. That’s my job. That’s what I do for a living. There’s no way I can go six weeks without working! December is not my biggest month, but I have two weddings, several family gatherings, and other events that have scheduled photo shoots.”
He pursed his lips. “Technically, if you’re on home health, you’re supposed to curtail your outside activities. If you take at least two weeks off completely, then when I evaluate you after those two weeks, if I think you’re ready for outpatient physical therapy, then I will do that.”
“I promise I’ll do everything you tell me so I don’t have to take more than two weeks off!” she vowed.
The nurse who had her discharge papers looked over at Aaron. “If you’d like to bring your vehicle around to the front door, I’ll wheel her out in just a few minutes.”
He had been standing to the side, occasionally, glancing out the door, his face still tight. He kissed her lightly, mumbling, “I’ll meet you outside.” He then left the room, speaking to someone in the hall who she couldn’t see.
As the nurse rolled her in a wheelchair, Belinda felt oddly weightless, with little to carry. The clothes she’d arrived in had been discarded. Bess had brought her a pair of leggings, a zip-up hoodie, and her fuzzy pink slippers.
A uniformed deputy stood watch in the hallway and offered a solemn nod as she rolled past. His presence, though reassuring, heightened her awareness of the gravity of the recent events. He stepped into the elevator with them, and it didn’t miss her attention that he escorted them all the way to the front door.
She spied Aaron's SUV, and her heart fluttered with relief and anticipation. He had rounded the front, had the door opened, and met her. She stood and thanked the nurse. As she turned to face his SUV, she squeaked as he gently scooped her into his arms and placed her in the passenger seat. He grabbed the seat belt and carefully slid it around her to fasten in, making sure not to hurt her left arm. His face was so close to hers, and she was captivated by his eyes as he peered deeply into hers.
“Is that okay? Does that hurt?”
She wanted to kiss him, but something dark had filled his eyes, and she simply nodded. “It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt.”
He closed her door and then jogged to the front, tossing a chin lift and waving to the uniformed deputy.
He said nothing as he pulled out of the hospital parking lot and headed south. Again, she wanted to ask what was happening, but doubts gripped her. Has he decided this is too much? Too much trouble? Too much emotion? Too much of a commitment?
She sighed and wished she was already in her home with Bess buzzing around, helping her out. She closed her eyes for a few minutes, hating everything about the situation. Getting shot. Not being able to do her job right now. Wondering what was going through Aaron’s mind. Finally, she opened her eyes and rolled her head to the side, staring out her window. Blinking, she realized they were passing the little shopping center with the bakery and her place. And what was more concerning was that there were sheriff vehicles outside.
“Aaron! You passed my apartment! Where are we going?”
She swung her head back to stare at him when he didn't answer. His grip was tight around the steering wheel, and his jaw was just as set as when he walked into her hospital room.
“Aaron, what the fuck is going on?”
He slowed, flipped on the blinker, and pulled to the side of the road. Putting the SUV in park, he shifted in his seat and looked at her. His gaze roamed over her face before he muttered, “Fuck, sweetheart.”
She blinked, surprised he had called her sweetheart when she thought he was perhaps sliding away from her. Cocking her head to the side, she tempered her tone when she asked again, “Aaron, please, what is going on?”
“New information has come into the station from someone who witnessed the man who shot you.” Aaron sighed, scrubbing his hand over the scruff on his face. “He wasn’t after me. He wasn’t random. He was shooting at you.”
She recoiled in disbelief and barked out a scoff. “Don’t be ridiculous. Why would anyone want to shoot me?”
“I don’t know, babe. But I promise, we’re working on it.”
The air left her lungs in a rush. “You’re serious?”
“I promise you, I wouldn’t joke about something like this.”
Her gaze left his face as she turned and stared out the front windshield, not focusing on anything other than the weight of his words rattling around in her head. Finally, shaking her head slowly, she said, “You must be mistaken. There’s nothing about me. Nothing,” she cried again. “Please, take me home. I just want to take another pain pill, crawl into my bed, and wake up with Bess handing me a pastry.”
“I can’t do that, Belinda.”
Her eyes widened as the fact that she’d just seen deputy cars outside the bakery area hit her. Swinging her head back to him, she said, “What else is going on?”
“Right before I left the station to come to get you, Bess called after going to your apartment to make sure it was ready for you. Your window near the fire escape was broken into.”
This time, the sound that rushed from her mouth was an anguished cry. “Bess! Oh my God! Where is she?”
“She’s fine. The apartment was empty. She only discovered the window was broken. Brad is getting to her right now.”
“Turn around, you’ve got to take me there!”
“That’s not a good idea, honey. You need to get in bed, and we’ve got to let the detectives process your place.”
Fear and anger warred inside, and a tear slid down her cheek, dropping onto her hoodie. She thought of the things in her home. Her belongings that someone had looked at. Touched.
“Why would someone want to do this? Nothing in my place is of any value for anyone to take.”
Aaron hesitated, then shook his head. “I don’t know the answer to that right now. But what I do know is that I need to get you somewhere where you can take your pain medicine, crawl into bed, and then let Bess bring a pastry to you when she can.”
A second tear followed the first one, and she lifted her right hand to dash them away. “Then take me to Bess’s place.”
“I can’t do that either. Right now, that’s not safe. And it could put Bess in danger.”
Jerking, she sucked in a hasty breath. “Oh shit. I don’t even know what to think about all of this. What the hell am I going to do?”
He reached over and cupped her jaw, gently rubbing his thumb over her cheek. “It’s not great, but you’re coming home with me. That way, I know you’ll be protected. We’ve got your pills, and you can crawl into my bed. I’ll tell Bess to come over as soon as possible.”
She held his gaze, and another tear fell. “How did things go from so good to such a nightmare?”
He leaned forward and kissed her gently. “I don’t know, but I swear I will find out. And then I’m going to turn your nightmare back into a dream.”
She looked down at the sling, holding her arm close to her body for a moment, then lifted her head to stare into his eyes again. Exhaustion overcame her, and she could only take him at his word. “Okay. As long as you’re sure Bess is safe, then okay.”
He started the SUV again, pulled back onto the road, and headed to his home. As horrible as she felt, she hoped it wasn’t too far away. He hit his car phone system and placed a call. “Have you got her?”
Belinda looked over, hoping he was calling to check on Bess. She held her breath, waiting to hear what he would say.
A male voice came over the speaker. “I’m here with her, and she’s spitting mad. We’re going through everything in Belinda’s apartment, and then I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
“When you’re finished, can you ask her to grab something from the bakery and bring it to my place? That’s where Belinda will be for now.”
“Absolutely. We’ll take care of it.”
Disconnected, he glanced to the side. “What’s the deal with Bess and Brad?”
Belinda rolled her head to the side and looked at him. She started to shrug, but it hurt her shoulder, so she simply sighed instead. “Honestly? I have no idea. He is one person she refuses to talk about.”
“Well, it looks like she might be stuck with him right now.”
She nodded but couldn’t find it in her to care if Bess was pissed. She just wanted her sister to be safe, and hanging with a detective was the perfect way to ensure she was. Looking over at Aaron, she realized the same was happening to her.
It only took a few more minutes before Aaron pulled into a parking lot. The brick building appeared old but was well-kept on the outside.
“There are four apartments on each floor. I’m sorry, but I’m on the second floor.”
She gazed up at the staircase that bisected the building, its assent seeming like an insurmountable challenge in her weakened state. Before she could contemplate how she would manage, Aaron swept her up in his arms, effortlessly carrying her like a bride to the second-floor landing.
Exhaustion and pain gnawed at her, as well as the specter of danger that now lurked in the shadows. As much as she had been looking forward to getting out of the hospital, she now doubted the wisdom of an early discharge.
Aaron held on to her swaying body as he unlocked his door and escorted her inside. A wave of dizziness threatened, prompting him to gather her in his arms once more. She lay her head on his shoulder and caught a fleeting glimpse of the neat interior of his kitchen and living area. As he bent to pull back the covers on his bed, she noted his sparsely furnished but tidy bedroom. Once tucked in, she closed her eyes and heard him move to the bathroom and turn on the water.
He was back at her side in a moment. “Belinda, sweetheart, I have your pain meds.”
Somehow, he managed to lift her back without hurting her shoulder so that she could swallow the pills with the water. He gently lay her back down, and just before sleep claimed her, she felt his lips tenderly brush against her forehead.
Later, upon awakening, she started to stretch. With her left arm still in the sling to keep it immobile, she was immediately reminded of her recent ordeal. Groaning, she blinked several times as she peered around Aaron’s bedroom in curiosity.
The king-sized bed had a mattress that was superior to hers. Thick, plush, with just the right amount of firmness. The same could be said for his pillows. The bed was covered in a navy-and-gray comforter, and she was surprised to spread her hand over the navy sheets, finding them satin soft.
An oak chest of drawers was on the other side of the room, facing the bed. Two oak nightstands were on either side of the bed, with matching lamps perched on top. No other furniture was in the room, but dark gray curtains hung over the window.
Not wanting to waste more time sleeping, she climbed from the comfort of the bed and ventured into the adjoining bathroom. It also was a surprise. A navy-and-gray shower curtain covered the tub/shower combination. The room was clean, and the sink counter only had a toothbrush holder in sight. Closing the door, she quickly used the toilet and washed her hands. Looking into the mirror, she sighed. Her hair needed brushing. Her face was pale. And her hoodie was no longer comfortable.
Stepping back into the bedroom, she heard voices from the living room. She moved to the door and stood for a moment to unashamedly eavesdrop. The voices were low, but she was sure she heard Bess whispering. Opening the door, she was surprised to see so many people in the room. Andy, Ivy, Aaron, his dad, Bess, Sam, Hayley, and Brad were crammed into the space of Aaron’s living room and eat-in kitchen.
Immediately, a hush fell over the room, and she was thrust into self-consciousness. “Am I interrupting?”
Aaron separated from the others and moved straight to her. “Sweetheart, should you be up?”
She pressed her lips together and held his gaze, then shifted to look at the others in the room. The faces returning her gaze held concern in their eyes. She swallowed and then looked back to Aaron. “I slept. I should move around some and, um, maybe eat something?” Her words came out more as a question than a statement, but her sister understood.
Bess moved to her and pulled her in for a gentle hug. “Come on, Sis. I have something for you to eat.” She then stepped into the small kitchen.
Aaron wrapped his arm around her and guided her over to the counter, where he helped her up onto a counter chair. Bess had not only pastries but also coffee and a biscuit with egg and sausage.
Bess offered a wobbly smile and said, “Whatever you want to eat, I’ll make sure to get it for you.”
She reached over and placed her hand on Bess’s hand. “Hey, girl. I’m fine. It’ll all be fine.”
“But your place… when I got there…” Bess’s voice hitched.
“Oh, I’m so sorry you were there to see that,” Belinda rushed, squeezing her hand. “I don’t want you to be there alone, so close to?—”
“Don’t worry about it,” Aaron said.
Belinda swung her head around to stare at him. “What do you mean? Of course, I’m going to worry!”
“What I mean is that she’s being protected. Well protected.”
She wanted to ask more, but her stomach growled, and Bess turned to plate her food. She started to eat with her right hand, now ravenous but aware that the room was still full of people. Turning on the swivel stool, she licked the crumbs off her lips and stared around. “So…” She cleared her throat. “What the hell happened to my apartment? And who’s after me?”