Page 106 of A Little Naughty

My brow lowers. “Bender?”

Aiden looks at Jemima, and her face flushes pink. “I closed my eyes and screamed when I pulled the trigger.” Then her tone turns hard. “But I’m glad it was me. He threatened all of us.”

I slide my arm down, taking her hand, unsure what to say to this news. My strong girl protecting her family.

“No charges are being filed,” Aiden continues. “He was standing over you with the intent to kill. There was no other choice.”

Jemima lifts her head, hope in her tone. “Does that mean it’s over?”

“Pretty much,” Aiden nods. “Nikki can stay with the two of you for now, while your petition for adoption makes its way through the system.”

She squeezes my hand. “We don’t have to be afraid of him lurking around, trying to take her.”

“I wasn’t afraid.” My voice is level, and I’m still trying to get over her saving my damn life.

“It would be helpful if we knew more about what happened to her mother.” Aiden walks to the window. “Either way, after six months, she’ll legally be considered abandoned.”

Jemima exhales a sad sound, and I hug her closer. We’re quiet a moment as the facts settle over us, as the noise of construction rises from outside.

Aiden’s arms are crossed, and he watches the activity below. “Looks like Redford Park is continuing as planned. At least it’s not in Eureka.”

Jemima walks over to where he stands, looking over the massive development underway. “Still, it’s a lot of new jobs.”

“And crime and congestion and crowded streets.” His tone is dismissive. “It’ll completely change the community.”

Back when that battle was going on, I never really took a position on whether a big golf resort would’ve been good or bad for Eureka. Sitting here now, the only change in the community I’m glad about is the one where I’m no longer a usual suspect.

“Stinkgazers.” Aiden pulls a petal on one of the giant pink and white lilies. “We used to hate them growing up. Funeral flowers.”

“Funeral flowers?” Jemima walks over and plucks them out of the vase, tossing them in the trash. “We won’t be needing that any time soon.”

I exhale a smile at her defiance, my badass little wife.

“That’s right.” Aiden pats her on the back before going to the door. “I’ve got to head on back. Just wanted to give you the update.”

“Thanks, Aiden,” she calls after him.

Our eyes meet, and I’m about to reach for her when the nurse enters, speaking to Aiden as she passes him in the doorway. “I’ve got good news for you!”

She carries a clipboard to the bed. “The doctor has cleared you to go home. I’ve got your prescriptions here, and your care instructions. If you’re ready, we can have you out of here in an hour.”

She smiles, and I’m already on my feet. “I’m ready.”

“Not so fast. I have to change your dressing and order a wheelchair. But you can start gathering your things.” She pauses at the door. “It’s not often we get to treat a hero.”

My brow furrows, but she’s gone before I can stop her. Jemima is picking up my few belongings. She folds the jeans I was wearing when they brought me here, and slides them along with my boots and my socks into a canvas bag. Monay brought fresh clothes when she picked up Nikki for school.

Standing carefully, I walk over to where she’s packing. “I don’t know what she’s talking about. I’m nobody’s hero.”

Jemima places her palm against my cheek. “You’re mine.”

Reaching up, I close my hand over hers. “How could I possibly be…”

“You saved Nikki and me.”

“You saved Nikki.” Holding her hand, I look down into her bright blue eyes. “You saved me, too.”

Her hand moves to my chest as she rises onto her toes. “Let’s say we saved each other and leave it at that.”

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