Page 60 of In the Arms of a Hero

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 washedher 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.

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