Page 125 of Crosshairs

“Aren’t visiting hours over?”

“Just in ICU.”

“You’ll be staying at the house tonight?”

“Yes.” While she hated that a man had died, it was a relief to not worry about someone trying to kill her.

“Give him my love,” Gran said.

Ainsley found his room and knocked on the door. When he didn’t answer, she pushed the door open and peeked inside. Linc lay sleeping, and she quietly entered the room and sat in a chair.

“I never stopped loving you.”Would Linc remember what he’d said? If he did, how would she respond? Could they have a second chance at love? From the way she’d felt when he was shot, it was a real possibility. Time would tell.

Only they didn’t have much time, depending on how long it took to find Drew’s shooter. When she wrapped up that case, Ainsley would return to the Smokies. And Linc would stay in Natchez.

She stood and walked to the window that looked out over the parking lot. Not a great view, but he shouldn’t be here long enough to notice. The nurse had said he’d probably be discharged this afternoon.

Her heart swelled with thankfulness. God had watched over them, and even though Linc had been shot, it was minor compared to what could have happened. The words to the song from Sunday came to her.

She began to hum.His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watchesme.

65

Light penetrated the darkness, beckoning Linc. He struggled against whatever held him back, and the light drew closer. Smells assaulted his nose ... alcohol. And sounds ... footsteps ... a squeaky wheel ... an angelic voice softly singing about a sparrow ... and God.

He moved his leg and groaned. The singing ceased. “Don’t stop,” he murmured.

A cool hand brushed his forehead, and he blinked his eyes open. Ainsley stood beside the bed.

“I thought you were an angel.”

“You’re not bad enough to be delirious, but maybe I should call the nurse,” she said, her tone teasing.

“No.” Linc stayed her hand. He looked up into Ainsley’s eyes that were the color of a clear October sky. He’d been such a fool fifteen years ago. “It’s ... beautiful. You should be singing on the stage.”

“Now I know I need to call the nurse.”

“No, really. I was so wrong to hold you back.”

A shadow crossed her face, then she gave him a gentle smile. “Have you forgotten? I plowed right through yours and Dad’s objections and claimed that dream. Only it turned out to be more of a nightmare.”

“I’m sorry. Maybe if we’d been more—”

“Stop beating yourself up. I should have quit before I ruined my voice.”

“I don’t think you’ve ruined anything.” He squeezed her hand. “From what I just heard, you—”

“It doesn’t matter. Being on the stage isn’t my calling.” Ainsley gave a rueful chuckle. “Coming back to Natchez has driven that home to me. Evidently I’m supposed to be catching the bad guys.”

His breath caught in his chest. Maddox holding a gun to Ainsley’s head came flooding back. “So, Maddox is dead.”

“He is.” She pulled her hand away and rubbed her arms.

Relief mixed with regret settled in his heart. He’d killed a man. Knowing that was never easy. But Maddox would have killed Ainsley.

“You saved my life,” she said. “And Colton’s and his dad’s. You’re the hero in all of this.”

He didn’t feel like a hero. Then he realized he hadn’t had a panic attack when he pulled his gun. “I wish we could’ve taken him alive.”

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