Page 126 of Crosshairs

“Me too. I have a lot of questions I wanted to ask him,” she said. “And Jesse Mason has been arrested for Hannah’s murder.”

“I missed a lot. How ...?”

“When I rescued Alma, she told me Jesse confessed to her that Hannah died when he was chasing her. I don’t think she knows yet that Hannah died because he covered her mouth, making her heart go out of rhythm.”

“That means your job is finished here.”

“Just about. I’d like to stick around long enough to make sure it was Maddox who shot Drew.”

He had to tell her how he felt. “Glad you’re not going back just yet.”

Ainsley’s shoulders stiffened as she skittered her gaze away, toward the window. “Do you remember what you told me before they took you to surgery?”

He didn’t remember anything after Rocky Springs. “No, but I hope it was I love you.”

She brought her gaze back to him. “It was, but...”

“But what? You can’t say you don’t love me, not after the way you kissed me.”

“I wasn’t going to, but I need time to process a few things.”

The door opened, and her shoulders relaxed as a nurse bustled in. “I see you’re awake now,” she said and checked his IV line.

Linc willed the nurse to leave so he could finish what he’d started, but one look at Ainsley’s face and the relief in it ... the moment had passed. His head swam briefly as he raised the bed to a sitting position. “When can I get out of here?”

She patted him on the shoulder. “That’ll be up to the doctor, and he’s on the floor so you should have your answer soon.”

Once the nurse left, Ainsley edged toward the door. “I better go. I have reports that need writing.”

“I’d like to finish our conversation.”

“Not now, Linc. I-I just can’t.”

“Okay.” He clenched his jaw. “Do you have the keys to the Tahoe? I’ll need wheels if the doctor releases me.”

“You don’t need to drive. Just call and I’ll—”

“I’llsee to it that he gets home,” Sarah said from the doorway. “There’s no need to bother you, Ainsley.”

Linc hadn’t heard Sarah arrive.

Ainsley hesitated, then gave him a half wave. “I’m leaving you in good hands.”

“Don’t go,” he said. “We’re not finished talking.”

Ainsley glanced at Sarah. “We’ll talk later.”

The room felt empty when she left.

“You don’t have to stay,” Linc said.

“It’s no problem,” Sarah said. “Why don’t you sleep until the doctor comes in?”

That wasn’t a bad idea. That way he wouldn’t have to make small talk with her. It seemed like he’d barely closed his eyeswhen the doctor came into the room. After examining his leg, he gave Linc instructions on how to care for the wound and discharged him. Within an hour, a nurse was wheeling him out of the hospital while Sarah went to fetch her car.

Linc eyed the MINI Cooper and wished for his Tahoe.

“Here,” Sarah said, sliding the passenger seat as far back as it would go. “You should fit now.”

---