Page 151 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

But when Aspen looked at Deborah, Garrett caught something unsettled in her gaze. Deborah returned the look.

He once again had the feeling that there was a conversation going on beneath the surface, a conversation he couldn’t hear.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Dean had awakened for a little while Monday afternoon, but he’d still been confused. Aspen was certain that, when he’d looked at her, he hadn’t known who she was. Or maybe he’d thought she was Jane.

She’d stayed out of the way and kept her head down. She wanted to be there for Garrett, but she didn’t want to cause Dean distress.

Tuesday morning, Aspen wasn’t sure what she’d find when she knocked and then stepped into Dean’s room. She definitely hadn’t expected the beaming smiles sent her way from all three in the room.

Garrett rushed around Dean’s bed and met her in the doorway with a hug. “He’s awake and aware.”

“I’m so glad,” she said. “Is it okay that I’m here?”

“Of course.” Garrett took her hand and pulled her to the bed. She guessed that Dean hadn’t confessed to his nephew what he’d confessed to her. “Dean, Aspen’s been to visit every day.”

Dean’s gaze caught hers. He remembered.

His confession. His promise to tell Cote everything.

“I’m glad you’re all right,” Dean said.

“You’re the one in the hospital bed.” She walked to his side, happy to see he was recovering. Ever since they’d arrived at the hospital Friday night, she’d been remembering those last few days with her father. Sitting at his bedside, praying he’d wake up.

Watching as he’d slipped away.

She was so thankful Garrett would be spared that pain, anyway. “How you feeling?”

He glanced at Deborah, who stood on the other side, before answering the question. “Good. Strong. Ready to face the future.”

Which meant she had to do the same.

It was hours before Dean fell asleep again. When he finally did, she said, “I’m going to stretch my legs.”

Garrett stood. “I’ll join you.”

“Actually…” Aspen turned to Deborah. “I was hoping you and I could talk.”

Garrett’s gaze flicked from his aunt to Aspen. Neither of them looked at him.

Deborah pushed to her feet. “That would be lovely.” She squeezed Garrett’s hand. “You keep Dean company.” She led the way out of the room.

They walked in silence to the waiting room on the floor. It was empty at the moment, a small favor.

Deborah walked inside and sat against the wall.

Aspen took the chair at her side and angled to face her. “Dean told me he was the one who built the bomb.”

Deborah’s eyes widened in surprise. The look lent more credence to what Aspen had realized Friday night during Brent’s explanation of the events thirty years prior.

The older woman said nothing.

Aspen had options.

She could keep what Dean had told her to herself and let Dean and Deborah continue to live their lives as if nothing had happened.

She could tell Cote what Dean had told her and let Dean face the consequences of the damage the bomb had done.

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