Page 110 of Shadows of You

Aspen’s wordshad echoed in my head all day.“You’re a good man. The best man I’ve ever known. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”

My throat worked as I swallowed, trying to clear the ache there. It was impossible because that ache was everywhere. A pain that only came from coming back to life.

How long had I kept it all turned off—every heightened emotion and feeling? It had helped keep out the bad, but also locked out the good. Until Aspen.

She’d changed everything before I’d even known her name. Those little glimmers of hope and light as I watched her from my cabin perch. As I saw her kindness play out in front of me.

I turned into the police station parking lot. It was more crowded than normal. There were a couple of county sheriff vehicles, Fish and Wildlife, and Forest Service. Seemed Lawson had called everyone in for a meeting of the minds.

I snagged a parking spot in the back corner and headed around front. As I opened the door, the officer behind the desk looked up. “They’re in the conference room.”

“Thanks,” I said with a nod.

The shock on his face was blatant. I cringed. How much of an ass had I been over the years that a simplethankswarranted a dropped jaw and wide eyes?

A varied group milled around the conference room. Groups weren’t my favorite thing. There was a reason I’d chosen to live most of my life in the wilderness. But I didn’t have a choice.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside. My boss, Rob, moved in my direction and clapped me on the shoulder. “How are you holding up?”

The urge to scowl was so strong. I hated the idea of anyone in my business, but I knew Rob was asking because he cared, not because he was being a nosy asshole.

“Good. Thanks for letting me work half-time for a bit.”

The corner of Rob’s mouth kicked up. “You’re saving me from having to pay you a ridiculous amount of overtime.” The amusement left his expression. “You need any help, just let me know.”

I gave him a rough nod. “Appreciate it.”

The sheriff called Rob’s name, and he turned to answer. I took that opportunity to slink into a back corner, hopefully hidden by the majority of the crowd. Most people gave me a wide berth. They didn’t try to talk to me because they knew I didn’t do polite chitchat.

That didn’t apply to my siblings, though. Nash elbowed his way through the crowd, a bakery bag in hand. He squeezed in next to me, looking annoyed. “Why’d you have to find the most cramped spot in the entire room?”

I gave him a bland look. “You didn’t have to stand here.”

“Of course, I did. Who else is going to mock Lawson’s authoritative voice with me?” Nash pawed through his bag and pulled out a donut.

I snagged the bag from him.

“Hey!” he protested.

I grabbed a glazed donut from the bag and handed it back. “Should’ve stood elsewhere.”

“It’s a damn good thing I brought extras,” he grumbled.

My lips twitched.

“Holy hell. Was that a smile?” Nash gaped at me.

My mouth went flat again. “Shut up.”

“Aspen must be a miracle worker, man.”

“Nash…” I warned.

He munched on his donut. “We need to get her into political office. She could broker world peace in no time flat.”

I had no doubt.

“All right, everyone,” Lawson said as he strode to the front of the room. “Let’s get started.”

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