Page 8 of Wreck Me
Her nod was small. “Thank you.”
In the waiting room, he called Henderson’s shop and confirmed her car made it and then checked in with his cousin Landon, who was one of his deputies. When it appeared all was handled—except for the mounting paperwork on his desk—he flipped mindlessly through faded magazines and wondered about the woman down the hall.
Nah, man. We have rules, remember? You have plenty of people to protect and serve. You don’t need to fixate on one out-of-towner. No matter how gorgeous she may be or how hard her smile hits you in the gut.
Finally, Doc and Megan came through the door and into the waiting room. Megan’s gash on her head had been stitched, and she had some paperwork in hand.
Aidan stood and slid his phone in his back pocket. “Everything look okay?”
“Yeah, we just had some paperwork to go over.” Doc turned slightly to Megan. “Mind if I share with Aidan?”
“It’s fine.”
Aidan had two older brothers, but he was surrounded by sisters in the sibling birth order, making him well versed in what it really meant when a woman says “I’m fine.”
Megan was anything but fine.
“She definitely has a concussion. My recommendation for the next forty-eight hours is rest, no screen time, no television, no driving, nothing that requires brain stimulation. Taking a light walk is fine, as long as symptoms don’t return. Tylenol, no aspirin. And she shouldn’t be alone for the next forty-eight hours.” He turned back to Megan. “And I’d like to see you back in three days.”
Aidan’s gaze shot to Megan. The poor woman looked like she was about to cry. Every cell in Aidan’s body screamed at him to shield her from everything.
He held out his hand to his uncle. “Okay, thanks, Doc.”
Doc returned the shake. “How’s the shoulder?”
“It’s fine. A little sore today after taking a shot from Robbie Brewster, but I’ll live.”
Doc rolled his eyes. “Those two…well, let me know if you have any trouble.” He turned to Megan. “You have my cell. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call me. And I’ll talk with Wilma about the other issue we spoke about. Okay?”
“Thanks, Doc.”
Once they were situated back in his SUV, she turned to him. “Thank you for helping me with all that. I hate to put you out further but do you know a place where I can stay for a few days? Just until I figure out my next move?”
He pushed the start/stop button and the SUV cranked on. “There’s a couple of places around here. But I know a place where I can get you a deal.”
For the first time since he’d met her, her smile lit up her face, and it was like staring into the sun. “That would be great. Thank you, Aidan. Oh, what did you find out about my car?”
“It’s at the shop. Henderson said if you want to come by he can give you a timeline and estimate.” His hands gripped the wheel, and he tapped his thumb. “You know, Doc said you shouldn’t be alone for the next two days.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m a big girl. Like I said, I just need a place to stay for a few nights until I figure out my next move.”
Against his better judgment, Aidan let it go. He had no claim on this woman and couldn’t make her be sensible, even if every cell in his body wanted to make her see reason.
He dropped the SUV into gear. “Okay, let’s go find you a room.”
The smell of lemon,wood, and beeswax made the wide room of the Historic Square Inn feel more like the living room in a family home than the lobby of a place where strangers laid their heads. Aidan knew for a fact that the furniture was expensive, family antiques that were anything but comfortable, but the large rugs on the floor and the raging fire in the fireplace in the middle of the room gave it a cozy, warm feeling.
He and Megan walked toward the vacant check-in desk at the back of the room. “Hello?” he called out.
His mother, Stella, came through a doorway off to the side. “Aidan, why are you hollering? Don’t you know you’re supposed to ring the bell?” Her tone was teasing, and the smile on her face made her blue eyes light up. “What’s up, baby?”
“Hey, Mom. Where’s Aunt Linds?”
“Her day off.” His mom folded her arms over the desk and leaned forward. “Aidan, don’t be rude. Introduce me to your friend.”
“She’s not…never mind.” He sighed and stepped aside so that Megan could step forward. “This is Megan. Megan, this is my mom, Stella Reynolds. Megan was passing through town and had a fender bender this morning. She needs a room for a few days.”
Stella’s eyes were wide as she studied Megan. “Ouch. Took a shot to the head, huh?”
