Page 35 of Barbed Wire and Burglary
A faint smile lit Aaron’s tired features as he disconnected the call. “I’d like to see you try to pin this one on me, seeing as you’re my alibi.”
It was true. Whatever had happened at Meyer’s Honey Farm had occurred during the past hour.
“Accomplices,” A.J. coughed into his hand as he zipped up his coat and pulled his Stetson lower over his forehead.
Aaron reached for his hat, looking sour. “You’re lucky my sister loves you as much as she does and that I love her as much as I do.”
A.J. eyed his sloth-like movements. “You sure you feel up to riding along? No one will blame you if you sit this one out.”
Aaron pushed to his feet with a muffled groan. “If that’s your way of offering to drive, I accept.”
As they strode across the living room together, Aurora stood with Bandit cuddled in her arms. “Please assure me I’m not going to find a pool of blood in your room.”
“Nope.” A.J. tipped her chin up to give her a quick kiss. “Scout’s honor.”
She kissed him back. “You’re not taking my brother out to lynch him, are you?”
He chuckled against her lips. “Not today, but I like how you think.”
“I don’t,” Aaron grumbled from somewhere behind them.
“Seriously, guys.” Aurora stepped back to eye them worriedly. “What’s going on?”
A.J. drew a finger down her cheek. “Another break-in, I’m afraid. This one’s at a bee farm.”
“There’s no way they’re calling you into work.” She hurried across the room to step between Aaron and the doorknob he was reaching for. “You just left the hospital,” she protested. “You should be in bed.”
A.J. agreed, but it didn’t feel wise to jump into the conversation.
“I need to do this,” Aaron informed her quietly. They seemed to be exchanging some sort of silent message.
“I’ll go with you.” There was a desperate note in her voice.
“Nah, you just focus on getting settled in.” He drew himself up to his full height and shouldered her out of the way. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
“We?” Her eyes widened in amazement as she spun A.J.’s way. “You mean you two are working together?You?”
A.J. couldn’t resist sampling her surprise and delight with another kiss. Striding their way, he gave Aaron’s shoulder a nudge to get him moving out the door, lingering behind to palm Aurora’s cheek.
He gave her a very satisfying kiss that left them both breathing unevenly. “Our bosses seem determined to throw us together every chance they can.”
A breathy chuckle slid out of her. “Just don’t kill each other.” She placed her hand over his heart, no doubt feeling how hard and fast it was thumping for her.
“We won’t.” A.J. used his shoulders to shield her from the blast of cold air coming through the door.
“Look after him for me,” she begged softly.
“If you insist.” He cuddled her and Bandit close for a lingering hug before following after her brother…and immediately wished he’d taken longer to do so.
Aaron was hitching his way slowly down the metal stairs, clutching the railing with both hands. There was nothing feigned in his labored breathing and huffs of pain.
It was hard for A.J. to watch, instinctively knowing the deputy hated being seen like this. What man wouldn’t? When they reached his truck, A.J. didn’t dare open the door for him, either, but he sure wanted to.
As soon as he slid behind the wheel, he opened the storage compartment in his console and pulled out two bottles of water from his stash of munchies and beverages.He handed one of them to Aaron while he revved the motor.
“Thanks.” Aaron uncapped it and took a swig. “If you try to drape a blanket over my knees next, there’s gonna be trouble.” His meaning was unmistakable. Enough coddling.
“No blankets, bro.” A.J. tapped the address of the bee farm into his GPS. “But if you’re ever in need of a gas mask again…”
