Page 25 of Edge of Forever

“That she does.” Julian palmed his close cropped hair. “Is there anything you want us doing at the house?”

Logan crossed his arms, resting his mug on his forearm. “Just keep the reporters out.”

“That Roth guy sent out reinforcements. There are many scary dudes on his payroll. It’s dick shrinking.”

Logan snorted. “Let’s hope the same applies to the reporters.”

“Local news crews have scouts in Winchester Falls every day. They keep trying to dig for an angle. Famous musician and local business woman’s wedding ruined by festival massacre. It’s getting ugly.”

“Wedding?” Logan made an exasperated groan. “I haven’t married her yet, dammit. They’re already ruining my wedding day?”

“It gets better.”

“Somehow I doubt it.”

“They’ve been playing our new single over the disaster footage. Somehow ‘Endings and Beginnings’ has become the Winchester Falls fight song.”

“What?” Exasperation and horror laced each syllable.

“Yeah. Charlie has us doing press to keep them away from you guys, but it’s been absolutely insane.”

Logan was so glad he hadn’t put a television in Izzy’s room. It probably would have landed outside in a pile of circuits. Everything had an angle these days. Including the explosion.

The idea that Aimee could have orchestrated that made his shoulders knot.

“Hello. Good morning.”

Logan turned to the little volunteer that worked this side of the hospital. She had a cart full of flowers. “We have a few arrangements for Ms. Grace.” She picked up a white basket with an explosion of sunflowers and black-eyed Susans. “From Mayor Darcy.”

He smiled. The mayor knew how to use colors when she wanted. Logan took it with his free hand and set it on the table next to Izzy. That way she could see them when she woke up.

One from The Stack family in town was full of wildflowers from Genevieve’s garden. Jacob’s wife was very selective with whom she shared her beloved flowers with. Izzy might enjoy Gen’s irises. At least a little.

“And then we have this one. It’s so pretty. All of us on the rounds have been sighing over it all morning.” She held up the crystal vase with blood red dahlias and pristine white roses.

The mug hit the tile with a pop and crash, ceramic shards scattering.

Logan’s hands went to fists and his shoulders to stone.

Izzy jumped at the sounds and made a soft moan. Logan instantly turned to her, forcing his hands to gentle as he pushed her hair back.

“Iz. It’s okay. I’m sorry.”

She turned her face toward him, her topaz eyes blurry. “Hurt.”

“I know, baby. You’re going to be okay. I promise.”

She tried to move her arms, but the supports for her hands were fastened to the bed so her hands wouldn’t fall naturally to the side.

“Just take a breath.” Logan looked over his shoulder at the girl, then to Julian.

“Shit.” Zeke came in the door and took the arrangement. “Okay, sweetie. Thanks so much for the delivery.”

“Did I do something wrong? They were so beautiful.” The volunteer, in her pink printed, kid-friendly scrubs and with her high ponytail, looked so distraught. “Don’t step in the glass. Let me just get—”

Julian and Zeke herded her to the door. “It’s okay. We’ll take care of it.”

“But…” The girl trailed off.

---