SHIVER
Page 29
Raven stumbled in the snow, falling to her knees, her head bowed.
“Raven?” Seeing her hunched over, he knew he was losing her too.
“I’m okay.” She grabbed his pants and pulled herself up. “Just tripped.”
He slowed the trek to the snowmobile, his body shaking with the need to hurry. Fox’s eyelids were shuttering closed and Raven was using everything she had to keep up with him. Hell, he didn’t know how she’d made it this far.
“Stay with me, guys.” He sat Fox on the snowmobile, holding him steady as he mounted the machine, wrapping the edges of his parka around Fox. It was going to be a tough ride back to the lodge with the machine loaded down with the three of them. Raven got on and leaned onto Aidan’s back, her arms wrapping loosely around his waist. “Hold onto me tighter, sweetheart.” He felt her try, but she was spent. He started the machine and headed down the hill. At least they were close to the lodge and the trails were packed from other snow machines. Halfway to the lodge, Aidan felt his son give into sleep. It felt like forever until the lodge came into view. He pulled the machine right up to the front door, hollering for help.
Sonya and Fiona were the first to appear, followed closely by Peter and Lana.
Lana.
Had she been told of her father’s death? He couldn’t worry about that now. Not with Fox and Raven in danger.
“We need to get them to the hospital.”
“Oh, good heavens,” Fiona exclaimed. “Eva!”
Eva waddled out the front door, holding the underneath of her swollen belly. “What the hell happened?”
“Fox is in the second stage of hypothermia, and…and Raven…” He had to take another breath. “Raven’s been shot.” His heart stuttered over all that he could lose.
Fiona gasped, her hand covering her mouth as tears sprang to her eyes.
Eva rushed over to them. Aidan was afraid to move off the snow machine. Raven and Fox were both awfully quiet and he was sandwiched between the two of them. Any jostling he did could shake them both to the icy ground.
“Fiona, get me some hot water bottles and blankets,” Eva began barking orders. “Lana, give her a hand. Sonya, find us a vehicle to take them to Fairbanks. Peter, get those men back here. Let them know we have Fox and what the situation is.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Peter hurried after the women.
Eva checked the pulse at Fox’s neck. He was still unconscious, and his shivering had stopped.
“Where was Raven shot?” Eva softly asked.
Raven stirred behind him, the movement a blast of hope to his heart. It had been so long since he’d felt anything more than her weight pressing heavily onto his back.
“It’s just a graze. We need to get Fox to the hospital.” Raven moved to stand. Eva rushed to help as Raven stumbled off the snow machine. “Help me get these damn snowshoes off or I’m going to kill myself.”
“I’ve got keys to someone’s Durango,” Sonya said, coming back out of the lodge with her coat on. “I’ll get it started and warmed up.” She hurried to the electric-blue SUV parked in the lot.
Aidan climbed off the snowmobile, lifted Fox into his arms, and walked over to the Durango where Eva had opened the door to the backseat. He gently laid Fox on the seat, taking off his coat and wrapping it around his son. His lips were bright blue, his breathing fast and shallow. Fiona appeared behind Aidan and handed him the hot water bottles. He tucked them around Fox, up and under his coat, covering him with the thick blankets that Fiona had also provided. Eva scooted in next to Fox.
Raven stood swaying on her feet. “Eva, tell me he’s going to be okay.”
“He’s going to be fine. Now let’s get this sorry-ass group to the hospital.”
Aidan made a quick grab for Raven as her head lolled on her shoulders. He caught her up in his arms just before she would have hit the ground.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Aidan paced the putty-colored corridors of the ER. Eva had called ahead on her cell and had the staff prep for their arrival. But things were still taking too long. He’d already been questioned by the troopers as the doctors had to report on Raven’s gunshot. There had been no word on Fox. They’d kicked him out of the room since he was in the way and Raven had been sent up for a CAT scan as she hadn’t regained consciousness by the time they’d arrived.
Fiona and Sonya had followed in another car and were quietly talking in the corner of the waiting room with Eva. Every now and then he felt their worried eyes on him. Life had never played him a winning hand. How could he expect that now would be any different?
He should never have come back.
But then if he hadn’t come back he wouldn’t know about Fox, wouldn’t have gotten to know what a great kid his own flesh and blood was. And the wondrous stolen hours with Raven, how could he wish those had never happened? Yes, things hadn’t gone as planned, but when did they? Who’s to say what would have happened if he hadn’t been here when Roland and Genie set into motion their play for the gold? What if Fox had stumbled onto one of them like he had today and Aidan hadn’t been here to help find him? Fox might not have made it.
One thing Aidan had come to realize, he wasn’t giving up on his family. He loved Raven, always had. And he loved Fox. He was staying. He was going to be there for both of them. Even if Raven decided she didn’t want him around, he still had a right to be Fox’s father. Do fatherly stuff. He’d make right the wrongs of the past by being the man he knew he could be, the kind of father to Fox that he wished he’d had.
The doors to the ER whooshed open, bringing with it a blast of frigid air and Garrett Hunt.
“What’s the status?” Garrett asked, hands on hips, in full cop mode.
“They’re treating Fox for hypothermia. He’s got frostbite on his fingers and toes. We don’t know how bad it is yet. He curled up into a ball for warmth, which protected his face. Raven is still unconscious. They just took her up for a CAT scan.”
“We got Genie. She’s being booked for kidnapping, two counts of attempted murder, and the murder of your uncle.”
“How’d the hell did you find her?”
“When you radioed in we could hear you but you couldn’t hear us. We followed where you said you’d picked up Fox’s trail and found Genie tied to a tree. Pretty smart leaving her there secured with your coat strings.”
“Too bad the wolves didn’t get to her.”
“A meaner pack of wolves will get her in prison. She isn’t going anywhere for a long time. But we didn’t find any sign of the gold.”
“I never thought there was any. How’s Lana?”
“Peter’s with her. She’s upset but resigned. She knew what kind of man her father was. I’m sure it came as no surprise that he’d meet a bad end.”
Aidan nodded. “Roland?”
“At the morgue on ice. Troopers are all over everything in Chatanika.”
“Yeah, they sent some of their buddies here. I’ve already talked to them.”
Sonya walked up to them. “Hey, guys. Do you know where Lynx is?”
“He should’ve beaten me here.” Garrett checked his watch. “Why, what’s going on?”
Sonya worried her bottom lip. “Eva’s in labor.”
Aidan and Garrett swiveled to stare at Eva. She was sitting in a chair bent at the waist with both arms wrapped around her belly, her face a mask of agony.
“Has she tried his cell?” Garrett asked, his tone rising from calm, cool, collected lawman to the nervous soon-to-be-in-the-same-situation-expectant-father.
“Yeah. Goes right to voicemail.”
“When is she due?” Aidan asked.
“Two weeks. She’s called her doctor and he’s on the way, but she wants Lynx.”
“I’ll go and find him,” Garrett said, turning to leave just as the doors whooshed opened again.
Lynx was wheeled into the ER on a gurney flanked by two EMTs. A bloody bandage was wrapped around Lynx’s head and dried blood was all over his face.
/> “What the hell happened to you?” Garrett asked.
“Got hit by a damn moose,” Lynx muttered. “Hey, babe.” Lynx looked up at Eva who’d wobbled her way across the foyer when she’d seen him enter. “I’m sorry, babe, but the truck didn’t make it.”
“Lynx Maiski, don’t you dare think of upstaging me.”
“Huh?”
“I’m in labor, you idiot.” Her words ended on a worried screech. “What do you mean ‘you hit a moose’?”
“No, babe. The moose hit me.”
Eva glanced at the EMT’s. “How hard did he hit his head?”
“Uh…well, he took the windshield out with it.” The EMT stepped back from the little dynamo when she glared at him and then started dolling out information. “He’s got a possible concussion. Definitely in need of stitches….broken nose, possible broken leg.”
“Shit.” Eva pursed her lips. “Anything else?”
“Uh…he’s going to need to see a dentist.”
Lynx smiled and showed the hole where his two front teeth should have been.
“You look like a damn redneck.” Suddenly she bent over and gave a long dreadful moan.
Lynx’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I told you,” Eva said through clenched teeth, “I’m in labor.”
“You serious? Now?”
“Yes, now.” She slapped him. “Shit this hurts.”
“Babe.” Lynx reached for her. “Honey, what can I do?”
“Find me some drugs.”
“I thought you wanted to do this natural.”
Eva gave him a look that had the power to skin him alive.
“Right. You want drugs, drugs you will have.” He looked at the EMT guy. “Can you hook us up?”
An observant nurse at the ER station was already bringing a wheelchair. Eva thanked her and gratefully took a seat. She arrowed a look toward Aidan. “Fill me in as soon as you know something.” Then both Lynx and Eva entered the ER, one on a gurney, the other in a wheelchair, clutching each other’s hand.
“I wouldn’t go near that woman until she’s delivered that baby,” Garrett said under his breath.
Sonya elbowed him in the ribs. “Are you going to be like this when I go into labor?”
“You gotta admit she’s over the top.”
“You have no idea what we women go through bringing children into the world.” Sonya turned on her heel and marched back to her chair.
The ER doors breezed open again. Aidan and Garrett turned to see Tern fly into the room, her long black coat slapping around her slayer black boots. “What in the hell has been happening in Chatanika?”
Raven lay with her eyes closed. Her head pounded like a drum on the warpath. Bang. Bang. Bang. The smell of disinfectant assaulted her nose, and her mouth felt as dry as one of her greenware pots. Where was she? Part of her didn’t care. That part wanted to sink back into the dark abyss waiting to embrace her. She was afraid to open her eyes. Laying here in the dark, even with the drum gig, seemed preferable to opening her eyes to what might lay ahead. Then she remembered.
“Fox,” she said, the sound coming out weak and hoarse.
Someone squeezed her hand. “He’s going to be fine. He’s demanding to see you as soon as you wake. But let’s give that some time. Seeing you right now would probably scare him to death.”
Aidan. She sighed. Aidan was holding her hand and her son was okay. Then Aidan’s words registered. “What do I look like?”
“Like hell.” A straw was suddenly at her lips. “Here, drink some water.”
She sucked water up the straw, quenching her thirst, until he took the straw from her.
“Small sips. You don’t want to throw up.”
He took her hand again and she felt him kiss her fingers.
“Where’s Fox?” She struggled to open her eyes, but the dim lighting in the room blinded, slicing shards of ice through her already pounding skull.
“He’s just down the hall. They’re keeping both of you overnight for observation.”
“What happened?”
“A lot has happened since you checked out. Why don’t you tell me the last thing you remember?”
“Fox tied up in the mine. Long ride back to the lodge.” A ride she didn’t think she’d survive.
“Fox has a minimal case of frostbite on his fingers and toes. Something he’ll have to compensate for when he’s outside. You on the other hand, have a serious concussion. How did you remain conscious when we were looking for Fox? The doctors said there was no way you could have achieved what you did with a head injury like yours. I wouldn’t have found Fox without you.”
She struggled again, trying to open her eyes. She wanted to see Aidan’s face, but darkness beckoned on the fringes reaching out with its numbing arms. Her lids fluttered, she saw his blurry outline sitting next to her bed, leaning forward over their clasped hands. “You would have found him,” she whispered.
He changed the subject. “By the way, congratulations, you’re an aunt. Eva had her baby early this morning. They’re following in Coho’s footsteps and naming her Meadow Lark.”
“A little girl.” She smiled, losing the battle on keeping her eyes open. “Is everyone all right?” she asked softly.
“Mom and baby are doing great. Lynx is still recovering. I’ll tell you more about him later. Right now I want you to rest.”
Raven relaxed. Fox was safe. Her family was safe. She let the darkness cradle her in its drug-induced grip.
Aidan watched Raven sink into sleep and breathed a thankful prayer. Her CAT scan had come back with swelling on the brain, and the doctors couldn’t tell him if she’d be all right or not. The longer Raven stayed unconscious the more dangerous her condition. She’d stirred a few times during the long vigil he’d divided between her room and Fox’s, but hadn’t totally awakened…until now.
Pike quietly entered the room. “How goes it?”
“She woke, we talked. She knows who she is and seems to remember everything.”
The gruff old man had to swallow hard before he spoke. “Good. I’ve come to sit with her for a spell while you get something to eat. I smuggled in some of Fox’s Fabulous French Fries. He’s waiting for you.”
Aidan stood, his muscles complaining. How long had he sat in this spot? “Thanks, Pike.” He reached the door and then turned back as a thought struck him. “Who’s watching the lodge?”
“Shut her down for the day. The whole family’s up here. I needed to be here with the rest of you.”
It was Aidan’s turn to swallow past the emotion thickening his throat. He hadn’t missed the inflection Pike had added to his statement. Aidan nodded his appreciation and quietly left the room. He walked a few doors down and entered.
In contrast to Raven’s dim, quiet room, Fox’s was full of color and noise. Balloons hung in a helium bouquet in the corner, delivered by Tern before she went to open the shop. The TV was set to the Cartoon Network where Batman was currently getting the best of the Joker. Fox sat crossed-legged on the bed, a stack of pillows propped behind him, while he dipped fries in ketchup. Besides the rope marks and bruising on his wrists and ankles, you’d never know he’d undergone the ordeal of the last twenty-four hours.
Fiona reclined in a corner chair talking with a woman dressed in a designer suit and snow boots and a man, wearing blue jeans and a flannel shirt, holding a television camera.
Fox tore his gaze away from the couple when he noticed Aidan. “Dad!” He smiled, his teeth showing bits of potatoes as he continued to cram fries into his mouth. “How’s Mom? Can I see her yet?”
“Not yet. But she woke for a bit and it looks like she’s going to be fine.” He shared a reassuring glance with Fiona who discreetly dabbed at the corner of her eyes. “What’s going on here?” He addressed the question to the two strangers.
“They want to do a story on us,” Fox said. “On TV. Isn’t that cool?”
“What kind of story?” Aidan frowned.
“She means Mr. Harte’s murder, my kidnapping, Mom’s shooting, all done by the famed Lonely Lady stripper, Genie in the Bottle,” Fox said around a mouthful of fries.
Aidan tried not to smile. “Hmm.”
“It’s a hero piece, Dad. Isn’t that perfect?”
“Hero piece?”
Brooke Malone stepped forward, gesturing with her hands. “We want to tell about what you did, rescuing your family under such hostile conditions. You’re the hero of the hour and we’d like to do a special interest report on it.”
“Uh…” A rush of emotion stole Aidan’s breath. Hero? Him? He wrote about heroes. He’d never been the hero in anything.
“Isn’t that cool, Dad.”
“Uh…yeah.” He needed some air. “If you’d excuse me for a moment, I gotta…go.” Before he melted like a snowman under a spring sun, Aidan rushed out of the room, down the hall, until he found the stairwell. He pushed the metal door open and fell back against the cool surface. What the hell was wrong with him? He was acting like a sissy girl all because someone thought he was a hero. He was no hero. He hadn’t done any more than any other man would have done for the people he loved. So why were tears flooding his eyes?
He pushed away from the door and sat on the stair riser before his legs gave out. What a mess he was. A blubbering, sniveling mess.
The door cracked open and Fiona peeked her head around the corner. “I thought I saw you duck in here.” Rather than leave him in peace, she entered the stairwell and sat next to him.
He quickly wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his shirt. “Fox okay? Raven?”
“I’m more worried about you right now. It’s difficult seeing yourself in a different light, isn’t it?”
He nodded as emotion, he couldn’t seem to turn off, flooded him.
She gently smoothed back the hair that had fallen over his forehead. “I always knew this man was in you. I’m glad you are finally meeting him.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “That son of yours wants to be on TV.”