The Spirit Tree (24 page)

“I was planning to break things off with him when he got sick.” I eyed the bottle.

“Oh no. This isn’t for you, young lady. You need to drive yourself home. I’m not going to let you hide here when you have a mess to clean up.” Mae poured herself and Dottie a shot. “Bryson told us about Aaron getting sick. It would have been nice to hear it from you. I’m quite fond of the boy.”

“Sorry, Gram. Everything happened so fast, I didn’t have time to call.”

“Next time everything is happening fast, slow down.” Mae shook her head and knocked back the whiskey.

“Tessa, all of this is new to you. You can’t expect to have all the answers. I know it’s not your way, but lean on those who love you until you get your feet back under your fanny.” Dottie sipped her whiskey.

“So, what are you going to do about Aaron?” Mae persisted.

“I need to stop it before it goes any further. If we can be friends, great, if not, then that’ll be his choice, not mine.”

“Tessa, Dottie and I disagree on this. I say if your heart wants Aaron, don’t cut him loose just yet. Just because Buck thinks you’re going to marry Bryson, it doesn’t mean you’re going to marry Bryson. Buck Oldham will have to get over it.” Mae set her jaw.

“Follow your heart, and give yourself time, Tessa. No one can set your path for you.” Dottie smiled.

“Thank you both.” I sat back. Truth be told, I knew what my heart wanted—Bryson.

“Now, get your fanny out of here. The truck keys are on the visor.” Mae stood and wrapped her arms around my neck, kissed my brow, and swatted my backside.

I turned and hugged Dottie. “Good night.”

“Good night, sweetheart.” Dottie patted my back. “Take your time, and don’t let those boys push you around.”

I walked toward Charlie’s truck without looking over my shoulder for bad guys, or at my feet for snakes. My personal life had turned into a hot mess, but at least no one was trying to shoot me anymore. I slid into the worn leather seat, pulled down the visor, and the keys fell into my lap. On the visor, beneath the strap, was a picture of me from my high school graduation.

“Charlie, I don’t know what to do.” I sat back and closed my eyes. “I can’t take your position in the tribe. I’m not ready. I can’t even get my life in order. Why did you leave? I miss you so much.”

Old Spice drifted through the cab, mingling with the scent of old leather and sweat. Years of working out of this truck had given it its own unique smell. The aftershave scent was different, familiar, but stronger than normal. I opened my eyes, hoping to see my grandfather beside me. I was alone, only I didn’t feel alone. “Charlie? Grandpa? Are you there?”

The scent faded. I shook my head and wiped my eyes. “I know you’re there, and I know what I need to do.”

I debated going straight to the hospital, but needed to take my time and clear my head. My bare foot pressed on the gas pedal. I needed to go home and shower first. Aaron might be feeling better, but one whiff of me right now would put him back in the ICU.

My apartment was empty—too empty. I went straight to the couch and picked up Bryson’s pillow, bringing it to my face. It smelled like him, like sandalwood and fresh-cut lumber. My bed called, warm and safe, but I needed to see Aaron. Heaven knows what Samuels had told him. How would he feel about a girl who changed into a bird now and then? Not that it mattered, as I had to break things off as soon as possible.

I walked into Aaron’s hospital room with a growing sense of doom. Knowing what needs done and doing it are two different things.

“Hey, there she is.” Aaron grinned. He sat in the lounger next to the bed, with only one IV in his arm.

“Hi.” I went to him and slid my arms around his neck for a quick hug. Aaron had other ideas. He pulled me into his lap and laid a kiss on me that would have made a sailor blush.

Samuels cleared his throat. “Tessa, where did you fly off to? A little bird told me you were in Geneva.”

I cringed at his words. Did I assume Aaron knew my secret or did he just enjoy watching me squirm? “Hi, Samuels. I had to take care of something before I came here.”

I eased away from Aaron. “I owe you my life, but don’t expect a kiss.”

“That’s okay. I have a bird’s-eye view over here.” He chuckled.

Aaron pressed his hand to my cheek and turned my face toward his. “Samuels told me you left before giving your statement.”

“I’ll take care of it tomorrow. I needed to get out of there.”

“Understandable. Settle something for us. We have a bet going on about how you got out of the laundry room.” Aaron pulled me close, still grinning. He definitely felt better.

“I pulled my legs through my arms and chewed the tape until I could break it. Then used the zipper from a pair of jeans to—”

Aaron interrupted me with a victory shout. “I told you she did it alone.” He kissed my cheek. “That’s my girl.”

I pulled back enough to get a breath, and turned my head toward Samuels. “Is he on pain meds?”

“Nope.” Samuels chuckled as he stood. “I think I’m going to leave you two lovebirds alone. Aaron, see you tomorrow, buddy. I’ll be here when they spring you.”

“You’re getting out tomorrow?” I asked.

“Yep, and plan on being back in the office by noon. I have some kids to find.
We
have some kids to find.” He waved to Samuels.

“Have a good night, Samuels,” I said.

Samuels winked and closed the door behind him.

“It’s too soon for you to return to work.”

“I feel great,” Aaron said.

“You were in intensive care, Aaron.”

“Have you talked to Bryson?” Aaron asked, pulling me against his chest again.

“Briefly.” I felt guilty curled up on Aaron’s lap while discussing Bryson.

“Did he tell you what happened?” Aaron ran his fingers through my hair.

“Samuels told me you almost died. Then you had a remarkable recovery,” I replied, making the statement sound more like a question.

“Bryson saved my life.”

“What?” I pulled back so I could see his face.

“I know you two are . . . special. He told me I was sick because of dark magic. At first I didn’t believe him, then everything clicked: your quick healing, the wolf guy, your ability to talk to ghosts, and see things.”

I nodded, feeling the bottom drop out from under me. Bryson had warned me not to involve outsiders, yet he’d spilled his guts to Aaron? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

“He used magic to heal me.” Aaron pulled me close again. “He said he did it for you.”

“For me?” My throat went dry.

“Because you blamed yourself for my being sick. Which, by the way, is ridiculous.”

“Oh.” I eased out of his lap.

Aaron frowned when I stood. “Tessa, are you okay?”

“I’m really tired.”

“Is that all there is to it?”

I wanted to tell him yes, to allow him to believe everything would be fine, but I needed to be honest. “No. I’m still dealing with losing my uncle, being kidnapped, witnessing murders—the list seems endless. I have feelings for you, but I also have feelings for Bryson. With everything else going on, I don’t think this is the time to start a relationship.”

Aaron took a moment to process my words. “I know. Bryson and I discussed it. Do you want me to back off?”

“You what?” My face grew hot. “You two discussed it?”

Aaron nodded.

“Did you two come to any decisions? What? Did you flip a coin?”

“It wasn’t like that.” Aaron ran his hand over the back of his neck.

“Then how was it?”

“Come here.” Aaron reached for me.

“Actually, I need to run. It’s been a long day, and I have to take care of some things.” I turned toward the door.

“Tessa . . .”

“Let me know if you need any help with the case.” I marched out of the room and straight into Bryson’s chest.

“Hey.” Bryson set his hands on my upper arms to steady me, and tilted his head. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything is perfect. Just peachy.” I forced a big smile and pulled away.

Aaron came to the door, dragging his IV pole behind him. He looked past me to Bryson. “We need to talk. All of us.”

Bryson studied my face. “Will you sit down and talk to us?”

I dipped my chin to my chest, turned, and walked back into the room. Aaron sat on the bed, and I sat in the chair closest to the door. It may have been cowardly, but my sense of self-preservation made me stay close to the escape route.

Bryson looked between Aaron and me before moving to the lounger. “What’s going on?”

“I was telling Tessa we talked after you saved my life.” Aaron stared at me as he spoke.

“I see.” Bryson turned to me. “Tessa?”

I shook my head. “Look, I’m tired. It’s been a difficult day, and I have to drive to Ocala tomorrow to give a statement about the murders. I want to go home.”

“Murders?” Bryson’s eyes darkened. “I thought the cops shot Paul Woods.”

“Tessa witnessed Woods killing Dr. Hicks and a Marion County deputy,” Aaron replied.

The memory of the officer’s strangled scream crashed into my mind. I needed to get out of there and process everything that had happened.

“You didn’t tell me Hicks was dead.” Bryson stared at me.

“I didn’t have a chance.”

“Tell me now.” Bryson folded his arms. “Please.”

“I was pretty high in a tree. I didn’t see the actual deaths.”

“Why were you in a tree?” Bryson unfolded his arms and leaned forward, his face softening.

“To get away from the wolves,” I said. “After I got out of the house, I ran into the forest. I heard wolves and climbed a tree.”

Bryson nodded. “Why don’t you start at the beginning?”

I felt like an ant under a magnifying glass, but Bryson deserved to hear it from me. I steadied my nerves and told them what had happened, including the visit from my mother. “I had my eyes closed so he couldn’t find me. I didn’t see anything.”

“Man, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this magic stuff.” Aaron shook his head.

“I didn’t know, Tessa. I’m sorry.” Bryson looked stricken.

“You didn’t ask. Nor did you ask before you told Aaron I needed time to deal with things, or before you told him I had feelings for both of you.” My anger simmered below the surface, fueling the fire in my gut. I had to learn to control my emotions.

“We’re worried about you. We agreed to back off and give you some space,” Bryson added.

I jerked my head toward Aaron. “You certainly didn’t back off.”

Aaron put his hands up. “What can I say? I fight dirty. After a near-death experience, I realized I don’t have time to waste.”

“Aaron.” Bryson shook his head. He looked like he knew more than he said.

I stood and put my hands on my hips. “When you two figure out my life, let me know. I’m going home.”

I stormed out the door, and Bryson followed. He grabbed my arm, and I ripped it away. “Leave me alone. I’ve heard enough.”

“No, you haven’t.” He looked into my eyes. “He didn’t have a near-death experience. He died.”

My breath hitched. “What are you talking about?”

“I pulled him back, and gave him part of my spirit to bind him to this world.”

I stared, my mouth hanging open.

“It would have killed you if he’d died. You never would have forgiven yourself.” Bryson reached forward to touch my face, but I shrank away.

“How? What cost?” I couldn’t grasp what he’d done, though it couldn’t be that easy—nothing in this new life was that easy.

“We are bound in spirit.”

“Right, but what does that mean?”

“I gave him part of me, and took enough of his sickness into myself to allow his body to heal.”

“Are you sick? Is that why you were so tired?” My voice rose.

Bryson whispered, “I was, yes. He is so . . .” Bryson made a motion. “Energetic, because he has a small amount of my being mixing with his.”

“He is rather full of energy.” I rolled my eyes. “What did you tell him about us?”

“Only that we had magic.”

“So, he doesn’t know the shifter part?”

“No. I told him only what was necessary.”

I leaned against the wall. Would Samuels tell Aaron about me shifting?

Bryson smiled. “I should get back in there before I have to peel him off the ceiling.”

“I’m going home.”

“Do you want me to come by later?”

“Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow, after I get back in town.”

Bryson’s face fell. He looked so disappointed I almost changed my mind—almost.

I bolted upright, waking from yet another nightmare. My subconscious had me back in the tree with my eyes closed. Someone hammered on my front door.

“What time is it?” I murmured into the dark room. Who in the hell is knocking on my door at a quarter to six in the morning?

I tossed my singed robe around my shoulders and tiptoed to the door. Aaron stood on my doorstep with two cups of coffee, a fat folder under his arm, and a stupid grin. I opened the door and turned before I made eye contact. What was he doing here? He needed to learn to call before dropping by, especially at such an ungodly hour. I walked back toward my room.

Aaron caught my arm before I slid between the sheets. “Ah-ah-ah. We have work to do.”

“It is the butt crack of dawn, Aaron. I’m tired. Call me later,” I grumbled, and crawled back into bed.

“I thought you wanted to get Mr. Rivera out of jail?”

“When the sun’s up, we’ll talk. Go to work. Turn the bottom lock on the way out.” My brain clicked on; something didn’t make sense. “They discharged you from the hospital in the middle of the night?”

“Nope, I left.” Aaron pulled the lid off a coffee cup and waved the steam in my direction.

The aroma of coffee hit me almost as hard as his words. “You left against medical advice?”

“I couldn’t sit there until they got around to doing the paperwork. I have a case to solve. Those kids are out there somewhere.”

I sat up and grabbed the coffee. It burned my tongue but tasted amazing. “You are a serious pain in my butt, Detective.”

“Right back at ya, sweetheart.” He sat beside me. “I did some digging this morning and came up with nothing. Samuels has a name and an address, but when he went by, the place was empty. The guy left in a hurry. Samuels is looking for next of kin and place of employment, but it’s a slow process. We need to go back to the Rivera house and see if you can speak to the ghost.”