Page 18 of Colton’s Inferno

He gave his dad a hug. “It’s good to see you here. Were you working?”

“Your mom called me at home. She figured that I’d want to know.” He held Aiden at arm’s length. “And how are you?”

“My head hurts,” he said, being honest. “Ryan suspects a concussion.” At the mention of Ryan, Matilda and Sammy came to mind. “Matti was with you at the fair, Mom. Where are she and Sammy now?”

“I drove your car, along with Ryan, to the hospital,” said his mom. “Matti and Sammy took their car and went home.”

“I can give you a ride back to your place, then,” he said, even though he hated the idea of driving twenty minutes one way. “I know it’s late, but I can take a look at your dishwasher while I’m there.”

“What’s wrong with the dishwasher?” asked his father.

“The door sticks a little,” she said to Jonathon. And then, to Aiden, she said, “You aren’t going to drive me home tonight. Kelly or Wyatt can take me.”

Cal stood, clapping a hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “I can get Mom home. You take care of yourself.”

“How’s Ryan supposed to get home?” Aiden asked. He wasn’t about to leave anyone stranded at the hospital.

His father had a solution. “I have some paperwork that I was going to do tomorrow. But I can get it done now just as well. Once he’s ready to go, I’ll drop him off.”

Ted ended his call and shoved his phone into his pants pocket. “I can’t believe you went into that barn. You could’ve died.”

The truth was, Aiden had questions for Ted. Like what had he meant that Lucy was damaged goods? But he wouldn’t ask that—not right now, with her grandfather sitting in the same room. “Thanks to you and Ryan, I made it out alive.” He paused. “Lucy, too.”

“Thank goodness for small miracles,” said Ted.

“I’d call that a pretty big miracle,” said Wyatt.

Cal snorted. “Agreed.”

“Well.” Aiden was tired. His head throbbed. He was ready to go home and get some rest. “Thanks to everyone for coming out. I really appreciate you all.”

Kelly kissed his cheek. “I’d tell you to stop being a hero, but I don’t think you’d listen.”

“I’ve heard something like that before,” he said.

“I’ll walk out with you,” said his mother, linking her arm with his.

He was more than ready to get home, take something for his headache, and sleep. But Lucy’s grandfather now sat by himself. He hadn’t said a word since Aiden had walked into the waiting room. Until now, he’d imagined that the old man had been part of the group. But now, there were lines separating the Coltons from Harrises.

“You know.” He took a step back. “I think I’m going to stay here for a few minutes and chat with Lucy’s grandfather.”

“What about your headache?” his father asked.

He rubbed his forehead. It did nothing to stop the pain. “I can take an ibuprofen as soon as I get home.”

His dad said, “I’ll ask one of the nurses to bring you something. Just don’t stay here too long.”

Emily patted Lucy’s grandpa on the shoulder. “You take care of yourself, Rusty.”

“Thanks for taking such good care of me,” the older man said. “You have a nice family.”

Aiden gave one last round of hugs. And then, his family walked out of the hospital. He let out a long breath and sat in the chair his mother had occupied. “Aiden Colton,” he said, holding out his palm.

“Rusty Harris,” said the older man while grasping his hand to shake.

Aiden told himself that he was in charge of the investigation. It was smart to talk to everyone involved. But he knew there was more to sitting with Lucy’s grandfather than finding out about the fire. More even than keeping an old man company while he waited for his granddaughter. He was hanging around for a chance to see Lucy one more time. And yet, he said, “Tell me what happened tonight.”

“I smelled smoke and got worried about Lucy. That’s when I looked at my phone and saw I had missed several calls from her. It took me a minute to find a place quiet enough to hear my messages. She said that the barn was on fire, and she was stuck.” He shook his head. “My hearings not what it used to be.”