Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)(28)

“Just do it,” Aidan said, his tone as gentle as he could make it.

He moved toward her, walking slowly. He had no idea what to say or do, but he knew she needed him. And she needed not to be afraid.

“Shelby, honey, it’s okay. Nick and I go at it from time to time but it doesn’t mean anything. He’s pigheaded but he’s still my brother and I love him. We’re not going to fight. No one’s going to get hurt. I’ll protect you. I promise. Shelby, can you hear me? I’m right here. You’re safe. You’re okay.”

He lightly touched her arm. She flinched. Pain ripped through him. Not because of what she’d done, but for what she’d been through. How many times had her own father hit her? Beaten her? Left her bloodied?

“Shelby, I want you to slow your breathing. Inhale for a count of five, then exhale for the same. Can you do that for me?”

She nodded and slowed her breathing. Nick brought over the glass of water.

“She okay?” he asked in a whisper.

“I’m fine,” Shelby told him, her voice trembling. “I’m okay.”

Aidan took the glass. “Can you hold this?”

She nodded and reached for the water. Her fingers shook, but she held on to it, then took a sip. The glass started to slip. Nick grabbed it before it fell. Water spilled. Tears filled her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Aidan swore silently, then reached for her. Maybe it was completely the wrong thing to do, but he couldn’t help himself. He drew her against him.

“I’m here, Shelby,” he whispered. “I’m here.”

She was stiff for a second, then relaxed against him. Her arms came around him as she began to cry.

“I’m sorry,” she said again.

“Stop it. You have nothing to be sorry about. Nick and I shouldn’t have gotten into it like that.”

“No, it’s not you. I know families fight. I know for most people it stays with yelling. I know that. I just can’t always remember.”

Nick put the glass on the bar. “He’s right to get on me,” he admitted. “About my art and Dad and all the crap going on. I can’t believe everyone knows what I’m doing up in the woods.”

“I didn’t know,” Shelby told him. “What are you doing up there?”

“Working with wood mostly. Some carving, some with a chainsaw.”

Shelby sniffed, then stepped back. She wiped her face. “Are you crazy? You work with a chainsaw? On purpose?”

Nick grinned. “It’s cool. One wrong move and I could ruin the piece.”

“Or cut off your arm.”

He laughed again. “Never gonna happen.”

Aidan listened to the conversation without joining in. He watched Shelby carefully, noting the color returning to her face. Her breathing was more regular and she seemed relaxed.

“Do you sell your pieces?” she asked.

“Some. Out of state, through a couple of galleries.”

“If you’re that good, why do you work here?”

Nick’s humor faded. “That would be the question of the hour.” He glanced toward the bar. “I’ve got customers. I’ll see you later.” He walked back behind the bar.

Shelby sighed. “I got too personal.”

“You did fine. He needs to figure out what he wants with his life. How are you feeling?”

She sucked in a breath, then exhaled. “I’m okay. I’m—”

He held up a hand. “Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I freaked out.”

“You reacted to a threatening situation.”

“It was only threatening to me.”

“That doesn’t make it any less real. Shelby, you lived through hell. Give yourself a break.”

Tears filled her eyes again. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For being so nice.”

“I’m not nice. If I hadn’t fought with Nick, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place.”

“I’m glad it did happen. I needed it to happen.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I needed to go through this. I’ll need to go through it again. I have to keep seeing that people can argue without getting physical. I have to learn what’s normal.”

She was probably right but he could go his entire life without wanting to see the fear in Shelby’s eyes again.

She moved close, raised herself on tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.

“Thank you,” she told him. “Thank you for everything.”

And then she was gone. Which was probably for the best because all he could think was that he wanted another kiss, and another. He wanted her mouth everywhere and his mouth doing the same and them getting naked and—

No. That wasn’t what this was about. They were friends on a mission. Because of their deal, he was becoming a better man. A desperately aroused man with no relief in sight. Talk about a hell of a way to build character.

*

SHELBY WOULD HAVE thought the fight between Aidan and his brother would have made her edgy for days. But the truth was, she’d never felt better. Relaxed, calm, capable. There was a sense of freedom that she couldn’t completely explain. She supposed it came from knowing she’d taken a big step in her healing.