Lisa waved him off as she started cracking eggs in a bowl. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing,” Remy replied. “What happens to this town when she’s feeling better and realizes she needs more than this place can give her? Lila likes nice things more than you do. She likes the theater and fancy restaurants.”

“New Orleans isn’t that far away.” He’d lived in the city for years, but when he’d needed to, he’d settled back in. Lila could do the same. She hadn’t grown up wealthy. Of course, didn’t that mean she would want all the things she’d worked so hard to have? Wouldn’t she want educated conversation? Not that there weren’t educated people in town. There were plenty. And they had plays. Twice a year, Alma Hannaford and her Papillon Players put on a show at the rec center, and the local high school had a band concert he was forced to survive.

She might get bored.

A knock on the door sounded through the house and then there was a deep bark.

He rushed to the door because that could only mean one thing.

Noelle was on the porch, having used the ramp Bill had put in when his wife had gotten so sick. Noelle grinned his way and pointed to a big box emblazoned with the local donut store logo. “Morning, Dad. Beth had to help her mom with the church’s pancake breakfast so Roxie came over and gave me a ride.”

His deputy gave him a nod as she opened the driver’s side door of her SUV. “Morning, boss.” She shook her head. “How could you come between two new lovers? Rene is going to be so sad.”

Armie groaned. “You know she met Rene when she was putting a damn tourniquet on his leg. Don’t let that rumor get out there.”

Roxie shrugged. “I don’t think that’s my job, boss. Good luck.”

Noelle grinned as Peanut lumbered in around Armie. “I heard Lila is my new mommy.”

He grimaced for more than one reason. He was never going to be able to get Noelle’s chair through the hallway because they hadn’t moved all the storage boxes out. “The chair’s going to have to stay on the porch.”

“I’ll trade you donuts for a Dad taxi ride,” she offered.

He leaned over and picked her up. It was something he’d done a million times in the months since the accident, and it always reminded him how small and fragile she was. His heart ached at his daughter’s slight weight in his arms.

He knew Lila had been lashing out at him, but he couldn’t help but think about the words they’d had the day before.

I know she should be more mobile than she is.