When he pulled away, she whispered, “Why are you kissing me, Harrison?”

He smiled. He’d figured out that she always called him Harrison when she was mad or wanted to push him away. “It’s the only way I can think of to stop the argument. Is it working?”

She laughed. “That’s thoughtful of you. I feared it might be because you were attracted to me.”

Hank held her face so she couldn’t look away. “I am attracted to you, Millie. How could you not know that? In fact, when you get well I wouldn’t mind doing a great deal more with you than just kissing.”

Her eyes widened as she tried to pull away. Apparently the possibility of him being blown up wasn’t as frightening as him making love to her.

Hank stood and almost ran for the door. Maybe he should have asked if she was attracted to him before he deepened the kiss. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. If you need me, just call.”

He was at the Lincoln when he realized his heart was pounding like it did when he stood in front of a live bomb or just before the gate swung open.

Fear. An emotion as old as mankind. The one emotion that saved the cavemen from extinction. Fear. You run or you fight.

He sat behind the wheel and started the engine.

He’d run from the library . . . from Millie, as if she could somehow hurt him. He’d run! The first action when danger appeared.

But he wasn’t facing a bomb. He wasn’t on a thousand-pound bull or driving way too fast. He was not in peril.

He faced the fact that he might care for Millie. Hell, he might even be falling in love.

For the first time in his life, Hank feared he might die of fright.

Chapter 26 - Hank

Chapter 26

Hank

When Hank looked up, Ketch was on the library steps waiting. The tall guy still had the look of a soldier about him. He stood at attention and seemed to be deep in thought.

Hank waved him over.

As Ketch climbed into the Lincoln, Ketch asked, “You all right, man?”

“Sure, I just had something else on my mind.” Hank smiled, hiding all feelings. If he told how he felt about the librarian, Ketch would think he’d gone mad, yet for the first time ever, Hank knew he was falling for someone he might not be able to walk away from.

“Must be intense if it outranked a bomb.” Ketch faced forward, showing no interest at what it might be.

“Forget it. You’re right. We’ve got a wannabe bomber to find. I never would have thought I’d end up in the center of America, in my small hometown, chasing a bomber.”