Ben had forgotten about his parents. “I have no idea. Maybe they’re fighting or making love. Either way, I don’t know why they haven’t called me.”

She chuckled. “You’re such an only child, Ben.”

He didn’t hear her say “This isn’t about you, Ben,” but the echo of those words was still circling in his mind. “Give them time.” He voiced her thought. “If they are catching up, it’ll take a while.”

She nodded. “I don’t want to talk about them. I want to hear about your day.”

As they walked out she patted him on the bottom.

“You can’t keep doing that. Someone might notice,” he said with a smile.

“Yes, dear,” she agreed as she patted him again.

On the thirty-mile drive to Honey Creek he told what had happened and she listened, taking it all in.

When they parked at the café, Ben saw Hank lifting the librarian out of his ugly Lincoln. The bomb expert held the librarian as if she were glass.

Her shy smile greeted them as Ben held the door.

As they joined Honey Creek’s mayor, Piper McBride, and her husband, Colby, in a small dining area for six, everyone was talking like old friends. It was cozy as they ate in the space where shoulders almost touched and the lights were low so the town square sparkled in the light rain.

Ben couldn’t remember when he’d felt so content. He had Jenny by his side and interesting people to talk to. Part of the reason he’d gone into chemistry was that he loved puzzles, and now everyone at the table was working together to solve one.

Colby laughed about how all four of their guests had two names. “My wife thought we were having ten for dinner from the way I was talking, until she figured out Harrison was Hank, Benjamin was Ben, Amelia was Millie, and Virginia was Jenny.”

Hank took over the introductions. He pointed to the professors. “Mayor, please meet Ben and Jenny, and we are Hank and Millie. Tonight, we’ll keep one name and be pals. No titles or proper names.”

Piper McBride, a classic beauty, nodded politely to her husband and said, “It is a pleasure for Colby and me to welcome you all to our little town.” Her dark green eyes shined with intelligence and kindness.

As Ben always did, he mentally sat back a bit and observed. He noticed the ranger’s gaze kept returning to his wife. They’d only been married a year, but anyone could see they were madly in love.

Ben couldn’t help but wonder if the fact that Colby had a dangerous job made their love stronger in some way. Like they had to love deeper just in case their time was short.