Hank went back to cooking. He could hear Millie moving around in the bedroom, but she hadn’t called for him. He thought it might be good to give her a bit of privacy since he’d spent most of the night cuddling with her.

He grinned. What they’d done was only slightly over the line of innocent, but it was like getting drunk on sweet wine. Every kiss, every brush, every taste felt so good.

As he poured her a half cup of coffee, she rolled into the room. Her hair was combed and her housecoat buttoned to her neck, but the woman he knew by touch was still there. He saw laughter in her eyes and satisfaction in her smile. She had a quiet kind of beauty that settled against his heart.

All he’d done last night was kiss her tenderly and touch her, but he’d given her what she’d asked for. What she’d wanted. In an odd way he felt he’d never so completely satisfied a woman.

“Morning,” he said as he knelt down to her level. “Did you sleep all right?”

She blushed. “I did.”

When she turned her attention to Simon, Hank answered his cell. “Captain Norton,” Hank said when he noticed the area code.

“Look, Captain.” Simon’s uncle Andy’s voice came through loud and clear. “We didn’t have a choice.”

“About what?” Hank grinned, realizing the sergeant must have drawn the short straw and had to be the one to call. “Thanks for sending Simon. It’ll be nice to have him here.”

“You’re not mad.”

“Nope. I’ll bring him back in a few days.”

If Simon hadn’t taken his place on the couch last night, he wouldn’t have been in Millie’s bed.

“All worked out well. Simon is going to help me take care of the lady I ran over, then we’re going to take our time driving back. See you guys soon if another bomb doesn’t go off.”

Andy was yelling, “Wait! What woman? What bomb?”

Hank hung up and turned to Simon. “Would you mind putting the plates on the table so Millie and you can eat breakfast? Remember, you’re the waiter, so make sure she has a drink and a napkin. I’m going to take a shower.”

Simon jumped off the stool. “I’ll take care of it, Captain.”

“Thanks.”

He watched Simon carefully pour the juice as Hank leaned over and kissed Millie before he disappeared for a shower. When he returned ten minutes later, Millie and Simon were laughing at names they’d thought of for the eggs he’d cooked.

While Simon took his shower, Hank helped Millie dress. For once she wasn’t so shy and he saw a hint of the perfection that he’d touched last night.

“Do you have to go in today?” he whispered as he buttoned her dress.