“I’ll only be a few hours. Simon can pick out some books and you can go to the store. We’ll need food a kid would eat.”

“He eats pretty much the same things I eat. Cereal, cookies and sandwiches.”

“I’m not surprised but toss in fruits, vegetables, and milk. When you pick us up, I thought we might eat lunch out.”

“I’d like that.” Hank didn’t add that it would be a nice thing to do on their last day together.

As he heard the shower go off, Hank brushed his lips against her ear and whispered, “Did you like last night?”

“I did.”

“Mind if we do it again tonight? I’ll be careful.”

She pressed her face against his chest and didn’t answer. He’d embarrassed her, talking of night things in the light. But the way she held him tight and smiled told him all he wanted to know.

He wished he could stay around until she healed and he’d teach her about loving. Although Hank felt like he was the one learning, not her.

* * *

Half an hour later, Simon was in heaven when he discovered Millie’s library had a whole bookshelf of biographies on famous people. He’d read most of the children’s books on presidents, but this library had several mid-grade books on scientists. He’d been reading since he was five. He was ready for something with chapters and less pictures.

After he’d asked Hank, “Did you read this one?” for the third time, the kid took his questions to Millie. She seemed to have read them all.

She pulled a book about Horace Mann from the shelf. “Monday the governor of Texas will be on campus giving an award named after this man. Horace Mann lived a long time ago. He’s known as the ‘father of American public education.’ When he was your age, he only got to go to school three months a year.”

Simon laughed. “Sounds lucky to me, but I’ll read the book.”

Hank didn’t comment, but he guessed he’d probably learn something every day if he hung around Millie.

As they settled into Millie’s office, Hank waved a silent goodbye. He checked to make sure the library was locked, then headed to the Lincoln to buy enough groceries for Millie to last a month. She’d be walking with only a boot by then. Maybe he’d drive up and help her out for a weekend or two.

As he glanced toward the street, he wasn’t surprised to see the sheriff leaning against his father’s old car. LeRoy looked bothered on a good day and something told Hank that this wasn’t a good day.

When Hank was within three feet of LeRoy, Rambo pushed his head out of Hank’s pouch and barked at the lawman.

“What is that?” The sheriff swore.