“You’re a wise man, Deputy.” Benjamin felt like their roles had switched. The student was getting smarter than the teacher. “Let’s finish up. I’m kind of in a hurry to get back. I need to make a list of what to worry about as soon as this bomb threat is over. I’m going to be a dad, you know.”

“I heard. I’d like to give you advice, but to tell the truth your troubles are just starting. Maybe we should set up a weekly talk. My baby girl is only one and I stayed up worrying half the night last week thinking what I’d do if she wanted to marry a bum.

“Then I looked over at Kerrie’s dad, my father-in-law, and realized he’s still worrying about me.

“I fear this parenting job never stops. No sleep, worrying, money always tight. It’s like running a gauntlet. And I’m still young. I don’t know if you have a chance of making it.”

“Thanks, Pecos. Now I have to worry about dying before I finish worrying.”

“Any time, Professor.”

Ben fought down a laugh as he considered the news would spread that the chemistry professor had just knocked up the biology professor.

Bomb or no bomb, Jenny was always on his mind, so Ben needed to concentrate on finishing and getting back to her.

He smiled. He didn’t care what anyone said. He was going to be a father. Ben couldn’t wait to see his dad’s reaction. For the past twenty years, Dad hadn’t bothered to put up a Christmas tree. “After all,” he’d say, “trees are for the kids.”

This year the big tree would be going up.

But first he had to get Jenny to marry him. That might not be easy; she didn’t even want to move in with him. But for some reason she loved him, and women in love do strange things.

She loved him. He had almost said it aloud. She loved him.

“Doc, you ready to go?” Pecos asked.

“Sure. I was”—Ben needed to think fast—“was just thinking we should have the lookouts in place by dawn.”

“Good idea. How about we walk past the stage and make double sure no surprise is waiting? An hour before the ceremony I’ll sweep the place again. I have a feeling we’ll all be doing the same thing.”

On the way back to Primrose Hill, Ben asked the deputy a few questions about pregnancy. Pecos explained that emotions fly around like bullets, and half the time the mother-to-be will be aiming at the father-to-be. “For the next eight months, if she’s upset, it’s your fault. Remember that and you’ll be fine.”

Ben nodded as if he understood.

As they pulled up to Tuesday’s house, Ben wasn’t surprised to see Jenny and the sheriff sitting on the porch.