He covered her with a quilt designed with sunflowers. Without much thought, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Sleep, little bird. I’ll watch over you.” On his way out he picked up her keys.

Two hours later, when he made it back with his dad’s Lincoln loaded down with groceries, Hank was having an anxiety attack.

What if she woke and was in pain? Or sick? He wasn’t much of a knight. He hadn’t even thought to leave water by her bed.

When he found her exactly as he’d left her, he took a deep breath. “Thanks for watching over her, Rambo,” he whispered.

As silently as possible, Harrison unloaded food, checking on her every few minutes. All he’d seen in her fridge was yogurt, eggs, and lettuce. He bought a bit of everything that he could cook and enough beer to last a week.

On his last trip in from the car, a neighbor stepped out on her porch. Seeing her bulldog expression, he braced for an attack. “Is Miss Remington all right, and who are you? I’ve never seen a man walk into her place. I think I may need to call the sheriff.”

Hank wanted to tell her to mind her own business, but that wasn’t likely in Clifton. Sheriff LeRoy wouldn’t be happy if he had to drive over from Honey Creek to “not” arrest him again.

“I’m an old friend of Miss Remington. She’s had an accident, and I am watching over her until one of her family arrives.”

“Oh.” The neighbor, still in her bathrobe, didn’t look happy. “What happened to her?”

“An idiot ran over her in front of the library.”

Hank took a chance, since the nosy neighbor obviously wasn’t heading to church and didn’t look old enough to have heard old rumors. “I’m Pastor Norton’s son. I just happened to be in town visiting my dad.”

“Oh,” she said again. “I’ve heard the name.” She seemed to relax, but she didn’t offer to help. “He’s retired, isn’t he?”

“Yes, ma’am. Left the calling five years ago, but still teaches Bible studies at both of the nursing homes, if you’re interested. I’ll ring you if I need any help with Miss Remington. Thanks for your concern.”

The neighbor took a step back. “I work nights and sleep days. Not much for nursing, but if you need something from Walmart, I could pick it up for you.”

“Thanks, you’re very kind,” he lied as he closed the front door.

He had a can of soup warming and a sandwich made when Amelia woke.

She looked surprised to see him but not frightened.