Hank lifted Rambo and tucked him into the bag. There was just enough room for the pup to spread out over the books and journals. “Keep quiet till we get there, then you can run all over the closed library.”

Rambo looked up at him, and Hank could have sworn the little ball of fuzz nodded.

As Hank loaded the bag and wheelchair into the Lincoln, he thought he might tell Millie about what he did for a living. Just the facts, nothing more. One more trip to carry her out and lock the door, and they were on their way.

He’d miss taking care of this sweet lady when he headed back to Houston. They’d worked out every detail of her day. She was comfortable around him. As he buckled in her seat belt, she kissed his cheek.

“You missed.” He grinned.

She kissed him again lightly on the lips, then smiled as if she’d done something wicked. “Is it about time for the wild and scandalous things to come out in you, Hank?”

“Any minute. You might consider being afraid, Millie.”

“Oh, I am.” She grinned.

When Hank drove Millie to the back of the library, there were cars and students everywhere. Spring break was over.

Colby McBride pulled up in the oldest van Hank had ever seen running.

“You lose a bet?” Hank yelled to Colby as he carried Millie up to the back door.

“No, my bride says this old piece of junk sounded funny, so I have to drive it until I figure out what’s wrong. Why is it women think all men know about cars and lawn mowers and broken toilets?” Colby patted the steering wheel. “I’m going to tell her that it’s dying and I’m going to have to put the old van down.”

Hank lowered Millie carefully into her wheelchair as she kissed him on the cheek again.

When he lifted Rambo onto her lap, Millie squealed. “He can’t come in.”

“Sure he can. The library is closed, plus he’s your guard dog. I’ll fill him out a library card.” Hank patted Rambo’s head as he opened the library door. “Take care of my lady while I’m gone.”

The tiny ball of hair stood at attention.

As Hank pushed her chair to her office, he whispered, “Are you sure that dog doesn’t understand everything we say?”

“No, I’m not.”

Hank got her settled in, made sure the back door was locked as he left, then took the back stairs two at a time and climbed into Colby’s old van. “I’d rather ride with you than drive the Lincoln around.”

Colby backed out. “Your dad know you’re driving it?”

Hank laughed. “He wouldn’t let me drive it when I was eighteen, why would he change his mind? I think he thinks I’m his greatest failure.”