“I’m certain Regina will tell you.” The doc smiled, waved at the children, and went back to talk with Zappa.

Huh. What in the world could Regina want?

Probably a medical paperwork problem. Kit slid into the driver’s seat. She could swing by now and deal with the problem.

Once downtown, she parked and walked into the building with Regan and Aric. “You two stay with me.”

Inside, she stopped short. Two men stood at the receptionist desk. Rough-looking, with gray hair and beards, they looked like PZs.

Aric squeaked and moved behind Kit. When she picked him up, he buried his head against her neck.

Before Kit could grab her, Regan ran forward. “Hey, Tucker. Hey, Guzman.”

“Regan.” Kit hurried forward, put a hand on the child’s shoulder, and angled to move slightly in front.

Just in case.

Regan gave her a confused look.

“Kit.” The receptionist’s gaze met Kit’s, sympathy showing. “They might look like they kick puppies, but you’ll never find nicer guys. They were in the group that busted you and the others out of the PZ compound.”

Kit felt like an idiot. This was Alaska, for heaven’s sake. There were rough-looking men everywhere—and she needed to get past the way she reacted.

The shorter man eyed them. “Who’re your buddies, Regan?”

“She’s Kit.” Regan patted Aric’s leg. “He’s Aric. Those pissers were mean to him, so he’s kinda scared of guys. But he’s okay—he’s not a stupidhead or anything.”

As Regan talked, Regina was saying on her phone, “Hey, Audrey, want a couple of kids?”

“Not a stupidhead. That’s good to know.” The man with a bulbous nose gave the girl a solemn nod.

Mouth almost hidden by his full beard, the other man nodded at Kit. “Miss, I’m Tucker. This is Guzman.”

Balancing Aric on her hip, she held her hand out. “Tucker, Guzman. I can never express how grateful I am for the rescue. Thank you so much.”

“Oh, hey, now.” Tucker flushed and shifted his weight.

And she realized in surprise…he was shy.

“Nah, no thanks needed.” Guzman took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It was a kick in the pants to get to help out.”

Regan bounced on her toes. “Can we go fishing again soon?”

“If your pops says yes.” Tucker bobbed his head. “Audrey said she wants to go too.”

“See, now, Tucker?” The other man shook his head. “We’ll have to give that Gabe a lecture. He’s getting’ busy with po-lice work and forgettin’ to cast a line now and then.”

They obviously knew Gabe, Audrey, and Caz, if Regan went fishing with them. Kit relaxed.

“Tucker, what good timing.” Audrey crossed the lobby to the receptionist desk. In tan jeans and a button-up pink shirt, she looked casual, but professional. “The movie you requested came in today.”