“I don’t know. I guess whatever happens to people in jail.”

Brian’s voice was trembling. “Do you really think Mom and Dad will move away without telling us where they went?”

Teddy sighed. “Why do you care? We were running away from them, remember?”

“But it’s Mom and Dad!” Brian said.

“If they leave, they’ll go back to Bethlehem,” Teddy said.

“You think?” Brian asked.

“I know,” Teddy said. “Now shut up. I just want to sleep.”

Brian sat there a minute, then wiped his eyes with the blanket and lay back down. Prison. They were likely going to prison. He wondered if he’d die there. He’d heard about people dying in prison. Getting killed there. Getting beat up. The more he thought about it, the more dying seemed like the most equitable way out. But someone else would have to do it to him because it would break his mama’s heart if he did it to himself. And he’d already hurt her enough for one lifetime. He couldn’t do that, too. The way he looked at it, whatever happened to them was out of their control and they deserved the consequences.

* * *

It was morning.

Hunt woke up alone in Ava’s bed, and then heard the shower running and glanced at the time. If he joined her, he’d make her late to work. If she didn’t show up, sick people suffered. So what he wanted and what he needed to make happen were two different things.

He got up and got dressed and was making the bed when Ava came out. She was barefoot and her hair was still damp, but she was already dressed in her scrubs, and when she saw what he was doing, she smiled.

“Oh wow…you make love like a boss and make beds, too?”

Hunt grinned as he pulled the bedspread up over the pillows and gave them a quick tuck, then took her in his arms.

“It’s what’s left of my military life. Neat and orderly.” Then he nuzzled the spot beneath her ear. “And whatever I do that makes you happy is my joy. Like a boss, huh?”

Ava cupped his face and kissed him.

“The last thing I want to do is leave, but I have to get to work.”

Hunt nodded. “I know, sugar. That’s why I got dressed…so neither of us would be tempted to linger. Take care. I love you. Call me if you need me.”

“You be careful, too,” Ava said. “No accidents working on the house.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, and then grabbed his jacket and was gone.

She sat down to put on her shoes, and then got her things, poured herself a to-go cup of coffee, and locked up as she left.