Willis made no comment to either of them, only pushed open the door to the first room they came to. It was an exam room they used for storage. He regarded with disdain the stacks of boxes containing paper towels, toilet paper, and piles of extra blankets, as if he were surrounded by dirty diapers. “How ’bout if we wait in here?”

Duke moved into the dark room, keeping his hood on. But he reached out and lightly touched Angel on the arm. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you … being here. You have no idea.”

She wanted to fall into him, embrace him with her entire body pressed against his. The memory of their closeness was too fresh, too tantalizing. “I’ll go find Dr. Collins.”

Duke’s father dropped the blinds on the window into the hall and flipped on the light. His skin appeared sallow and his gray curls had yellow highlights under the harsh fluorescent light. To her, he said coldly, “Girl, you best keep your mouth shut if anyone asks you questions.”

“How about if I take a swing at your head instead?” Angel growled at him. “The crap I put up with because of you two—”

“Pops! You don’t know nothin’. This here girl has stood with me from the start, and she don’t even know me. She ain’t blood.”

Angel was thrilled to be defended in such a way, but Willis nodded sarcastically. “Uh-huh. I hear ya. Take digs all you want, but I am blood, whether you like it or not, and that’s not goin’ away.” He turned to Angel. “Why you still here?”

Glaring at him, she slammed the door. Their bickering was audible. I am so lucky my mama was a decent human being.

She found Dr. Collins in his office. “Can I interrupt for a minute?”

“Ah. So you’ve changed your mind. Smart girl. Shut the door.”

She gulped, dismay trying to take over her senses. Dr. Collins had not been bluffing yesterday, then. “It’s about Duke. He’s in exam six. He and his dad are waiting to see you.”

He straightened his long lab coat, a satisfied smile on his face. “Finally. He’s paying up, darlin’.” The doctor chucked her under the chin as he moved past. “As good little boys and girls do, if they don’t want to get in trouble.”

She backpedaled, just barely restraining herself—she’d almost slapped him. Putting as much distance between them as she could, she gave herself a stern lecture. Now is not the time to give in to violent impulses. That got you fired from the bar, remember?