“Okay, now release the handbrakes before you go. Brace most of your weight on your arms. I know your hand is likely sore. I hope you can manage this, but it’s the lesser of two evils.”

“It’s not that bad. Just missing a little hide, as my Daddy used to say. I’ll figure it out.”

Duke didn’t argue, and headed for the kitchen with the sacks. He put the gel packs in the freezer, then set the analgesic ointment and the bottle of painkillers on the kitchen table.

By that time, Cathy had made her way into the kitchen, she rolled herself up to the table, then turned the walker around and sat down on it like a chair.

“Plates are to the right of the sink. Flatware is in the top drawer to the left,” she said.

Duke got out a plate and a fork, split two biscuits, poured some sausage gravy over them, then carried the plate and the fork to the table and set it in front of her.

“Thank you so much. Did you get enough for yourself, too?” Cathy asked.

“No, I ate before I left home, but thank you. Maybe another time, okay?”

Cathy nodded, then took a bite and rolled her eyes as she chewed and swallowed.

“So good,” she said, and went in for another bite.

“Want me to put the other stuff in your refrigerator?” he asked.

She nodded.

Duke slid the containers on to an empty shelf, got a drinking glass from the cabinet, filled it with water, and then opened the bottle of painkillers.

“Hold out your hand,” he said, and then shook a couple out into her palm.

Cathy took them gladly.

“I see you still have coffee on warm. Do you want some with your food?” Duke asked.

Cathy swallowed her bite of food and then looked up. He didn’t look like Jeffrey Dean Morgan so much anymore. He just looked like the nicest man ever.

“Yes, and then you can stop waiting on me. You have done more than enough, and I owe you big time. Next time I see you, I can give you cash for the rental. How much do I owe?”

“It wasn’t much, and it’s on me. Do you have a phone?”

She nodded.

“Then I’m going to write down my cell number. I want you to promise that if you need anything…anything at all…that you’ll call me. Since I’m my own boss, I come and go as I please, and it would please me to help.”

He picked up the notepad and pen at the end of the kitchen counter and wrote down his number, then poured her a cup of coffee anyway and set it beside her plate.

“I guess I’ll be going now,” Duke said.

Cathy looked up. “I went running to get rid of a nightmare and was rescued by a knight in shining armor. Thank you for everything.”

Duke grinned. “And I came into town to get a haircut. I always wanted to be a knight in shining armor for someone. I hope to see you again soon. Those gel packs should be ready to use in a couple of hours. I’ll turn the lock on the door and let myself out. Rest well. Keep your feet up.”