“Somebody at church mentioned it Sunday.” She winced. “I feel so bad, not going with the Martins. They can’t manage if they don’t have somebody to push his wheelchair. But I don’t want to be anywhere with Tad that Morris might be able to get to him, and I can’t justify putting the Martins in harm’s way, even to get to church. It’s like walking on the rim of a volcano.”

“It will be all right,” he said in a deep, soft tone. “We’ll keep you and Tad safe. And we’ll find out what happened to your grandfather. I promise you, we will.”

She nodded. “Thanks,” she added huskily.

Her hair smelled of wildflowers. She looked very pretty in that red-checked cotton shirt with her jeans and loafers. She made him feel useful. Strange word, he thought as he stared at her.

“I’ll go by the sheriff’s office on my way back from lunch,” she said abruptly, moving back a step.

“Don’t stop at the Army recruiting office,” he said abruptly.

She gasped.

He nodded. “I thought you might be considering it again.”

She ground her teeth together. “I was. But I have asthma. The recruiting officer wasn’t certain that I could get in,” she confessed.

“They might not send you into combat, but you could still be stationed as support troops for men who are,” he said shortly. “You’re much too young to have the memories combat produces.”

She searched his black eyes. “Cal has nightmares from his.”

He drew in a rough breath. “So do I,” he returned curtly.

Her lips parted. She didn’t really know him at all. He seemed perfectly in control of himself, of the world around him. But perhaps he had insecurities, just as she did.

He’d never told anyone except Brenda about the nightmares; not even Grace. Funny, but Clancey invited confidences, despite her sometimes acerbic comments.

“Tad has nightmares, too,” she said after a minute. “His school psychologist said he needed therapy.” She laughed softly. “As if. We can barely make the utility payments every month.”

“There are social programs that provide that sort of help,” he replied, watching her expression change. “Call up the county health department and explain Tad’s issues. They’ll find someone for you.”

“That would be really nice. If they could help him, I mean.”

He nodded. “There are plenty of free services. You just have to look for them.”

“I see.” She knew about free services. She and Tad were living at a free homeless shelter, although there was a nominal charge—nothing outside Clancey’s budget—to help with the expense.

“Okay, I’ll wander over to Marquez’s office,” he said after a taut silence. “You can go to lunch when I get back.”

“That’s fine.”