“Okay.” She went to find a pencil and paper, trying not to think of how empty her life was going to be without Colter in it. Just a little while ago, she’d thought they were surely heading for something permanent. But now he was withdrawn and polite, barely even affectionate, except with Tad. She felt alone. Terribly alone.

She came back with a short list. “That’s all we need right now,” she said, and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and handed it to him. “I pay my own way,” she said, and forced a smile. “Okay?”

He managed a smile. He already missed her. “Okay.”

He started for the door when his phone rang. He checked the caller ID and grimaced. “Hello, Grace,” he said.

“Why don’t you come and have supper with me?” she asked softly. “We can talk over old times. There’s a nice little Italian restaurant about a block from here...”

“I know the one. I’ll meet you there about six. Or do you want me to come pick you up?”

“I could use a ride,” she confessed.

“Okay. I’ll come and get you about five forty-five. I’ve got a couple of chores to finish first.”

“All right.” There was a pause. “Is that woman still living with you?”

“Clancey and Tad were staying with Brenda and me at the ranch while her life was in danger,” he bit off.

“Still, you know, it looks bad. And with Brenda dressing the way she does...”

“I’ll see you after a while, Grace.” He hung up without waiting for her to speak. He didn’t even look at Clancey as he went out the door. It was a good thing. Her heart was breaking, and it was very noticeable.

He dropped off the groceries. Clancey thanked him politely and said nothing else when he left.

He got into his SUV and took a deep breath. He’d been distant with Clancey and Tad. They wouldn’t understand. He’d probably given Clancey the idea that he didn’t care. That wasn’t it at all. He was going through some trauma. He and Jake had been standing beside Morris when Chet Billings shot him. It had been disturbing, in a lot of ways. Morris had looked so young, so fragile, lying there on the ground in a pool of blood. Even though he’d been in combat and seen many such wounds, it had worked on Colter like acid. If Chet Billings hadn’t made the shot, Colter and Jake Blair would be dead. If Colter and Jake hadn’t poked their noses into the church, Morris would still be alive.

Sure. Still alive to threaten Tad and Clancey and the assistant district attorney who’d sent him to jail.