“Thanks,” Clancey said. “I’ll see you Tuesday. And thanks again for the treat. There is nothing more wonderful than a pecan waffle,” she added with a grin.

He smiled back at her, his black eyes assessing, curious, searching. She flushed and dragged her eyes away. He chuckled deeply.

“Lock the door after me,” Colter told Tad, ruffling his hair affectionately. “Can’t be too careful with an invalid in the house.”

“I am not an invalid,” Clancey said with mock hauteur.

“Yes, you are, nasturtium.”

“I am not a...!”

“Good night.” Banks closed the door.

Tad was still laughing as he put on the chain latch.

In spite of all her arguments, Cal Hollister came by for Tad Monday morning and took him to and from school. He was back the next morning to drop off Tad and Clancey at school and work, respectively.

“This is out of your way,” she complained gently.

He just laughed. “Not really. I have to go by your house on my way to and from work.” He glanced at her with affection. “Besides, I don’t want you trying to walk to work in the cold wind. You’ll end up back in the emergency room.”

She sighed. “I wish I had good lungs.”

“Wishing doesn’t do much for us.”

“I guess,” she agreed. “Anyway, this is very nice of you.”

“If you had a car, you’d do the same for me.” He glanced at her and grimaced. “I really wish you wouldn’t walk to work. Frankly, when Morris gets out, it will be more dangerous than you think. He’s sworn vengeance on our DA candidate. You’re on the firing line, as well.”

“I wouldn’t mind if he’d just leave Tad alone,” she sighed. “I don’t think Morris has changed, either, Cal,” she added. “He could always put on a good act, when he wasn’t high.”

“We’ll do what we can, within the limits of the law, to keep him from hurting any of you. But we can’t watch him all the time,” he added.

“How about that apartment?” she asked suddenly.

He sighed. “No vacancies,” he said. “I’m looking into rentals in family homes. It might be better than an apartment anyway.”

“I wouldn’t mind that,” she said. “Neither would Tad.” She wondered how she’d ever manage rent when she and Tad lived right up to her salary. She looked out the window. “I wish they’d kept Morris another year or two.”

“So do I,” he replied.

“At least he’s not out yet,” she said. “I have a little time to do something.”

“Pack a bugout bag.”

“A what?”

“A bugout bag,” he replied. “It’s a bag with a few essentials that you can grab and run with, in case of an emergency. I always used to keep one.”