“He really is,” she agreed. “He doesn’t have any family, either. He’s been kind to Tad and me. So have you,” she added shyly. “I don’t know how we’ll ever pay either of you back for all you’ve done.”

The depression lifted when she said that. “I like Tad,” he said.

She smiled. “He’s crazy about you. He really wants to be a Texas Ranger now.”

He chuckled. “He’ll probably grow out of it.”

“Did you always want to work for the Rangers?” she asked.

“No. I wanted to be a pilot.”

She frowned. “You were in the military, you said.”

“Sure. But to be a pilot, there’s a height limit. I was way, way over it,” he added with twinkling eyes.

“Oh.”

“Besides, I had a pal who flew F-22 Raptors,” he said. “He told me that when those babies took off, your stomach tried to exit through your spine. Plus, there’s the ‘Raptor Cough.’”

“The what?”

“The Raptor Cough,” he said. “All the Raptor pilots get it—nobody knows why. It’s one of the mysteries of life.”

“Oooh,” she said. “It’s aliens, isn’t it?” she asked with a grin. “They get into the cockpit when you aren’t looking and blow smoke in your face.”

He burst out laughing.

She loved it when he did that. He had a wonderful laugh, deep and genuine.

“Aliens,” he sighed, shaking his head.

“You never know,” she returned.

The phone rang. He held his hand out, palm up, waiting for her to answer it.

She was still laughing when she picked up the receiver.

It was Cal. “I’m sorry. I have to be out of town for a few days. Some damned seminar in Denver,” he muttered. “Listen, I’ve hired a cab company to take you and Tad to school and work and home again. Don’t argue,” he added when she tried to. “You know it won’t do any good.”

She sighed. “Okay. Thanks,” she added.

He chuckled. “I have to look out for my adopted family,” he said simply. “Watch your back.”

“Have you heard anything?” she added quickly while Banks was on his cell phone, answering another call.

“About Morris, you mean? Actually, I have,” he added, and he sounded pleased. “There’s been a slight hitch. It’s going to be a few weeks before they turn him loose. One last evaluation, or some such thing.”

“That’s a relief,” she whispered. “A reprieve.”

“Yes, and we have to find someplace for you and Tad to go. When I get back, that will be my priority.”

“Thanks,” she said.

“No problem. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Okay.”

SEVEN

A thousand wild thoughts ran through Clancey’s mind all at once. A few weeks. Well, it wasn’t the end of the world. She had time. Not a lot, but time to look for apartments at least.