As Lillian sat on the couch to check and rewrap Felix’s ankle, Frankie finished tidying up the apartment.

“Still swollen,” Lillian shook her head.

Frankie walked over. It was bruised, as well. “Ouch.”

He shrugged. “It’s a lot better today. I’ll be able to take my regular shift tomorrow night.”

“Keep your ankle wrapped for a few more days,” Frankie advised. Her years in aikido had led to a lot of sprains and strains. “It’ll twist again otherwise.”

“I will. Stupid ankle.” Pouting slightly, he took a sip of his coffee.

As Lillian pulled out a new ACE wrap, she frowned at his drink. “The coffee shop is farther than you should walk today.”

“I didn’t go there.” Felix smiled. “Frankie took pity on me and brought me breakfast.”

“Did she now?” The woman turned to Frankie. “I’m quite sorry. We simply barged in here without introductions. I’m Lillian Gainsborough. It’s lovely to meet you.”

“She’s also known as Mayor Lillian to the Rescue citizens,” Audrey said.

Felix grinned. “She’s also your landlord’s ah…friend, if that’s what we’re calling it these days.”

Lillian looked down her nose at him. “Such a lackluster word, but I suppose it will suffice.”

Felix simply laughed.

Frankie stared. The old Okie who owned the grocery had this sophisticated Englishwoman for a girlfriend? “I’m Frankie Bocelli, also known as one of the waitstaff in the roadhouse.”

“Ah, that’s where I’ve seen you,” Lillian said.

Audrey laughed and told Frankie, “A guy reached for your ass when you were wiping down a table, and you towel-whipped his hand hard enough we heard him yelp all the way across the bar.”

“Quite nicely done.” Lillian nodded her approval. “You were perfectly dignified when you asked him if anything was wrong.”

Audrey was snickering. “Really, what could he say?”

“Was it the Patriot Zealots giving you grief?” Felix asked with a frown.

“No, just a tourist who overstepped the boundaries.” She’d worried that Bull would be upset, but he’d just congratulated her on handling it herself—and reminded her to call for him anytime she wanted him to take care of a problem. His trust in her and his protectiveness were a devastating combination.

“Actually, the PZ crowd won’t be bothering your fair establishment for a couple of weeks,” Lillian said.

“Really?” Audrey paused in putting groceries away. “Did they leave?”

“Unfortunately not.” Lillian folded her hands in her lap. “I spoke to Reverend Parrish to schedule a town council meeting, and he said the entire compound is going into a lockdown for training exercises. Maneuvers.”

“They certainly take themselves seriously—like an army.” Audrey banged the cupboard door as if to express her opinion.