“No problem, we’ve got two airplanes and a jet,” he teased. “We’ll get you there and back.”

“That would be nice. I hate flying commercial.”

“So do I. That’s why we have two airplanes and a jet,” he confided with a grin. He sipped coffee. He scowled. He looked up at her suddenly. “I remember something from the book jacket. You actually slogged through swamps in Central America with a group of mercenaries to research SPECTRE?” he exclaimed.

She nodded. “A commando group adopted me after the first book.” She laughed. “They put me through a training course you wouldn’t believe. Then they packed me up and took me on missions. I’m only just back from Nicaragua. We rescued a kidnapped child. I’m still taking quinine tablets to make sure I don’t come down with malaria.”

“Did you know you were pregnant when you went to Nicaragua?” he asked worriedly.

“No,” she confessed. She sighed. “I spoke to my doctor, before we left Wyoming. At this stage of the pregnancy, he said I should be fine. I’ll have to find a local obstetrician, though,” she added.

“We’ll do that tomorrow,” he said. He smiled. “And I’ll stop drinking. For a while, at least.”

She laughed. “Okay.”

VIC WAS FUN to be with. When he wasn’t drinking, he was charming. He went with her in the Mercedes to a friend of his who practiced obstetrics, and got her in. He even sat and waited while she filled out all the forms and was examined by Dr. Truett.

“You’re doing very well,” Dr. Truett told her, “despite your adventure,” he added with a chuckle, after she’d told him about her research trip. “Keep up with the quinine. I’m adding a prescription for prenatal vitamins as well. How about nausea?”

“I only have a little,” she said. “It passes pretty quickly.”

“If you have any problems, come and see me.”

“I will.”

“And try to stay out of jungles, at least until the baby is born,” he added, tongue in cheek.

She laughed. “I’ll do that. Thanks very much.”

“WELL?” VIC ASKED when they were outside.

“He says I’m doing great,” she said. “I have a prescription for vitamins.”

“We’ll get that filled on the way home,” he said.

“It’s very nice of you to come with me,” she replied.

“I’m sorry Cort can’t be here to do it,” he replied sadly. “I’ve been a drag on him lately. I’m going to get back into ranch business.”

“It would help you,” she said. “You need to keep your mind busy, so you don’t have much time to brood.”

“I wouldn’t be brooding if I could get Sandra to listen to me,” he sighed. “I really want her back.”

“Give it time,” she said. “You might consider writing her a letter,” she added.

He pursed his lips. “I’m not much good at letters. But I could text her a poem and some emojis,” he chuckled.

“It’s worth a try.”

“I suppose it is.”

She laughed, remembering the hunter at Pam Simpson’s party back in Catelow.