Page 33

“A woman I met at the rehab center. She’s a volunteer.”

“Huh…”

Buck swore he could hear the curious look on Pallas’ face. “Yeah. She brings in a cat that the patients like.”

A desk drawer closed and a chair squeaked. Pallas was likely putting things to rights since he hadn’t been back in the room for a few hours. And now they were getting ready to leave again.

“And so you’re talking to her because you like the cat?”

There was more than a hint of humor in Pallas’ voice and Buck turned his head to look.

Pallas moved around the table, holding a clipboard against his chest. “Well? Is it the cat? Or the woman?”

Buck gave his friend a look. “I’m not really a cat man.”

“So you don’t like the cat?”

“The cat is fine…” Buck narrowed his eyes at Pallas. “But the woman… she’s something.”

Reaching down, Buck picked up his cellphone and put it in his pocket.

When he was finished, he looked up and saw Pallas watching him with a good bit of interest.

“I’m not a spotted owl.”

Pallas smiled at him. “What does that mean?”

“You’re looking at me like you’re studying me for some kind of nature show.”

Pallas shrugged. “You are a curious member of the species.”

Buck started for the door, putting some effort into walking with an easy gait. When he got to the door, he nodded, happy with how he was feeling.

“Hey,” Pallas moved around him to reach for the door.

“I could have opened the door,” Buck grumbled under his breath.

“I hope you’re not planning to talk to her like that.”

Buck lifted a hand and gave his friend a single finger salute.

“Nice…”

Pallas held the door open and Buck stepped out into the air.

The Ko’olau mountain range stretched out in front of them. He’d always noticed the wide green expanses. He nodded as he looked at them. They were nice. Really nice.

“So,” Pallas clapped a hand on his back and Buck gave him a look that didn’t speak volumes, but it said a few choice words, “are you coming to the bowling alley this week?”

Buck’s steps faltered a little and Pallas slowed to a stop, turning his head.

They stood there, looking at each other.

Buck was the one who spoke first. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

He saw Pallas’ expression change.

It wasn’t a big thing, just a lift of a brow. “You can come even if you’re not bowling.”