He hopes their braced for it. He was hell on wheels until he hit twenty-one, and then he'd entered the police academy, where he was a good cop for a full four years.

Then he was hell on wheels again. But like as not, Argine and Elisha aren't raising Ben Mackinnon.

"No, it's a bright and sparkling sort of night." Since she's becoming something like a lady, he offers an arm. "The lanterns are a nice touch, and the weather's cooperating."