Page 16 of Rio's Release

“You can say that again. How was the drive?”

“Long, like you said, but Jenny came with me, so we had fun.”

“I’m glad you didn’t travel alone.” His eyes sweep over my face, like he’s trying to commit every detail to memory. “I can’t believe you’re really here.”

A tinkle of laughter escapes me. “You wasted an entire year.”

He gives me a sad smile and looks away. “I know.”

I shift and rub my hand over my thigh, not sure what to say.

His eyes swing back to me. “You look real pretty in that dress.”

“Thanks.” He’s wearing a prison uniform with a number over his chest, and it hits me that this is his life now. Sadness wraps tight around my heart. I can’t think of anything worse. “What do you do all day in here?” Maybe it’s an insensitive question, but I have to know.

He shrugs and pours the last of the crumbs from the chips bag into his mouth. “They’ve got classes we can take. I’m taking one on accounting. I’ve also just been approved for this dog training thing they do.”

“Oh really? I love dogs. Tell me about it.”

“They match up inmates with dogs from the local shelters and bring them out here for us to work with a couple times a week. I just got matched with mine. He’s a sweet brown and white pit bull mix puppy. His name’s Hurley.”

“What happens to Hurley after the training is over?”

“I guess they’ll find him a home. I wish I’d had a dog like him when I was a kid, but my father hated animals.”

“Maybe I could adopt him.” As soon as I say the words, the idea grows on me. It’d be like I had a piece of Dalton with me.

His head tilts. “Maybe you could. I’d like knowing you had a dog around to protect you. I think Hurley’s going to be a big dog, judging from the size of his paws.”

“Hurley.” I repeat the name. “What’s the shelter called?”

“Paws for Cause.”

“I’ll look it up.” I’m not sure Dalton believes I’m serious, but I am.

“Got any birthday plans?”

I shrug. “Just coming to see you. Jenny and I were talking about stopping in Cloudcroft on the way back. Maybe spend the night. It’s pretty up there.”

“You should do that. Have some fun.”

“What were you doing when you turned nineteen?”

He looks away. “Hell, I don’t remember.”

But I think he does. I think he just doesn’t want to tell me. So, I change the subject. “How’s your leg doing?”

“Good. The pain is mostly gone. It’s weak, but I’ve been doing the exercises they showed me. I think it’s helping it get stronger. It’ll just take time. Guess I’ve got plenty of that.”

The reminder hits us both. “Guess so.”

“Everything cool with your father still?”

“Yes. But I moved in with Jenny and her mom, so I rarely even see him anymore.”

“That’s good, huh?”

“Yes.” I look around at other tables and see couple holding hands. “Are we allowed to hold hands?”

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