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Not anymore.

“Mace,” I said.

Her eyebrows rose slightly.

“Of course.”

That sounded like the Judy I remembered.

I stepped out from behind the bar.

Max rose and came with me.

Judy watched me cross the room.

I wondered what she saw.

More gray.

More scars.

Fifteen years in the Army and three years spent avoiding every place that might have asked me to stay.

I stopped several feet away from her.

“Hello, Judy.”

“Hello.”

That was all we had.

More than eighteen years reduced to two words.

Rylie looked disappointed.

Trigger looked confused.

Carson looked interested.

Will looked intrigued.

Judy glanced at Max.

“He’s yours?”

“Yes.”

“What’s his name?”

“Max.”

She held out her hand but didn’t move closer.

She waited.

I noticed.

“Friend,” I told him.