Mac got out of the hospital after two days. He was on crutches of course. He thought that doctor did not have to worry about him walking on that knee. He could not walk on it if he wanted to with the pain that was in it now. "I can sit in my office during the day," he said.

"Well, at least I will know where you are," Jo replied.

Mac looked at her. "You can drop me off at my apartment, Jo."

"You know I'm not going to do that. You're going to stay with me until you can get around better. That's the end of that."

Jo drove to her apartment and helped Mac get out of the car. They went inside and Mac sat down on the sofa. "You should get into bed," Jo said. "I have your room all fixed. You have a TV and everything in there."

"Thanks but I don't want in the bed," Mac replied. "I have been in the bed for two days."

Jo gave him a pen and notepad. "Write down everything you want me to bring from your apartment."

Mac looked at the notepad and then at Jo. "Well, you can't go home to get dressed every morning," Jo pointed out.

Mac nodded and started writing. He felt like he was being pushed again but he knew she was right. He could not handle everything on his own.

When Mac had the list done, Jo left to get the stuff he had written down. Mac looked at the bottle of water she had left on the table for him and his bottle of pain medication. He figured he would be on that for a long time. He got in agony before it was time for it again.

Mac looked at the crutches. He thought he wanted to go and lie down so he got up and made his way to the bedroom and got into bed. He thought he must have gotten lazy while he was in the hospital, but one could not really rest when they were in the hospital because the nurses were coming in all during the day and night and it was hard to rest.

Jo got all the stuff on the list and then went back to her apartment. She found Mac sleeping when she went into the bedroom. She hung his clothes in his closet and put his other stuff in the bathroom. Then she went to fix lunch. She stood in front of the stove for a moment wondering if she wanted to just order a pizza. She grabbed the phone. Why not? Pizza was good especially after someone had been in the hospital.

Mac did not wake up before the pizza arrived. Jo took the pizza into the bedroom and sat down on the bed. "Mac, wake up," she said.

Mac was startled but he realized it was Jo. "I ordered us a pizza," Jo said.

"Great," Mac replied. "I'm starved."

"After this, I'm going in to the office for a while. If you need anything, you can call me."

Mac took a bite of the pizza. "I'm sure I'll be fine after this."

When they were done with that, Mac lay back down. Jo crawled over to him and leaned over him. She stared into his eyes for a moment and then kissed him. "I'll be back later," she said.

"Thanks for helping me," Mac said.

Jo touched his face. "It's my pleasure."

Jo got off the bed and put her jacket on. She brought a bottle of water and the pain medication and set it on the table beside the bed. "Do you want anything else in here?" she asked.

"My book," Mac replied. "I was reading a book while I was at the cabin and I would like to read some more of it. It was in my duffle bag."

"Okay." Jo went into the living room and soon came back with the duffle bag. "Got it." She found the book and gave it to Mac. "Anything else? Maybe something to snack on? I have some chips in here or some yogurt, apples, bananas."

"I'll take an apple."

"Okay." Jo got an apple and brought it in there. "Anything else?"

"No, this should do fine."

"Okay. Well, Ellie will be home by four. I told her that you will be here and she will probably come in here and check on you."

"That's fine."

"See you later."

Mac relaxed on the bed as he heard Jo close the front door. Then everything was silent. He wished there was some sort of noise in the apartment but there was nothing and he did not want the TV on at the time but he thought he heard something next door. He listened a moment but he could not determine what he was hearing. It was kinda like a knocking sound that had a constant rhythm. Mac opened his book and began reading. He soon forgot about the sound and was concentrating on his book.

Mac was awakened later by someone knocking on the door. He did not think Ellie would be knocking on the door. He looked at his watch and it was not even time for Ellie so he just dozed back off. Jo was not there and he was not going to open the door for anyone.

The next thing Mac knew, he was having pain in his knee and he heard someone coming in the front door. He figured that was Ellie. He got his bottle of pain medicine and took one of them. He looked at his watch and it was a little after three. Jo had said Ellie would be here around 4. He looked for his weapon which was also lying on the table. He slid it from the holster and waited to see what would happen. There was definitely someone in the apartment because he could hear them in the kitchen. He was pretty sure it was Ellie because he knew kids always raided the kitchen when they came home from school.

Soon, Mac heard a knock at the bedroom door. "Detective Taylor," Ellie said. "Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine. Thanks," Mac answered.

"Okay. If you need anything, just tell me. I'll be in here watching TV."

"Okay."

Mac put his weapon away. He thought Ellie must have run home instead of walk. He felt uncomfortable being here like this. He really wanted to be home and Jo could just come by and see about him but she had insisted that he was going to stay here. He did not see the difference in him staying here alone during the day than staying at his own apartment during the day. However, he supposed Jo wanted him here during the night so that she could be here with Ellie and would not have to worry about him.

Jo came home at about 6:00. "Hi, Mom," Ellie said.

"Hi," Jo replied. "How was school today?"

"Fine."

"Did you check on Mac?"

"Yes. He said he was fine."

"Good. Thank you for watching after him."

Jo went into her room and dropped her purse on the dresser and took off her jewelry and got into a t-shirt and sweat pants. She went to the other bedroom and found Mac sleeping. She shoved the door closed which startled Mac. "Have you been sleeping all day?" Jo asked.

Mac rubbed his eyes. "Most of it, I think," he said.

"Well, I am going to fix a dinner that will make you want to get out of that bed."

"I hope so. I'm tired of lying here." Mac sat up. "I think that pain medicine just knocks me out."

"Probably does."

Mac noticed Jo was wearing sandals. "You wear sandals in the winter?" he asked.

"They're comfortable and they keep my feet off the floor and it is not cold in this apartment. You going to the kitchen now?"

"Sure," Mac said. He looked at his knee. "I'll be glad when I can walk again."

"Me too."

Jo gave Mac his crutches and he got up. "I think I better make a trip to the bathroom before I go in there," Mac said.

"Holler if you need me," Jo said and went on to the kitchen.

When Mac was done in the bathroom, he went into the kitchen and sat down at the table. "Prop that leg up," Jo said.

"Yes, Ma'am," Mac replied and put his foot up in another chair. "So, what's going on at the office?"

"I brought a whole bunch of papers for you to sign that will keep you busy all night tonight and all day tomorrow too."

"Oh, great," Mac said sarcastically. "I needed something to do while I wander in and out of sleep."

"Is that medicine that bad?"

"Yes. It keeps me asleep a lot of the time."

"Well, how did your book go?"

"I don't think I read much of it. I have been very lazy today."

"You are far from lazy."

Mac looked at what Jo was doing. "What are you fixing?" he asked.

"A wonderful stew. I guarantee you will love it."

"I'm sure I will."

By the time the stew started cooking, Mac knew how hungry he was. "That smells so good," he commented as his stomach was growling.

"It will be ready soon."

Jo sat down at the table across from Mac. "Wouldn't you like for us to be doing this every night?" she asked.

Mac looked at her. "I believe that's what I said," he pointed out.

Jo looked down at the table. "Yes, you did. I've been thinking about this a lot today."

"And?"

"I want to keep an open mind. I don't want to just reject marriage because I know some people get married and it's wonderful and rewarding and they live happily ever after."

Mac nodded. He knew he and Claire would have, but that was another life. "Both people have to want it to work and they both have to be willing to work on it," he said.

"Yes, I know. I don't want you to think that I'm a stubborn, uncompromising person."

"I don't. I think you've been hurt and you just don't want that again. I don't want it again either."

"I know. I'm sorry if I made you feel that way."

"I'm sorry if you thought I was pushing you."

Just then, Ellie walked into the kitchen. "Mom, when is that stew going to be ready?" she asked.

"Soon," Jo replied.

"I'm starving."

"Why don't you go take your shower and then by that time, it will probably be done."

"Okay."

Mac looked at Jo. "Do you really think she's going to want me for a dad?" he asked.

"I'm sure she will," Jo replied.

"I know it will take time but I think we can work all this out."

"I do too and I want to work it out."

When the stew was ready, they ate dinner and then went into the living room. Just as they sat down, someone knocked on the door and then they heard someone unlocking the door. "That must be Tyler," Jo said.

Mac watched as Jo went to the door and hugged Tyler. He had to admit that Tyler favored his father, but he favored Jo too. "Tyler, this is Mac Taylor," Jo said as they came over to the couch.

"Nice to meet you," Tyler said.

"You too," Mac replied. "How is school?"

"Fine." Tyler looked at Mac's leg which was propped up on a foot rest. "What happened?"

"Well, it's a long story, but I got hit in the knee with a baseball bat."

"A baseball bat?" Tyler asked, his interest peaked. "Who hit you?"

"A murderer. She was trying to capture me and make me her next victim."

"A woman?"

"Yes."

"Not many women who do that, huh?"

"No but this woman is different I guess."

"Did you catch her?"

"No, she's still at large."

"Wow, and she's killing men or just anybody?"

"All of her victims have been men," Jo said. "Don't bother Mac with all those details."

"Sorry, but I read about her in the paper," Tyler said.

They sat and talked for a while and then Jo went with Ellie to tuck her into bed. Tyler looked at Mac. "So, are you going to marry my mother?" he asked.

Mac thought of how he wanted to answer that. "I hope it comes to that," he said.

"So, you don't know?"

Mac looked at him. "Well, we haven't gotten that far yet."

"You've been sleeping with her though, haven't you? Ellie told me you were here all night."

Mac stared at him a moment. "I don't think that's any of your business. That's between me and her and I was here all night because I fell asleep on this couch."

"I'm her son. You better not take advantage of my mother."

"I'm not taking advantage of her."

"What are you doing here now?"

"I asked him to stay." Mac and Tyler looked to see Jo standing with her arms folded. "You just stay out of my relationships, young man," she said.

"I just don't want him using you, Mother."

"He's not using me. As a matter of fact, I asked him out first."

Tyler looked at Mac and folded his arms. Mac thought he looked an awful lot like Jo then. He wondered what he was thinking. Mac just stared at him a moment. He knew how protective boys were of their mother. He had been protective of his own mother too.

Jo came over to the couch and sat down. "I'm a grown woman," she said. "I don't need you to protect me, Tyler." She kissed him on the head. "Although, I appreciate your love for me."

"I don't want you to get hurt again, Mother," Tyler said.

"I know that, but this time is different."

"I hope so."

"And besides, Mac is injured and I'm taking care of him until he gets better and able to take care of himself again."

Tyler nodded and looked at Mac. "I'm sorry," he said.

"That's okay," Mac replied. "I'll be very careful."

Mac took his pain medication again and was soon sleepy. "I think I want to turn in," he said.

Jo got his crutches for him and they went into the bedroom. Jo turned the covers back on the bed. Mac sat down on the bed. "You need any help?" Jo asked.

"No, I can manage pretty well," Mac said.

"How about some pajamas?"

Mac nodded as he took off his sweatshirt. Jo brought his pajamas and took his shoes off. "I hate for you to have to do that," Mac said.

"Don't worry about it," Jo replied. "You can't bend over here and take them off."

"Thanks."

Jo stood up and kissed him. "If you need any help, just call me on the cell phone." She smiled. "I guess we don't have to yell from one room to the other anymore."

"I guess not. I remember those days."

Jo went on to her room. Mac finally got into his pajamas and got into bed. He groaned as a pain went through his knee that made him want to grit his teeth. He got settled down and got his book to read a while. He hoped he could get some rest but at the moment he felt wide awake. He supposed that pain medicine would kick in again soon and he would not remember what he read.

Jo felt like she had not been asleep at all when the alarm came on the next morning. She got up and got a shower and got dressed and then went to Mac's room. She knocked lightly and did not hear anything. She opened the door slightly and Mac was still sleeping. She walked over to the bed and watched him a moment. "Mac," she whispered.

Mac jumped slightly and opened his eyes. "Wake up," Jo said with a smile.

"Is it morning already?" Mac asked.

"Yes."

Mac rubbed his face. "I think I slept all night."

"I don't think I slept much, but I had a lot on my mind."

Mac yawned and sat up. "Are you going to work today?" Jo asked.

Mac nodded. "I can sit at my desk just as good as I can sit in this apartment."

"Well, I have to get Ellie off to school."

Mac yawned as he sat up. "I need a shower," he said.

Jo looked at him. "Can you do that?"

"I have to do something."

"Just be careful."

"I will."

Jo left the room and went about her business. Mac was not sure how he would get a shower. He supposed he could sponge bathe right now. He grabbed his crutches and made his way into the bathroom. He thought he needed a stool to sit on. Just then, he heard a knock at his door.

He went back into the bedroom. "Come in."

Jo came in. "Don't fall down in that bathroom," she said. "Do you need anything that could make it easier?"

"Do you have a stool I can sit on?" Mac asked.

"Sure. Be right back."

Mac looked in the mirror as he went back into the bathroom. He thought he looked like he had been awake all night. He needed a shave too. Jo soon came back with the stool. "You want me to help with your shaving?" Jo asked.

Mac smiled. "Nah, I think I can handle it."

"Hey, I can give a close shave." Jo put her arms around him and kissed him.

"I'm sure you can." Mac looked at her. "Don't worry about me. I'll be alright."

"Okay."

Jo went back to the kitchen, and Mac looked in the mirror again. "Well, Taylor, you definitely need to do something," he said to himself as he rubbed his stubble.