Chapter 16

"Glad to be getting out of here?" Hardcastle asked, as he helped McCormick pull on his shirt.

"What do you think?" McCormick replied, a grin splitting his face. "You know what they say: there's no place like home. At this point, I'm even starting to miss the gutters."

Hardcastle smiled in return, but McCormick couldn't help but notice that the expression didn't quite reach his eyes. The laughter faded from the young face as he turned his attention to buttoning his shirt. He held his breath, waiting—as he had for what seemed an eternity—for the words he dreaded. Regardless of Harper's constant assurances, McCormick knew when something was bothering Hardcastle, and this was definitely one of those times. As much as he wanted to believe things would return to normal now that he was finally leaving the hospital, every fiber of his being knew differently. Something had changed with the judge. Now it was simply a matter of waiting for the old guy to find the courage to say so.

But even in this, McCormick wanted to make things easier on the judge, and he found himself wishing the words would just come, already. He hated the pain and uncertainty that never left the older blue eyes, and he wanted it to end. Of course, he knew that particular pain probably ended with him behind bars, but at least the judge could finally relax.

He shook his head slowly. The judge could relax? That was insane! Since when was old Hardcastle's well being more important than his own, anyway?

The thought stopped McCormick cold. He didn't know since when, but he thought it was probably true, even as crazy as the idea was. He opened his mouth to let the judge off the hook. "If you want..."

But he couldn't force the words from his throat. Honestly, he would die for Hardcastle if necessary. And, he would even go back to prison without—much—argument, if that was the judge's decision. But, no matter how much he hated Hardcastle to hurt, he couldn't find it in himself actually ask to be sent away.

The judge eyed him uncertainly. "If I want what, McCormick?"

McCormick forced a slight grin. "If you want, I can drive us home."

Hardcastle's sudden laughter immediately chased away most of McCormick's gloomy thoughts. "McCormick, you're so stiff, I just hadda help get you dressed. If you think I'm trusting you behind the wheel, you're crazy."

McCormick managed an honest smile. "Okay. Just thought I'd ask."

Hardcastle smiled in return as he grabbed McCormick's duffel bag. "Just put your butt in that wheelchair, and we'll get out of here."

"Judge..."

"Hospital rules, kiddo," Hardcastle told him firmly.

"Well that's convenient," McCormick muttered.

The judge grinned shamelessly. "Yep, it is."

McCormick thought that a person could learn a great many things hanging out with the Honorable Milton C. Hardcastle, but probably the most useful was the ability to give in gracefully. He dropped into the waiting wheelchair without further argument. "All right, Kemosabe; Tonto is ready to head out for the ol' homestead."

Hardcastle chuckled as they headed out the door, though he felt his own sense of unease at the thought of returning to Gulls Way. As he pushed the chair down the hallway, he said a silent prayer that he and his friend had recovered sufficiently to weather what was coming next.