"You okay?" His voice was a mellow, deep river, a welcome change from Gram's grating tone in my head.

"I will be." I drew a breath, held it a moment, let it out slowly until my entire body felt deflated. Immediately my anxiety returned, the intensity of the last little while gone, allowing me to slip into fear all over again. My fingers tightened reflexively on his. "On second thought..."

Quaid leaned close and hugged me, the scent of his warm skin and the subtle touch ...