He said, “I know it ain’t been easy for you.”
Her head was lowered. She put her hand to her eyes.
Suddenly he felt the pain she was feeling. His brain pushed aside all thought of Newton Channing, all aspects of the grim issue he’d been trying to settle. The only thing he knew was the yearning to hold her and hold her and never let her go.
And again he was immersed in the dream that took him away from Vernon Street.
His voice was a husky whisper. “Look at me.”
She took her hand away from her eyes.
He said, “I want to take care of you. From now on.”
Her lips were parted. She held her breath.
“For keeps,” he said.
She was staring at him. “You know what you’re saying?”