“Please don’t cry. Please.” He raced over, landing heavily on his knees beside her. He didn’t touch her, remembering the way she’d cringed away from him just before. But as her sobs continued, he couldn’t help himself. Moving onto his butt, he lifted her slowly and carefully onto his lap. At any sign of resistance, he’d let her go. But to his shock, she curled into him. Her hand grabbed hold of his T-shirt and she pressed her face to his chest.
