"No! No, don't ever be sorry. I needed you today, and you were there. I couldn't have done it without you." She put her hand on mine and looked me in the eye, her voice a whisper. "It's what I was doing when I saw you in line, wishing you'd just appear. I was imagining you holding me, and then you were there. Thank you."

Her voice broke with emotion. I couldn't say anything, so I just pulled her to me.

"Can I stay here tonight?"

"Of course." I felt my pulse race. A quick mental survey of the small room told me she couldn't possibly mean anywhere but the...