“Violet, you have no idea—”

“As a man you may have wanted to protect us,” she said gently. “But as a police officer your oath would have propelled you to take action. And I couldn’t let that happen to Trudy. I did what I had to that night—Trudy and I both did—and afterward, I figured it was better if I just disappeared from your life, if we never told anyone what happened. It was easy for me because Trudy wasn’t talking, and I just never spoke of it. Eventually she and I went on with our lives as if it hadn’t happened. Other than the fact that Trudy no longer spoke.”

“Until tonight.”

“Until tonight. Now it’s out in the open, and I suppose you have a decision to make.”

“Violet, I’m not a police officer anymore. My nephew has taken on that role, but you and Trudy both have been cleared. There’s no price to pay.”

“But you, Frank. You have a decision. You might not be a police officer anymore, but you’re still the only good, honest man I’ve ever known. I wouldn’t blame you in the least if you drove away and I never saw you again.” Her chin quivered and she shifted her jaw to hide it. “What happens next is up to you.”

Frank stared at her long enough to cause prickles of perspiration to bloom at her hairline and in the crooks of her elbows. She wiped her damp palms on her shorts and lifted her head. She waited.

Finally he took a step toward her, then another, until he stood a breath away. He propped his cane against the side of his leg, put his hands on her cheeks, and lowered his head to look her full in the face. “You seem to think I’m some sort of perfect man, but I’m not. I wouldn’t have turned you away back then, and I’m surely not going to turn you away now. Not when I’ve just found you again.”

Her eyes filled. When they spilled over, he caught the tears with his thumbs. “Violet Figg, you’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met. And you’ve been strong for so long.”

“I’ve had to be. There was no one else.”

“I know. But now there is. What do you say you let me be the strong one for you now?”

Not trusting herself to speak, she only nodded.

“I’ve wanted to do nothing but hold you since the moment I saw you on the beach with your clipboard and green hat. Is it okay if I do that now?”

Violet let a small laugh escape. A whisper of breeze twirled around them, and the space between them grew a little smaller. “It’s okay,” she whispered.

Frank pulled her toward him, his arms thinner than they’d once been, softer, but just as sure, just as steady. And her body responded, her arms lifting and wrapping around him, her face burrowing into the hollow of his neck. His firm chest buoyed her, enveloped her, and the years floated away.