Reuben immediately piped in, “Oliver, don’t go sappy on us. You would have done the same for any one of us.”

“You have done the same for every one of us,” said Annabelle.

Stone shook his head. “I know how much you risked. I know what you sacrificed to come here and do what you did.” His gaze settled on Alex Ford. “I especially know what you did, Alex. Even though it went against all your instincts as a Secret Service agent. And I appreciate it more than I can ever express.”

Alex could only meet Stone’s heartfelt gaze for a few moments before he looked down at his shoes.

When the door opened, they all turned to see who it was.

Abby had changed her clothes and washed her face, though the imprint of the tears she had bled with Danny’s death seemed to linger. Apparently, no soap could reach that. When Stone rose and went to her, the others silently made their way out of the restaurant and out onto the street.

Abby and Stone sat at a back table. When Stone handed her some napkins she shook her head. “I’ve got no more left. No more tears.”

“Just in case then,” he said. “What will you do now?”

“You mean after I bury my son? Haven’t thought that far ahead.”

“He saved us, Abby. But for what he did, you and I would be dead. He was a brave man who tried to do the right thing. That’s how you have to remember him.”

“I told you I lost my husband. Danny was all I had left. Now he’s gone too.”

“I know it’s hard, Abby. It’s harder than anything else you’ll ever have to do.”

“You lost your wife, but you still have your daughter.”

“What?” Stone said, startled.

“That woman out there said she was your daughter.”

“Oh.” Stone looked embarrassed. “That was a cover story, I’m afraid. My daughter.” He stumbled over what he was about to say. “My daughter died, like I said.”

“How?”

“Abby, you don’t—”

“Please tell me. I want to know.”

Stone slowly looked up to see her gazing at him pleadingly. “She was shot right in front of me when she was an adult. And the thing was she didn’t even know I was her dad. The last time I’d seen her she was only two years old. I found her again after all those years and then I lost her. Forever.”

Abby reached out and took his hand. “I’m sorry . . . Oliver.”

“But you do survive it, Abby. You never get over it, but you can keep on living. Because you really don’t have a choice.”

“I’m scared. I’m alone and I’m scared.”

“You’re not alone.”

She laughed halfheartedly. “What? Tyree? The wonderful town of Divine?”

“Me.”

She sat back and looked at him. “You? How?”