“I bet it doesn’t. I’m happy for you. A thousand times more wouldn’t fully compensate you for what was lost.”

“Maybe not, but seven million will keep me pretty well for the rest of my life and give me something to leave my daughter someday, too.”

“Good enough. I’ll let you know when I receive the official offer.”

“You’re going to Virginia with Sarah and Owen, right?”

“I am. Are you?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll see you Tuesday morning, then.”

“I’ll be there. You’ll be looking out for her, won’t you?” Judging by the fierce expression on Dan’s face, Charlie didn’t need to elaborate any further.

“You bet your ass I will. That’s why I’m going. I’ve been overseeing the divorce, and that husband of hers is a real piece of work. I’m not taking any chances that he’s going to pull anything on her. I’ll be right there the whole time.”

“Makes me feel better to know you’re on her side.”

“Always.” Dan offered his hand again.

Charlie grasped it with both hands. “I’ll never be able to properly thank you for all you’ve done for me—and for Stephanie. We’ll always be grateful.”

“Believe me when I tell you, Charlie, it was indeed my pleasure. See you at the party later?”

“We’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it.”

Charlie waved to Dan when he drove off, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.

Seven million dollars.

While part of him wanted to say fuck them and their money, the other part of him—the part that had once been an intellectual, a teacher and a fairly decent human being before life ripped the rug out from under him—would never say that. He could do a lot of good with that kind of money, for himself and the people he loved.

He could buy Sarah any house she wanted, he thought with a smile, imagining her reaction to hearing that she could have her pick of anything she’d ever wanted. That thought brought a smile to his face and had him once again thinking about the night they’d spent together.

She’d surprised the hell out of him when she asked him for more, and though he burned with the desire to do everything with her, he hadn’t given in completely to those desires, as he was still afraid of scaring her or moving too fast after all she’d been through.

They’d still managed to have one hell of a good time together, and sleeping with her in his arms had been one of the best experiences of his life—even if they hadn’t actually had sex. They’d come awfully close to that, and he had every reason to believe it would happen soon. At least he hoped so.