"There might as well have been no one else in the room. As she walked toward the bar, he came around it. "I'm sorry I didn't get here in time to help," she said. Preacher stooped to pick up Christopher, who put his arms around his neck first, then rubbed his head. "You din't shabe it," he said. Preacher kissed the little boy on the cheek. "My head was cold," he said. Paige wrapped her arms around his waist and, looking up at him, said, "I hope you have room for two more." "What are you doing here?" he asked softly. She shrugged. "I changed the tickets. I wanted to be here. With you. I hope you missed me a little bit." "A little bit," he said. And then he smiled and put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. *"