That was the very last thing she wanted. Realizing that hit her low in the gut hard enough that she pulled back and stared at him. She very nearly told him no. Finally she shook her head. "I want you to talk to him. If you go home now to do it, I'll be right there behind you. If we pick another way, I'll be there."

She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Not leaving you alone again."