The way he was suddenly holding onto her was a bit of a surprise. Not that it wasn't a welcome gesture, though, and Heather returned it completely, rubbing a hand up and down his back for any extra comfort it might provide.
"And you always will," she said into his ear. "I'm not them. I can't tell you the things they could, but I can listen. And I'll do what I can to make you feel better about it until they're ready to talk."