"No, luv, don't apologize to me. You've got every reason for it, right now. And I'm always willin' to help you. You're a good girl. You'd do th'same f'me, and I'm not about to think that nobody'd return th'favor." He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug. "You're used to havin' people around, luv. Havin' someone to protect and to help. You shouldn't be alone." He smoothed out her hair and looked at her. "And for that, so many are lucky to have you as a friend."