““Aletta.” “I need to apologize to you, Jake. And I’d be obliged if you’d allow me to do that.” He stared, a little baffled, then nodded. “All right.” “I’m sorry for questioning whether or not you were truly wounded.” He looked away. “For questioning why you were here instead of being off fighting somewhere. This auction, all the money being raised, all the good being done, is due in large part to you. I appreciate your friendship to me. And also your friendship with my son.” He slowly looked back. “And I only hope,” she continued, her smile reaching her eyes before it turned the beautiful curves of her mouth, “that I haven’t overstepped my bounds in a way that will prevent that friendship from continuing in the future.” Hearing the ring of familiarity of his words in hers, he smiled. And dared to hope. “Not at all. Our friendship can sustain that, and a whole lot more, I assure you.””
