Broken Boulder It’s not working for me here.

Lily had been given an idyllic childhood. Spoiled beyond measure, always warm and safe, content with her place in life. Khali's story could not have been more different. Her jaw descended further and further as he continued, and when tears came to his eyes, she rushed forward, pressing her nose to his shoulder. Perhaps he would find solace in her embrace, perhaps not. But she had to try.

I'm sorry. Her mouth opened to speak the words, but naught but a whimper came out, strangled and hoarse. Tears of her own welled up, and she blinked them back hastily--this was his time to cry, not hers!

No wonder he wandered alone at night. After everything that had happened. . . He had always seemed like such an easygoing, happy man to her. Lily had no idea that all of this resided under the surface. Still, when forced to tuck things away, to move on, one got very good at wearing a brave, impassive face. Khali was master of that realm.