Alice had taught her family and Clint long ago that she didn’t want anyone feeling bad about her disability or that they had to baby her in any way. It was a matter of pride to her to be able to take care of her family. Clint followed Ella out onto the front porch. She leaned her forearms on the railing and looked out into the rainy night. The air smelled clean and fresh, and he moved so that he was standing at the railing beside her. Neither of them said anything for a long moment. Clint didn’t know where the words came from, but he found himself saying, “I’m hoping you’ll forgive me.” What did he want her to forgive him for? Being gone for so long? Or for Bucky’s death? Both. Although truth be told, he didn’t deserve her forgiveness. She turned her head and studied him. “You left us for a long time without a word. We didn’t know if you were alive or dead.
