She stood there by the lake hugging herself with her arms and weeping in muted sounds. Derek watched her uncomfortably and what he did next he didn't expect himself to do.
He moved towards her with long determined strides and was behind her in an instance. He took a hasty step forward, wrapped his arms tightly about her, and drew her hard against him. She gasped as she turned to see him. He had taken her completely by surprise but there was this knowing she had of him that did not allow her to pull out of his grasp. She had felt a sudden jolt of fear mixed with whatever it was she was feeling at that moment, but she relaxed once she knew it was him. She turned her head to rest her cheek on his chest and leaned on him—in every way it was possible to lean. And it seemed to her that he was a
