Holt caught my arm. “You alright?”
My knees gave out.
“I, I don’t understand,” I whispered, breathless. “How…?”
He nodded toward the letter in my shaking hands. “Let’s open it together.”
My fingers fumbled at the seal. Papers slipped out—legal documents, the deed, and a folded note with my name on it. I handed the note to Holt, unable to see clearly through tears.
“May I?” he asked gently.
I nodded, pressing my lips together.
Holt unfolded it carefully, then removed his hat and turned slightly toward me, lowering his voice.
“Let’s open it together.”
“I’m not usually the one doing this kind of thing,” he said quietly, almost apologetic.
“Ariel —
After you left, I noticed one of your letters had slipped from the stack you were carrying. I know I shouldn’t have read it, but when I saw the word foreclosure, I couldn’t ignore it.
After you went home for your nap, I called my banker and used Walter’s ‘rainy day’ fund to clear everything with the bank. I signed the papers myself.
“I couldn’t ignore it.”
You gave me kindness when you had nothing left. You saw me as a person. That’s why I wanted to make sure you were safe too.
